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                 The Derpy I Know And Love                 
                     -by Stormbringer-                     
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                Chapter 2, Who Should Know                 
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Chapter 2, Who Should Know
CHAPTER TWO
Who Should Know.
Twilight was not sure if she really heard a knocking.  Perhaps it was her heart or the heart she could feel beating against her chest.  Or was it a dream?  If so the most realistic and wonderful dream ever, if a dream, she never wanted to wake up.  All she knew was that she was warm and happy.  She felt the embrace of the pony in her bed.  Her own forelegs around her partner.  Their hind legs were intertwined.  She had never felt so content in her life
There was the knock again.
Twilight started to sit up then realized that she had to be careful not to wake the mare sleeping there.
One thing that annoyed Twilight about Rainbow Dash was if she dropped by in the morning, she would fly up to her balcony and knock.  And there she stood at her balcony door, peering in.  Twilight opened the door and before Rainbow Dash could enter, Twi quickly stepped out, closing the door behind her, not inviting her friend in.
“Please keep it down Rainbow, its early”
“Its ten o’clock.” Replied Rainbow,  “I have never heard of you sleeping in.........”
A strange look came over Rainbow, she looked stunned.  Glancing over at Twilight’s tail, then through the glass into Twi’s room, Rainbow could make out the form of a pony on the bed.
“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!  You’ve been doing it!
“Doing what?” said Twilight annoyed even more.
“You know!  Doing It!”  Rainbow saw the ‘I am not going to answer’ look on Twi’s face.
“Don’t tell me that it is another case of Pinkie Pie being mysteriously in your bed in the morning.  You are holding your tail out more than usual.  Mares only do that if ’down there’ has been overly stimulated!”
Twilight could feel what it was that Rainbow was talking about.
“If I was, so what?  I am old enough and I really don’t think it is any of your business.  Have I ever once asked you about any of your endeavors?”
“Fair enough,” conceded Rainbow.  “I am sorry, and if it means anything, I am glad for you!  I dropped by because that Derpy was asking about talking to you and now the featherbrain did not show for morning weather duty.  I stopped by to see if you might know where she went after she saw you.  That Derpy is one strange pony.”
“Bubbles,” said Twilight slightly annoyed.
“Beg pardon?”
“Her name is Bubbles.”
“Who’s name is Bubbles?”  Rainbow was a great athlete but sometimes she could be a little slow on the uptake.
“Who do you think?  Who were you just asking about, Rainbow Crash?”
“Hey! You know how I feel about that name!” said Rainbow on the edge of being upset.
“Hurts being called uncomplimentary names, doesn’t it.”  Said Twilight in her best lecturing voice.  “That’s how she feels about that name.”
Then it appeared that the light was starting to come on with Rainbow when the door behind Twilight opened.
Twilight was not sure if she was ready for anypony to know, but it was too late.
“Derpy?”
“Bubbles!” said Twilight sternly.
Twilight expected Rainbow to collapse to the floor laughing.  Instead her face went blank.
“I am so sorry that I am late Rainbow Dash, I will be right there.”
“No, it is ok.  Just worried when you did not show up.”  Stammered Rainbow Dash.  “Not like you to be late.  It’s fine. Just a little cleaning up after the storm last night.  Already done.  So I guess I will see you later.”
Rainbow turned to leave.
“Please come inside Rainbow, we need to talk.  And please use the front door.” Twilight’s horn glowed for a moment.  “You will find it unlocked now.  Make sure the closed sign is still in place.”
“Sure thing Twi,” said Rainbow who jumped up and did a flip through the air to the front door.
“Show off!”  said Twi.
Bubbles looked at Twilight. As they entered Twilight’s bedroom.
“Bubbles, about last night.” Said Twilight, “I am going to ask one more time and I promise never to again.  Was there something to last night, or were you overwrought and was I just there?”
Bubbles kissed Twilight deeply, it still took Twilight’s breath away.
“That’s all I wanted to know.”  Said Twilight with a smile.  Then leaning out her bedroom door, she yelled to Rainbow, “be down in a minute!”
“Take your time!” was the reply.
The two mares shared a shower to save time, but it may have slowed them down, they started washing the other’s back.  Then Bubbles gave instructions on how clean and preen her wings but the washing progressed from there. This was another new experience for Twi.  Two of her best friends are pegasi and her teacher and her sister are alicorns but she had never got a chance to feel their wings (much less fondle).
Plus they figured that since they were clean....
The two went down to the main floor.  Rainbow had actually made tea.
“Look, sorry if I acted weird earlier,” said Rainbow Dash.  “Don’t take it wrong, but I never expected to find you with any pony, let alone a mare.”
Twilight caught the real meaning, ‘Let alone Derpy!’
Bubbles was starting to look as forlorn as last night when she came in out of the rain.  Twilight caught the look and with her hoof, she lifted Bubbles’ face to hers.  Then Twi kissed Bubbles passionately and long.  Rainbow almost dropped her tea.  Then Twilight turned to Rainbow and said;
“Look Rainbow Dash, try to understand this.  The mare you call Derpy does not exist.  She is based on stereotype and misinformation.  The mare you see before you is sweet, caring, and intelligent.  Did you know she worked at the Canterlot Institute of Science?  Have you even asked her about herself?”
Rainbow shook her head.
“You never really know about ponies until you get to really know them, do you.  Take me, I know you and the other ponies have certain ideas about me.  Not all are true.” Said Twi.
“Like being a mare-lover?”
“I slept with Bubbles not because she is a mare.  I slept with a wonderful pony who my heart went out to and then melted at the first kiss.  She just happens to be a mare.”
“Sorry Twi,” said Rainbow. “I did not mean anything by it.  Everypony knows that I stray down the “mare-lover” path from time to time, OK perhaps more than that.  But I enjoy it.  Heck, if I knew you leaned that way, I may have hit on you before now!”
“You said my flanks were too scrawny!  Remember?”
“I didn’t say they weren’t cute.” Said Rainbow blushing.
Twilight knew that this was Rainbow’s way of accepting her friend’s explanation.
Bubbles spoke up for the first time.
“I know what most ponies think of me, but I do my best to raise two kids, feed them and keep a roof over their heads.  My condition makes it hard for me to judge distance so I tend to be a little accident prone.  But as you said earlier, I am there on time, everyday.  Luckily it is Sunday and the post office is closed.”
Rainbow did not know what to say.  It was perhaps the first time she actually spoke to the mare and not at her.
“Look,” said Rainbow.  “Twi is my best friend.  I don’t care if she is ‘suckin’ face’  with a manticore.”
Then turning to Twi.
“If you are happy, so am I, that goes for you too Der... Ah, I mean Bubbles.”  Then Rainbow had an oddly intelligent look come over her face.  “What now?”
“Well, we have not had a chance to talk, but we will be letting our friends know as soon as we know.”  Said Twilight.  “please keep it between us three for now.  Pinkie Pie swear.”
“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!”  Said Rainbow, then smiling at Bubbles confused look. “you will understand later.  Then I will be going and will talk to you later.”
“Rainbow Dash, would you mind going by Carrot Top’s and telling my children that I will be home later.”
“Sure thing.”
Rainbow left and a silence fell over the two left there.
“Rainbow was right about one thing,” said Bubbles with a smile.
“What was that?”
“You do have cute flanks!”  Bubbles said with a giggle. “I don’t mind if they are a little scrawny!”
Then Bubbles gave Twi  ‘that’ look.
“So what are we going to do?” asked Twilight.
“I don’t know, perhaps we can think better if we had a little more sex!”
“Sounds good to me.”
“So we do it here or do we take time to go back upstairs?”
Twilight’s answer to Bubbles was a smile and a flash of purple magic.  A moment later they were in the bedroom.
“I don’t think I will ever get use to that.” Bubbles said throwing herself at Twilight landing on the bed.
“Something tells me that you are going to have to get use it!”
“I really hope so!” Said Bubbles, but she was cut short.  Twi had started kissing Bubbles, determined to pick up where they had left off last night.
It was several weeks later.  Rainbow was true to her word and kept the knowledge to herself.  Twilight did have to let Spike in on the news.  It was hard on him at first.  From the time Twilight hatched him, he had slept in the room with Twilight.  Now that was not a good idea.  Dragons are very intelligent, despite being a baby, Spike understood things.  But the whole mare with a mare thing was a stumper.  That was until Twilight explained that the way he felt for Rarity was a real emotion, the fact that she was a pony and he was a dragon did not seem to matter to him.  Spike took that explanation as sound and did not ask anything else about it.
Bubbles would spend the night whenever she could.  Rainbow actually let them use her cloud house a couple times when she had weather business in Coudsdale.  With her power it did not matter that Twilight was not a pegasus, she could teleport up and cause herself to walk on clouds.
The two were in the afterglow on Twi’s bed.
“Twilight?”
“Yes sweetie.”
“I need to ask you something.”
“What is that?” asked Twilight unsure of where the question might go.
Both were on their backs looking at the ceiling, holding hooves.  Bubbles turned and looked at Twilight.
“Do you love me?”
The question shocked Twilight to the core.  Twilight felt more for this mare than any other pony, ever.  She could not imagine going on without this pony somewhere in her life.  Why had she not told her yet?  Did she love her?  There was no way that she could NOT lover her.  Twilight suddenly felt what Rainbow Dash would call sappy.
“I tell you I love you, but only because I can’t think of any other word that would tell you how deeply I feel for you.”
Bubbles kissed Twilight lightly.
“I love you too!”
Bubbles covered Twi with her wing.
“Darling,” said Twi. “forgive my ignorance, but is there a special meaning with covering me with your wings?”
“I’m sorry, does it bother you?”
“No! It is just you did it the first evening we, well our first evening.”
“I guess you would not know.” Said Bubbles, “our wings, pegasi that is, are very strong and yet very fragile.  It is almost symbolic of opening your heart to somepony.  Love can be strong yet the heart can be fragile.  The act is a sign of trust that is reserved for mostly lovers.” Bubbles blushed.  “I guess I was being kind of forward that night.  Kind of hoping that the night would end the way it did.”
“In other words, you loved me before we even talked?”
“Silly isn’t it?  Remember that I told Rainbow Dash that there might be complications.”
“I think that first night, the first time I really looked into your eyes,” Twi kissed Bubbles on each eye, “your beautiful, funny eyes, I felt something I never felt before.  I saw in those eyes a heart longing to be open.  Calling out to be loved.  Something I think I had felt in myself, but never had the inclination to share that with anypony.”
“Since the accident, no pony has ever referred to my eyes as beautiful.” Her eyes were filling with tears of joy, “You find in me something beautiful that all other ponies have found revolting or a joke.
Had you told me that then, it would have let me know that I did have the right pony.  But the finding out was fun!”
“Then I think it is time we told our friends.” Said Twilight.
“Can we?  It would be so nice to be able to go out together in public.  I have so wanted to tell Sparkler and Muffin.”
“How do you think they would take it?”
“I think Muffin would love to have another pony in her life to love.  And I think Sparkler would be happy knowing I am happy.”
“Then it is settled.  We can go to Sugarcube Corner and reserve it for.....”
“How about Saturday, it is three days off and it would give us time to gather our friends.”  Said Bubbles.
“Come to think of it,” said Twi, “I don’t think I know who your friends are, other than perhaps Rainbow Dash.”
“It is amazing how Rainbow Dash treats me after our first talk.  But as for the rest, maybe I should wait.  I don’t want to scare you off!”
They may have been lovers but they were still youthful mares and they both giggled.  The kisses did not stop the mirth.

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                Chapter 4, A Family Outing.                
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Chapter 4, A Family Outing.
CHAPTER FOUR
A Family Outing.
“Ok,” said Twi to her little family. “we are running late.  We have to hurry to catch the train for Canterlot.”
“I think we have everything,”  said Bubbles looking at everypony’s saddlebags. “Muffin, stay up with your sister.  Let’s go dear.”
“Princess Celestia  offered a suite in the castle, just in case it is too crowded at my parents.”
With that they all went out the door.  Only to find Princess Luna’s cart being drawn by two of Luna’s bat-winged pegasi.
“Our lady, Princess Luna, sent us to make your trip to Canterlot quicker and easier.”
Bubbles leaned into Twi and whispered.
“These guys give me the creeps.”
“Then we are doing our job.” Said the guard with a wink and a smile.
Bubbles was shocked that they heard her.
“Worry not,” said the guard, “our mistress commanded to treat each of you as we would her.”
“Please get in so we can go,” said the other guard.
The little family climbed in to the cart, there was one large seat where Princess Luna would sit.  Twilight suggested that Sparkler sit there and hold Dinky in her lap.
“Ready gentlecolts,” said Twilight.
The guard spread their wings ran forward for about 10 feet then there was a rush of wings and they were climbing a gentle angle.  Bubbles spread her wings instinctively.  But stayed planted on the cart.  Twilight leaned over to whisper to her fiancée.
“I can think of something else you could do with those wings!”
“Twilight! In front of the children!” giggled Bubbles.
One of the guards turned and spoke.
“I would not mind hearing what you would do.”
“Holy Horseshoes!” said Bubbles.
The guard laughed and turned his head back to what he was doing.
“Mommy!” exclaimed Dinky, “can you fly this high?  This fast?  It is so cool!”
“Yes Muffin, mommy can fly this high and fast,  even more.  The ponies pulling us are weighed down by the cart and our weight.” Then Bubbles turned addressing the guard, “And they know better than flying too fast with children aboard.”
Bubbles winked at Dinky and with that Bubbles jumped into the air, raced ahead of the cart.  Then climbed quickly to a greater height, then plunged straight down past the guard.  She was lost in the clouds.
“Mommy!” screamed Dinky.  Trying to pull away to look where she had gone.
“What is wrong Muffin?” said Bubbles gently landing in the cart from behind.
“Was that necessary?” asked Twi, a little cross.  Sparkler was thinking the same thing.
“I am sorry my Dear.” She said meekly, “it is hard for a pegasus to stay grounded while they are in the air.”
“Do it again! Do it again!” Giggled Dinky.
“No! Don’t do it again!” said both Twi and Sparkler.
After a pause;
“Although, it was about as flashy a move as Rainbow Dash would do!” Then Twi softly said, nuzzling  her fiancée.  “Sorry, I did not mean to speak to you like that.  I was only concerned, I did not realize that I was engaged to Rainbow Dash.”
“You better not be!  Now that everypony knows the way you swing!”
They both chuckled.  Dinky continued to take the trip in wide wonder, but truth be told, Sparkler was about as excited as her sister.  Twilight was use to flying, being an accomplished hot air balloon pilot.
They arrived at Canterlot train station, where their bags had been sent ahead the previous day, in about a quarter of the time the train would have taken.  Instead of getting there in the late evening, they were there about lunch time.  Twilight thanked the guard and ask them to tell the princess that they would be thanking the princess in person a bit later.  With that they shot off into the sky toward the castle.
“What do you say we get some lunch?  Asked Twilight.
“Oat burgers and hay fries!”  squealed Dinky.
“Ok, because it is your first trip to Canterlot,” smiled Bubbles, “you can have some junk food.  But!  You are going to have a good meal tonight at Twilight’s parents.  Deal?”
“Deal, mommy!”
“I sure love that little Muffin!” said Twi to her fiancée.
“You better!  You’re stuck with her!”
“If you are worried about me spoiling her, then you have nothing to be concerned about.” Said Twi, “but my parents!  I’m afraid it is going to take weeks to get her back inline when we are done”
Bubbles laughed as they walked toward the nearest Mac Donkey’s.
After eating, the group started to walk to the castle.  Dinky was amazed that Twi could keep Dinky’s drink floating in front of her without Twi even looking.  Suddenly she got a strange look on her face.
“Mommy?”
“Yes Muffin,” replied Bubbles.
“If Twilight is going to be my mommy too, do I still call her Twilight?”
Twilight stopped, turned to face the little filly.
“What do you want to call me?”
“If I call you mommy you would not know who I am talking to.”
“That is a very intelligent statement!” said Twi.  Dinky blushed at the praise.  “What do you want to call me?”
Dinky thought, looked at Bubbles, Sparkler and back to Twi.
“Would it be ok if I call you mom?”
“Muffin, you don’t know just how happy it would make me if you called me mom.”
With that, Twi levitated Dinky over to her, Dinky squealed with glee!
“Mommy! I’m flying, just like you!”
Twilight caught her and covered her little face with kisses.
“I love you so much, Muffin!” said Twi.
“I love you too....mom!”
Because of her duties, Sparkler had been to Canterlot several times.  She was a guest with a prominent family to the Royal Wedding, the Wonderbolts Derby and even the Canterlot Garden Party.  She had got to attend many High Society Functions.  She was know by sight to Fancypants, Jet Set, Upper Crust, Hoity Toity and other members of the Canterlot Elite.
But to be having a private audience with the princesses was giving her a thrill.  She had interactions with, on a professional level, Twilight Sparkle from her daily goings.
Only now she was starting to realize just how important this quiet, reserved pony was.  She had heard her mother speak of always wanting to meet Twilight.  She always felt that her mom had some kind of crush on the purple pony, which turned out to be true.  After all, she was a very important pony.  More important that she appeared to know or she just did not care.
Sparkler at first did not know what to think about her mother crushing on a mare, even an important mare like Twilight.  But now the time she had spent in the company of Twilight, she started to understood the explanation that Twilight had given at the announcement party.  Twilight did not love her mother because she was a mare, and her mother did not love Twilight because she was a mare.  They are two ponies very much in love with each other, the fact that they were both mares did not appear to enter into the equation.  It was also a plus that Twilight had opened her heart and home to Dinky and even to herself.
She felt genuine affection for this mare who’s love of her mother could not be doubted.   Sparkler had always tried to shield her mother from ponies who would try to take advantage of her perceived disability.
To her most dearest surprise, Twilight did not see a googly-eyed simpleton.  But a very special and intelligent pony that she accepted as an equal.  Especially after getting her purple rump kicked three times in a row by her mom at chess.  The only reaction by Twilight was a huge kiss.
Yes, this is a pony she could love.
“Twilight.”
“Yes Sparkler?”
“I don’t feel right calling you mom, but I think because of our situation, Twilight seems too formal.”
“My closest friends call me ‘Twi’.  I dearly hope I can count you as one of my close friends.  They are all special ponies and I see in you the heart and spirit as great as any one of the five.”
“I would love that, Twi.” Sparkler blushed, she realized that Twilight had just put her on the same footing of her five friends.  Each pony a true hero and pony of impeccable character.
And now she was on the way for Twilight to introduce her and Dinky to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.   She was feeling about as giddy as a school filly.

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        Chapter 5, Introductions of Several Kinds.         
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Chapter 5, Introductions of Several Kinds.
CHAPTER FIVE
Introductions of Several Kinds.
A.J. and Rarity were laying on the bed in their suite.  They were ‘taking a break’.  Bolts of fabric lined the walls.  Dress forms everywhere, at night it looked like ghostly ponies.  A.J. was a little creped out at first.
A.J. looked at the beautiful pony she was holding.  Rarity was everything that A.J. wasn’t.  Rarity was looking into A.J.’s green eyes.
“Do you remember the first time you held me?” asked Rarity snuggling a little closer.
“Do you mean at Twilight’s slumber party?  When she scared the ‘horse apples’ out of us with the ‘Headless Horse’ ghost story.” A.J. kidded.
“No silly,” said Rarity giving A.J. a little love tap, “when you first really held me?”
“How could I forget?”  Said A.J. laying on her back.
A.J. thought back.........
It was the reception for Bon Bon and Lyra’s wedding.  There was a lot of  alcohol, thanks to Pinkie Pie.  It was Pinkie’s way of getting the party in high gear.  Unfortunately, Pinkie was the lightest of lightweights.  Almost always was Pinkie the first out.  Everypony was drinking perhaps too much.  Twilight was trying not to be sick on the carpet in the corner.
Rarity was drinking a bit more than A.J. had seen her drink before.  Applejack had been trying to keep her company and out of trouble.  They were bickering, as usual.
Rarity could not even remember what they were arguing about.  In retrospect, they were probably trying to find a way that they could interact with each other.
Unfortunately, Rarity was being reminded of another party, the party, The Grand Galloping Gala.  She was sure that she was going to meet Prince Blueblood, Celestia’s nephew.  She was so sure that the prince would be so smitten by her charm and beauty that he would fall deeply in love with her immediately.  It would be a fairytale love story with she and the prince living haply ever after.
It turned out that the prince was already smitten.  With his own self.  He was the most rude, self-absorbed, narcissistic, JERK that Rarity had had the displeasure to spend an evening with.  He had allowed Rarity to be with him only to make himself look even better.
Rarity was starting to wonder why every relationship ended in heartbreak and disappointment.  It was perhaps the curse that beautiful mares always intimidated the good colts, afraid to ask them out.  And the ones who were only looking  for a ‘trophy’ at their side to make themselves look good, were the only ones who ever approached her.  Sure the stallion Fancypants did show her attention and did appear to be genuine in his actions, despite being the stallion at the pinnacle of Canterlot high society.  But he had his appointments and events to take care of that would not let him commit.  And so, it just turned out to be one disaster after another.
Rarity had enough presence of mind to know she did not want to do anything as un-ladylike as to be sick on the floor or soil her dress.  She did not have enough presence of mind to realize that she had consumed a copious amount of wine and whiskey.  She found it hard to judge which of the two doors before her was the right one and which was the alcohol induced illusion.  Despite A.J. trying to guide her, she chose wrong.
The next thing Rarity knew was she was draped across the back of somepony, some muscular pony.  She felt the muscles rippling beneath the warm skin.  The sensation was a little arousing, such a powerful pony!  She envisioned some white stallion with long flowing mane taking her to his castle to do to her what she had been missing for so long.  By the temperature of the air, she could tell that she was outside.  Rarity forced her eyes open and saw that her head was near the pony’s flanks.  A three apple cutie mark was there.   She had been swept away by a powerful pony, and one that really did cared about her wellbeing.  She looked forward and saw that Applejack was doing her best to go in a straight line, but not doing a very good job.  Without knowing why, Rarity levitated A.J.’s hat to her own head and giggled.  It was warm and smelled like Applejack.
Eventually they made it to Carousel Boutique.  A.J. carried Rarity up to her room and put her on her bed.  A.J. turned to leave.
Rarity never knew what finally prompted her to reach out.
“Wait, don’t leave me, please.” Said Rarity.
Rarity had a odd look on her face.
“Applejack, Darling, I could feel your muscles as you carried me.  How did you get to be so strong?”
Applejack thought it an odd question, it had an answer she had never shared with anypony outside the family.  The look in Rarity’s eyes  were not that of  a nosy busy-body as A.J. had first assumed.  She could see that there was honest concern, as if sensing something deeper.
A.J. sat on the edge of the bed and looked off out the window.
“When I was a filly, just a little older than Apple Bloom, a traveling salespony came to Sweet Apple Acres to sell some kind of new equipment.  Granny Smith, always the big heart, invited him to stay for dinner.  He told some funny stories about his traveling.  I was kind of taken by him.  After dinner, he packed up his wagon and was getting ready to leave.   I was standing around outside, he asked if I could to show him around the farm, I thought I would be friendly so I took him for a tour.  We were walking among the trees, he was telling some more funny stories.   We had walked a ways, out of sight from the family, and out of earshot as well, he grabbed me, tried kissing me.  I fought back, but he was too strong.”
A.J.’s chest was heaving, she was heroically holding back tears and rage.
“He told me if I did not quit fighting he would kill me!  I was so scared!  He forced me to my knees and then got behind me and, and....”
Rarity reached out a hoof and placed it on A.J.’s foreleg.  A.J.  started to pull away, but didn’t.  Still looking out the window she screamed in rage, fear and shame.
“He raped me!  I was just a little filly and he raped me!  I had no chance!  He laughed and left me there in the orchard.  By the time I was able to go back to the house, he was gone.  It took Granny Smith an hour to calm me down enough to tell her what happened.”
Rarity sat and pulled A.J. to her.  The sobs came hard.
“I swore at that time I would never be weak again!  Nopony would ever hurt me again!” A.J. paused, “I did not blame stallions.  As we say on the farm, one bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch.  But anytime after, any colt who tried to go out with me, all I could think of was that monster.”
The tears were still coming.
Rarity reached out to Applejack, turned her face to hers.  Rarity saw in her, a friend she had been at odds with so many times.  A pony that may have been the complete opposite of herself.  But she saw strength and heart and honor greater than any phony prince.
Rarity did not know who initiated the kiss.  Perhaps both ponies reached out at the same time.
After a few minutes Applejack pulled away.
“Rarity, what are we doing?”
“Do I have to explain it to you?”  She said in her ‘proper’ voice.
“No, but is it right?”
“Why is it wrong?”  Rarity kissed Applejack again.  A.J. gave in.
“Applejack,” Rarity said in an uncharacteristically timid voice, almost like Fluttershy, “I want to tell you something, and now is probably the best time.”
A.J. looked intensely.
“Do you know the reason I am always on you about your manners,  the way you dress?”
“I thought it was just because I am just a different kind of pony and it bothered you.”
“No Darling, that is not the reason.”  She said starting to blush. “I have been drawn to you for some time.  Your manners and the way you dress have always somehow excited me.  Maybe my arguing and fighting was my way NOT to deal with other feelings.”
“What other feelings?”
Rarity looked down in embarrassment.
“I think I love you, I have been too scared to tell you.  Always feared that if you found out, you would have nothing to do with me.  Fighting with you is better than loosing you forever.”  A tear rolled down Rarity’s face.
Applejack looked neither shocked or confused.
“Rarity, you now know my history, more than I have ever told any of our friends.  So you know I was never looking for a relationship.  But I have always been attracted to you because you were the perfect lady.  Everything I could never be.  I would see how everypony looked at you.  How it looked like you could have any stallion you wanted.  I never felt that I was pony enough for you, plus I did not know how you would take it, a mare that wanted to be with you, especially me.  I think I fought with you for the same reasons you fought with me.”
Rarity looked into A.J.’s eyes, hope played in Rarity’s heart.
“Rarity,” A.J. paused, not sure how to continue. “I love you.  I think somehow that I always have.”
There was a long silence,  intense blue eyes locked in equally intense green eyes.  Rarity lay back slowly.
“Remove my dress, Darling,” said Rarity.  “Undress me.”
“Sorry Rarity,” said A.J. with a sly smile, “earth ponies have trouble with buttons.”
Rarity smiled.
“I made this dress, I could make a dozen of them in an evening.”
A.J. looked confused
“Take me, Applejack!  Rip the dress off me.  Give me EVERYTHING!  It is not like when you were little.  I want you to!  MAKE ME YOURS!”
A.J. smiled, dresses were always a bother to her anyway.   And Rarity was so particular with her work.
She reached down and took the dress by her teeth.  Then with a mighty pull, buttons flew, fabric ripped.
Rarity screamed in passion and delight.  She launched herself at A.J. and kissed her so hard it felt like she was trying to suck A.J.’s life force into her to make her even closer.  The feeling was more than A.J. ever felt or even thought she could feel.  A.J. was not experienced at kissing, but she prided herself as a fast learner.  It did not appear that Rarity was finding much fault with her performance.
A.J. could think of anything else but ‘taking her’.
But the actual act, she was unsure.  Having only one bad experience at sex to go off of, she hesitated.
“What’s wrong, Darling?”
`“I.... I don’t know what to do.” A.J. stammered embarrassed.
“Well I am sure you know what everything is for.” Giggled the white pony.
“Yes, but since that time, the only thing I have used it for was taking care of business.”
“Oh Darling, I think the inside you would know what to do given the right circumstance.”  Rarity said scooting up higher in the bed to give A.J. room to move.  She spread her hind legs and reached her hoof down and rubbed lightly on her marehood.
“Come down here and see if anything comes to mind.  Don’t worry I will not let you fail, I will teach you.  But let’s see what you can figure out on your own.”
A.J. felt strange but she climbed all the way on the bed and had her face right at Rarity’s marehood.  She had never dreamed of being in this position, even if it had been her secret wish to be with this pony.
“What do you think?” she asked.  “Don’t be afraid to look, to touch, to taste, to explore!”
“With that A.J. looked closer.  Rarity’s hoof was holding it slightly open.  Against her white coat, the pink really stood out.  In this context, it was beautiful, feelings she had had to bury because of past hurts were now fighting to come to the surface.  Applejack moved so close that she was only inches away, she could smell it.  Not an entirely unpleasant order.  She also noticed it was wet and appeared to be getting wetter.  Remembering that the object of sex with a colt was to put his ‘thing’ in there, but she had no ‘thing’.  What could she do?
Rarity sensed the confusion.
“Use your tongue Darling.  Taste my desire for you!”
A.J. put her tongue into it.  Rarity heaved, as she started to lick around the outside and in.  Rarity was starting to grind her hips.  Then A.J. came upon the little nub near the opening, as she licked it, Rarity started making a moaning sound.  A.J. also noticed that she herself was starting to enjoy this.  A.J. slid her hoofs under Rarity’s flanks, allowing her to more comfort in accessing Rarity.
She felt herself getting wet down there also.
Rarity reached out and held A.J.’s head firmly, not so tight that she could not pull away if she wanted.  Rarity was guiding her in the right place to be.  Rarity’s hips pumped even harder.  It was all A.J. could do to stay on task.
“Don’t stop,” said Rarity through gritted teeth.
As it turned out, Rarity was a screamer.  And when the orgasm hit, A.J. was not sure if she had given Rarity what she had wanted or had just killed her.  Especially when she went stiff, her hips arched up high, then collapsed to the bed.  Rarity lay there panting for a few moments.
“Come here you!  Kiss me, let me taste your success,”  said Rarity.
They kissed long.  Then Rarity broke the kiss and smiled.
“Now Darling, let me show you how it is done!”
With that Rarity instructed A.J. to turn on her back.  Then she started in on A.J.  First just kissing the outside, working up one thigh, then the other.  Each time stopping at A.J.’s opening long enough to tease some more.  Rarity was not at all surprised at how wet A.J. was becoming.
Then Rarity worked her way up to A.J.’s nipples.  A.J. had not hardly even paid any attention to these, now she wondered what else she may have missed.  Rarity worked back down to show her what.  With her hooves, Rarity spread A.J.’s marehood.  A.J. froze, her whole body went stiff, her eyes went wide.
“Relax Darling,  it is me my love.  I won’t hurt you.”  Rarity said calmly.
Rarity felt A.J. relax.
“Good girl.”
Then Rarity stuck her tongue all the way in, up to her chin.  It was a strange feeling, not like that time before, but this warm, soft, exciting.  Rarity worked in and out.  A.J. did not understand why her own hips were starting to move on their own.  Then she shifted to that little bump (she later was to learn it was called a clit).  A.J. realized why Rarity had reacted the way she did.  Everything went gray, then white.  Then it was stars!  She heard some pony yelling, then she realized it was herself.  All her strength left her.  She went limp.  A beautiful white pony slid up her belly, and planted kisses the like she had ever know before.
“Wow, you really know how to please a mare.”
“Actually Darling, this was my first time with a mare.  I only did to you, what I like done to myself.”
The lessons continued through the night.
A.J.’s thoughts returned to the present.
“Ya know, speaking of that slumber party,” said A.J. laying there, “I have a confession.  Remember when we quit acting the fool and finally settled down and got to sleep?  When you woke up and I had ‘accidentally’ cuddled up to you and had my leg around you, holding you?  I had actually woke up about an hour earlier, and thought I would take a chance to hold you.  It was an hour that that I carried with me until that night of the reception.”
“I too have a confession about that night, Darling,” replied Rarity.  “When you cuddled up to me and put your leg around me.  It woke me up.  But it felt so nice I just let you.  You were so warm, and I felt so protected.  It was only when Twilight started stirring, did I act like I was waking up.  I did not want to embarrass you in front of Twilight.  But I remembered that it was so disappointing when you let me go.”
Rarity looked over at A.J. who was laying by her, eyes closed, breathing softly.
A.J. was as strong and caring as she could ever ask for, noble, loving and honest to a fault.  But with the soft light on her face. No makeup, no hours of primping, just a beautiful mare in the bloom of youth.  My ‘Prince of the Apples’ thought Rarity.  No! That is not fair or right, they had taken steps to come to terms with wanting to be with another mare.  Not mares in general, but each other.  My ‘Princess of the Apples’
“I love you, my Princess of the Apples.” Breathed Rarity.
“I love you to, my Princess of the Dresses.” Replied A.J. smiling.
Then their eyes went wide.
“Oh no!  The Princess!”  They exclaimed together.
Rarity and A.J. came rushing in as Twi and company were admitted into the throne room.  Twilight was announcing, formally, her family.
“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, may I present to you my daughters to be. This is Amethyst Star, and this is Dinky Star.  My fiancée, Bubbles Star you know.”
“Children, please come up here.” Said Celestia regally.
Twi had instructed the kids that the very beginning of this visit would be very formal.  They were instructed how to address the princesses and how to bow before them out of respect.  They ascended the dais and stopped two steps before the top.  Dinky was so proud that she did the bow just the way mom had shown her.
“My darlings, rise,” said the princess.  “please come up here.”
They looked back at Twi who nodded her head.
Both princesses met them.  Unexpectedly both Celestia and Luna kissed them each on the forehead.
“Children, I can see that you have been instructed well.  Now don’t worry about formality.  Twilight is my student and my friend.  Both Luna and I are in her debt many times over.”
“As Twilight’s children, you will have the all blessings of the Crown forever.” Said Luna, “you may not understand that now.  But you will one day.  You will learn there are advantages to being a ‘Friend of the Crown’,”
“For now, form has been met and we welcome you before us always.”  Continued Celestia.  “We will talk in the days to come.  Until then, Welcome!”
The two princesses returned to their thrones.  The children bowed again and descended.
They were leaving with Rarity and A.J. joining them.  A.J. stopped and turned to address the princesses.
“Your highness's, may I speak to you a moment, alone?”
Celestia nodded.
“I will be right with you.”  Said A.J. to the group.
Rarity shot a quizzical look.
“It’s fine, Sugar Cube, I will be right there.”
They walked to the door.  The guards opened them and they passed through.  From behind them they heard.
“Your highness's, how proper or improper would it be if......”
The doors closed and that was all that was heard.
They had went through the halls and were approaching the outer doors when they heard a pony galloping up.  They all stopped and saw it was A.J.
“What was that about, my darling?” asked Rarity.
The only reply was a deep kiss.
“I don’t think I will ever get use to seeing that,” chuckled Twi.
“How do you think we feel about you, Darling?”  Replied Rarity seeing that the only reply to come out of A.J.’s mouth was A.J.’s tongue, and down her own throat.
When they were outside, there was Luna’s cart and guards waiting for them.
“Our mistress commands us to take you to the home of Lady Twilight’s parents.”
They climbed on-board.
“We are sorry, little one ,” said the guard looking at Dinky, “with so many ponies, we will not be able to fly.  This time.”
Twilight’s parents did not live far, so the trip was quick.  However, it was enough time for Rarity to ask a question.
“What did the guard mean by ‘Lady Twilight’?  Is there something else you have not told us?”
Twilight looked embarrassed as every pony looked at her.
“The title is a part of the whole Celestia’s Apprentice position.  I have never been comfortable with the title.  But these guards are required to follow all protocol.”

//-------------------------------------------------------//
               Chapter 6, Meet The Sparkles.               
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 6, Meet The Sparkles.
CHAPTER SIX
Meet The Sparkles.
The cart got to Twi’s family home in no time at all.  It was a modest home but big enough to have raised two foals with room to spare.
There in the door were two ponies.  There was a stallion of blue with indigo mane and tail.  And a mare of blue/lavender with purple and white mane and tail who was a spitting image of Twilight except for the color.  Both were smiling.
“Twi-Twi” said the stallion, Twi cringed, “so good to see you!  You and your friends get in here!”
With that they turned and lead the way in.
“Twi-Twi?” asked Bubbles in a low voice.
“Don’t ask.”
A voice behind, one of Luna’s guards called out.
“We are leaving now Lady Twi-Twi, if you need us, just summon.”
Then they shot up into the sky.  Twilight just facehoofed while the others laughed.
As they entered they noticed that there was Shining Armor and Cadence waiting.  Twilight started the introductions.
“Mom, Dad, this is my fiancée Bubbles Star,  Bubbles this is my mom Twilight Velvet and dad, Night Light.”
“I see your father sweetheart,” said Bubbles with a grin, “but where is your mother?  I only see your younger sister!”
“Twilight!”  Said Night Light in an unexpected stern voice, “you can NOT marry this pony!”
Twilight was in shock, she secretly feared that her parents were not as open-minded as she had hoped.  She feared rejection, scorn, loss of the love of her family.  But her father chuckled and said.
“She is obviously a pony that is much too good for you!”
“I have tried to tell her that but she won’t listen.” Said Bubbles.
Twilight gave one of those faces when she is put off her schedule.
“Continuing on, this is her, or I should say OUR children.
“This is Amethyst Star, we call her Sparkler.”
“A pleasure, I’m sure,” said Sparkler.
“So polite!” Said Twilight Velvet.
“And this is Dinky Star, we call her Muffin.”
“I can see why!” said Twi Velvet, lifting Muffin with her magic, causing Muffin to giggle.  Twi Velvet hugged her tight.
“I could just eat her up!”
Twilight’s father tussled Muffin’s mane.
“Told you so,” said Twi to Bubbles.
“And honey, you remember my brother, from when he gave us all a heart attack.”  Motioned to Shining, “and this is his wife Princess Cadence.”
“Cadence please!” said Cadence, “if you call me princess again I will stick my tiara up your muzzle!”
“I would love to see that,” said Bubbles, receiving a hug from Cadence.
Dinky was in awe.  After being in front of Celestia and Luna, here was another princess.
“Are you a real princess?” she asked.
Cadence bent down to look the filly in the eye.
“Yes sweetheart, I am.  But I think I would like it better if you would call me Aunt Cadence.”  Then looking at Sparkler, “I hope you both will.  I use to be Twilight’s foal sitter when she was Muffin’s age, I loved her so much.  Plus my husband and I owe our happiness to her.”
“I would like that.  A real extended family is something we three have dreamed of.”
The older ponies smiled, a tear played at Twilight Velvet’s eyes.
Rarity cleared her throat behind them all.
“Sorry,” said Twilight, “you remember two of my very best friends, this is Rarity and this is her marefriend Applejack.”
“So glad to see you again.” Said Rarity.
“Likewise” said A.J.
Rarity turned to A.J.
“Applejack honey, please remove your hat in polite company.”
“Awe! Quit y’er fussin’.” Replied A.J.
“Darling, were you raised in a barn?”
“As a matter of fact, I was! You know that.”
“That I do.  However, would you like to go back to sleeping in one?”
Twilight never saw her friend remove her hat so quickly.  All laughed.  Twilight then noticed something.
“A.J., are you wearing...makeup?”
A.J. blushed.
“It is just a little mascara and blush, Rarity said I needed to make a good impression.”
“And she looks delicious,” said Rarity giving A.J. a little kiss on the cheek.
“Maybe I should tell Twilight what you had to do for me to let you put the makeup on me.” Applejack said with a sly grin.
“Applejack! Not in front of the children!”
More laughs all around except Dinky of course.
After a great meal, they sat around talking.  Mostly Night Light telling embarrassing stories about Twilight and Shining Armor.  The two siblings were in a constant state of facehoofing.  Cadence had taken Dinky in another room and was entertaining the little filly.  They could hear them in the next room;
'Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake!
Clap your hooves and do a little shake!’
Peals of laughter rang constantly.  Cadence so loved children.
The talk got around to the wedding, who the Brides Maids were.  Cadence had walked back into the room at that time.
“That reminds me.” Said Twilight.  “Cadence, would you do me the honor of being my Best Mare?”
“I would love to Twilight.  But don’t you have other closer friends?”
“Yes I do, but like the Grand Galloping Gala Ticket Fiasco, I don’t want to pick one over the others.  They all agreed to be Bride’s Maids.”
“I have a question to ask also,” said Bubbles, then turning to her daughter, “Sparkler, my beautiful daughter, you have stuck by me for so long and I have leaned on your strength so many times, perhaps more than you may ever know. Would you honor me by being my Best Mare?”
“Yes mother,” Said Sparkler tears welled up in her eyes, “It would make me so happy.”
Then looking at Dinky.
“And you Muffin, would you like to be a Flower Filly?  We are going to ask your friends to do that as well.”
“Yes mommy, I think that would be fun!”
“Then there is only one more item.”  Said Twilight, “would you give me away Daddy?”
“I would be so honored.” He replied.  “Has Bubbles asked her family yet?”
Bubbles looked down.
“I am an orphan,” she said.  “My brother and I were left at the Canterlot Youth Home when we were very young.  We were discovered together, we were never sure if he was really my brother but that did not matter.  Hooves and I always stuck together.  For whatever reason, neither of us were adopted, as is the case of many foals.
We exceeded at school and so we helped the younger foals with their schooling until we were old enough to leave.  I got a job at the Canterlot Institute of Science and he went on to higher education.  But he has always been there for me, so I am asking him.”
Night Light looked at Bubbles.
“Sweetheart, you have a family now.  You, your children, and even your brother are welcome here.  And if you ever call us other that mom and dad, we will be very disappointed.”
Twilight Velvet nodded her head in agreement.
“I think I would like my new daughter to help me clean up in the kitchen.” Said Twilight Velvet.
“I would love to,” answered Bubbles.
“I can help too,” said Twi.
“No, you have guests here.  You need to attend to them.  But if Cadence would like to help that would be nice.”
“I would be happy to.”
The rest of the evening went well.  There was a lot of laughing coming from the kitchen.  But there was plenty in the living room.  At last it was time to leave.   Dinky did not want to leave her new grandparents, but it was explained that they would always be her grandparents now and she would be back a lot.
Outside, Luna’s cart was outside waiting.  Dinky was asleep before they reached the castle.  Twi and family went to their suite and Rarity and A.J. to theirs.
Rarity was surprised to find Princess Luna waiting for them.
“Rarity, I understand you have finished my gown.  May I try it on?”
“Certainly, your highness.” Said Rarity, “but is it not a little late for this?”
“Princess of the Night, remember?”
“Sorry, of course.”
Princess Luna was a beautiful mare as was Celestia.  Rarity had a hidden fear that the gowns she had made might detract from that fact.
“It is lovely!” said Luna, “we are pleased.  Have you made the Brides’ Dresses?”
“Yes, highness,  they are over here.  The brides requested matching gowns as not to detract from the other.”
“A wise choice,” replied the princess.  What of the Brides Maids?”
“I have not started as of yet, highness”
“My sister had a suggestion.  She asked for your convenience and for her pleasure, if you can make the Brides Maids dresses similar to the Brides.  With all the mares present in the wedding party, she said it would ad, symmetry.”
“Of course, your highness.” Said Rarity, “it would be my pleasure.”
Rarity was a little perplexed but a suggestion from the Crown was as good as an order.  A.J. was just smirking.
Twilight and family stayed a few more days.  Visited with the princesses, and Twi’s family especially at meal time.  But the time came for them to go back to Ponyville and take care of their duties.  It was just over two months until the wedding.  Twilight and the rest of the wedding party did have to make several trips back to Canterlot for fitting with Rarity or for business with the princesses.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                 Chapter 7, Getting Ready.                 
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 7, Getting Ready.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Getting Ready.
Nightmare Night came, and to Dinky’s delight, Princess Luna came in the guise of Nightmare Moon, the princess made Dinky her assistant for the night.  Her friends were scared out of their wits and jealous that she got to have so much fun with Princess Luna.
All of Ponyville was abuzz with activity.  Most of the town was invited to the wedding.  Even the ones who harbored doubts about two mares getting married were honored to receive a gold invitation which read:
Their Grand Royal Highnesses send greetings and request your presence at the state wedding of:
Bubbles Star
to
Lady Twilight Sparkle
At Canterlot Castle on this Hearth Warming Eve at 10:00 p.m. Canterlot Standard Time.
Due to the lateness of the service, reception will be the following day at 5:00 p.m. in the Canterlot Ball Room.
Please RSVP to Canterlot Castle by December 12th.
Princess Celestia Rex
Princess Luna Rex
It was now a week before the wedding.  All were excited.  The entire wedding party had moved to Canterlot to get ready.  Twilight and Bubbles were in and out everywhere.  Twi’s parents were watching Dinky a lot.  Many times she would ask to stay overnight.  Twilight’s prophesy of Dinky becoming spoiled was coming true, but so far, no behavior issues.  Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, were invited to stay with dinky several times.  To their great credit, Night Light and Twilight Velvet handled the little group with grace and the occasional assistance of Cadence.
Rarity had a constant stream of ponies coming in for last minute fittings.  Rarity had to admit that the matching gowns and the similar Brides Maids dresses did make it easier to handle patterns and fabrics.  She would have needed twice the time if each had been different.  Even so, she also realized that she could never had kept up this pace without Applejack there supporting her.  If she was not dear to her before, she was now.
The only odd thing that happened was that Pinkie Pie and her sister, Octavia, had come in to ask a favor.  Rarity had been surprised just how unalike the sisters were, one bubbly and random the other prim and proper.  How she was a friend with Bubbles, Rarity could not fathom.
“Rarity, Applejack,” said Pinkie, “we have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it Pinkie Dear?” Replied Rarity.
“Octavia and I have not seen a lot of each other for the last couple years.  Would you mind if Applejack traded sides with Octavia so we can stand together.  We asked Bubbles and Twilight if it would be ok, they said yes, but it was up to you.”
Rarity looked at Applejack who gave a little nod as if to say it is ok.  They had plenty of time to be together.
“Yes, Pinkie Darling, we would be happy to."
Pinkie hugged A.J. and Rarity.  Octavia thanked them and the two departed.
“It is ok, Sugar Cube.” Said A.J. “I am sure we will get to be close together that night!”
Rarity blushed.  A.J. kissed her.  Rarity only halfheartedly pushed her away.
“I have work to do.”  Smiled Rarity.
A.J. reached under Rarity’s tail.
“I think I have some work to do as well.”
“You are incorrigible!  If I had known then what I know now...”
“You would have kissed me sooner.”  Said A.J.
Rarity turned to go to work, but she was swishing her tail the way that made A.J. weak.  A.J.  was right.
“Later Darling.  Oh yes, later.”  Replied Rarity over her shoulder.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
        Chapter 8, The Wedding and Pinkie Roulette!        
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 8, The Wedding and Pinkie Roulette!
CHAPTER EIGHT
The Wedding and Pinkie Roulette!
The throne room was packed.  All the wedding party were dressed and ready.  All were beautiful.  Even Applejack was wearing a little more makeup than she normally let Rarity put on her, she also swore to Rarity that she would leave her hat back in the room, on pain of sleeping alone for life.
They were lined up in twos.  There were the Best Mares, Sparkler and Cadence.  Then came  Brides Maids, Applejack with Rarity, Carrot Top with Octavia, Vinyl Scratch with Pinkie Pie, Bon Bon with Rainbow Dash and Lyra with Fluttershy.  And ready to proceed the Brides, were the Flower Fillies, Dinky with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom with Sweetie Belle.
At the back stood Dr. Hooves and Night Light.  The music started and the doors opened all looked back to see.  Rarity’s first sight of the regal princesses wearing, in public, dresses she had made, almost made her swoon.  It was one of her most fondest wishes.
As Lyra and Fluttershy, the last of the Brides Maids,  made their way to their position, the music paused.  Then a louder chord sounded, all stood.  From the back, the Flower Fillies skipped up the aisle, spreading rose peddles.  The two Brides walked from out of sight to their escorts.  They then processed forward the escorts in the middle and the brides on the outside.  Never had Canterlot Castle hosted two such beautiful brides.  Nopony even noted Bubbles eyes, only how lovely she and Twilight looked.  They were escorted to the top of the dais.  Each escort kissed the bride they were leading and handed their hoof to the other bride.  The music stopped.
“Dearly Beloved Subjects, I have never had the honor to join two such cherished brides before.  The Lady Twilight Sparkle, whom I have taught since she was a filly has been as dear to me as a daughter.  I trust her knowledge, I trust her wisdom, I trust her council.  When she let me know she had found a pony to love, my sister and I rejoiced!
Then I found out that the pony was a pony I had known.  A pony that had faced the horror of watching the ultimate loss of a loved one.  A pony that faced a condition that others would scorn.  A pony that took all of that and yet forged ahead with grace and honor.
A perfect match for my apprentice.”
“So it is my pleasure to ask you.”
Looking at Bubbles;
“Bubbles Star, do you take Twilight Sparkle to be your wedded wife?  To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
“I do, your majesty!” Said Bubbles, a tear streaming down her cheek.
Then turning to Twilight;
“Twilight Sparkle, my beloved student, do you take Bubbles Star to be your wedded wife?  To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
“I do, your highness, more than anything!” said Twilight.
“Then if none object,” said Celestia.
“One moment my sister!” Said Princess Luna stepping forward.  “There is a small matter to take care of first.”
There were gasps from the crowd.
Princess Luna called out in her Traditional Royal Canterlot Voice;
“Magnum, Big Mackintosh Apple.  Do your duty!”
Rarity’s father and A.J.’s brother come forward and took A.J. and Rarity by the hoof and removed them from the Brides Maids line.  Sparkler and Cadence took their place then Bubbles and Twilight moved to the Best Mare position.  Rarity and A.J. were lead to the top of the dais.  Big Mac gave A.J. a hug and Magnum kissed Rarity on the cheek. Then they handed their hoof to the other.  Rarity was flabbergasted.
Luna spoke in a more subdued voice;
“We were approached by the pony Applejack who requested to share in the joy of this day with a pony she loved dearly.  One that she would do anything to make her dreams come true.  So with permission from Twilight Sparkle and Bubbles Star, and the consent of their own families, I have the honor to ask;”
“Rarity, do you take Applejack Apple to be your wedded wife?  To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
Rarity looked at the ponies around her and into A.J.’s eyes.  It was apparent that everypony was in on it.  And because her father was there for her, it was ok with her parents.  This had to be the most romantic thing that was ever done for her, and it was Applejack who did it.
“Answer her for pony sake!” said Sweetie Belle from behind.
“I do,” she said weakly.
Luna smiled as A.J. winked at her.  Then she continued;
“Applejack Apple, do you take Rarity to be your wedded wife?  To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”
“I do your highness, I truly do!”
Celestia stepped forward again.
“Will the couples come forward?”
Bubbles and Twilight joined A.J. and Rarity in front of  the princesses.
“The rings please.” Said Celestia.
Rarity looked lost but A.J. produced a ring like Rarity had only fantasized about, Twilight brought out a ring, Bubbles pulled a ring from under her wing.  It looked strangely like her mother’s wedding ring.  Twilight looked over her shoulder to where he mother was seated.  Twilight Velvet nodded her head.   Celestia’s golden and Luna’s deep blue magic aura took the rings and placed them on the proper bride.
“In the name of the Crown” said Celestia and Luna together.  “And our regal selves.  We declare you wed!”
“What We join together,” said Celestia,
“Let no pony sunder!” said Luna.
“You may now kiss the Brides.”
All the crowd jumped to their hooves, cheering and stomping.
“Please join the couples at the reception tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.” announced Luna in the Voice.
Music sounded and the two newly married couples led the wedding part out.  They went to a room set aside for the party.  Their family gathered there with them.
Rarity’s family and A.J.’s were gathered around the couple as did Twilight’s family and Bubbles around them.
“I am so happy for you Rarity” said Rarity’s mother.  “And what a strong hard worker you caught.  When Applejack contacted us we thought we would go crazy not being able to see and congratulate you!”
“The look on your face was worth the wait,”  Said Rarity’s father.  “Sweetie Belle was the most calm,  she likes secrets.”
“I was so floored! It was nothing I ever expected.  I knew that Applejack was up to something but I never expected something so grand!”  She said smiling at A.J.
“And the ring, where did you get such a fabulous ring?  I have only dreamed of such a ring!” Exclaimed Rarity.
“What did you think, Sugar Cube,” said A.J. with a smirk, “that we give apples away?  Ponies eat a lot of apples, and who do you think sales them?”
“Are you saying that you are….. rich?”
“I am now that you are my wife!”
Rarity hugged and kissed A.J.  Discovering all her dreams were coming true with a pony she had only considered a ‘country bumpkin’ only a year or so ago.
Rarity’s father turned to A.J.;
“Welcome to the family, Applejack.” He said, “Take care of our little girl.”
“I think she is going to be taking whole lot more care of me.” Laughed Applejack.
“A.J.?” said Big Mac.
“Thank you big brother!” said Applejack, “I am so happy you could do that for me.  I love you so much.”
“We love you to, A.J.” said Big Mac.  “Sorry Granny Smith could not make it.  Just too far to travel, and to tell the truth I think the whole mare marring mare business would have confuse her.  She will get use to it.”
“Are you ok now with Twilight marring Bubbles?”
“He was kind of upset at first,” said Apple Bloom, “But when Miss Cheerilee heard of it, she came by to try to cheer him up.  And has been by a lot!  I think they are now ‘Very Special Someponies!’
“Eeyup!” said Big Mac, all laughed.
“And best of all, Sweetie Belle and I are now sisters!” exclaimed Apple Bloom putting a foreleg around Sweetie Belle.
“I guess you are,” said Rarity kissing each of the fillies' on the head.  “Now go find Dinky and Scootaloo and have some snacks.”
Off the two ran to find their friends.
Over where Bubbles and Twilight were, Twi’s parents were fussing over the couple.  Both Night Light and Twilight Velvet were constantly hugging the mares.
“Dad,” exclaimed Twilight, “we know you are happy for us, but if you keep squeezing us, we won’t be able to breathe!”
“We are just so happy for the two of you.  Your joy brings us joy!” Said Night Light. “We have hoped you would find the perfect stallion!”
Bubbles and Twilight both snapped their heads toward Twi’s father.
“Daddy!” said Twi.
“No!” he replied, “that is what we hoped for.  But bringing this wonderful mare into the family was more than we could have ever dreamed of.”
“Your father is right, Twilight.  I don’t think you would have been happy in a normal relationship.  I am not saying you could not have had a special relationship with a colt.  But it takes a special pony to break through barriers of prejudice and the mundane to show that they are truly the one.”
Twi’s friends were starting to gather around.  A.J. and Rarity came over and joined them.
“Rainbow, Pinkie, Fluttershy, you have all been kind of quiet.  Not like you, well maybe Fluttershy.  What gives?  Bubbles friends have been kind of off as well.”
“Twi it is like this,” said Rainbow, acting the spokespony, “Pinkie, Vinyl Scratch, and myself are very outspoken ponies.  We decided that we would tone it down, let you shine for tonight!"
“And you can believe how hard that is for Vinyl, Rainbow and Pinkie!” said Octavia.
All laughed.
“We wanted to keep it low key, being that it is late and you are going to need your strength tonight!” Said Rainbow Dash, more laughter.  “The party is tomorrow at 5.  That is probably the most we will be able to keep Pinkie contained.”
“Twilight,” said Fluttershy, “Where is Spike?”
“He is still a baby, and he tried to stay up, but he just couldn’t.  Truthfully I think he would have taken the Rarity/A.J. part hard.”
“Poor Spiky-Wiky.  We will have to make it up to him.” Said Rarity.
“I promised him free reign at the reception.” Said Twi. “That lifted his spirits.”
It was not noticed that Cadence or Shining Armor was not present until the doors came open to a royal fanfare.
“All hail the princesses of Equestria!” It was Shining Armor in his best uniform.
In proceeded Princess Celestia, her sister Princess Luna and following was their niece Princess Cadence.  They walked through the gathering, all backed away and bowed.  Then stopping before the two couples, Celestia spoke.
“It is a royal custom for the princesses of Equestria to bless special weddings.  The Royal Apprentice and her companions certainly qualify.  The Lady Twilight and Bubbles Sparkle, both have rendered service to our august selves in many ways.  As have Applejack and Rarity Apple.  Both wielders of the Elements of Harmony.”
Three horns glowed and a gold, blue and pink aura surrounded the four ponies.  They rose off the floor slightly.  Then Celestia continued.
“So it is that to these beloved and trusted ponies, we bless them this night.”
“May their dearest wishes come true tonight!”  Said the three princesses together.
The aura faded and the ponies settled to the floor.  Then the princesses proceeded back out.
“What was that?”  Asked Bubbles.
“I have only read of this.  It has not been done for a long time.”  Said Twilight, “it suppose to be very significant.”
Shining and Cadence returned to the room and talked a while with everypony.  Soon, Shining spoke up.
“Princess Celestia wanted me to remind that the couples need to retire now.  Please stay as long as you wish everypony else.  Remember that there will be a brunch tomorrow for family and friends only,” then with a smile, “when the couples can make it.  This is so the family doesn’t have to vie for attention at the reception.”
A.J., Rarity, Bubbles and Twilight gave a hurried goodbye and left the room to cheering and applause.
“I totally know what they are going to be doing!” said Pinkie Pie.  It was apparent that Pinkie had brought in a flask of whiskey, and had almost finished it.
“Oh great!” said Rainbow Dash, “Pinkie roulette!”
There were questioning eyes from those who did not know the pink earth pony well.  Seeing this Rainbow continued, “regardless of whether you want to or not.  Somepony is going to wake up with Pinkie in their bed!”
Some shocked and amused looks all around.  Not to mention a few hopeful ones as well.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
              Chapter 9, Nights to Remember!               
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 9, Nights to Remember!
CHAPTER NINE
Nights to Remember!
“See, I told you back at Bon Bon and Lyra’s reception, that when you got married, I would be at your wedding, you would wear one of my dresses and you would not be wearing your hat!  I was even willing to bet you would be wearing makeup.”  Said Rarity smugly, and helping A.J. out of her dress.  It involved some magic and a lot of kisses.
“Oh you!”  Replied A.J.  “I thought you loved me for the way I am, now that we are married, are you going to try and change that?”
Rarity nodded, but A.J. could tell she was not serious.
“You are so sure about everything.”
They kissed a while.  After removing her own gown, they crawled on the bed.
“I am sure that I made the right choice of ponies, Mrs. Apple” Said Rarity.
“I think I will have to agree with that, Mrs. Apple” Said A.J.
“I am sure of something else, Darling,” said Rarity.
“What’s that, Sugar Cube?”
Rarity reached behind the bed and brought out something.
“I am sure that you will never forget this night.”
“Hey! Where did you get my lasso?  Ho! Doggies!”
Rarity only smiled as she approached A.J.
On a higher level of the castle, Bubbles and Twilight were getting ready for the night.  They had removed their dresses and put them away neatly, as only Twilight would do.  Bubbles was standing outside on a balcony looking at the moon.  Twilight had heard of pegasi taking a wedding night flight.  They would often make love among the clouds.  Twi approached her bride.
“Are you disappointed that I cannot go fly with you?  The hot air balloon proved too difficult to pack.”
“Oh you!” said Bubbles, nudging Twi with her flank, “It sounds silly but you make me fly higher than these wings ever could.”
With that Bubbles put a wing over Twilight.  They shared the first kiss alone as a wedded couple.
“Come on my love,” said Bubbles leading Twilight to the magnificent bed, “let us see if it is any different now that we are married.”
After a while, the two were laying on their backs.  Trying to catch their breath.  Bubbles then turned to Twi.
“No pretty much the same!”
Twilight was not sure how to take that.
“You appeared to be enjoying it.”
“Oh I did not say anything was wrong.  I could not think of anything I would rather do than make love to you.”  Bubbles kissed Twilight deeply.  It still took her breath away.  “But it is still the same.”
“Then what should we do?” said Twi, almost annoyed.
“Darling, Darling please!  I have the solution.”
This caught Twilight’s attention; Bubbles golden eyes sparkled reflecting the only light in the room, which were the stars and the moon.
“Please forgive me but, I have been holding out on you.  I was saving it for something very special.  And I think tonight qualifies as that.”
Twilight was intrigued.
“I hope it will not bother you but it is something I learned from Shooting Star.  Since you have never mentioned it, I only assumed that it was because of your self-imposed separation from the other children.  And so you probably never learned the little things whispered on the playground.”  Looking her wife in the eyes, Bubbles asked, “do you know of Unicorn Horn Sex?”
Totally baffled, not recalling anything from the books, Twilight shook her head.
“I can’t say that I have, I have not ever read anything about that.”
“It is a technique that is very, very personal.  Shooting told me that there are unicorn couples who never do it because of the intense magic it releases.”
Bubbles lay Twilight back on the bed and propped her head up with some pillows.
“Do you trust me, my love?”
“With my life.”
Bubbles smiled and moved to Twilight’s head.  She softly brushed back the bangs of her mane, exposing all her horn.  Twilight’s mother’s wedding ring glistened where her scalp met the base of her horn.
“You must remember to thank your mother for the generous gift of the ring.
Now remember to be very careful, your horn is the organ of your magic.  But it also can be a very dangerous weapon.  So no matter how excited you become, no sudden moves.  This takes passion as well as takes control.”
“I will remember,” said twilight, becoming excited at the mystery.
“I dare say you will,” laughed Bubbles in an odd way.
Bubbles leaned forward and started to kiss the horn.  At first there was nothing special about it, other than being kissed by a pony that she loved so much.  Then Bubbles started licking it.  Along the length and side to side as far as her tongue could reach.  She worked her way from the base to the tip.
Twilight felt something happening.  It was same feeling as when she was casting a spell but before the magic was released.
“I can taste it happening,” cooed Bubbles.
Twilight felt like something was building in her head.  It was not unpleasant, but it was as if a balloon was inflating right behind her eyes.  Bubbles continued, from the sound of it Bubbles was getting excited as well.
“Now here is a part where you have to be very careful.  You will want me to get it all in my mouth.”
Bubbles then put her lips around the tip of the horn, and she slid down the length of it.  Twi felt Bubbles sliding her lips up and down it, she was getting further down each time.   Her tongue was working on it as well.  The pressure was building.  She was sure her eyes were now as crossed as her wife’s.
Then Bubbles slid back down and looked into Twilight’s eyes.
“Now do exactly as I tell you.  Be gentle, so you don’t hurt me.”
She rolled on her back and spread her legs, with her hoofs, she spread her marehood.
“Your horn is good and wet now, and so am I.  Put your horn in me.  Stop if you feel resistance.”
Twilight was starting to feel lightheaded from the feeling growing in her head.  She crawled to the foot of the bed, looked at her wife.  There was desire and fear in her eyes.
Twilight lowered her head, lined up and slowly entered Bubbles.  There was a gasp.  Twi was sorry that she could not see her lovers face.  She slid forward until the tip touched Bubbles’ womb.
“There, Darling.” Bubbles said, “Now back just a bit.  There!  Now remember what I told you about control and let me do the work, this time.”
With that, Bubbles started sliding back and forth on Twi’s horn.  The feeling was amazing!  A unicorn’s horn is predominately a bony substance with a living core.  But Twi could feel everything as if it were covered with flesh.  The sound of Bubbles breathing and moaning let her know that Bubbles was feeling something also.  Bubbles grinding became more intense.  Twilight fought for control, she so wanted to assist but she knew that if she got carried away, she could injure her new wife, perhaps fatally.  The feeling in her head she could not contain much longer.
“Bubbles!”
“I know, I know!  Just a little longer!”
It was only a few more moments, but it felt like forever.  Twilight tried to let her mind think of other things to try and distract her.  But the thoughts came back to the act they were engaged in.  The Bubbles screamed.
“Now my love!  Oh Celestia!  Now!”
Twilight relaxed her control.  She felt the rush of power.  She could not see, but both her and Bubbles were surrounded by Twilight’s purple magic aura.  The light poured through the room, but it was most intense around the couple.  It was a blinding glow, centered at Bubbles abdomen, about the spot where Twi horn was buried deep in her lover.
Both mares screamed in ecstasy.
The light faded, the feeling of power continued to flow, but subsided.  Twi just lay there, not yet willing to pull it out.
“Come up here my darling.” Said Bubbles.
Twilight slid up Bubbles’ belly.  Both were breathing hard.  Twi’s head felt clearer.  Twi looked deep in Bubbles eyes, and then she flinched.
“What is it?” said Twilight concerned.
“Something wet hit my face.”
There was a small glow from Twi’s horn and the lights came on.  There was a wet spot on Bubbles’ brow.
“It does not look like blood,” said Twi with relief.
“There is something dripping from your horn!”
Bubbles touched her hoof to the tip of the horn, she smelled then tasted.  Her eyes went wide.
“Cum!”
“Where are we going?” asked Twi unsure of Bubbles’ meaning.
“No silly, cum, seamen.”
Twilight was shocked.
“How?”
“I don’t know!” said Bubbles, “but I bet I know somepony that will.”
They rolled off the bed, Bubbles headed straight toward the door.
“Don’t you want to clean up first?”
“No!”  Said Bubbles intensely.
Twilight never doubted this pony from the start.  She was not going to start now.
They worked their way through the halls and down to the throne room.  The doors were closed and two bat winged pegasi were on guard.
“Lady Twilight, you are out late.” Said the guard.
“We must see the Princess.” Said Twilight sternly.
“Of course, my lady.  You only need to command.”
The doors opened and there seated, or more like sprawled out on the throne was the Princess of the Night.
“Twilight Sparkle, Bubbles Sparkle!  Two of my most beloved subjects!  Please come in.  Guards, leave us.”
The doors closed and the newlyweds approached the throne.  Luna got up and met them.
“Princess Luna!” started Twilight, but the princess held up a hoof.
“You were given leave to address me as familiar back on Nightmare Night, Luna, please.
In some matters I stand on ceremony more than my sister.  But in others, I prefer familiarity.   I do owe you much.
So what can be so important that you have to come see me on this night?  Or have you come to ask advice, to brag or perhaps you seek assistance?  I am open all.” Said Luna smiling.
Twilight told Luna everything.  Somehow she felt more comfortable telling this princess the intimate details.  Perhaps more that had she had to tell Celestia.
“Intense ‘Horngasm’ eh?”  Smiled the princess.  Then looking at Bubbles, “are you sure that it was seamen?”
“Yes, Luna.  I was married to a stallion before.  I still remember the look, smell and taste.”  Said Bubbles blushing.
“So I don’t need to check for myself?”  Luna said kidding.
Bubbles shook her head, not sure if the princess was pulling her leg.
“Guards!” called the princess.  The Guard entered.  “Get my sister.  Tell her it is an urgent matter.  Now go!”
Seeing the look in the two ponies eyes she said.
“I am not really that bossy.  They just expect it of me and, I do love theatrics!” Luna said with a wink.
Celestia entered the room, Twi and Bubbles bowed.
“Please my children, rise.  It is too late to play court games.  It must be important if you have interrupted your consummation of you marriage.
“Please, my sister.  Come with me and I will explain and spare these any further embarrassment.”  Then turning to the guard, “you are dismissed.  Please go check the grounds.  Nopony to be outside the doors for at least an hour.  And I will know if my instructions were not followed.”
Luna took her sister aside and spoke low.  Only once did Celestia look back at the two, then returned to her conversation with Luna.
Twilight and Bubbles were standing with their sides touching.  They both could feel a slight tremor in the other.  It must not be a horrible thing, but it was important, for Luna to waken Celestia.
“My children,” said Celestia returning to the two waiting mares.  “My sister has informed me of this evenings events.  Bubbles, my dear, would you allow Luna and I examine you.  It will not hurt, it will not be invasive.  But to answer the questions, it is necessary.”
“It is alright, honey,” said Twi, nuzzling her wife. “You can trust the princesses implicitly.”
“I do, my love, but for some reason I am becoming concerned.”
“Please don’t child,” said Celestia.  “and please come over here between Luna and myself.  You can face Twilight if it will help.  But she must stay where she is.”
Bubbles walked to the princesses turned and faced Twilight.  The princesses, standing on either side of Bubbles, they touched their horns to Bubbles withers.
The princesses closed their eyes.  A combined gold and blue aura covered Bubbles.  She looked at Twilight frightened.
“I love you,” Twilight mouthed to her wife.
“I love you too,” Bubbles mouthed back.
It did not take the princesses long.  They opened their eyes and looked at each other, Luna nodded her head then told Bubbles to go stand with Twilight.
“Please be totally open to me my children, and hold nothing back.”
The couple nodded.
“Twilight,” started Celestia. “what were your thoughts during this sex act?”
Twilight thought and then nervously cleared her throat.
“Well, your highness, I had cleared my mind of the moment, as not to...to...to, be too hasty.  I started wondering if this is how a male feels during sex.  Then I thought how great it would be to be able to give new life as with male and female.”
“Then what happened?  Don’t be shy.  Know that what you say, stays here an you can count on Luna and I to be as trustworthy as if we were mothers or sisters.”
“The intense feeling hit, the ‘horngasm’ as Luna called it, I felt power flow.  It was as if part of myself was leaving through my horn.  Not a feeling of loss, I can’t explain it any other way.”
“I see.” Said Celestia.
“And what were you thinking?” asked Luna to Bubbles.
“I was thinking of how happy to have somepony to love me this deeply.  I remembered to when Shooting Star and I shared.  But this act was never this intense, never at a level this deep.” She turned to Twi, “I am sorry that my thoughts strayed to him.  But I had thought that the only thing he could ever do for me that you could not was give me a child.”
She looked down, embarrassed.
“Don’t worry my love, I don’t think any less of you.” Then Twilight kissed her.
Celestia spoke softly with Luna and turned back to them.
“Did either of you discuses these matters before having sex?”
The answer from both was no.
“Then, my dears, Unicorn Horn Sex is a very powerful act.  So powerful some couples never attempt it.” Said Luna.
“This is your answer,” continued Celestia, “your outstanding love for each other was amplified by Twilight Sparkle's magic, along with the Blessing of the Princesses.  It acted on your thoughts.”
Twilight and Bubbles looked confused.
“Go back to your ‘celebration’ my children.” Said Luna smiling. “But Bubbles, do not attempt anything too strenuous for some time.  And with your depth perception.  I would advise not to fly if it can be helped.”
“Why is that?” Bubbles asked.
“Because my Dear,” Said Celestia. “you are now with foal.  Your foal, Twilight.  We read her heart and mind as well as her body.  She has been a faithful mare, do not doubt her.  But don’t expect this to ever happen again.  It is something I have never heard of happening at this level, in a thousand years.”
Twilight did not know if she had slumped against Bubbles or the other way around.  Neither was keeping their footing very well.
The princesses embraced the two.
“Now go back to what you were doing.” Said Luna, “or do you need me to come and give some assistance?”
Luna gave her sly wink, which made it hard to know if she was joking or serious.
It was hours later and Twilight and Bubbles were in bed, just holding each other.
“A foal.” Said Twilight.  “A foal.”
Twilight was rubbing a hoof against Bubbles’ abdomen.  She knew that there would be nothing she could feel for months to come, but It gave her a feeling of connection.
“When you realized what was dripping from my horn, you were hoping for this, weren’t you.  That is why you did not want to clean up.”
“Does that bother you my love?”
“No, heavens no.”  Twilight said kissing Bubbles.  “It is just that, before you, I never had considered any kind of a family.
I thought I was content to live my life, my personal life, alone.  Then came that fateful night when the storm blew a wet bedraggled pony to my door.  She said she was there to talk.  But she ended up being a thief, she stole my heart.
That is when the first thoughts of family even entered my heart.  I was so happy to hear that you had children, because I knew that a relationship with you would mean that those children would be all I could have.
I guess that was wrong.
Now I have to consider things I have never thought of before.  And I am so happy to have to do so.  But what about you?  You are the one who will have to carry the, I mean our foal.”
“Twilight, I have always thought that foals were the ultimate expression of love between two ponies.  That their love was so great that it could not be contained between just two.
I love you so much and I felt like I was cheating you because I could not give you a child.  It is something that I considered at first, but I thought it something that would have to be understood with our situation.  That it was not to be.
Or so I thought.
Understand that I thought this way from the first and I, again remember, in no way have cast you in the role of ‘the male’.  And just because you impregnated me, still does not make you so.  I love a very intelligent, caring, and beautiful mare.”
“You think me beautiful?”  Said Twilight, she had never considered herself as anything but plain.
“Yes I do, my love.”  Said Bubbles and then giggling.  “Rainbow Dash told me all about that ‘Pinkie Pie in your bed’ thing, and how obsessed you became.  Luckily for me, everypony said they loved you as a friend, but you were never any of their types.  I believe that most ponies remarked something about scrawny flanks.
Well about a week ago, Rainbow said she had just come from Rarity’s and you had been trying on your wedding dress.  She mentioned how lucky I was.  Since I had been feeding you regularly your flanks had filled out quite nicely and if I had any doubts about you, to let her know and she would be happy to take you off my hoofs!”
The two burst out in laughter.
“I will never let Rainbow Dash live that down!” said Twilight, happy to have something on her friend.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                Chapter 10, That Was Quick!                
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 10, That Was Quick!
CHAPTER TEN
That Was Quick!
That next day at 10 o’clock.  The family and friends met for brunch.  They had received messages from the two couples to meet at that time.
Bubbles and Twilight came in brightly beaming.  It was as if they had slept all night.  They seemed to be on the edge of giddy.  A.J. and Rarity came in a little later.  They did appear less chipper as if they had no sleep at all.  Twilight noticed that A.J. was favoring a leg.
“What happened to your leg?” asked Twilight.
“Don’t worry about it, it is just a little rope burn.”
“Rope burn?”  Replied several around the table.
Applejack looked a little embarrassed.
“Applejack has been such a dear and has given in so many times to things my way that I thought I would do things her way.  So I put on her hat and we had ourselves a little rodeo.  I showed her that I could ride a bucking bronco, and for how long!”  Said Rarity in an uncharacteristically unashamed way.  “Applejack did not know that I knew how to hog-tie.”
“See Pinkie, I said that I thought that sounded like Rarity yelling ‘ride em’ cowpony’!”  said Rainbow.  Then she realized what she had just given away.
“Pinkie roulette?” asked Bon Bon laughing?
“Pinkie roulette.” Said Rainbow blushing.
“Well Rainbow does have a pulse!” Said Pinkie.  And she is quite a hottie!”
“Awe Rainbow Dash!” said Twilight winking at Bubbles, trying to sound disappointed. “And here I thought you were starting to like my flanks!”
Rainbow Dash almost choked on her drink.
“Luckily the kids are eating at another table.” Said Bubbles.
All burst out in laughter, even Rainbow Dash.  The family and friends has a scrumptious meal provided by the Castle’s kitchen.
All were done eating and were sipping at some very fine wine, Celestia’s best.  There was talk and laughter.  The hall was abuzz.  The kids had went out to play in the gardens outside.
A.J. noticed that Bubbles was only having water.
“Don’t you like wine, Sugar Cube?  We are celebrating!”
Bubbles looked at Twilight, Twi nodded.
“I have always been told,” said Bubbles in a voice so all could hear, “that you should not consume alcohol when you are with foal.”
The silence was deafening.  All eyes were on Twilight and Bubbles.
“And I thought I was the quick one!” Said Rainbow Dash.
“Wait!” said Rarity. “how is that even possible, Darling?”
Twilight had to explain what happened last night.  As it turned out many knew about Unicorn Horn Sex.  Twilight’s and Rarity’s parents looked sheepish.  Pinkie even offered to explain it to a couple of the earth ponies.  Twilight did spare some details, but did explain what the princesses had said.
“Why have we not tried that before, Lyra?” asked Bon Bon punching her on the shoulder.
“Celestia said it was the first time in a thousand years that it has produced a foal.” Said Twilight.
“Who said anything about foals!” replied Bon Bon.
All laughed.
“Well one thing is for sure,” said A.J. “There is one magic trick the ‘Great and Powerful Trixie’ will never top!”
All laughed.
“Family and friends, we are sure you share in the joy of this news,” said Bubbles.  “But Twilight and I hope that you keep this news between us gathered.”
“It is going to be hard enough to explain later.”  Said Twilight, “It will give us time to think of the best way to do it.”
There was agreement all around.  The rest of the brunch proceeded normally.  Although the talk would come back to the miracle, for what else could it be described?     But Twi’s mother was already talking about planning a ‘foal shower’.
“Mom!” said Twi.  “For pony sake, we have eleven months to worry about that.  Can we get through the wedding festivities first?”
The reception was beautiful, there was much of Ponyville in attendance, not to mention collogues of Bubbles from her days at the Institute of Science and alumni from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.  All former associates were as happy for the couple.
There was eating and dancing.  The fillies were in heaven with all the fine food and music, not to mention the presence of the Princesses who showed them no end of attention.
The Brides were wearing the outfits Rarity had made them for the Grand Galloping Gala, although Rarity had made a stunning new gown for Bubbles.  Rarity had said that she had worked so hard on them that she wanted to have some good memories with them.
Then came the couple’s first dance.  Vinyl Scratch stopped the music and Lyra Heartstrings, with her lyre and Octavia with her cello started playing a tune written by Lyra.  The couples took the floor and danced as if they were the only ponies in Equestria.  Then Magnum, Big Mac, Night Light and Dr. Hooves came on the floor and cut in for the father-daughter dance.  Eight ponies had tears in their eyes.  Vinyl announced for the ponies gathered to join in.  Ponies were wondering why Pinkie Pie was staying so close to Rainbow Dash.  Was there more to it than Pinkie Roulette?
The bouquet toss was organized chaos.  Four bouquets flew through the air, and many ponies dove for them.  But not Rainbow Dash, she had learned her lesson at Bon Bon and Lyra’s reception.  However Pinkie Pie did catch one and walked close to Rainbow Dash, giving her those big blue eyes.  Rainbow smiled an uncertain smile.
The two couples were sad to leave Canterlot.  It had been an event to remember.  Maybe more than Shining and Cadences’ wedding, and no changelings!
Days, weeks and months passed.  The couples settled down to the routine of their lives.  Applejack and Rarity came to a compromise.  They bought a cottage about halfway between Sweet Apple Acres and Carousel Boutique.  A.J. had built a large addition so Rarity could have a room to plan her fashions and do special projects.
They had promised not to try and change the other.  But when you live with a pony long enough, things happen.  Twilight had nearly fainted when going to Apple Bloom’s Birthday Party at Sugarcube Corner, she saw Rarity and A.J. there both wearing matching dresses.  A.J. had on a Rarity’s amount of makeup including false eyelashes.  Twilight had to admit to herself that A.J. didn’t look that bad.
But the biggest shock was when she had dropped in at Rarity and A.J.’s cottage to get a dress repaired, when she was met at the door by Rarity without makeup or false eyelashes, her mane tied up in a bandanna and wearing an apron.  Twi did not recognize her and thought that Rarity had hired a housekeeper.
The library had opened to regular hours and all seemed normal.
At this time Bubbles was starting to show.  The increased girth was something that had to be explained to Dinky, with the help of Twilight and a numbers of books.  Dinky took the news with great joy.  A new brother or sister!  Twilight and Bubbles told her because of the way life works, it was a good bet it would be a sister.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
         Chapter 11, Do You Know Who I Really Am?          
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 11, Do You Know Who I Really Am?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Do You Know Who I Really Am?
For the most part, all went well.  Most ponies were happy for the couples.  But there were a few ponies that were not comfortable with the situation and were dubious on claims of female/female procreation.  Unfortunately there were issues that the innocent had to face.
Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Dinky.  Were knocking around a ball, and just having fun the way little girls were suppose to.   The ball went wide and stopped in front of Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.
“Hey Diamond!  Kick that ball over here,” called Scootaloo.
“Get it yourselves, losers!”
Diamond and Silver laughed as if they had said something incredibly witty.
The Cutie Mark Crusaders walked over to retrieve the ball.  Just as they reached there, Diamond put her hoof on it to show it was not going to be that easy to retrieve it.
“Hey losers, it was bad enough when you blank flanks were hanging out together, but now you are with a bigger loser.”
Laughs from Diamond and Silver again.
“Who are you calling loser?”  Said Apple Bloom, “you take that back!  Say you are sorry!”
Dinky was starting to cry.
“Oh, I’m sorry.  Sorry that I have to put up with the likes of you and this one.”  Pointing at Dinky.
“I guess none of you paid any attention to the lecture Miss Cheerilee gave on babies and where foals come from.  She said to have a foal, there must be a colt and a mare.  My dad told me all about how it is done.  There is no way that Dinky’s mom is having a foal with Twilight Sparkle.  Twilight is a strange pony but come on!”
“Hey Diamond, don’t you think...”
“Hush Silver Spoon.  I know what I am talking about.  My dad said it was bad enough when the Bon Bon and Lyra made a spectacle of things.  But it is now just getting worse!”
“I think you had better shut your mouth before you go too far.” Said Dinky working up nerve.
“What are you going to do....Dinky?  You know what I am talking about.  You see it all the time and you have the guts to come to school around normal ponies.”
“Diamond! That is enough!” said Silver Spoon uncharacteristically speaking against Diamond.
“If you can’t face the truth, then you are as bad as them!”  Said Diamond, pushing Silver down.
Silver started to cry and ran back to the school.
“Listen looser,” said Diamond, looking at Dinky. “it is bad enough you mother is married to a mare.  But to claim to have a foal from a mare, that is nothing but a crock of lies!”
Diamond was so into her tirade that she paid no attention that all three of Dinky’s friends were getting flush with anger.
“You want the truth?  Here is the truth, you mother can’t be faithful to Twilight if she is with foal.  She has to be going out on Twilight and seeing stallions on the side!”
“Stop saying that!” yelled Dinky.
“What?  Can’t take the truth that your mom is a big whore?”
Diamond realized too late that when she drove off Silver Spoon, she had abandoned any backup she might have had.  She did not have time to do anything before all four Cutie Mark Crusaders were on her.  They were holding down Diamond.
“Go get a rope off the swing set.”  Said Apple Bloom.
Miss Cheerilee and Silver Spoon came running up to see Diamond Tiara hog-tied hanging by her legs from the swing set.  Her Tiara stuffed in her mouth and tears streaming from her eyes.
“What is going on here?” asked Miss Cheerilee.  “Why is Diamond Tiara tied up, why is her tiara in her mouth?”
“Oh hi Miss Cheerilee, her tiara is in her mouth because we could not get it to stay in the other end.”  Said Scootaloo, “Diamond Tiara is so full of sweetness today that we figured we would play piñata with her.  Do you have a ball bat?”
Miss Cheerilee sat at her desk.  Across from her were Rarity, Applejack, Bubbles, Twilight and Filthy Rich.
“I have interviewed all involved with this, by themselves so that I could get the truth.  Apparently some very unkind things were said to Dinky by Diamond Tiara.  Very unkind things.  And what bothers me is that from what I gathered, Mr. Rich, was Diamond was repeating things heard at home.
I will not tolerate violence in my school!  It solves nothing.  I know that they were all sticking up for their friend but I have to make sure that they know what they did was wrong.  So Dinky, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are suspended from school for two weeks, they will receive their assignments by volunteer students and they will keep up on their studies!”
“As for Diamond Tiara,” said Cheerilee looking at Filthy Rich, “What happened to her was uncalled for.  But it was not like she was innocent.  I have the word of several uninvolved bystanders who all reported the same thing.  Bigotry and intolerance are contrary to the charters of Ponyville and Equestria.  They will not be tolerated here.  Such sentiments have started some very nasty wars in the past and therefore not to be put up with.  Diamond Tiara is expelled from school for the rest of the year and will have to repeat the grade next year.”
“If I may say something,” said Filthy Rich.  “my daughter was out of line with the unkind name calling.  But to be expelled for speaking the truth, trying to clear some lie that is being perpetrated on Ponyville.  The whole of Ponyville is falling apart with all the mare-lovers getting married as if it were normal.  But to make us believe that two mares can produce a foal.  Don’t make me laugh!”
“Miss Cheerilee, may I reply to that?”  Asked Twilight.
“Go ahead Mrs. Sparkle, but remember this is just a school and we are deciding the wellbeing of the students.”
“I will Miss Cheerilee,” said Twilight, then standing and looking at Filthy Rich.  “You have said some serious things, Mr. Rich.  As if your narrow mind decides what is right and what is wrong.  And so you on pass your so-called knowledge to an innocent filly who, out of respect, takes what her father says as how things really are.  You belittle and pass judgment on ponies without even really knowing anything about their lives or who they really are.
So stop and think a moment.  You condemn me and my wife but do you really know who I am?  I don’t like to play this card, but my position as Celestia’s Apprentice gives me wide ranging authority.    I have access to the rulers of Equestria at anytime, as does my wife and my daughters.  I could revoke your business license for no other reason than I feel like it.  I could condemn your property and take it in the name of the Crown, if I wish.  I could have you held in the dungeon at Canterlot Castle without trial or charges.  Are you following me?  I have the trust and approval of the Crown, and by extension, I wield that same power.”
Filthy was starting to sweat.  Twilight’s companions had never heard Twi speak this way and were only now understanding what ‘Lady Twilight Sparkle’ was capable of.
“But for me to do these things, things I know would be wrong, would set a bad example for my daughters.  So instead, for the first and I hope the last time, I am going to exercise that authority.”
Then Twilight turned to Miss Cheerilee.
“I am sorry Cheerilee, but as Celestia’s Apprentice and the authority that comes with it, I must countermand your punishment of,“ she paused, “Diamond Tiara."
Filthy Rich looked startled and worried.  What greater shame was about to happen?
“Diamond was acting out of ignorance from what had been projected on her by her father.  So I say that she is suspended for two weeks, like all the others involved.”
Miss Cheerilee smiled.
“This is the tolerance that I spoke of, Mr. Rich.  Twilight could have lashed out in anger and imprisoned you or banished you and your family to your ruin.  But instead, she had compassion on your daughter.  I would go home and think of what transpired here.”
“Your girls are waiting outside.” Cheerilee said getting up and walking out.
Filthy Rich had a startled look on his face.  He got up to leave, then passing in front of Applejack;
“Zap Apples should be coming soon,” said A.J.  “Stop by and we can talk about your usual order.”
Filthy was more confused and was not sure what, if anything Applejack was hinting at.  Before he reached the door.  Twilight spoke up.
“Oh and Mr. Rich,” she said as a document appeared in front of his face, “this is a proclamation by Princesses Celestia and Luna attesting to the magical and miraculous conception of our foal.  If you have any more doubts, then please feel free to see the princesses, I can get you an appointment.”

//-------------------------------------------------------//
                  Chapter 12, It Is Time!                  
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 12, It Is Time!
CHAPTER TWELVE
It Is Time!
After this, there appeared to be no overt resistance to the three married mare couples.  And despite Filthy Rich’s fear, Ponyville nor Equestria did not collapse,  nor was there a rush of mares marrying each other.
Life went on, Bubbles got bigger.  She and Twilight continued to fall deeper in love.  As well as did Rarity and A.J.
Then one night in November, right after the Running of the Leafs (which Twilight finished 3rd, a shock to A.J. and Rainbow Dash) Twilight and her beloved Bubbles were asleep in bed.  Twilight was dreaming of having made herself a set of wings and she was flying with her wife.  Then she felt a hoof on her shoulder, gently shaking her.
“What?” Twi mumbled.
“Honey, my water bag broke,” said Bubbles.
Still in a half asleep state, Twi mumbled;
“Ok Dear, go back to sleep and I will get you a new one in the morning.”
This improper response was met with a non too gentle elbow in the ribs.
“Twilight!” Bubbles responded louder, “the foal is coming!”
To the end of her days, Twilight could never remember how she had gotten out of bed.
“Ok,ok,ok,ok,ok,ok!” Stammered Twilight going into her ‘I don’t know what to do’ panic.
“Get spike to sent the letter and get the girls up.” Said Bubbles slightly amused.  That is until the contraction hit.  “And hurry!”
Twilight vanished.  They had a letter already written, as per Celestia’s suggestion, for the princesses to send a cart to take them to the Magic Hospital at Canterlot Castle.
Sparkler was dispatched to tell their friends with instructions to return as soon as possible.  Sparkler started at Fluttershy’s cottage, being the furthest away, then Rarity and A.J.’s, as she galloped to Sugarcube Corner, it hit her how would she get Rainbow Dash?  Perhaps send Fluttershy up to Rainbow’s cloud house.  Sparkler frantically knocked at the door when an upper window opened.
“Keep it down,” said Pinkie Pie, sticking her head out the window. “the foals are sleeping.”
“Pinky!  Mom’s foal is coming!”
To Sparkler’s surprise, Rainbow Dash stuck her head out the same window, but Sparkler had no time to think about it.
“The foal!” exclaimed Rainbow, “We will be right there.”
Sparkler galloped back to the library smirking at what just happened.  Before she made it halfway, a familiar rainbow blur of speed streaked overhead, and it appeared that Pinkie Pie was riding on Rainbow’s back.
It only took about a half-hour for the group to gather.  The group had been assigned jobs to do when this happened.  Bags were packed for Bubbles and Twi.  Pinkie was keeping Muffin entertained and distracted.  Fluttershy was with Twi and Bubbles to keep them calm.  Fluttershy was actually having to work with Twilight more than Bubbles.
Rainbow came streaking in.
“Princess Luna’s cart is almost here!”
“What?  It should have been at least another fifteen to twenty minutes!” said Twilight surprised.
“The princess sent 6 guards to pull it!”
Almost as soon as Rainbow finished there was a knock at the door.
There was one of Luna’s guards suggesting that they hurry.   They informed them that two more carts were on the way for the non-flying friends to follow.
Less than 10 minutes later, Bubbles and Twilight were streaking through the night sky.  Bubbles was in good spirits despite the contractions coming closer.
“I have never flown this fast.”  Said Twi to her wife.
“Neither have I,” Bubbles smiled. “I think Rainbow Dash would have a hard time keeping up.”
“I would not bet on that!” said an unmistakable pegasus pony with a rainbow mane and tail.  She had appeared out of the dark, just off to their side.
“Rainbow!” exclaimed Twi.
“I came to help.  We mare-lovers should stick together!”
Then she sped just ahead of the guards.
“Come on boys!  Try and keep up!” she taunted.
The wagon lurched forward.  Twilight and Bubbles got to experience a sonic rainboom firsthand.
“Now I know I have never flown this fast!”   Said Bubbles in fear and delight.
They arrived at Canterlot Castle in record time.  The princesses were waiting along with hospital staff.  Bubbles was put  on a gurney and wheeled in.  Twi and Rainbow were directed to a waiting area while Bubbles was being prepped.  In a bit, Princess Luna came in the room.
“Twilight Sparkle, are you ready to go back with your wife?”
“Yes Luna,” she replied.  Twi gave rainbow instructions to look out for everyone.
Luna led her back to the delivery area.  Bubbles was on a bed and doctors were checking her out.  Celestia met Twi outside the room.
“My most beloved student!” said the princess.  “My heart is singing for you.  Your parents have been notified.  I have one request for you.  I am not asking as your teacher or your ruler, only as somepony who I hope you consider a friend.”
“Anything, princess.”
“May I be with you in the delivery room.”
“I would feel better if you would.”
“Then let’s go in.”  Said Celestia.
As they entered, Bubbles face lit up seeing Twi and Celestia.
“My love, is it ok that the princess join us?”
“I would love it.” Said Bubbles.
She looked like she was fighting the discomfort with all her might.  The doctors were coaching her through it all.
Celestia noted an odd look on Twilight’s face.
“Is something wrong my apprentice?”
“No,” answered Twi.  “Well there is only one unimportant thing.  We were so excited that we would be having a foal.  And it was been the thrill of my life being with Bubbles through this.  Watching the foal growing inside my wife.  Having her put my hoof on her belly when the foal was kicking.”
Then looking at Bubbles and taking her hoof.
“Don’t take this wrong, my love, but I am kind of jealous.  I am a mare and part of the joy of bringing in the new life is the birth process.  But the foal is mine, I almost feel cheated.  I know that there is pain, a pain that my love has to endure, but I have always been told that there is joy as well.  A joy I will never feel.” There was a tear in Twilight’s eye.
“Oh my darling!” said Bubbles, taking Twi’s hoof with both of hers.
“I am sorry to act like this, the attention should be on you.” Said Twi, managing a smile.
“Twilight Sparkle,” said the princess.
The use of her full name caught Twi’s attention.
“Are you sure of what you are saying?” said the princess.
“Yes ma’am.  And I am sorry that I brought such petty concerns in here where I should be supporting my wife and not feeling sorry for myself.”
The princess turned to address one of the nurses;
“Bring in another bed.  Put it by this one.”
The bed was brought, Celestia turned to Twilight.
“I can give you what you want, but be warned!  It is not going to be pleasant, get on the bed.”  Twilight got up and was put in the same position as her wife.  “Now take her hoof.”
Celestia closed her eyes, her golden aura covered the two ponies.  Twilight suddenly felt a fullness in her abdomen, something was moving.  She felt her lower belly tighten.  She was not ready for the discomfort.  Both Bubbles and Twilight let out a little cry.  She was feeling the birth!
Celestia then said to Twilight;
“If it gets too hard to handle, just let go of your wife’s hoof.  But remember, she has no easy release!”
Twilight understood.  A side effect of the spell was Twilight was starting to hear/feel her wife’s thoughts.  She had a flood of  memories wash over her.  Memories of loneliness, sadness, mistreatment due to her condition, joy, ecstasy, passion, love for a stallion, horrible horrible loss, and unexpected love.  Through the jumble of memories Twi could feel an anchor that held it all together, what made it all worthwhile.  It has her.  This all happened in just a fraction of a second.
Twilight’s memories were felt by Bubbles as well.  Memories of growing up without friends and thinking that books alone would make her happy.  Memories of excitement of being chosen for Celestia’s School, hard work and study achieving goal after goal and nopony to share with.  Memories of finding a threat to Equestria, being put into a strange circumstance of having to accept friends and drawing strength from them, allowing them to bring out her own strength.  Having to defeat Nightmare Moon, Discord and Queen Chrysalis.  Yet with all these successes and friends, there was nopony to really share with.  Then memories of a wet cold pony at her door one stormy night, the compassion for this one awakened feelings she had never felt before.  The first real kiss, the first taste of love.  For all her knowledge and power, the first time she knew what life was about.  Love for a pony that she saw in something no other pony had seen in many years.  A pony that now would be impossible to live without.
It was a blessing, no words could express what thankfulness there was to be given this gift.
Then the next contraction hit.  It was a big one!  She felt the foal move inside her, moving down.
‘Hang in there my love.’ Twi heard Bubbles in her head.
‘I am here with you, I won’t leave you.’ Twilight thought back.
‘Our love is coming to fruition!’ Thought Bubbles. ‘You being in here is giving me strength.’
The next contraction hit, she felt the foal almost to her opening.
“Now push!”  Said the doctor.
‘Help me my love!’ Bubbles thought.
Twilight centered on the foal she felt and she and Bubbles pushed with all their might.
“Relax,” said the doctor.
‘It is almost there, I can feel it,’ thought Twilight, ‘next time.’
‘Thank you my love!’ Thought Bubbles.
The contraction hit.
“Push hard!” said the doctor, “push, push, push!”
Twilight and Bubbles pushed, it felt like forever, the pressure, the pain!
‘I won’t let go!’ thought Twi.
‘I know,’ thought Bubbles.
Then the pressure was relieved with a feeling of movement out of her bottom.  She felt sore, she felt tired and drained.
‘Where is the joy?’
‘Wait for it, my Darling.’
All at once there was the sound of crying.  Twi’s heart jumped!  Tears of joy flowed from her eyes.  She felt Bubbles feeling the same.
‘You can let go now my dear,’ thought Bubbles.
‘I don’t want to!’
Then she heard with her ears;
“If you don’t let go,” said Bubbles, “you can’t hold our foal.”
Twilight opened her eyes, Bubbles was all smiles.
“What is it doctor?” asked Bubbles and Twilight.
“It is a filly.”  Said the doctor.
“And?” Asked Bubbles, “unicorn or pegasus?”
“Both, an alicorn!”
“Alicorn!” Bubbles and Twilight exclaimed, then looking back at Celestia.
“Luna and I suspected as much from the beginning, due to the special method of conception.”  Said Celestia.  “You two are truly blessed.”
The nurse had finished cleaning and wrapping the infant.  Then brought the new foal to Bubbles.  Twi had recovered enough to get off of bed and come to her wife’s side.
“Look at our daughter,” said Bubbles in a voice that had no hint of the ordeal she had just passed through.
Twilight’s horn glowed, the blanket drew back and Twilight saw what she knew to be the most beautiful foal she had ever seen.  She had Twilight’s color but Bubbles mane and tail.  The foal stretched, her little wings shook then turned her head and opened her eyes.
“She has you eyes my dear,”  said Celestia to Bubbles.
“Oh I hope not!” said Bubbles frantically.
“No my child,” said Luna with a smile, “they are the same beautiful color.”
It was the first time Twilight realized that both Luna and Celestia were in the room.
“Have you thought of a name?” asked Celestia.  “The doctors will need to know.”
As organized as Twilight was, she had never thought to talk to Bubbles about names.
“Darling, I have thought of one, if I might suggest.”
         Twi meekly nodded her head.
“I am glad that the princesses are here because they have been so important to you my love.  And so, by extension, to me as well.
Celestia is the day, Luna is the night.  You my darling are the twilight.  So what do you think of Dawn Sparkle?”
Twilight never could remember seeing either princess cry before.
“I think Dawn Sparkle is perfect.” Said Twilight.
“We concur,” said Luna trying to hide a tear.
“Alicorns are special and rare.” Said Celestia, “you will need special help in bringing up this special foal, therefore, whatever help we can render is yours.”
“You have free access you us whenever you need.” Said Luna.
Bubbles and the foal were brought into a room.  After Twilight had helped her wife to settle in and feed the foal.  Twi and Bubbles’ family and friends were allowed in, a few at a time.  First were Dinky, Sparkler, Twilight Velvet, Night Light and Dr. Hooves.
Sparkler and Dinky were first.  Dinky was so happy to see her new sister, she was now a big sister!  Sparkler, being a nanny, could not wait to get the chance to take care of her new little sister.
It was a real trouble trying to let anyone hold Dawn, Twi Velvet had decided that she could not let the little precious foal  out of her sight.
The friends were allowed in next.  They came in, in shifts, as not to take up too much space.
Rarity held Dawn, and A.J. held Rarity.  There was something in their eyes, as they gazed at the little foal.  A deep look of contentment.
Of all their friends, the one who made the biggest fuss was the one they expected least.  Rainbow Dash.  Since the day she discovered Bubbles at Twilight’s, Rainbow had become more interested in personal relationships.  In fact if you had to take stock, in the little over a year and a half, Rainbow could have been counted as Bubbles and Twilight’s best friend.
A nurse came in and told everypony that the foal needed to rest and be fed, they could all come back later.  As everypony filed out, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, who had been quite subdued, asked if they could stay to ask one thing.
“Of course,” was the reply.
Once the last pony left, Pinkie spoke up.
“You see,” said Pinkie as if uncharacteristically choosing her words with care.  “Dashie and I have a favor to ask.”
“What is that, Pinkie?”
“Well you see, Twi,” said Rainbow, looking at the floor and shifting one foot, “we need to see if there is a permanent way to allow earth ponies to walk on clouds.”
“Rainbow, are you holding your tail out more than normal?”
Rainbow blushed.
“Dashie asked me to move in with her, if it could be done.” Said Pinkie. “I have my whirly-gig to get up to her cloud house.  But I would like to stay once I am there.”
Bubbles and Twi smiled.
“You remember the Best Young Fliers Competition?”  asked Twi, “I gave Rarity wings that would only last three days.  But the walk on cloud spell, it did not have a limitation.”
“You mean, all this time we..............” Rainbow stopped.  “Thanks, we will talk to you later!  Come on Pinkie!”
“Congrat’s on the foal,” said Pinkie being dragged by the tail out the door.
Bubbles and Twilight laughed long as Dawn started to nurse.
Bubbles kissed Twilight deeply.  It still took Twilight’s breath away.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
             Chapter 1, What The Storm Blew In             
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 1, What The Storm Blew In
CHAPTER ONE
What The Storm Blew In.
‘The Weather Team sure did a great job with this storm’ thought Twilight Sparkle.
Indeed the storm was raging outside.  It hit right after Princess Celestia lowered the Sun and Princess Luna had raised the Moon.
Twilight got up and looked out the window in time to see a brilliant flash of lightning as the rain beat on the window.
“Not a night to be outside for pony or beast” Twilight said aloud to no pony in particular.  Spike was away in Canterlot one of those assignments given by Princess Celestia.  Being trained by such an organized pony as Twilight, Spike had developed some great clerical skills made him valuable to the Royal Library especially when it was time to reorganize.
The purple pony returned to her sofa and book, almost absentmindedly levitating another log on the fire while refilling her teacup simultaneously.  For the greater population of unicorns, this would be a stretch.  But for the most talented and therefore most powerful unicorn in Equestria, it was second nature.
Suddenly there was the sound of a knocking at the door.  Twilight got up and rushed to the door.
“Who in the hoof can that be!” she exclaimed.
She reached out with her magic and opened the door enough to peek out as she approached.
There standing, dripping wet and shivering, was a familiar blue-gray pegasus pony mare with a blond mane and tail and unmistakable crossed golden eyes.  Twilight could not remember  her ever coming to the library even during regular hours.
“Derpy!  Get in here before you catch your death of cold!”
“Thank you, Miss Sparkle,” she said shivering and entering the room.  Twi closed the door behind her.
“I apologize for the late hour, but I was not sure if I should have come at all.”
Twilight had never had any close contact with Derpy, she had seen her around and noted the eyes before but had never been in a face to face conversation with her.  Rainbow Dash had spoken of her before but never very highly.  Always as some kind of scatterbrained klutz, short attention span and perhaps a little mentally deficient.  Now with her here in Twilight’s front room, reserved almost as much as Fluttershy had been on their first encounter, speaking very politely if not formal.  It was hard to reconcile this pony with the pony Rainbow spoke of.
Twilight summoned some towels and with her magic, briskly dried off the forlorn looking mare before her.
“Thank you Miss Sparkle,” she said barely looking up.
“Please! Call me Twilight,” said Twi, “I take it that you are not delivering any mail at this hour, are you here as part of the Weather Team?”
“Neither, Miss Spar... I mean Twilight.” Stammered Derpy.  “I am in need of somepony to talk to.  Rainbow Dash said you were the smartest pony she knew.  And I could really use an intelligent pony to talk to.”
Twilight was intrigued and mystified.  It was nice that Rainbow Dash would recommend her so highly.  But what could this pony need that made her come out on such a nasty night.
“I was just having some tea, would you like a cup.  It will help warm you.”
“Oh yes.  That would be lovely.” Said Derpy finally looking up and giving a week smile.
Twilight motioned to the sofa.  Derpy sat down on one end while Twi, fetched another teacup, more water and a canister with her prized tea blend.  Derpy saw the book Twilight was reading and looked closer.  Holding a hoof over one eye, Derpy read the title.  Twilight walked back in and was not sure what to make of Derpy’s actions.
“Magic and Science, the Balance of the Universe”  Derpy read aloud, then looking at Twilight as she came back in with the tea (her hoof still over one eye),
“I thought it was a good primer, but a little biased on the magic side.  Probably due to it being written by a unicorn.”
Twilight dropped the tray in shock, but caught it with her magic before it hit.
“You have read Star Swirl the Bearded?” She asked in disbelief.
“Oh yes, when you are raising two beautiful  unicorns, you need to know these things to help them in school,” said Derpy matter-of-factly.
Twilight levitated a fresh cup of tea to her guest.  Derpy politely sipped, her eyes went wide.
“Hibiscus and juniper!”  Exclaimed Derpy, “with a touch of wormwood to add the right bite.  I would know a Zecora blend anywhere.  I don’t get enough time to get my own from her as much as I would like.  But it is such a joy to sit and talk with Miss Zecora.  Her speech patterns are like music.  I don’t know how she keeps it up.”
Twilight sat on the couch near Derpy, sipping her own tea and trying to believe the pony sharing tea with her and the “screw-up” spoken so lowly of by Rainbow Dash, a pony she trusted the word of implicitly, were the same pony.  The look on Twilight’s face did not go unnoticed.
“I am sorry, have I said something wrong?”
“Heavens no!” replied Twi, “it is just your knowledge of ancient unicorn writing, herb lore, and forgive me, but your manner and demeanor are not what I was expecting, or at least what I was lead to believe.”
Derpy looked down, a shadow passed over her expression.
“That is why I am here”.
Twilight was intrigued, what did this pony expect from her?
“What can I do to help you, Derpy?” asked Twi.
“Bubbles.” She replied meekly.
“Beg pardon?”
“My name is Bubbles.  Everypony calls me that name or “Ditsy Do” because of my eyes, because I tend to be accident prone.” Said Bubbles, tears welling up in her eyes.
“You try going through life, holding down two jobs, raising two daughters alone, trying to fly or walk or even try to play chess while looking in two different directions!”
“I did not know,” said Twilight, reaching out her foreleg and putting it around her shoulder.
Twilight pulled her close.  Bubbles buried her face in Twilight’s chest sobbing uncontrollably.  Emotions for Twilight were not a strong suit, but her heart was melting for this distraught, misunderstood pony.  With her other foreleg she stroked Bubbles’ mane with her hoof.  It was very soft and soothing to the touch.  Without stopping her crying, Bubbles wrapped her wings around Twilight.  A new and not unpleasant experience.  Twilight was close to many pegasi,  some were closer to her than sisters.  But never once had any hug turned into this.  If Rainbow or Fluttershy were here, they would have explained just how deeply a sign of trust and perhaps affection this was.
“I’m sorry,” said Bubbles retracting her wings, setting up and wiping her eyes.  Twilight left her leg around her shoulder.  Bubbles worked up a little smile and looked into Twilight’s eyes.  At this close range, Bubbles visual accommodation forced her eyes into an almost normal gaze.
‘Her eyes are so pretty like this,’ thought Twilight.  Something was moving in her she did not understand.
“I told Rainbow Dash that I needed somepony to talk to about my life.  You can only take it so far before the pain has to come out.  At first Rainbow Dash almost ignored me, then she saw that I was in earnest.”
‘Fluttershy is a good listener’ said Rainbow Dash.
‘Fluttershy is a very nice pony, but I need somepony with perhaps a little more knowledge.  Especially magic.’
At that Rainbow Dash said 'Twilight Sparkle!  She is the smartest pony I know.’
I told her that I did not want to bother a pony as important as you, and that there could be complications, but she insisted that you were the right pony.”
‘Complications?’ thought Twi,
“I am sure that Rainbow and you are exaggerating.” Said Twilight.
“What?” replied Bubbles. “You are a lovely pony that everypony loves.”
‘Lovely pony?’ Thought Twilight.
“You have an important job here.  You are apprentice to Princess Celestia.  Since the time you have moved here you and your friends have saved Equestria twice.  No three times, if you count what happened at The Royal Wedding. You vanquished an Ursa Minor all on your own.  You are not royalty, but even Princess Luna deferred to you this last Nightmare Night.  If you are not an important pony, then I don’t know who would be.”
Twilight blushed, she was never a pony to be comfortable with somepony ‘singing her praises’.
“How can I help?”
“Let me start with I was not always this way.  I grew up in Canterlot, strange for a pegasus, I know.  And it was there I met one of the most wonderful unicorns ever.  Shooting Star was older than me, he had been married before and had a 10 year old daughter.  She never really knew her mother and was so happy to have a mother figure.  You probably know Sparkler,”  Bubbles saw a look on Twilight’s face showing she did not.
“I’m sorry, that is what we call her.  Her real name is Amethyst Star.”
“I know Amethyst,” responded happily, “She is a part time nanny to many ponies here in Ponyville and a real sweet pony to talk to.  She checks out books all the time for the foals she watches.”  Bubbles smiled to hear Twilight praise her daughter like that.
“As I was saying, Shooting Star was several years older than myself.  In fact I was not a lot older than Sparkler, not quite 18.  Shooting Star’s first wife, Ivy, had died of Pony Pox when Sparkler was very young.  We met while I was interning at the Canterlot Institute of Science.”
“Wait!” interrupted Twi, “He was the Shooting Star!  His work on the understanding of the Science of Magic is required reading at Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns!”
Twilight stopped, the color drained from her cheeks.
“The explosion,” Twi whispered, as the sorrow returned to Bubbles face.  “there was only one survivor, and....that....was....”
“Me.”
“Shooting Star was convinced that he had found the key to make magic through science.  He thought it would be a boon to all of ponykind, earth ponies not having to manipulate everything with their mouth or hooves. Pegasi not having to land somewhere in total black.  Able to do little things that most unicorns take for granted.   Not like potions and incantations, but with chemicals and equipment, real science.  I had went to the restroom and was returning to the lab when It happened.”  Bubbles stopped to take a breath.  Twilight lowered her leg and took Bubbles hoof.  Bubbles looked at Twi and gave a thankful smile.
“I was in school when that happened, I was a filly, but I remember.”  Said Twi, “but I never learned what happened.”
“As I said, Shooting Star was on the verge of success, or so they thought.  They were going to try a small levitation spell figuring it would be a good start.  Nothing to flashy, something every unicorn is taught from the time they were little.  I had just entered the door, Shooting Star looked over at me and smiled his ‘I know I’m right’ smile.  He activated the switch and then, and then............”
“It’s ok,” said Twilight, “you don’t....”
“Yes I do, I have never spoke of this to anypony.  I need to get this out!
There was a glow, a book rose off the table.  There were high hoofs all around.”  Bubbles breathed hard several times tears streaming from her eyes. “Then came the flash!  It happened so fast, but it all was slow motion, of the five of us working on the project, I was the only pony not a unicorn.  Apparently that saved me.  The flash struck out like lightning at each unicorn’s horn.  It struck me between the eyes.  The look of terror and pain in the other’s faces still wakes me screaming in the night.”
She looked into Twilight’s eyes.  Twilight saw a level of terror that she herself hoped she would never have to face.
“He and the others WERE the explosion!  Not the equipment, not the chemicals, not the spell.  It was as if all their bodies were converted into pure energy.  The shock slammed me through the wall,  When I woke up, it was a month later.  I was in the ICU of the Magic Hospital in Canterlot Castle.  Sparkler was holding my hoof, like you are doing now.  I opened my eyes, she smiled at me then she looked and me with an odd look.
‘Mom!’  She screamed.
She ran to the door and yelled for a doctor.  I was only beginning to notice that I was having trouble focusing on objects more that a leg’s length.  The doctor came galloping into the room and skid to a stop when she saw me.
‘How are you feeling?’ asked the doctor.
I told them that I was having trouble seeing clearly.  Sparkler brought me a mirror.   That was the first time I saw these eyes.
They took me for some tests and could not find anything they could do to fix it, the release of magic is what did it.  My head was where the brunt of the force was absorbed.  A good thing too, for the next thing the doctor said was an even bigger shock, but not as unpleasant.
‘We have found that except for your eyes everything else is fine with you.  It is amazing that the foal survived such a shock.’
Foal? Both Sparkler and I said at the same time.  I did not know and Shooting Star never knew.  I was in the hospital about another month.  Mostly trying to relearn how to walk, how to fly, how to feed myself and do the things I needed to do.  When I went home, Sparkler and I just could not feel comfortable in our house without Shooting Star.  So we decided to move somewhere away from Canterlot, so we moved to Ponyville.  Princess Celestia, who I later found out had come by to check on me several times, funded the move and got me a job with the Equestria Postal Service, things were and are tight so I also got a job with the Weather Team.”
“That was 8 years ago.  We settled down here, I delivered my foal, she is my sweet little Muffin!  Her name is Dinky.”
“I know Dinky, she goes to school with my friends’ sisters.”
“Yes, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I think Dinky wishes she could join in with them, she talks about them all the time.  But she knows that I need all the help I can get at home.  I now share rooms with Carrot Top, as we call her, Golden Harvest is her name.  It can get crowded, Carrot Top has a coltfriend over from time to time so I sleep with Muffin.  Sparkler usually sleeps at a clients or at a friend’s.”
Bubbles breathed deeply several times, it had been a drain on her opening up this much hurt for the first time.  And somehow by being at the school where the accident claimed her husband, made Twilight feel a small connection with the mare she was now sitting next to holding hoofs.
“Bubbles,” started Twilight, “I am so honored that you chose to open up to me.”
Bubbles gave Twilight an odd look.
“There was another thing, the reason I was reluctant to come to you.  You are a pony as smart as my Shooting Star was.  As I said you are well respected and I was not sure how you would take it.”
Twilight sat back a bit, not sure what to think.
“What do you mean?”
Twilight’s answer came in a most unexpected way.  Bubbles had looked again in Twilight’s eyes.  Twilight saw something she could not identify.  Not until what happened next.  Bubbles leaned in and kissed Twilight, it was a kiss that Twilight had never experienced before.  Both Bubbles and Twilight’s forelegs wrapped  the other.
Twilight did not have any experience with kissing, other than the Mother, Father, Brother kind.  She had read books on the subject, both factual and erotic.  The whole idea had disgusted her, somepony’s tongue in your mouth, their saliva, it did not sound very sanitary.
But now that did not even enter her mind.  The kiss sent a very pleasant shock through her that she had never felt before.  She felt a thrill deep in her belly.
It took her breath away.
Was this right?  Bubbles is a mare!  She had fought with this in her mind when she was told that Bon-Bon and Lyra Heartstrings were getting married.  Did it really matter?  Twilight broke the kiss, but did not back off.
“I am so sorry!” said Bubbles trying to pull away, but Twilight  held her close.
“Don’t be,” said Twilight.  “I have never kissed anypony before.  I never put much thought on the idea.  With stallion or mare.  And I don’t think that matters now.  I just don’t want it to be the moment, the vulnerability from opening up so much hurt.”
“It is the moment, but the moment opened up an opportunity that may have never come again.” Answered Bubbles, “but if you would rather just play chess, or you just want me to leave, Muffin is being watched by Sparkler......”
Bubbles did not get to finish the statement, she was taught not to talk with her mouth full.  And right now it was full of Twilight’s tongue.  Bubbles once again wrapped her wings around Twilight.  There was a purple glow from Twi’s horn.  Bubbles heard the door bolt, the curtains were drawn.  The lights and fire went out.  The next thing was something she had never experienced before, not even with Shooting Star.  The purple aura  surrounded them and all of the sudden, she was not on Twilight’s couch and not in the same room.  She was sitting on a bed in an upper room.  More cozy with dim lights and a small fire going.  No more questions needed to be asked.  Bubbles had noted Twilight’s inexperience so she took the lead and gently lowered Twilight to her back.  Then retracting her wings, Bubbles kissed Twilight for a while, then she started to move the kiss down Twilight’s cheek, neck, chest.  Bubbles paused at Twilight’s navel licking and kissing deeply.  Twilight moaned without even knowing why.  Twilight had never been so aroused before.  Her groin felt warm and wet, she was almost afraid that she had peed herself.  Bubbles worked down lower to just between her hind legs.  Twilight had never given much thought to her nipples, but now with Bubbles tongue on them and her genitally sucking them, it was all she could do to not go crazy.   Bubbles repositioned herself on the bed, parallel to Twilight with her head between Twi’s legs and her back knees by Twilight’s head.  Her soft tail twitched across Twi’s face.  Bubbles proceeded to move down between Twilight’s hind legs, Twilight let them naturally fall away.  Twi could feel Bubbles hot breath on her marehood.  There was a kiss on the sensitive lips then what happened next, Twilight was expecting from her books, but the actual feeling made her hips jump.  Bubbles inserted her warm tongue into Twilight.  Never had she ever expected to feel pleasure this way.  Bubbles licked in and out around and back in.  She zeroed in on Twilight’s clit.  It was like electricity.  Twilight fought to remember some of the techniques and instructions she had read.
“Move over some, please.”  Twilight whispered.
Twilight reached out to Bubbles hips and moved her over so that her partner was straddling her head.
Bubbles lowered herself to within Twilight’s reach.  Twilight never thought she would be in this position, ever.  But the sight of Bubbles marehood right in front of her nose, the warmth, the smell, it was not what she expected.  Instead of being revolted, it was driving her wild.  Twilight reached out her hoofs to Bubbles hips and guided her down the last couple of inches.
Uncertain, of herself she first tried kissing it, then with fear and trepidation, she inserted her tongue.  She felt the muscles in Bubbles hips tighten.  Twilight started exploring Bubbles marehood.  Her tongue feeling out every part.  Then she focused on the little bump that Bubbles was working on, on her own marehood.  Twilight took the clit between her lips and genitally sucked on while stimulating it with her tongue.  A moan escaped from Bubbles, the vibration of the sound helped to stimulate her even more.  The act of pleasuring this mare was as exciting as being pleasured.  They were at this for a time when Twilight felt something growing in her, it spread from the tips of her back hoofs to the point of her horn.   She felt Bubbles tighten her mussels, her hips stopped grinding and started to almost vibrate.  Bubbles let out a shriek but kept at Twilight.  Twilight returned the favor.  It was the most intense thing that ever happened.  Not even releasing the power of the Elements of Harmony was this powerful.   Bubbles rolled off and collapsed.  Both mares were breathing hard.  Twilight had never felt an orgasm before.  She could hardly catch her breath.  Bubbles turned around and held Twilight close.  They kissed deeply and long.
“Bubbles, I never, I never...”
“Then I am so honored to be your first.”
“Is this it?  I don’t know anything anymore.  I just want to go on forever.”
“Maybe not forever, but we still have the night.”  Said Bubbles between kisses.  “I want you to know that I have not been with anypony since Shooting Star.  I was always afraid that all I would do is think of him and not who I was with.”
“Did you?”
“Not once,” said Bubbles between kisses.
They continued kissing then Bubbles broke away.  Twilight looked confused.  Bubbles smiled and slid down the bed.  She got between Twi’s legs pulled one leg beneath her and put her opposite leg over Twilight.  Twilight remember this position from a particularly erotic book and knew what to do.  Twilight scooted in toward Bubbles.  Their marehoods touched, it was so warm, wet and soft.  It did not take any instructions for Twilight to know what to do.  Her hips started grinding against Bubbles on their own and Bubbles was doing the same.  On into the night they made love.  Bubbles had given Twi her first orgasm, then the second, then the third.....
The storm outside, the fire in the fireplace, the world itself did not exist.  Only herself and the beautiful mare she was sharing herself with.

//-------------------------------------------------------//
       Chapter 3, One Announcement, Two Revelations!       
//-------------------------------------------------------//
Chapter 3, One Announcement, Two Revelations!
CHAPTER THREE
One Announcement, Two Revelations!
Pinkie Pie was surprised to get an invitation to a get-together that she did not plan.
“A party Twilight?”  she asked, “and I did not get to plan it?”
“No, this is not quite a party.  It is just a gathering of our friends for an important announcement!”
Twilight would say no more, so Pinkie thought she would explode before Saturday, and that was tomorrow.
The rest of Twilight’s friends, except Rainbow, were intrigued but not as much on edge as Pinkie.  Spike did not attend because he was already aware, plus it was later and there was Owlowiscious to look after.
Sugarcube Corner’s main floor was large enough for one of Pinkie Pie’s parties.   But now, instead of confetti, streamers and balloons, there was a long banquet table.  On which was punch, sandwiches and other treats.  There were cookies, cupcakes and muffins.  In spite of common thought, the cookies were more to Bubbles’ liking than the muffins.
On one side of the table were Twilight’s friends.  There was Rainbow Dash (near the head of table being she was in on what was going on), then Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
On the other side was Bubbles’ friends.  There was Carrot Top (who Bubbles had to let in on earlier), Octavia (Pinkie Pie’s sister), Vinyl Scratch, Dr. Hooves (who turned out to be Bubbles’ brother), Lyra and Bon Bon Heartstrings, and by the head of the table was Amethyst Star (Sparkler).  Dinky Star sat across from the Cutie Mark Crusaders.  Seated at the head of the tale were Twilight and Bubbles.
The guests sat around nibbling on the treats, talking low to their neighbors.  Not quite certain why they were here.
Twilight and Bubbles stood up.
“I am not sure if everypony knows each other,” started Twilight, “but you are the closest friends and family we have in Ponyville.”
“I think it would be a good idea for you to get to know each other better.”  Said Bubbles.
Odd looks from most seated.  Rainbow and Carrot Top facehoofed.
“Just say IT for pony sake,” said Rainbow Dash.
“Say what?” asked Sparkler.
Twilight took Bubbles hoof, some eyebrows raised.
“Twilight and I have been seeing each other for some time now.  We are in love and we want you all to be the first to know.”
Most of the assembled applauded.  Sparkler sat open mouthed.  The Cutie Mark Crusaders and Dinky giggled, Bon Bon and Lyra looked at each other and smiled a knowing smile while applauding.  No pony noticed that Applejack and Rarity had given each other the same look.
Then Sparkler jumped up and hugged her mother.
“I am so happy for you, mom.” She said.
Everypony else came up to congratulate the couple.  Big Mac gave a very short congratulations and excused himself.  Twilight looked at Applejack.
“He had a crush on Derpy, sorry, I mean Bubbles.” She whispered.
Lyra and Bon Bon said something about welcome to the herd.
Rarity spoke up.
“Twilight, Darling, when did you discover that you liked mares?”
“I don’t,” Twilight replied.
“But Sugar Cube,” continued Applejack.  “Did you not notice that the pony you are dating IS a mare.”
“This is nothing to do with a choice between stallions and mares.  I am in love with Twilight and that is all that matters!” Said Bubbles.
“The same goes for me,” said Twilight, “I was never drawn to anypony before.  I cannot now think of being with anypony else.”
With that the two kissed publicly for the first time.  Bon Bon and Lyra cheered the loudest.
Applejack raised her hoof.  All looked her way.
“Heck! You call that a kiss? That ain’t nothin’!” she smiled.  Then putting a foreleg around Rarity’s neck, A.J. planted an equally passionate kiss on Rarity.  And to most of the ponies’ surprise, Rarity did not pull away.  In fact she pulled A.J. closer.
Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and the rest burst out in laughter.  It was Rainbow’s turn to be dumbfounded.
“I thought I was the only one of the group that was a mare-lover!  Think of all the fun we have missed!  What a party that would have been!  Rarity, A.J., Twilight and myself!  And heck, Pinkie’s only requirements for a ‘partner’ is that they have a pulse, it would have been awesome!  With the right amount of wine, we might have gotten Fluttershy to play along as well!”
Fluttershy blushed, but did smile.
Everypony laughed.
Later, Twilight, Bubbles, Sparkler and Dinky were sitting around after the rest had left.
“Is there something you want to ask my darlings?” asked Bubbles.
“Are you really sure about this, mom?” asked Sparkler.  “I know ponies don’t look at it as badly as in the past, you know, two mares.  But I know that there are still ponies who would try to make things hard on you.”
“I am more sure of this than anything, my sweet.”
“And you, Miss Sparkle?”  Will this hurt your standing with Princess Celestia?”
Twilight froze.  She never thought of telling the princess.
“I guess I have a letter to write to the princess.”  Then looking at Sparkler, “I don’t care.  I love your mother.  She is all the world to me.”
Sparkler hugged Twi’s neck.
“That is all I wanted to hear.”
At that moment, Twilight felt a tapping on her foreleg.  There was Dinky looking up at her.
“Are you going to be my mommy too?” she asked.
Twilight and Bubbles looked at each other.  Tears welling in their eyes.
“I sure hope so.” Said Twilight bending down to look her in the eyes.  “Would that be ok with you, Muffin?”
It was the first time Twi called Dinky by the nickname that only family used.  Dinky’s eyes went wide and threw a hug around Twilight’s neck.  With that the four of them shared a group hug.  Twilight was so happy she could burst.  It was more than she had ever hoped for.  A readymade family, with love!
Dear Princess Celestia,
I am sorry I haven’t written about this sooner, but I have learned a little more about friendship than I ever expected.
I have found the pony of my dreams and I am pretty sure that this is the pony that I want to spend the rest of my life with.  I know as my teacher and friend you wish all the happiness for me.
But there is something more and I am sorry to have my doubts, but I was afraid that you might think less of me when you found out that the pony I love is a mare.
You know her, she is Bubbles Star, the pony who was at the Canterlot Institute of Science.  The pony that survived the accident.
I am not sure how this all happened, but I am more happy than I have ever been.
I remain your Faithful Student,
Twilight Sparkle
Twilight, Bubbles and Spike sat around the front room of the library.  It was tough waiting on the princess’ reply.
Bubbles and Dinky had moved in right away.  Sparkler’s duties had her staying at the different ponies houses where she was working.  But she would come by for meals and the occasional overnight.  Dinky found a friend and playmate in Spike and Spike liked having a younger pony around the place looking up to him.
“The wait is unbearable!” said Twilight at last.  “I wish it was over, win, lose or draw!”
Bubbles took Twi’s hoof.
“It will be ok, my love.”
“But what if it isn’t!” said Twilight in terror.  “What if she throws me in a dungeon? Or banishes me?  Or throws me in a dungeon in the place she banishes me?”
Spike put a claw to his head.
“Not this again!”
“You don’t know the princess like I do.  Any moment now, there will be a knock at the door.  Followed by the entry of two of the palace guards.  It only gets worse from there!” Twilight was on the verge to tears.
“Don’t be silly,” giggled Bubbles, kissing Twi’s hoof.
At that moment there was a loud hard knocking at the door.  The door flew open and there stood two palace guards.  Three sets of eyes opened wide, three jaws dropped.  But what happened next was not expected.  In marched Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard and Twilight’s brother.  He announced in a professional voice.
“Their Grand Royal Highnesses. Princesses Celestia and Luna.  Rulers of Equestria!”
Instead of royal and regal entry, Celestia and Luna rushed in.  Celestia’s golden magic aura encased the two mares and drew them to her.  She embraced them both.  Luna and Shining stood back and looked with amusement.
“My darling, darling Twilight!” she said more excited than Twi had ever seen her.  “I could not be happier if I was your mother!”
Then addressing Bubbles, who was quite in shock.
“I have thought of you many times over the years, hoping happiness and love would find you.  This is beyond my fondest dreams!”
Celestia hugged harder, her strength was incredible!
“Then me being in love with a mare does not bother you?” asked Twilight.
Celestia released the hug.
“Why child, does it bother you?”
The wisdom of the ages came through in that simple statement.
“Twily,” said her brother, “we all could not be happier.  Mom, Dad and Cadence were ecstatic and told me they expect to meet this special mare soon.  But I am a little disappointed that I had to find out from a piece of paper!”
He winked, reminding Twi of the scolding she gave him when she discovered he was getting married from a wedding invitation.
“I too share your joy my children.” Said Luna with a sly look. “The two of you must come visit with me.  Remember that the night and ALL that goes on there is my domain!”
Everypony, except Spike got the innuendo and laughed.
“Twilight, you said in your letter that this is the mare you want to spend the rest of your life with.  You truly feel this?”  asked Celestia.
“Yes ma’am, I am more sure of this than any other thing!”
“And you, my child,” Celestia said to Bubbles, “Is this your feelings also?”
“I cannot think any other pony could make me more happy.  My children love and accept her.  I love her more than I have ever loved anypony else.  That says a lot being that I did love Shooting Star so much.”
“That is all I wanted to hear.” Replied the princess.  “When do we make the wedding?”
Twilight and Bubbles looked at each other, ‘wedding?’
Both smiled.
“I guess this is something we have to talk about.” Said Bubbles.
The princesses and the others could not stay long but Twi promised to let the princess know what they decided.
After the princess and others left.  Twilight told Bubbles that she had an errand to run.  She kissed Bubbles and trotted off at a happy pace.
Twilight was a pony of habit and organization.  But for some reason, meal times were not part of that routine.  She would eat only if she remembered to between books or her research.  Now with two to three (when Sparkler was staying, like this night) more ponies living there, meals were like clockwork, thanks to Bubbles, who turned out to be a great cook.  As the little family sat around the table.  Twilight felt it was a good time and place for the talk.
“Sweetheart, Sparkler, Muffin, Spike,” she started, “I know that we have not been together for very long.  But I think that Celestia was right, what do you think about the two of us getting married?”
“Two mommies!” exclaimed Dinky.
“I cannot think of any reason not to, and I want you both to be happy.” said Sparkler.
“You know that I want you happy, more than anything,” said Spike.  “I never had a mother, but you have been raising me, so you are the closest thing to a mother I have.  And I am glad of that. And I am happy for you.”
“And you honey?”  said Twilight looking at Bubbles.
“Are you asking?” Bubbles said raising one eyebrow.
“I talked to Rainbow Dash about the anatomy of pegasi.”
Bubbles look confused.  She thought that Twilight had been examining pegasus anatomy quite closely.
“It is a easy thing for unicorns because we use our horns, but I understand that on your wing, the very first flight feather is attached to a finger-like structure.”
Bubbles nodded with a even more confused look.
Twilight then reached out, took Bubbles left wing in her hoof and knelt down.
“Bubbles Star, I cannot think of living my life from here on out without you.  Would you do me the ultimate honor of being Bubbles Sparkle?  Will you marry me?”
With that, Twilight levitated a diamond ring from out a drawer in a chest by the wall.  It paused just before Bubbles.
Tears were streaming from Bubbles eyes.  Not to mention Twilight’s and Sparkler’s.
“Yes! Oh Celestia, yes!”
The ring vanished and reappeared on the structure of Bubbles wing.
Twilight and Bubbles kissed more passionately than they ever did in front of the kids.
“Hey! Muffin, Spike, want to go to Sugarcube Corner?”  asked Sparkler.  “My treat!”
Bubbles and Twilight giggled at the gesture.  Without waiting for them to leave, there was a purple flash and they were no longer in the room.  But moving around was heard upstairs.
“Gross!” exclaimed Spike jokingly.
“Let us get out of here,” said Sparkler with a smile.
The kids came home hours ago.  Sparkler had put Dinky to bed.  She explained that Mommy and Twilight would not be able to kiss her good night, but she assured her that she would get extra kisses in the morning.
Bubbles and Twilight were laying in bed.  Bubbles was looking at the ring on her wing.
“You did not need to do that, my love.”
“You are displeased?” asked Twi.
“No, no, no!”  said Bubbles kissing Twilight.
“Just because I gave you a ring, don’t think of me as the ‘husband’” said Twilight, “or have you not noticed?”
Bubbles giggled.
“I’m not sure,” she said with ‘that look’ in her eyes, “maybe I should check again!”
Bubbles turned and examined Twilight’s nether regions, then started kissing the way that drove Twi wild.
“Nothing yet!” said Bubbles between kisses, “Maybe I should check closer!”
“Perhaps you are the ‘husband’ said Twi, “I think I will have to check you!”
Twilight wondered what she ever did before Bubbles.
Bubbles and Twilight were seen everywhere together.  There were some odd looks to see the very reserved Twilight and the pony everypony called Derpy in playful banter, standing very close, hardly one was seen then without the other.
Many noted the diamond sparkling on Bubbles wing.  Somehow it was being impressed on the little community that it was improper to refer to the blue-gray mare as Derpy.  Rainbow Dash had been almost belligerent to narrow-minded ponies that they should not refer to her friend (even Rainbow never thought she would ever refer to Bubbles like that) as anything but her real name, Bubbles!
All noted how happy the two were.  The other odd thing noticed was the farm pony Applejack was seen at Carousel Boutique a lot but never wore any dresses.  She was with the very beautiful Rarity most of the time.
Even the slowest ponies were starting to realize that four ponies they had preconceived notions about were all wrong.  Here were four ponies who were very happy, more that they had ever seen prior.  And for all appearance, none of them cared what others thought.  Which for the most ponies’ part, they were all happy to see these hero ponies of Ponyville happy.
It was about a week later, Princess Celestia was in constant contact with Twilight.  Mostly concerning wedding plans.
Bubbles was honored to have letters (through Spike) from the princess about her thoughts on the wedding.  She commented how much easier it would have been when she was at the post office to just have a dragon in each household! Bubbles had quit the weather team and the postal service.  She helped out at the library, and Twilight’s stipend from the Crown, more than covered the bills and food for three extra mouths to feed.  The new arrangement gave Dinky more time for friends.  She became an official member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.  To the delight of all involved.
Twilight tried to insist that she wanted a small service in Ponyville.  But the princess all but made it a royal command that the wedding would be a state affair at Canterlot Castle.  Equestria owed so much to Twilight and her friends that there could be nothing else.
Twi, Bubbles and the kids were going to Canterlot to finalize the arrangement.  They all agreed on Hearth Warming Eve for the wedding.  It would be a later service so Princess Luna could attend.  Besides wedding business, Twi and the rest were going to visit Twilight’s parents.  It was time to introduce Bubbles and the kids to them.
They were going to drop in on Rarity as well.  Rarity had temporarily closed Carousel Boutique and moved her operations to Canterlot ever since Princesses Celestia and Luna had requested that she make them dresses for the wedding.  This had been Rarity’s dream to design dresses for the princesses, (Twilight may have mentioned something to Celestia).  There was also the two Brides’ dresses, two Best Mare dresses,  ten Bride’s maids dresses, four Flower Filly dresses.  It being winter, and nothing much going on at Sweet Apple Acres, A.J. had an excuse to go with Rarity to help her ‘run errands’ and help out.  But everypony understood the real reasons and after all, Rarity only requested one bedroom.