Beautiful.

That was the first word that came to Cadance's mind.

She looked down to see a pair of shocked violet orbs staring back at her.

“Cadance?” The voice breathed.

“Happy Birthday Twilight.” Cadance smiled down at the filly.

“Cadance!” Twilight lunged towards her and knocked her to the floor clutching her in a death grip hug, shedding tears of joy. The medication had made her quite weak so her legs simply gave way. Luckily Shining caught the little drake before she hit the ground.

“Were have you been! I've missed you so much!” Twilight bawled.

For the first time in a long time, Cadance felt something other than fear and regret. She felt relief. She was so sure that Twilight would hate her. So sure that she would no longer want to see her ever again, so sure she had forgotten her, but she was wrong. So wrong.

Cadance slowly returned the hug. Shedding tears of joy as well. She held on so tightly. Fearful that she'd lose her if she ever let go, she never wanted to let go again.

“I've missed you too.” She whispers, choking back tears.

Twilight pulls back, a bright smile on her face. Oh, how Cadance has missed that smile.

“I'm so happy to see you, where have you been? Shining says you've been busy.” She tilts her head towards her brother who gives a soft smile. Cadance's smile falters for a spilt second.

“Yeah, I have, but I'm here now.” She smiles. “I came to wish you happy birthday and give you your present.” Twilight jumps up with glee and begins look around.

“Really?! Is it a new book?” She asks excitedly. Cadance smiles warmly. 'Still the same old Twilight' She thinks.

“No, but I'm sure you'll like it. Why don't we head inside and you can show me your new room before you see your present?” Twilight beams.

“Yeah!” She says bouncing off, back inside the tower. Cadance attempts to stand, stuggling on shaky legs.

“I've got you.” Shining says, holding out a hoof to help her up. While holding the baby drake with his magic.

“Thank you Shining.” Cadance says, taking it and offing a weak smile.

“Are you sure you're ready? It's okay if you're not.” She asks worriedly. Cadance just shakes her head.

“I don't think I'll ever be ready, but I can't hide from her anymore. It's not fair.” She breathes.

“Cadance! Shining! Hurry up!” They both hear Twilight yell from inside the room. Cadance offers Shining a weak smile before taking a deep breath and walking through.

….................................................................................

“And this is my collection of ponies through the ages!” Twilight beams, showing Cadance around the room.

“Wow, glad too see that you're still passionate about reading.” Cadance comments, looking at the several bookcases that filled the room, top to bottom. “Have you read all of them?” She asks, Twilight shakes her head.

“No, I'm re-reading Starswirls the bearded: Constellations configurations , at the moment. Celestia got me a telescope last year and I've been studying astrology since. I find it so fascinating!” She beams. 'A whole year huh?' Cadance frowns. 'Don't be surprised Cadance, did you think after two years she wouldn't find something new to learn?' She winces at the thought.

“Cadance, are you okay?” She hears Twilight say. She turns around and looks down to find the filly with a worried look on her face.

“She's fine, just a little tired, royal duties and all that.” She hears Shining chip from the other side of the room. “I gotta say Twilie, this place is even more impressive than last time, even if it looks like a dork lives here.” He says, smiling cheekily.

“You're the dork!” She sticks out her tongue, blowing a raspberry at him. Cadance smiles.

“How bout we have lunch and you can see your present?” Cadance chimes. Twilight turns towards her smiling brightly.

“Yay!” She cheers. Cadance calls for lunch while Shining clears the large table in the centre of the room of books and quill. Twilight bounces towards it happily as Shining puts the basket with the little drake in it on top of the table.

“What is it?” She asks curiously.

“Wait and see.” Shining smiles. Cadance comes back, walking towards the table.

“Well Twilight, do you remember your first day her at the castle?” Cadance smiles.

“You mean my exam? Yeah, why?” Her right ear twitchs.

“Well, do you remember the test that they asked you do? Hatching the dragon egg?” Cadance's smile grows bigger. Twilight's eyes go big and she smiling brightly, nodding her head.

“Yeah, I remember. I hatched the egg and broken the castle roof.” She cringes at the memory.

“Indeed you did.” Cadance chuckles. She goes to grab the blanket from atop the basket, pulling it away with her teeth. “Well, ta-da!” She says, as the blanket flutters to the floor revealing the sleeping drake curled up into a little ball inside.

“Wow! He's so small!” Twilight says in astonishment, barley being able to see over the large table. Cadance smiles and lifts her onto the table, giving her a clearer view.

“He is, and he's yours now.” She smiles, watching as Twilight leans into the basket to watch the sleeping drake.

“He is?” She whispers. “I can keep him?” She looks towards Shining, a bright smile on her face.

“Yeah, Celestia said it was okay, but he's gonna need a lot of training and looking after.” He turn towards Cadance. “And Cadance is going to help you.” He smiles.

“Really?” Twilight turns towards Cadance with the brightest smile.

“Yeah.” Cadance smiles back. “I know you haven't seen me much lately and I want to fix that, and I know you're gonna have your hands full with this little guy. So I'm gonna be around a lot more, okay?” Twilight beams, nodding her head furiously.

“So Twilight?” Shining chips in. “What are you gonna call him?” He smirks. Twilight looks down in the basket, pursing her lips for a moment before replying.

“Spike. His name is Spike.” She smiles.

….................................................................................................

“I'm so sorry, twilight.” The broken sounds of Cadance crying filled the room. She held onto Twilight sobbing into her fur, matting it with tears. Twilight just held on. Let her cry, it was all she could do.

“Why are you sorry Cadance?” Twilight's eyes began filling with tears as well. “It's not your fault this happened.” She choked out. Cadance just shook her head.

“It is, if I wasn't so stupid, if I hadn't been so weak, then I wouldn't have been captured, Shining wouldn't have been hurt.” She said prying herself away from Twilight, forcing herself of the bed. Twilight just shook her head, and followed her. “Don't!” She screamed. Backing up towards the wall. Twilight froze, watching as Cadance fell apart in front of her.

“Don't come near me Twilight, please, just don't.” She begs, the tears continuing to fall.

“Why?” Twilight whispers.

“Because I'll just hurt you.” Cadance looks up towards Twilight, the light gone from her eyes. “Like I hurt everypony else.” She chokes. Cadance closes her eyes, hoping, praying, Twilight leaves. “I can't hurt you, not again.” She feels cold, like there's ice surrounding her heart, suffocating her. The pain unbearable. 'Why can't it just kill me? Please, just let me die.' Her mind begs.

“You would never hurt me Cadance.” Twilight takes a few cautious steps towards. Her tears hitting the tile below. Cadance just shakes her head.

“I've failed every pony, I've failed you.” She whispers. “I've hurt so many ponies. So much suffering, because of me. If it wasn't for me, none of this would of happened.” She can her chest tightening, she can't breathe.

“Cadance, stop it. You can't blame yourself for this.” Twilight takes a few more steps. Cadance just shakes her head more.

“All I wanted was to protect you, but I couldn't even do that. I failed you. Let you down. Wallowed in my failures and got myself captured.” She chokes. “If I wasn't so fucking pathet-” She cries before being interrupted.

“Cadance!” Twilight screams. Cadance opens her eyes in shock and looks up to meet the pained look in Twilight's eyes.

“I remember Cadance, I remember everything.” Twilight chokes out, and just like that, Cadance feels her heart shatter all over again.

Author's Note

So sorry filles and gentlecolts for the delay on this story. However I am back and hope to try and finish this story a lot quicker for all of you.

Regards

OnTheTrot.