The day afterwards, Sunset had to go to school and Mr. Shimmer had to go to work, I was left with Mrs. Shimmer. Luckily for me, Mrs. Shimmer did not enjoy playing in the snow, so I got to sit on her lap, while she scratched behind my ears while talking to her friends at a tea party.
"Oh my stars, he's simply adorable! Where in Equestria did you find him?", smiled Veronica, her friend with the big wig.
"We found him at a pet store, poor thing was the only one there. No brothers or sisters....but Sunset takes very good care of him.", Mrs. Shimmer replied, sipping her tea, she had put some in my bowl, along with a couple of sugar cubes, I liked it.
"Oh, Delilah! You'll spoil him! Giving him all those sweets!", Rebecca frowned, sipping her tea while glaring at me.
"I'm not spoiling him, Rebecca, he earned it, after saving Sunset from that snake last month! I can't even imagine what would have happened if she didn't have him, he even got bit, trying to protect her. I think he's earned it fair and square.", Mrs. Shimmer retorted, patting my head.
"Oh! Is that why he's wearing the bandage?", Veronica asked, pointing to my paw, "The poor thing! He must have been awfully brave!"
"He most certainly was!", Mrs. Shimmer smiled, motioning for me to sit in her lap, so she could pet me.
"Mom! I'm home can we go play now?", Sunset asked, coming in with all her winter clothes on.
"Of course, honey! Be sure you put two socks on Quickheart's bandage before you take him out.", Mrs. Shimmer grinned.
"I will! Did you miss me, boy?", she asked, picking me up and hugging me.
I gave a yip and licked her. We had many delightful winter days together, but none of them were as delightful as Hearthwarming Morning....
Present Day....
Luna walked into the room sneezing, "Hey....ACHOO!....Quickheart, boy! What.....ACHOO!.....are you looking at?", she asked sitting beside me.
I liked Luna, even though she was allergic to me, she never tried anything tricky. Not to mention, she never did anything to hurt me, it was all Celestia.....
"Just memories....happy ones...", I said, "Wait! I can talk?"
Luna smiled at my surprise, "No, Quickheart. But I can hear your thoughts, which is almost the same thing. You know....ACHOO!......it's not wrong that you miss Sunset Shimmer. I missed my sister when I was banished to the moon."
"Luna," I thought, "Do you think she misses me? I mean misses me really badly?"
"I don't think, but I know. I know that she misses you with all her heart, just like you miss her with all of yours...ACHOO!...Hey! I think being around you is helping me get over my allergies! I'm not sneezing as much as I used to.", the moonstruck princess smiled.
"You're welcome.... I think...", I grinned.
"When was that taken?", Luna asked, pointing to the picture of Sunset and me, with bows on our heads, wearing ugly green and red sweaters.
"Hearthwarming....it was our first one together....", I smiled, my mind drifting to the past....
Hearthwarming Morning, 13 Years Ago......
"Quickheart! Wake up! It's Hearthwarming Morning! Come on boy!", Sunset Shimmer shouted, shaking the bed as she jumped out.
I moaned and groaned, rolling around before yawning and stretching. I had to get up, but my body said it was too early. So as I followed her to the living room, I yawned the entire way to get it out of my systems. Mr. and Mrs. Shimmer sat on the couch, wearing their Hearthwarming sweaters from Aunt Shimmer.
I personally thought they were ugly, but I didn't have much room to talk, because I was wearing one too.
"Are you ready to open presents, you two?", Mr. Shimmer asked.
"We sure are, Dad! Isn't that right, boy?", Sunset grinned, rocking me in her arms.
I just let out a big yawn, making everyone laugh. First, from all of us, Mrs. Shimmer got a specially designed apron. Mr. Shimmer made it, while Sunset decorated it with hoof paint, and I added a nice touch by dipping my paws in pink paint.
Mr. Shimmer got a new snow/leaf blower, I think it's what he wanted....I was there when Mrs. Shimmer and Sunset wrapped it, so I assume he liked it.
For Sunset, it was a photo album, to put our pictures in. Ever since her birthday, Sunset had taken every opportunity to take a picture of the two of us with a camera from Twilight. As for me, they got me a new collar, since my old one was getting smaller, some toys, and a big juicy tomato.
It was after opening presents that Sunset ran to her room, grabbed her camera and handed it to Mr. Shimmer asking, "Can you take our picture please? I want to remember our First Hearthwarming together forever!"
"Sure thing, sweetie!", he smiled, setting the focus as Sunset took me in her arms.
"Say Cheese!", he smiled.
Peeved off, I gave a little yap. I didn't much fancy cheese.
"Okay, Quickheart!", Mr. Shimmer laughed, "Say Tomato!"
Much better. And that is probably one my most fondest memories to this day.....
Back to the Present.....
Luna smiled, tears forming in her eyes, "You miss her a lot more than I can possibly imagine. I thought I knew what pain was....I thought I knew what it was like to be alone....but no. I see you are the living embodiment of heartache. I'm so sorry, Quickheart..."
"It's okay...it wasn't your fault. Hopefully I'll see her again. One day....", I replied in thought.
"Quickheart, I KNOW you two will be reunited someday! One way or another, I'll make sure of it!", Luna said with determination, as she pat my head before leaving the room, "I'll see you later, Quickheart."
I smiled. For as I turned the page, I saw that it contained pictures of our First Spring together. Ahh..the flowers, the birds, I loved it all.
And being with Sunset only made it better.....