Rarity had to step back from the passing by purple and green blur as it made it’s seventh lap around her kitchen. Stepping in carefully in her red and green dress, she had to stifle a chuckle as she watched Spike hard at work on all facets of the kitchen, “Ok, are the biscuts ready? No, good, that means I can handle the mashed potatoes and leave time to cook the celery. Oh, maybe the tofu could-”
“Spike, dear, You need to calm down,” Rarity siad, stifling a giggle as she watched Spike race from stove to cuttting tool and back to the table.
If Spike heard her, he did not show it in his eyes as he ran to to a bowl, “IS the punch any good? Oh, I maybe put too much cherry juice in it.”
Rarity sighed as she fixed the table, sighing at the smell of food as it cooked and simmered in the warm kitchen, “Spike, precious scales, you simply must stop this running around. It’ll tire you out before mother, father, and Sweetie Belle gets here.”
“Sweets! Of, did I remember the cookies?” Spike said, racing to the evon.” Still baking? Good. Now where did I put the pineapples for the pink salad?” Spike asked as he looked around, only to find it floating in front of him, enveloped by a purple aura held by his marefriend.
“Looking for this?” Rarity asked, looking into Spike’s eyes with a warm smile. Kissing his nose, she set it down with the cottage cheese and pink yogurt. Then she looked to Spike and winked, “Now that I’ve got your attention, will you please calm down?”
“I’m sorry Rarity,” Spike said with a sigh, rubbing the back of his head, “It’s just that, you know, this is our first hearth’s warming as a couple and I want to make a good impression.”
“You've already won over my sister. Why she jumped for joy the day we announced we were going out together,” Rarity said.
“Yeah, but your parents. What if they don’t like me? What if they see me as a monster trying to steal you away or something,” Spike said, looking away. He sighed, “I just want to prove myself.”
Rarity could see a look in Spike’s eyes that told her who else he was trying to impress and she calmly laid her hands onto his shoulders, “Spike, you risked your life for me. You fought nobly for your lady. You can’t get more impressive than that. TRust me, you are going to wow my parents.”
“Well, if you are-” Spike was interrupted by a soft kiss from Rarity.
“Tut tut, no more of that. Let us get prepared for the parents. And more of this,” Rarity said, leaning in and kissing Spike once more.
“It’s ok! They’re just smooching, you can come in,” Sweetie Belle exclaimed from the kitchen door. Looking back at her sister, she leaned her head to the side and said, “You could’ve waited until after we left before sucking lips.”
Rarity blushed and then looked to Sweetie Belle with a frown, “SWeetie Belle! That is rude. You do not intrude unannounced like that during private moments.”
“Well now, I wouldn't be so quick to complain there. I remember a certain little filly who used to step between me and your dad for kissing because you thought I was drink his blood,” a light purple unicorn with a beehive said, walking into the kitchen. This comment made Rarity blush as she was caught up in the embrace of her mother, “Now how about you give your dear old mom a hug?”
“Hello mother,” Rarity said, hugging Pearl back.
A slap on Spike’s back surprised him and made him turn around to face a tall unicorn with a bushy mustache. The white unicorn laughed as he shook Spike’s hand, “Ah, you must be the young dragon who done stole my little Rare-bear’s heart. Couldn’t be prouder of her, you seem like a right nice young man. Doesn’t he Pearl?”
“Oh I know. Just look at his cute little face and muscles. Why I could just eat him up there,” PEarl said.
“Um, t-thank you, Mr. and MRs. Belle,” Spike said.
The unicorn gave Spike another slap on the back,” Ah, don’t go around needing to add the mr. to anything. The old boys in my Hoofball team just called me Mag, but you can call me Magnum. Of Course, when you marry my little Rarity, you can start calling me pop.”
“Sure thing, Magnum,” Spike said.
PEarl smiled as she made her horn glow, “Now, see, that there is a perfect gentle drake. Now, how about you come and help me with the cooking.”
Rarity nodded fervently, “Yes please, Spike. Help her out.”
That was when th doorbell rung, attracting the attention of Sweetie Belle. Runnin to the door, she opened it, and then let loose an excited gasp that attracted the attention of her sister, “UNCLE ESTEEM!!”
Rarity stepped into the living room of the boutique and let out a gasp of joy when she saw her younger sister hanging of the arm of a white unicorn. As the younger sister hung off the arm of the unicorn, Rarity politely bowed ot her uncle, “Uncle Esteem, it is a pleasure to see you again., I am glad that you have made it here from the Royal Guard.”
“Greetings Rarity,” Esteem said, smiling as he ran his hand through his well kept red hair. His canterlot accent was thick when he looked to his younger niece and kindly booped her nose with his finger, “Sweetie Belle.”
Sweetie Belle let out a giggle as she dropped from her uncle’s arm and ran back to Rarity’s side. The next to to come out were the elder belles, “Well, hey there Esteem. How is my little brother doing!” Magnum said, walking over and giving his brother a big hug, almost crushing his bones.
“H-hello, brother,” Esteem said, barely finding the strength to hug back. When he could breathe again, he smiled at his older brother, and then walked to his sister-in-law and kissed her hand, “PEarl,, good to se you.”
“Well now, it’s a good thing to see you again too, Esteem. Haven’t seen you in quite a while don’t you know,” PEarl said, a blush coming to her cheeks.
Spike stepped next to Rarity and leaned in, “Your uncle? General Esteem? One of the best swordsponies in Equestria, a freaking knight?!”
“Why yes,” Rarity said with a smile, “Mother and father traveled a lot thanks to his games, so they left me in the care of my uncle. He taught me everything in manners of archery and nobility. Of course, I try to teach Sweetie Bell, but...” she paused as she looked at her sister talking a mile a minute at her uncle.
“Yeah, I know the feeling. Twilight had-” he paused and looked down as he mentioned Twilight's name. Then he found his vision blocked by Esteem.
“So, you are the young drake who stole my niece’s heart?” Esteem said with a glare.
Spike nodded, showing no fear as he said, “Y-yes sir. And I promise to love, cherish, and comfort her with every fiber of my being.”
Esteem narrowed his eyes into Spike’s, “Actions speak louder than words, drake. And you have proven yourself by protecting her with your life. That was very noble of you and I approve of you both. But, be warned.”
“Warned?” Spike gulped.
“Hurt her heart, even think about betraying her trust, and I will have a new draconic shield in my room,” Esteem said, walking away from Spike.
“Oh that brother of mine, such a kidder,” MAgnum said, nudging Spike in the shoulder.
Spike sighed and gulped in response, “Didn't’ sound like a joke.” Shaking his head, he went to work in he kitchen alongside PEarl.
And so it went. Songs were sung, food was eaten,and gifts were exchanged. Stories were told and the family began to laugh about fun memories. For Spike, he began to feel an old familiar feeling in his chest as he hear the laughter being held between family members, that of family. It was a feeling he had long since felt lost with the loss of his mother figure. Spike smiled warmly as he heard Rarity tell a story of her dress shop to her family. He would have stayed to listen to the story, but his ear finn caught the sound of a soft singing voice.
I’m dreaming of a Hearth’s Warming
Just like the ones, I used to know.
Where the candy canes glisten,
And fillies listen
To all the carols in the snow
I'm dreaming of a Hearth's Warming
Filled to the brim with friends and cheer
Sweetie Belle let out a squeak and blushed as she hid by the curtain, “Spike, you weren’t supposed to be listening to hat.”
“Why not?” Spike asked with a warm smile as he sat with Sweetie Belle, “You’re a great singer.”
“Eah, but it’s just that,” Sweetie blushed and then shruk a little as she whispered, “I’m a little shy about it/”
Spike shook his head, “Why? Your friends know you are awesome at it, your parents think that you are great, and I know for a fact that Rarity thinks you are the best she has heard since Sapphire shores.”
“But, it’s just that, you know,” Sweeite walked a little away and frowned, “It’s my sinding, and it's my voice. I just get nervous that if I start singing professionally and try to get my voice out there, other ponies will ruin it. They’ll want me to agents, to moderate my songs, and tell me what to do! I love singing too much to ruin it like that.”
“Hry. I wouldn’t worry too much about something like that. If ponies start to pressure you, I’ll take care of them,” Spike said with his thumb to his chest, looking confidently.”
“Really? How,” Sweetie asked.
With a chuckle, Spike rubbed the back of his head and said, “Well, I may not know much about law, but...who’s going to mess around with a scary dragon? Raw!” then he tickled Sweetie with his tail. A soft expression grows on his face, “Besides, Rarity is a smooth business pony. If you think a deal is shady, we could work it out together. This is your git, you should use it how you want to.”
With a smile on her lips, Sweetie Belle hugged her friend, “Thanks Spike. I hope this works out, because you will make an awesome big brother.”
“Yeah,” Spike looked down in his pocket at his gift, smiled and then followed Sweetie Belle into the living room, catching the end of a story.”
“-And so, Esteem walks over to me in the middle of the college campus, brings out a foam sword and said ‘For the right to woo the lady pearl, I challenge you to a duel!”
Rarity put down her hot chocolate and giggled, “And did you accept father?”
“Well of course I did. I never miss a chance to play and have fun with the little brother. HE can be such a hoot when he acts like a big knight,” laughed MAgnum, much to the annoyance of Esteem.
“That is the way knights are meant to duel when they love the same woman. Besides, the ending was the more embarrassing part,” Esteem said, looking away/
“What happened?” Spike asked.
Pearl smiled and snuggled up to MAgnum, “He lost to the hoofball player. I had to come and beg for Esteem’s life. Just getting into the spirit there, you kno0w. And that is how we ended up dating.”
“Um, speaking of that,” Spike said as he took Rarity by the hand and led her to a spot near the fireplace, “Rarity...I know that you were the one who caught the bouquet back at Fluttershy’s wedding, and I know I caught the garter, but I want to make it offical between the two of us. And I want to do this in front of your family, so if they have any challenges for me, I’ll face them for you. Rarity Sapphire Belle,” he then pulled out of his pocket, a red ruby done in the shape of her cutie mark, “Will you marry me?”
Rarity tackled him to the floor, kissing him deeply as she shouted, “Yes!”
As the parents watched the kiss with a smile, PEarl was the first to speak up, “Well now, ain't that a wonderful HEarth’s warming present.”
“The threat still stays, broken heart,” Esteem was about to say, but was nudged by MAgnum.
“Ah, hold off on it there and let them enjoy their moment,” smiled Magnum. A sonic boom then shook the house, bringing out everyone's attention.
Rarity was the first to make it to the window, and when she saw