The little tea shop where Sunset and Celestia had first broached the idea of becoming a family was one of their favourite places to spend time together. It was something they tried to do at least twice a month, to talk about things, important or not, or simply to spend some quiet moments in company.
They had their favourite place to sit and were working their way through the menu, pairing tea and treats with recommendations from the staff or Celestia's extensive knowledge on the matter. “I still think it is funny that you are a tea nerd.” Sunset said, smirking from her side of the table. “The Princess liked tea as it was a little vice nopony could object to.”
Celestia laughed. “Nopony, it still sounds adorable.” Certain Equestrianisms made her cringe (horse puns mainly) but others garnered a smile or laugh. “I like tea, I would sit and drink some with my grandmother when I was very young. I developed a taste for it.” She took a look at the contents of her teapot, checking if the colour indicated the perfect infusion. “Then a certain young man looked to impress me, a friendship started from a late night study session when we shared tea.” Celestia smiled, looking into the past, “In order to spend more time with me he started to invite me to interesting teashops and cafes. The college town I studied in was well served with such establishments.”
“Discord took you to tea shops?” Sunset sniggered. “I thought he would be more into dive bars and underground music.” The judge struck a somewhat mixed appearance; officially he was smartly dressed and well presented. Casually he could turn up in any kind of outfit if it struck his fancy. Sunset had seen him wear a corduroy suit and winkle-pickers one day, ripped jeans and vintage converse shoes the next.
“Well... Yes, he did prefer them. But apparently he was so smitten, he wanted to take me to places I enjoyed even before we were in a relationship.” Celestia poured her tea into the teacup. “It took him a few little 'dates' for him to formally ask me out as his girlfriend.” Celestia smiled and poured her tea into the cup, watching the steam rise now the hot water had been freed from the lidded pot. “Though, truthfully I was a little confused, I thought we were already dating!” She laughed. “The poor guy, he was nervous that I saw him as a friend and not dating material and there I was happily dating him!”
“That is cute.” Sunset had poured her tea and was eyeing up the pastries they had ordered this visit. “So what was he like when he was younger?”
“Rebellious with a direction. His absurd taste in fashion was already well founded but he had longer hair, he always wore it in a ponytail.” Celestia sipped her tea. “He was kind and sweet but very much a prankster and would get riled up about things that mattered to him. I was very happy with him. He promised to wait for while I went abroad to volunteer.” At that, Celestia's face fell.
“Mom?” Sunset didn't like the sadness that had suddenly come over her mother. “Are you okay?”
“Yes... Just recalling some foolishness.” She smiled, a little strained. “I broke us off. I tried too when I was sick and very morbid about my prospects. He stuck around.” She sighed. “We had talked before, about making a family, of having kids... He was so eager to be a father. When they told me that I couldn't... I pushed him away as best I could.”
“That must have sucked.” Sunset placed some of the choicer cake slices and pastries on a plate and passed them to Celestia's side of the table.
“Indeed. I loved him, I thought he would be happier free to be with someone who could give him children, so I let him. I forced him away.” She sighed. “We didn't see much of each other for a few years. I think we both just focused on our careers. Then I met him again at an event in the city, one of those that gathers in all the 'important' types in city administration. Being a Judge and a Principal, we were both there.” Celestia smiled more cheerily. “So we became friends again.”
“Not a little more?” Sunset raised an eyebrow and spotted the blush that her Mom swiftly chased away.
“We have possibly spoken about it.” Celestia schooled her expression. “More seriously recently, certainly.”
“Go for it!” Sunset gave a thumbs up. “He's cool, you like him. He likes you. I can tell a good match when I see it.” Sunset grinned, a slight regretful turn crossed her lips. “Its why I was so good at sowing dissension in the school, reading people was a easy as reading a book. I could have used it for good. But I chose bad.” It was Sunset's turn to sigh. “So now it is time to use it for good. Which includes making sure my Mom is happy.”
“So you're giving me your approval hmm?” Celestia hadn't been holding off as such, but then again, the myriad small excuses she convinced herself with certainly counted as just that.
“Not really, more like what Aunty Luna calls a “Tactical dismissal of reasonable and self-sacrificing excuses.”” Sunset grinned cheekily. “She is all onboard the Dis-lestia ship, if she didn't have to cede to Chrys, I think she'd be the captain.”
“I don't need enemies with friends and family like that do I?” Celestia mock-sighed. “Chrys has been bothering me about it for months.”
“She must be a great friend then.” Sunset shifted a little in her seat. “You should go for it.” She paused a moment, “Bonus, I don't need a babysitter if you have a date night. But I can think of a good candidate if needs be.” Sunset winked and lifted her brow.
“I'm sure you can.” Celestia replied archly, “Or would it count as a date night for you too?” That made them both laugh.
-*-
They finished up at the tea shop, settled the bill and said their goodbyes. The staff were friendly and used to their regulars. It didn't take the pair long to get home. It was when Celestia was parking on the drive that Sunset finally said what had been on her mind a while.
“You should try and see what Discord thinks of starting again.” She smiled, but looked down. “You brought me into your life and that is the best thing that has happened to me. But I don't want to be what is in between you and being in a relationship like, well, that.”
“It isn't you Sunset.” Celestia said, catching the drooping chin. “I'm too darn stubborn to admit it most times, but it is all me.” She raised Sunset's head to face her.”So don't go feeling bad on my account.”
“Okay Mom.” Sunset didn't look quite so down then.
-*-
Late evening had arrived and a soothing tea blend was steeping in a teapot on her side-table. Celestia was considering which book to read when she instead found herself picking up her phone. A swipe and a pass-code and she had it open to her contacts. A thumb hovered over the name she had found. “Discord.”
With a nostalgic smile, Celestia chose 'call'.