Twilight and Minuette were both trotting along with their friends while Moondancer idly gazed at the world around her. They eventually reached a quaint little building sitting in between some houses with parents and their foals going in and out of it. The store itself had a huge big blue book with the letters, “ABC“ on it with a sign overhead with big black letters saying, “Little Bookworms.”
Moondancer started bouncing with more vigor shouting eagerly as she and Twilight walked into the establishment
“Aww... Moondancer remembers this place.” Twilight’s heart melted at the sight of Moondancer’s enthusiasm.
Minuette commented, “Oh. That's adorable. Let's go pick some books out for her.”
They both headed inside and were met with a small library with feet high bookshelves lined with picture books. The floors had a bright red carpet with tiny comfy couches. Colts and fillies were going about with their parents looking at books or being read to on a couch.
Twilight couldn’t help but smile and whispered, “Oh. This is just how I remember it... My mom used to read to me all the time on these couches.”
Moondancer was just as excited. She bounced up and down more, squealing in delight at all the books.
Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts were both giggling as Minuette asked, “So, Twilight. You should know what Moondan—I mean Sunrise’s favorite books were as a foal right?”
Twilight nodded. ”Yeah. I’m sure they have copies. I can go browse and look for them. You go on and let her play in the play area. I’ll be along shortly.”
As Twilight left to go look for the books, Minuette pushed the foal buggy to the central area where there was a whole range of different comfy couches. She then sat herself with Moondancer in her lap. But Moondancer, full of excitement, jumped off her lap and waddled off to the bookshelves and began pulling out books. She started to look through them as she babbled and rubbed her hooves all over the pages.
Lemon Hearts cooed, “That’s adorable. I can't believe how much she’s enjoying herself. She must have vague memories of this place.”
Twinkleshine nodded. “I know. Isn’t it just adorable?”
Minuette was a bit concerned about Moondancer and was going to grab her but then she saw Twilight coming down the hall, carrying a huge bundle of books in her magic. Minuette rubbed her chin and asked, “Hey, Twilight? Do you need help?”
“No. It’s fine. I can deal with this.” As she was trying to balance a dozen or so books on top of each other with her magic.
Minuette rolled her eyes and helped Twilight lower the books to the ground. Twilight gave a sheepish smile and said, “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble.”
Minuette laughed out loud and replied, “Oh, it’s fine, Twilight. I just didn’t want you to get hurt.”
They looked over the books Twilight brought over. Minuette flipped through the pages and grinned at the images inside.
Twilight asked, “So what do you think?”
Minuette smiled at each story. Most of them were fairy tale picture books. “It’s perfect, Twilight.” She briefly glanced up at her. “Sunrise is going to love them. But this is going to cost a lot.”
Twilight waved a hoof as she replied, “Oh, don’t worry. I don’t mind spending bits on foals.”
Minuette couldn’t help but laugh. “I know. The problem is you're going to spoil her.”
One mare came up to them to Minuette and tapped her on the shoulder, “Um… are you the mother of that yellow coated filly?”
Minuette turned to face her. “Well, no. I’m just watching her for awh—” She dropped her mouth open at the sight of little Moondancer, who had thrown books all over the place. The little foal was babbling about and giggling while smearing drool onto one of them. Minuette quickly rushed over and scooped up Moondancer in her hooves while her friends started to help clean up the mess.
After they left the bookstore, the mares now headed towards the palace with little Moondancer snuggled in her buggy, wrapped snugly in her foal blankets.
Twilight smirked, “I couldn’t believe how fast she made a mess out of that library.”
Lemon Hearts nodded. ”Yeah. Didn’t realise how much of a troublemaker Moo—I mean Sunrise is.”
Minuette turned her gaze and mumbled under her breath. “She’s just as bad at home. Believe me, I know...”
They were now in front of the palace gardens where royal guards stood at attention as parents pushed their foals inside. Twilight looked around the gardens and saw Celestia near the fountains holding a foal, letting the little one play with her flowing rainbow colored mane.
Minuette couldn’t help but giggle. “I would never imagine seeing Princess Celestia like this.”
Twilight smirked. “Yeah. There's a lot more to her then the title.”
They couldn't help but watch the princess cuddling the foals and then give them back to their smiling mothers.
“So. Should we get in line?” Twilight asked.
Minuette looked down at the line and sighed. “Yeah, but it’s going to take forever to meet her and we don't have time. Moondancer is going to get cranky soon and she’ll be wailing in Princess Celestia’s hooves!”
Twilight idly waved a hoof. “You're worrying too much. Besides, I have an idea.” She walked up to Princess Celestia who smiled at the purple alicorn and her friends.
“Oh. Hello, Twilight,” she said. “It’s so nice to see you.”
The rest of the mares gasped and moved out of the way, making Twilight blush.
Then the solar princess turned to the foal buggy and spotted the flailing Moondancer and felt her heart melt. “Oh. is thi—”
But before she could say anything, Twilight exclaimed, “This is Sunshine! Minuette’s cousin!”
Celestia gave the mares a confused look as they gave her nervous smiles. But deep down in her mind, she knew exactly what was going on. Good one, Twilight. I see what you’re doing.
The princess continued. “Oh. Well, Minuette, I'm so happy that you're taking good care of little Sunrise.” She then winked at Minuette, making her smile meekly.
Oh, yeah... Twilight told her about Moondancer. She thought. I keep forgetting that.
Celestia then picked up Moondancer with her magic and hugged her close as she cooed, ”How's the little cutie?” She let Moondancer reach out for and begin to play with her mane. “So is Mo—I mean Sunrise giving you girls any trouble?”
Twilight waved a hoof. “Oh, no. She’s been doing great. She’s made a mess or two, but overall, she’s a little angel.”
Celestia grinned. “Oh really?” She then turned her gaze to face the foal and snuggled the foal in her embrace as she brought her mouth to her chest. “I hope you haven’t been a naughty foal.”
Moondancer shook her head and babbled, spitting bubbles in response, which made all the mares in the area swoon.
Celestia gave the foal a raspberry in return, making her squeal while an audible hiss could be heard, making all the ponies gasp. The solar sovereign just laughed. “Aw, Looks like she needs a change.”
Minuette gasped as she staggered backwards. “I am so sorry, Princess. I just changed her. I did—”
“Don't worry. I’ve had foals who had accidents with me all day.” Celestia fired a beam at Moondancer’s diaper, causing a brand new one to magically replace the wet one in the blink of an eye.
Minuette stared in awe at Celestia’s magical prowess, but quickly returned to reality by shaking her head. “So, did you have any luck on Moondancer’s problem?”
Twilight sighed and shook her head as she sighed, whispered, ”Sadly no. I’ve been researching nonstop for the past few days and found nothing.”
Celestia came over and asked, “How about you give it a break? You look more exhausted then Minuette.”
“What do you mean?” Twilight’s eyes began to droop.
Celestia laughed. “First off, you’re talking to a royal guard.”
Twilight looked up as the royal guard blushed and pointed to Celestia, making her eyes grow wide. “I’m so sorry. “
All the ponies in the garden laughed as Celestia cooed, “I think it’s about time Sunrise and you took a nap.”
Minuette nodded. ”Yeah. Looks like I have two foals to look after.”
“I’m not a foal!” Twilight whined, but then found herself yawning loudly.
“Well, your yawns say otherwise.” Celestia booped Twilight’s nose and gave it a little nuzzle. “So, I take it you’ll be staying with Minuette?”
Twilight nodded and slowly mumbled. “Yeah, at least until we can get Moo—”
Minuette coughed loudly, making everypony turn towards her. “That was fun, but Sunrise does need her nap. We better get going!”
She took Moondancer out of the garden with the other mares, waving nervously before slipping off. Celestia snickered all the while as she watched Twilight, who was still half-asleep, stumble and try to keep up with her friends.
Twilight woke later that afternoon in Minuette’s bed. She looked around and saw all of her stuff already unpacked and being sorted by Minuette.
Twilight rubbed her eyes and groggily asked. “Hey, Minuette. You brought all my stuff here?”
Minuette shook her head and explained. “Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts helped. Everything is pretty much unpacked. I’m just making sure your books are out of Moondancer’s reach.” She then stacked then on top of a shelf.
Twilight couldn’t help but laugh as she turned to see Moondancer sleeping soundly in her crib. She was wearing a cute nightie with a pacifier in her mouth, which bobbed up and down.
Twilight asked. “So how was she?”
Minuette turned with a smile. “Oh, she was tuckered out by the time we got back. She’s been sleeping ever since.”
“That’s good.” Twilight stood up from the bed. “So is there anything you need with help with?”
Minuette shook her head and said, “No. I'm fine. Thanks, Twilight.”
Twilight got up and stretched, looking out the window to see that the sun was already setting and Luna was raising the moon. She sighed, “Wow. I slept for way too long.”
Minuette said, “Yeah, but it looked like you really needed the sleep. You were like a zombie coming back to the house.”
Twilight nodded and looked up at Minuette with apologetic smile. “Hey, Minuette. Thank you for doing all of this. But I still want to study and see if I can still fix this.”
Minuette turned and shook her head. ”It’s alright, Twilight. I told you I’d rather you help take care of Moondancer with me. I really mean that.”
”Alright, Minuette. I won’t press it anymore.” Twilight gave Minuette a pat on the shoulder.
“Hey, how about we have something before bed?” Minuette pointed towards the stairs. “It’s been a long time since we had those donuts.”
Twilight chirped, “That sounds great.”
Minuette lead Twilight downstairs and into her kitchen.
“So what are you hungry for?” Twilight asked, using her magic to light up the handles and knobs for each compartment.
Minuette eyed her fridge and mumbled, “I was thinking sandwiches.” Just then, they both heard a wail echoing from upstairs, prompting a groan from Minuette. “Oh. She probably needs another change.”
Twilight unfurled her wings. ”I got her. You just prepare our food.”
”Oh, thank you. That would be great.” Minuette beamed. “Just get her diaper changed and try to get her back to sleep if you can.”
Twilight nodded and replied. “Of course.” She flew back upstairs to take care of Moondancer while Minuette went back to making sandwiches. After a brief period making them, Twilight came back downstairs. “Hey, Minuette. How are the sandwiches coming?”
Minuette pulled her head from the tray. “Yep. They’re done. How’s Moondancer?”
Twilight waved a hoof and cooed. “Oh, she’s fine. She just made a mess in her diaper. Nothing too hard to handle.”
Minuette scoffed. ”You won't be saying that after the twentieth diaper.”
Twilight laughed. “Now I know why Shining and Cadence feel.”
They grabbed their sandwiches and started to eat together, chewing delicately before swallowing their mush.
“So, what do you think?” Minuette smiled, wiping the cucumbers from her mouth.
“Great.” Twilight swallowed another sandwich. “This is a perfect night snack.”
Minuette smirked and coyly waved her hoof. “You're just saying that.”
“No. I mean it. This is really good. Thanks, Minuette.” Twilight replied as she took another bite of her sandwich.
“So… Celestia knows, right?” Minuette lifted one of her eyebrows. “I mean, the way she acted was really peculiar.”
Twilight laughed and nodded as she explained. ”Yeah. She knows about Moondancer. I thought I told you that already...”
Minuette blushed “I think you did. I just wanted to be sure.”
Twilight winked as she whispered, “Oh, don’t worry. Celestia knows how to keep secrets. She completely understands the situation.”
Minuette nodded and asked, “So now that you're helping me, do you have any plans for Moondancer?”
Twilight shook her head and replied, “Not really. But Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts seem excited to play with her.”
Minuette laughed loudly, clutching her stomach. “Yeah, they’re wonderful with her. I almost wish they were turned to foals too. They would be wonderful play—”
“You really want to care for three foals?” Twilight cut the the conversation short.
“No.” Minuette’s brows fell hard. “Taking care of one foal is hard enough.” She sighed a little before flicking her mane. “I just wish Moondancer had a playmate.”
Twilight tapped her chin. “Hmm… Would you mind if she played with Flurry Heart?”
Minuette rubbed her chin. ”No. Just as long as you could convince Shining and Cadence if that's okay.”
“Oh, I’m sure that I could find a way to get them to come…” Twilight winked.
“Alright. You can go ahead and make the plans.” Minuette returned her attention to the sandwiches.
The two of them finished their sandwiches and headed off to bed.
As they turned the lights off and got under the covers Twilight asked, “So, when Moondancer wakes up, do you want me to get her first?”
“No. It’s fine. I got it.” Minuette slipped her blankets over her body and laid down.
“Okay. Just asking.” Twilight mumbled as she slowly went back to sleep as well. “Have a good night, Minuette…”