Princess Celestia's sun began to set as Lightning looked out the window of Fluttershy's cottage. Outside he could see snow coming down all across Ponyville.
"It's snowing outside, Momma!" Lightning said happily.
Fluttershy gave her son a gentle smile and said, "Well it is Winter, sweetie. Now come over here and put your coat on."
Lightning nodded his head before taking off his necklace. Fluttershy helped him into his coat and Lightning putted his necklace back on. It was the most precious thing to him since his picture of his real mother. He never wanted to lose it. Lightning couldn't sleep last night, because he was excited about celebrating his first Hearth's Warming Eve with his friends and family. He had been waiting for this evening all day and he was finding it hard to be patient about it. Luckily, Fluttershy helped him to be a little patient. Now the evening was finally here and Lightning was ready to leave.
Fluttershy zipped his coat and then hers, she then kissed and nuzzled him before saying, "Are you ready to go to Canterlot, sweetheart?"
Lightning nodded his head before he and his mother stepped out into the snow and Fluttershy closing the door. The two smiled at each other before flying to the train station. When they arrived, they saw all of their friends waiting for them.
When they landed, the CMC immediately ran up and Scootaloo said, "Hey there Lightning, Rainbow told us about what happened yesterday! Let's see that cutie mark!"
Lightning turned a bit to show his cutie mark. The rest of the group squealed and cheered as Lightning smiled.
"I'm so proud of you," Rarity said earning nods of agreement from everyone else.
"So are you ready for your first Hearth's Warming Eve, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked Lightning gently.
Lightning nodded his head as everycreature then handed the conductor their tickets and went to find their seats. Lightning sat with the Young Six while Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle crammed together into a seat. Spike sat next to Rarity while Fluttershy sat with Twilight and Oliver. Rainbow chose a seat to herself while Pinkie and Applejack shared a seat together as Sunset and Starlight did the same. The train eventually departed from the station and began it's journey to Canterlot.
When they arrived, everycreature exited the car as Lightning then looked around at the snowy and festive holiday streets. Everyone made their way to the town theater where the Hearth's Warming Pageant would take place. It was late into the night by time the play ended and everypony made their way to Twilight's Parents’ House.
When they arrived, Twilight knocked on the door and it was soon answered by her mother.
"Twilight, there you all are!" She said happily, "Please come in."
Everycreature entered the room and said thanks to Twilight Velvet one by one. Once everycreature was inside, she shut the door behind her and stood in the middle of the group before speaking.
"Alright everycreature, I'd like to thank you all for coming. I would also like to wish you all a happy Hearth’s Warming Eve. There's plenty of food, so let's not sit here with our stomachs rumbling, everycreature dig in."
Everycreature nodded their heads and made their way to the buffet of food on the table in the kitchen. However, Lightning actually decided to see his Auntie Twilight and Uncle Oliver before he ate. Twilight saw him coming and motioned with her hoof to come over to him. When he arrived, he saw Princess Cadence, Shining Armor and Flurry Heart, who was hugging Oliver, who had arrived a few minutes before he did. He also saw Twilight's parents as well.
"Hi Lightning," Twilight said gently, "Come here, I'd like to introduce you to my parents."
Lightning looked at the two unicorns, but then hid behind Twilight with a little bit out of shyness. Twilight nuzzled him and softly reassured him that there was nothing to be afraid of. Lightning took a few small steps towards the unicorns. He didn't know why he was so afraid of them.
"So you’re Lightning Twister,” Night Light said, “It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Come on out, my boy. There’s no need to be afraid."
Lightning took a few more steps towards them as Twilight Velvet began to speak.
"That's right Lightning, you're part of the family now. You're welcome here anytime."
Lightning smiled as he thought of the great kindness and hospitality he was shown by Twilight's parents. He couldn't help but come up to them and hug them both. Night Light and Twilight Velvet smiled at each other before they each wrapped a foreleg around Lightning and pulled him closer to them. The caring parents rubbed up and down Lightning's back as Fluttershy came up to Twilight and stood beside her. She watched on happily as her son now had a bigger loving and caring family. The three eventually broke the hug and Lightning went over to his mother.
"Did you meet Twilight's parents, sweetheart?" Fluttershy asked her son sweetly.
"Yes I did Momma," Lightning replied, "They’re really nice and caring."
"That's what Hearth’s Warming Eve is all about, sweetheart. Being with those that love and care for you," Fluttershy said gently as she wrapped a foreleg around her son and pulled him into a loving embrace.
The two stayed like that for a few minutes until Fluttershy broke the hug and took her son over to the table so he could eat something. There were lots of delicious sweets like cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and more. There was also delicious drinks, like hot chocolate, Apple family cider, and delicious chocolate milk.
He saw all of his friends talking, except for Scootaloo who was resting by the fireplace. Lightning ate about two brownies before grabbing two cups of hot chocolate. He let out a sigh and went over to the lone filly. Scootaloo looked up at him and softly smiled as Lightning gave her a glass of hot chocolate.
"Here Scootaloo, I thought you might like some hot chocolate," Lightning said softly before sitting down next to her.
Scootaloo softly smiled and said, "Thanks Lightning, that was sweet of you."
Lightning softly smiled in return and the two stayed together and talked about flying and the flying lesson they had with Rainbow Dash. Scootaloo then talked to Lightning about Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts and Lightning then grew more and more fascinated. They both enjoyed each others company while the other two girls and the Young Five were spying on them. Unbeknownst to him, the Young Five, Scootaloo and the rest of the CMC set up a trap for him and Smolder.
Scootaloo then told Lightning she needs to do something real quick as she then shot off like a bullet.
Lightning was confused until he heard Smolder calling to him. He then got up and went into the hallway Smolder was in to see what she wants.
When he got into the hallway, he saw Smolder smiling at him as he smiled at her back until they saw the rest of their friends that stood by them with mischievous smirks on their faces. The three fillies then pointed up and Smolder and Lightning's eyes went wide with shock. They were standing under a mistletoe.
Lightning and Smolder both took off in separate directions but Smolder was caught by her friends and Lightning was caught by the CMC.
"Uh-Uh-Uh, you’re not getting away that easily, Lightning Twister. You know the rules of the mistletoe," Sweetie Belle said playfully as her mischievous grin was still on her face.
"Same goes for you Smolder,'" Ocellus said to the orange dragon. While Lightning and Smolder both tried to get away, the others managed to drag them back under the mistletoe.
Smolder gave a death glare to all of them while Lightning did the same while blushing a little bit.
"I am so going to get you all for this," Smolder said before looking back at Lightning.
Both began blushing like mad before closing their eyes and slowly moving their heads towards one another. The three fillies watched with joyous looks on their faces as Lightning and Smolder's lips finally met. It was only about a second before they broke the kiss. Even if it was short, both of their faces were bright red.
All of their friends laughed as the two looked at each other.
Smolder finally brought her head down to Lightning’s ear and whispered, "I have a good prank in mind for them tomorrow. You want in, kid?"
Lightning nodded his head and both of them smiled mischievously at their friends. The dragon and the pony then chased after them as they forgot all about the kiss.
A few hours passed and the party was starting to wind down. Eventually all of the children fell asleep. Sandbar, Yona and Smolder were asleep on a rag near the fireplace while Gallus, Ocellus and Silverstream were asleep on the sofa. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were both sleeping on the backs of their sisters while Scootaloo was asleep on Rainbow Dash's back. Lightning was being held by his mother and was asleep in her forelegs while his head rested against her neck. Twilight stood with her friends with Spike asleep on her back. Night Light and Twilight Velvet all smiled at the sleeping children before Twilight Velvet began to speak.
"It's getting late everypony, I think you all should head back to Ponyville. Thank you all so much for coming. We enjoyed seeing all of you."
Everypony said their goodbyes as the group of friends left the house and made their way to the station to catch the last train to Ponyville. It was about an hour before everypony was back in Ponyville. Twilight, Oliver, Sunset and Starlight agreed to let the Young Six stay at the castle for tonight before everyone went to their respective homes. Fluttershy eventually arrived at her cottage and went upstairs to tuck Lightning in. Once she was in his bedroom, she lit his candle and carefully tucked him under the cover. Once he was situated, she kissed him on the forehead and made her way to the door.
However, once she was at the doorway, Lightning began to whimper and whine. Fluttershy looked back and saw him crying in his sleep. She quickly went over to him and Lightning immediately shot up while panting and breathing heavily. He began shaking as he looked up at his mother.
Fluttershy softly hushed him before asking, "Did you have a bad dream, sweetheart?"
Lightning nodded his head and continued to whimper. Fluttershy sat on the edge of Lightning's bed and gently placed her son onto her lap. Lightning just sat on his mother’s lap and whimpered while trembling like a leaf. Fluttershy laid his body against her soft warm fur and gently stroked his back with her hoof.
"Shhh...It's okay sweetheart, Momma's here," she softly cooed into Lightning's ear.
Lightning eventually calmed down and looked at his mother thankfully.
"I had a great time at the party Momma," Lightning said softly as Fluttershy gently squeezed him.
"I'm glad sweetheart," She replied.
"Momma," Lightning quickly said. "Do you remember what you said to me at the party, about Hearth's Warming Eve being a day to be with those you loved?"
Fluttershy nodded her head as Lightning snuggled his head into neck while saying, "I'm happy I got to spend it with you. You’re the best Momma ever."
Tears of happiness flowed down Fluttershy's face as Lightning began to fall asleep in his mother’s embrace.
He closed his eyes and gently nuzzled her cheek before saying, "I love you, Momma."
Lightning rested his head on Fluttershy's soft chest fur and fell asleep as tears continued to flow down Fluttershy's face.
Fluttershy gave her son a gentle kiss on the forehead and nuzzled him before saying, "I love you too, my precious baby boy."