//------------------------------// // 24. - Anniversary // Story: Pregnant Noses Know // by Irrespective //------------------------------// “Bean?” Celestia smiled as Baked Bean’s ears twitched. Her husband had curled up into a ball when she had reluctantly risen that morning to tend to the sun, and he was just too cute when he scrunched up his nose like that. “Be-e-an,” she whispered, with a kiss for each cheek. Both ears snapped to focus on her, and the corners of his mouth twitched, as if he was trying to hold back a smile. His efforts at resistance failed when she began to nibble at the base of his neck, and he hummed a delighted note as she slowly worked her way up. A passionate kiss was shared once she reached his lips, and her own smile grew as his beautiful sea-green eyes fluttered open.  “Well, this is quite the wake-up call,” Bean dreamily murmured. “What did I do to deserve this? Is today special, for some reason?” Celestia gently nodded. Her dear Bean was cute, charming, and intelligent, but he was also the worst liar she had ever met. “It is. I’ll give you a present if you can remember why.” “A present?” Bean rolled onto his back and gave her another kiss as she dropped to her knees. “Let’s see. It’s not your birthday, and the Summer Sun Celebration is not for a few weeks yet.” “True,” she replied, her grin turning devious.  “Let me think,” he said, his hoof tapping his chin in thought. “Maybe today is the national dessert competition! You’ve been saying how much you’ve been looking forward to that.” “Not quite,” Celestia purred. “No? Hmm, let me think, let me think,” he drawled. “I got it! Today is the day my parents opened the Zuerst!” “Is it really?” Celestia had to ask. “I have no idea, to be honest,” he chuckled. “I doubt they remember, either. It was sometime in spring, so either way, that’s not it.” “Give up yet?” “Never!” His forelegs reached up and pulled her into a hug. “Of course! I remember now. Today is our first anniversary. Unless we’re using the second wedding as the official day.” “I think we’ll use today, since it is when we really got married,” she purred, and she nipped his ear. “Happy anniversary, my beloved Baked Bean.” “And happy anniversary right back to you, my sweet Celestia,” he said with a giggle. “And here’s to many, many more.” “Agreed,” she said with a broad smile. “Since you did remember why today is important, I shall now give you a present.”  “I dunno.” Bean bobbed his eyebrows. “That present you gave me last night is going to be hard to beat. What did you have in mind?” Celestia shook her head once to toss her mane out of her face, and in one swift move, her lips locked onto his. The euphoric bliss that came with their passionate embrace sent waves of tingling joy crashing through her body, and when the kiss ended several minutes later, it was only with great reluctance on both their parts. “Whoof,” Bean murmured, his eyes glazed over in dazed happiness. “You know, I never considered what it would be like to kiss the sun before I met you, but now that I have, I don’t ever want to stop.”  Celestia let out a pleased nicker of delight with his statement, and she moved in to kiss him again. “You have no idea how happy that makes me.” The pregnant princess wasn’t sure how long they remained in this embrace, but she did have to laugh when Bean’s stomach grumbled and complained about its current state of emptiness, thus breaking the mood. “A little hungry, are we?” she asked playfully. “Maybe just a skosh,” he admitted.  “Then I shall have to take care of that for you,” she said as she stood. “You wait right there, and I will be back with as many of my funny-face pancakes as you can handle.” “I thought I was the one who was supposed to spoil you with breakfast in bed on our anniversary,” he observed. “Perhaps next year, then,” she said with a grin. “But for now, it is my turn to spoil you.” “Good morning, Sister,” Luna called out with a soft smile as Celestia entered the hallway. “You appear rather pleased this morning.” “Indeed, Lulu,” she replied. “I was just heading down to get breakfast for myself and Bean. I would normally invite you to join us, of course, but…” Luna held up a hoof and gave her sister a knowing glance. “Say no more, Celly. I would not dare intrude upon this day for anything. I am sure you and Bean will have a wonderful time together.” “Thank you,” Celestia said with a quick hug. “Did you have any plans for today?” “Some research, perhaps,” she said, the faintest hint of a worried frown crossing her features. “But nothing serious. Most likely, I will be asleep for most of the day.” “Do you need any assistance?” Celestia asked as they rounded a corner. “I can send Trixie to you, if need be.” “Nay, Sister, though I do appreciate the offer,” Luna said. “If I do any studying, it will be very light. Please, do not trouble yourself over me. Go, enjoy your anniversary, and let me know what Bean thinks of your present. I am curious to see how he reacts.” “I think he will be pleased, but I’ll be sure to tell you.” Luna started to say something more, but the sudden appearance of a dragonfire scroll interrupted her. The missive was snatched from the air with a deft hoof, and the younger sister giggled slightly. “I do not receive many messages from young Twilight Sparkle. I wonder what—” Before Celestia fully registered what Luna had said, her sister disappeared in a flash of magic. Confusion was quick to set in, but the elder sister decided that if it was something that Luna had wanted help with, she would have said so. Still, she would check on Luna later, and make sure that everything was fine. “Strange,” she muttered to herself, her hooves moving again towards the kitchen. “I almost thought I heard ‘creature of blue smoke…’” * * ✹ * * “So, what do we have planned for today?” Bean asked around a mouthful of food. “I admit, I tried to make some surprise plans for you, but Trixie said I couldn’t because you had preempted me.” “I did,” Celestia happily replied. “And I am sure you will enjoy what I have put together for you.” “If you did it, I’m sure to love it,” Bean said with a grin. “So, what is it?” “Oh, no. It’s a surprise!” Celestia announced. “I’m not telling you anything.” “What?” Bean groaned playfully. “Aw, c’mon! That’s not fair!” “Yes it is.” She stuck her tongue out at him and ruffled her wings in faux annoyance. “How many times have you not told me about your devious little plans, hmm? Need I remind you about that delightful little dance we shared after Mung and Chowder’s wedding? Or all of the delicious meals that you’ve sprung on me?” “Or that time when I ran off and tried to fight Tirek all by myself?” he added with a small frown. “Even that was a good surprise, and the perfect response to the situation.” Celestia nipped his ear, then moved in so her lips tickled the fine inner hairs. “I dread to think of what might have happened if you had followed my instructions. “I will share this much with you, however,” she went on. “We will be going out today, and I would very much appreciate it if you would wear that nice blue coat of yours. I might tell you where we are going once we are airborne, but not a moment before that.” “You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention,” Bean said, and he loaded his fork with a large serving of pancakes. “I can be ready to go within the hour, my lady.” “So soon?” she pouted. “I was hoping that you might want to share a bath with me, but since you are so eager—” “Change of plans,” he announced. “Bath first, then trip. There’s no way I’m passing on wet wife action.” “I thought not,” Celestia said with a devious grin. * * ✹ * * “So, where are we going?” Bean asked with a playful bounce as the carriage took to the sky. “We’re obviously not going anywhere in Canterlot, or we’d just walk.” Celestia laughed a little at Bean’s energy, but she was determined to let him wait. Though he would enjoy her plans for the day no matter what, she felt that it would be more meaningful if he was surprised by them. However, she decided it would be for the best to give him a hint, a taste. If she didn’t, there was a very good chance that he’d bounce right out of the carriage in his eagerness. “We are on our way to Baltimare, my Bean. I have several surprises there for you.” “Oh? Like what?” “If I tell you, that would take away the surprise, wouldn’t it?” she said with a coy grin.  “You’re mean.” Bean stuck his tongue out at her, but then he grinned. “Sergeant Pokey! Where are we headed to?”  “I couldn't say, Sir,” he called back. “I’m just here to provide the horsepower.” “Sergeant Clover?” “Come again?” she yelled back. “I can’t hear you, Sir! All of this wind is drowning you out!” Bean grumped a little as he sat back on his haunches, and he folded his arms tightly with a pout. “No fair. You ordered them not to tell.” “I did,” Celestia casually replied, and Bean hummed in delight as her hoof scratched behind his right ear. “But I had the best of intentions.” “That I don’t doubt for a minute. Since just being with you is all I could ever need, I’m sure I’ll enjoy whatever you have planned.” “I think you will.” “The Museum of Art?” Bean hopped down from the carriage, and he took a moment to study the facade of the building before turning back to Celestia.  “Yes. I have heard rumors that the Moody Blues exhibit is rather extensive, so I decided that you and I should come see the collection for ourselves.” Bean tilted his head slightly and gave her a flat look. “But you hate museums.” “I never said that,” she said with a grin.  “Yes you did, back on Hearts and Hooves Day.” “No I didn’t,” Celestia playfully insisted. “You asked me if I could tell you about the paintings, but you never asked if I like them or not. I only said that I dislike Ponygliacci.” “Oh. I just kinda thought you didn’t like them, since you’ve seen them a million times.” Celestia waved a dismissive hoof. “Do not feel troubled, my dear Bean. It was a reasonable assumption. Now, shall we head in? I have heard that the rare Knights in White Satin is the highlight of the exhibit.”   Bean’s smile began to return as she took him under her wing, and with a kiss, they strode towards the main entrance together. “So, what do you think?” Celestia gently asked. “Do you like the exhibits?”  There was a brief pause as Bean tore himself away from his study of Moody Blues’ Knights in White Satin, but once he did, he met his wife with a kiss and a smile. “I like it. This has been really interesting, and informative. I just wish it wasn’t so boring for you.” Celestia waved a dismissive hoof. “I’m entertained by you, so I’m good. Now, what is so captivating about this painting?” “I dunno,” Bean said as they both tilted their heads. “I like the interplay of the greys and the greens here, and whatever this sweeping… thing is called in the background. It gives the impression of a forlorn knight to me, standing against the world even though he knows he cannot possibly win. It’s not about the results for him, but rather the principle: he is oath-bound to protect his lady and his lands ‘till his last breath. It’s… well, there’s a sense of futility to it, a nobleness that is dying with him in this last stand.” Celestia tilted her head the other way, and she pulled back slightly as she tried to project what Bean was saying onto the broad stripes of color on the canvas before her. “But maybe that’s just me,” Bean added. “I could be seeing things that aren’t there.” “No, I think I can see what you’re seeing,” she said slowly. “A little bit.” “Did you ever meet Moody Blues?” Bean asked.  “Oh, I probably did at some point, but I don’t remember,” Celestia said. “Most likely, I would have attended one of those self-indulgent award banquets that was thrown for him during the peak of his popularity. I mostly just heard of him from others. As I recall, he was quite the mare’s stallion, if you know what I mean.” “I’d heard that before somewhere. I think this exhibit downplayed that part.” “It was a cause for some difficulties after he passed on. I do recall having to pass judgements on his estate in court, and which ponies were heirs to his fortune.” “Do we have any of his paintings in the palace?” “A few reproductions, but I’m pretty extra sure I burned them in my efforts to catch Bob the Changeling,” she replied with a grin and a boop for him. “All of the originals were safely stored here, away from my destructive fury.” “I still get a little tingle of joy when I think about that,” he said with a smile. “The thought that you would destroy priceless paintings for me is rather awesome.” “I’d do it again, and sooner if I could have saved you from those injuries,” she replied. “But let’s not dwell on that. Tell me, what other pieces caught your eye?” * * ✹ * * “So where are we off to now?” Bean eagerly asked. “We still have the whole afternoon in front of us.” “Indeed,” Celestia said with a wry smile. “My next gift for you is something that you have expressed interest in before.” “Really?” Bean glanced around, then back to her. “What did I say was interesting… wait. Did you get tickets to the opera, too?” “A special matinee screening of Ponygliacci, just for you and me,” she said. “The production was scheduled to end last night, but the troupe was more than willing to perform an encore when I asked.” “But you hate the opera. And don’t say you don’t!” he challenged.  “What I like and what I hate is irrelevant for the moment. What matters is that you wanted to see it. Now, before you protest anymore, let me remind you that the troupe is doing this as a personal favor for me, so I would hate for them to go through all of that effort for nothing.” “Well, I suppose we should go see it, then,” he warily said. “But are you going to be okay with this? I don’t want you to suffer through something you hate.” “I will be fine, my Bean,” she said with a kiss. “Come, we should be off. It would be rude to be late.” “Celly? Are you okay?” “Hmm?” Celestia’s magic pulled the orange ear plugs from her ears, and she smiled as she tucked them into a hidden compartment in her peytral. “What was that, love?” “Did you even hear any of the opera?” he asked.  “Everything up to the second movement. And even most of everything after that, despite the hearing protection,” she dryly remarked.  Bean blew out a huff of annoyance. “You really didn’t need to sit through this just for me, you know. I saw you cringing. A lot,” he added. “I’m sure I did, but I will contest your statement. I would argue that I did, in fact, need to sit through this just for you.” “Why?” he asked, as they exited the Princess Box and began to walk down the red velvet carpet that had been laid out for them. “I will explain over dinner,” she said with a bob of her eyebrows. “I hope you’re hungry. I have an elegant meal planned.” “Oh? Where are we going?” Celestia giggled as Bean’s enthusiasm came roaring back. “First, let us thank the opera company for their performance. Then we can be off.” “I must say, this is an exquisite meal,” Bean said after swallowing his bite. “The crust on the pasqualina is golden brown—which is really impressive, given how prone it is to charring, even under perfect cooking conditions—the butternut squash is exactly al dente, with just the right amount of garlic and butter, and I really like the addition of the basil and thyme to the tahini sauce in the baked falafel. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you asked my parents to cook this for you.” Celestia gasped at his insinuation. “Me? Ask your parents to cook a meal in an effort to spoil you? My dear Bean, I am offended, and deeply wounded by your baseless accusations! I’ll have you know that I merely asked them for some recipes. Chef Sugar Beet was the one who cooked the meals.” Bean chuckled with Celestia, and he wiggled in closer to her side. “Ah, well, I take it all back then. I get the feeling that you would have cooked all of this yourself, had we been at home.” “I would have tried, but Chef Beet would have been right behind me,” Celestia said. “I can handle a few simple meals, but nothing this complex. Would you like more sparkling cider?” “Mm, yes please.” Bean held out his fluted glass, and Celestia topped him off. “You know, I’ve never had a picnic dinner on a cloud before, but I kinda like it. It’s private, it’s soft, and we have a great view from here.” Celestia’s wing held Bean just a bit tighter, and she hummed a happy note as they both looked over the sparkling lights that made up the skyline of Baltimare. Luna’s moon hung full and proud in the sky, and the infinite expanse of stars provided a singular peace that was the perfect addition to the end of this perfect day. “So, why did we go to the opera?” Bean softly asked. “You’ve been dodging the question ever since we left.” “I have,” Celestia slowly said. “But I wanted to share my thoughts with you in a private setting, where we would not be overheard or disturbed.  “Bean, when we got married a year ago, I warned you that you would have to put up with a mare who was pushy and demanding, a mare that was used to getting what she wants and who has stinky wing pits. Since then, you have been fantastic about accepting my quirks and my faults, and the only time you’ve directly defied me is when it mattered the most. You, my beloved, have nearly bent over backwards for me, even when you haven’t wanted to. You have done things for me that you would rather not do, and I realized at the Gala that I have done a poor job of repaying that favor to you.” “I wouldn’t say that,” Bean cut in with a grin. “I might not like your mood swings, but your ‘extra credit assignments’ more than make up for them.” Celestia giggled and gave his cheek a quick kiss. “Yes, but I need to do more. You were willing to upend all of your plans to make me happy on Hearts and Hooves Day, even though you wanted to see the Moody Blues exhibit and the opera. You could have forced me to go, but you didn’t. You sacrificed something you wanted to give me something I wanted. “After the Gala, I decided that it was my turn to do the same. Maybe I didn’t need to sit through the opera with you, but I most certainly wanted to. Your interests are just as important as mine are, and I want you to enjoy them. You did enjoy the opera, correct?” “Yes, I did,” he said in a slow, thoughtful tone. “I probably would have liked it more if I knew what they were saying, but it was still good.” “Then I am pleased that you got something you wanted,” she said, and her horn lit. “And speaking of which, I have one last present that I want to share with you.” “You do?” he asked, and in a flash of golden magic, a long, book-sized box appeared in front of him. “Yes. When I saw your last rejection letter for your book, I knew I had to do something.” “Oh, you didn’t have to do anything,” Bean said, as he hefted the box in his hooves and shook it. “I mean, I knew it was a long shot to get published in the first place.” Celestia gave him another kiss. “I think I did. Go ahead, open it. I’m sure you’ll like it.” Bean gave her a worried frown for a moment, but he gently tore the paper away and revealed a thin, white box. With slow and delicate movements, he lifted the lid, and for several long moments, he said nothing. “Well?” Celestia asked, a sense of anxious dread building inside her chest. “What do you think?” Bean glanced up to her, down to the gift, and then back to her. “I don’t really know what to say. It's… well, um…” “Just spit it out,” she gently prodded, but with a hint of fear in her voice. “I suppose the first thing that comes to mind is ‘why?’” he asked. “Why would you do this?” “Why shouldn’t I?” she nervously asked. “Bean, the work you put into Luna’s biography was impressive, and so I thought that I should enlist your services for this as well.” Bean nodded slowly. “Okay. I understand that, and I appreciate it. But isn't there a Royal Biographer already?” Celestia shook her head. “I have never allowed an official biography of my life to be written, love. I have not wanted the more… unpleasant things that I have done to be widely known. But you have proved that all of me—the perfect princess, the destructive warrior, the slightly insecure wife, and all of the other bits and baubles that make up Celestia—can be loved and accepted equally. Besides, I have forgotten so much over my lifetime already, and I would hate to lose anymore to the steady erosion of time. With you as my official biographer, I can preserve and share everything that makes me who I am, and your skills as a writer can be shown to the whole world. Besides,” her wing pulled him in, and he giggled when she nipped his ear “I think it will be good to get it all out. It will be very therapeutic, in a way.” Bean glanced up, and Celestia’s heart leapt with joy when he smiled at her. “Well, who am I to refuse such a prestigious posting? I gratefully and humbly accept your appointment.” His hooves pulled the elegant document that announced his new position by royal decree from the box, and he glanced over it one more time. “Any chance we could get this framed?” “I’ll hang it in our drawing room, right above the bassinet,” Celestia said as she nuzzled his cheek. “Thank you, Bean. I have to admit, I was a bit worried that you would be offended.” “You were?” he asked, and his hooves went to his mouth in alarm. “Oh! Because of how I reacted, right?” Celestia nodded. “I know you want to become a published author without any help, but I feel so horrible that you’ve received so many rejection letters. I admit, I briefly thought about publishing your book on my own, but I quickly realized that would take away from your ultimate success.” “I’m glad you didn’t do that, too,” he said. “But this is nice. I still get to be a writer this way, and who knows? Maybe writing about your non-fiction history will help out my fiction efforts.” “It just may.” A peaceful silence settled over the couple like a warm blanket, and Celestia enjoyed the feel of Bean’s soft coat against her own, with the added punctuation from Nilla’s inner kicks. These peaceful moments were always welcome, as they provided a perfect moment of tranquil bliss in the sea of duties and appointments that made up their lives as the Royal Couple. Here, in these moments, was where Celestia truly felt the full serene joy that came with her marriage to Baked Bean. “You know, Luna outdid herself tonight,” Bean softly said, his hoof tracing lines up and down Celestia’s foreleg. “Did you ask her to make the stars so bright?” “No, I didn’t have a chance to. It is quite the singular sight, and we shall have to thank her for it.” “I’ll also have to thank Trixie for her Great and Powerful teleportation skills,” Bean quipped with a sly grin. “There’s no way I could have surprised you with this otherwise.” “Bean!” Celestia gasped as her sneaky husband struck again. In her forehooves, she found a small pink box wrapped with red ribbon, and she giggled to herself as her magic untied the bow. “You really shouldn’t have.” “Yeah, no. I should have,” Bean smirked. “I hope you like it.” “She’d better like it!” Trixie shouted from somewhere below them. “Do you two have any idea how hard it is to sneak up on a cloud?!” “Pretty easy?” Bean shot back as Celestia opened the box. “It is dark, and you’re doing a good job of blending in!” “Oh, Bean.” Celestia’s smile went from ear to ear as her magic pulled the golden, heart-shaped locket from the box, and she took a moment to admire the intricate flower-and-vine pattern on the front. “It’s beautiful. Did you put a picture of us in it?” “Not yet,” he said as she undid the clasp and investigated the interior. “But that’s because only two-thirds of our family can be seen in a photo right now. I thought it would be nice to have Nilla in there, too, so as soon as she’s born, I’ll put a picture of all of us in there.” “Thank you, Bean,” she said, and with a kiss for him, she placed the locket’s chain around her neck. “If I may, I would like to get a lock of hair from you, too.” “I think that can be arranged. It's not much of a locket otherwise, is it?” "Not so much," she said as she moved in to kiss him again. "Thank you, Bean. I shall always cherish this."   * * ✹ * * Baked Bean idly tapped his hooves on the table as he eagerly awaited the arrival of his wife. Despite all of the fantastic gifts that he had been given on this marvelous first anniversary, Celestia had informed him that she had one more treat for them to enjoy before the evening was over: a succulent dessert to go with their meal, but there had not been room enough in the picnic basket for it. Of course, Bean realized that it was all a thin excuse to get them both back to the palace, since Celestia had enough magical power to teleport just about anything from nearly anywhere in Equestria, but he was willing to play along for her sake, and for the obvious extra surprise she had planned to go with the dessert. However, his idle thoughts about what might happen after dessert distracted him, and he failed to notice when a large, white cake suddenly appeared to his left. When he did catch sight of the massive dessert, he gasped and recoiled slightly, but then he began to investigate.  It was an impressive cake, he had to admit, and the whipped frosting tickled his nose and tempted his mouth. But the one thing that grabbed his attention, above all else, was the single lit candle on the very top. It didn’t look like any candle he’d ever seen before; in fact, it almost looked like Celestia's horn, with a small flame dancing at the tip.  Bean moved in closer to get a better look, but before he knew what had happened, he found a snow-white nose touching his own, and a wife who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. “Boop!” she playfully announced, as her head and most of her neck emerged from the top of the cake. Her royal accoutrements were elsewhere, and her mane was matted down by frosting, but Bean felt his cheeks begin to burn as Celestia slowly licked her lips. “Celly?” he asked. “How…” “Magic,” she simply replied.  “Heh. Of course,” he replied with a matching smile.  “Happy anniversary, Baked Bean,” she cooed. “Now, if you don’t mind, I need your help to extricate myself from this luscious dessert. I suggest you start at the top and work your way down.” “And if I do?” “Then you will get yet another present from me, and I’m pretty extra sure you want this one,” she growled with a bob of her eyebrows. * * ✹ * *