//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 (A Hospital Week) // Story: The First Year // by TwilightsmyMare //------------------------------// Waking up the next morning was the most amazing feeling. Twilight pressed against me, her beautiful mane in disarray, her soft breaths on my chest. I still ached all over; being dead, even temporarily really takes it out of you apparently. Go figure. But looking down at her... It was all worth it. She stirred and looked up at me. "Morning." She smiled up at me. I leaned down and kissed her softly. "Morning Twi." "How do you feel?" She asked concern in her eyes. I hugged her tightly. "My body feels like crap. But my heart...?" I kissed her again. "Perfect." She snuggled against me. "I love you." "I love you too." We lay in bed for a bit talking about the strange mental connection we had. It was very limited, only about ten feet. Twilight was almost certain that Luna’s spell wasn't responsible for it. As per doctors orders I rested in bed getting up every few hours to take a short walk around the room, Twilight always by my side with concern in her beautiful eyes. I smiled and tried to put her at ease, it was difficult and painful, but recovery is. The important thing is I would recover. That evening I almost burst into laughter as Twilight chased one of the nurses, Redheart I believe she had introduced herself as, a white mare with a light pink mane and tail. Twilight chased her out of the room after she came in to give me a sponge bath. "Twi. She's just doing her job." She turned to me after shutting the door. "Humph. Not on my fiancé!" I smiled at her. "Oh Twi, I love you so much." "Don't you forget it." She said with a smile. Levitating the bowl and sponge she came over and began to give me a sponge bath herself, she stopped using her levitation and used her forehooves to run the sponge over me herself. As she got to my lower anatomy she began to blush but didn't hesitate. I was more then a little embarrassed myself and unable to conceal my arousal. She smiled shyly as she finished cleaning me up and slipped under the covers with me, I kissed her passionately and she returned it eagerly pressing herself against me. I tried to concentrate to send my thoughts to her. Twi are you sure... Her thoughts came back clear as a bell. Yes! Our first lovemaking attempt was... Soft, sweet, awkward and embarrassingly enough, over far too quickly. I was clearly a bit too worked up. I fell back gasping. "I'm sorry Twi." She lay down beside me nuzzling my neck. "It’s ok... Your still recovering, I shouldn't have pushed..." "It’s not ok! I want you to be..." I blushed slightly. "Pleased..." There was no way I was going to leave my wife to be and the pony I loved unsatisfied on our first time together or ever for that matter. I kissed her softly and moved down her body kissing as I went. The idea of pleasuring your partner orally was apparently not unknown here as she made a pleased gasp and squeal. Her moans and gasps told me I was doing it right and I lost myself in the deed not noticing she was getting quite a bit louder. Unfortunately somepony else heard her as she rose to screams and before we knew it the door burst open, a doctor and a couple of nurses rushing in to help with whatever problem might be the cause of this commotion. Leaving me and Twilight, mostly me. In a rather embarrassing position, my bare butt sticking out from the covers that were fortunately still covering the rest of us. I quickly dove back under and Twilight and I faced them together both of us blushing heavily. It was plain to see the doctor and nurses were barely containing their mirth. With a supreme effort the doctor gave me a serious look. "Now, now. You shouldn't be doing any activities that work up your heart too much for a bit yet." Still trying to look as serious as possible he came over and checked my heartbeat, seemingly satisfied he turned and left the room with the nurses closing the door behind them as they went. As soon as the door shut we could hear uproarious laughter from the hallway. I sheepishly looked at Twilight. "Sorry Twi." She looked back at me with stars in her eyes. "For what?! That was amazing." She said as she snuggled against me. "Oh! Well the embarrassment..." "Oh. I'm sure they'll keep it confidential..." She hesitated as if unsure. "And besides its noponys business what we do." "True enough." I said as I squeezed her tightly. I could only imagine the ribbing I was going to get if Dash heard about this... Clearly their professionalism lost out to the power of juicy gossip as the next day each and every nurse and doctor that came to check on us had a smirk on their faces. Even better was when our friends came by to visit again. As soon as she entered Dash came right over to us with a mischievous grin on her face. "Oh hey! Glad to see you’re recovering so well... You sure you’re up for talking? If your tongue isn't too tired that is... Bahahahahaha!!!!" She collapsed on the ground rolling around and laughing. Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie giggled quietly as Fluttershy blushed. Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom just looked at Dash strangely. "What’s so funny?" They asked. "Inside joke dears. Now go and buy yourselves a treat down at the cafeteria." Rarity scooted them out the door with a few bits. She then turned to us and levitated a bag off her back over to us. "Some new clothes darling. I'm afraid Zecora found your old ones quite shredded in the forest. And it seems you could use some." She said with a smirk. "Thanks Milady Rarity. I appreciate it, I'll need them soon." Dash was still giggling on the floor. "Tongue! Bahahahaha..." Twilight nonchalantly levitated one of our vases of flowers over Dash's head and turned it upside down. "Ahh!" She shrieked as the cold water soaked her. "Okay, okay... I'll stop." She got up shaking herself off as we all snickered. "Um... We were wondering what you wanted to do for the wedding?" Fluttershy timidly asked. "Well we talked about it a bit. And we were thinking Sweet Apple Acres. If that’s ok with you Applejack?" Twilight asked. "Can do!" She answered. "Ooh! Ooh! I can get all the decorations, and food, and..." Pinkie excitedly volunteered. "Actually Pinkie... We were going to ask Rarity to plan the reception." I interrupted. Her head dropped down and she shuffled her hooves against the floor. "Oh... I understand..." "Pinkie. Will you assist Rarity? We do want you to plan the party for after the wedding." Twilight added. Pinkie sprung into the air defying gravity and hung there for several seconds with a big grin on her face. "Yes!" "Fluttershy and I will be more then happy to help out too. Right Fluttershy?" "Of course Dash!" "Ooh it'll be so pretty! With Princess Celestia to marry you and..." Pinkie excitedly squealed. "Actually... We talked about it and we're going to ask Luna to marry us. Princess Celestia is of course still invited but we thought it might be a nice gesture to Luna. So if she accepts it will be a later evening wedding ok?" I interrupted. "Even better! I can see it now! Come along Pinkie dear we have plans to make!" Rarity excitedly exclaimed dragging Pinkie off. "What about the guest list?" Asked Fluttershy. "Well... I think we should invite anypony in Ponyville who wants to come. They are such a big part of…” Twilight stopped to turn and kiss me softly. "Our lives. I of course want you all to be my bridesmaids. Spike will be the ring bearer, the Crusaders can be flowerfillys. What about you’re best Stallion?" I thought about it a second. "Well... I don't really have any best friends here to take that responsibility... But maybe Zecora? Best Mare instead? If it wasn't for her, I never would have met you." I kissed her gently. "We'll have to ask her." "Ok, ok break it up. When are we planning this for?" Dash asked impatiently. "As soon as possible." I said dreamily staring into Twilights eyes. "But. I should finish recovering first. Maybe a month? What do you think Twi?" "Sounds good." She answered staring right back at me. "Ookay... I'm outta here. Common Fluttershy." Dash and Fluttershy exited followed by Applejack who closed the door smiling at us. "Have a good time you two... But not too good." Twilight and I grinned at each other. We rested in bed for a few hours discussing our plans when a gentle tap came at the door. It swung open and Princess Luna entered. I got up somewhat stiffly and bowed, fortunately I had put on some shorts from the clothes Rarity had kindly brought. "Princes... I mean, Luna. How nice to see you. Its time I did my walk around the room you don't mind if I walk while we talk?" "Not at all." I got up and began to circle the room, Twilight by my side. "How can we help you?" Asked Twilight. "I've come to offer Rick a job." "Oh? How could I help?" I asked. "I assume you and Twilight Sparkle will be returning to Ponyville when you have recovered?" At our nods she continued. "As you well know the Everfree forest is a dangerous place. The creatures within are a cause for concern, not often do they try to venture out, but they cause mischief and damage when they do. The job I offer is as a Warden for the borders of the Everfree forest near to Ponyville. Several times a week you will need to check the border and surrounding area for trouble and any signs of distrubance, dangerous as this might sound it will be greatly mitigated by these…" She tapped the door and again it swung open admitting one of her guardsmen holding a large rucksack in his teeth, he deposited it on the ground and exited. Luna opened the bag and levitated out a fist sized hexagonal stone that she floated over to us. "These are Ward Stones, they will repel any dangerous creature we know of. If you place one approximately ever mile across the border nothing dangerous should be able to pass. However they need to be recharged once every month, if you accept this task I hope Twilight Sparkle will be willing to recharge them for us?" "Of course Princess Luna." "Please Twilight Sparkle. Call me Luna." "Of course Luna, as long as you just call me Twilight." She smiled. "That is a deal. There are three months worth of stones here. I must warn you, they can only repel the dangers we know of. I have searched the archives and flown over the forest many times to seek out all I could, but there may be things I have missed. If you find any such creature inform me at once and I shall adjust the Ward Stones accordingly. Any questions?" I looked over at Twilight. What do you think? It could be dangerous. I'll be careful, and I do need a job. Well, ok. Just take me along sometime; I'd love to see how they work. Anything for you my love. Twilight and I finished our walk around the room and climbed back into bed. "I would be more then happy to accept the job Luna. Thank you for thinking of me." She seemed slightly embarrassed. "Oh... Well, I still try to make up for the trouble I've caused. I will include your pay with the stipend my sister sends Twilight every month if that is acceptable?" "Yes, not a problem." As she turned to go we called out to her together. "Wait!" "What is it?" "You go ahead Twi." "No, no. It was your idea." "Ok. Princess Luna, Twilight and I would like to formally request for you to marry us at our upcoming ceremony... We don't have a definitive date set yet but within a couple of months to be sure." She just stood there looking back and forth between us blinking occasionally. "Surely you don't want me... My sister..." "Please Luna. No offence to Princess Celestia, we still want her there of course. But we would like you to perform the ceremony." Twilight explained. Some tears formed in the corner of Luna’s eyes. "I... I would be honoured to... I know the old traditions of marriage of course but I'll have to check with my sister for the newer..." Twilight and I looked at each other. "What is different about the old ways?" I asked. "Nothing much I imagine. It is simply the language used and some of traditions." "I think the old way would be quite fitting. We plan to have the ceremony in the evening to honour you; the old traditions would make it quite unique. I'll have to read up on them!" Twilight stated. "I look forward to it then. Take care you two." And with that she exited. "I'm glad she was willing to do it." "Me too Twi." It was getting late so we did one last short walk around the room before getting into bed. We kissed and snuggled down together, her beautiful head on my chest as we had slept together so many times. I stroked her neck and mane gently, I had made up a song for her from an old earth song I remembered, and now seemed as good a time as any to sing it for her. (Original song: Out of my head by Theory of a Deadman) Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta my head Celestia knows why I'd try I don't want to forget Those crazy times And all the things we did Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta my head Ohhhh ohhh Maybe it was the way you talked Maybe it was the way you laughed I don't know just what it is But I know I want this to last Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta my head Celestia knows why I'd try I don't want to forget Those crazy times And all the things we did Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta my head Ohhhh Ohhh Maybe it was the way you smiled Maybe it was the way you smelled I don't know just what it is But I know I want this to never end Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta my head Celestia knows why I'd try I don't want to forget Those crazy times And all the things we did Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta my head I keep trying to sleep But I'm lying awake I'm thinkin' about the love by my side And I won't let you go And I need you to know that... Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi (h-I-I) Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta of my Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta of my head Celestia knows why I'd try I don't want to forget You’re my whole life I never had it this bad Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you out of my head (woo) Out of my head (woo) Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi can't get you outta my Twi-yi-yi-yi-yi... I could feel tears spilling on my chest as I finished. "Don't cry. I only want to make you happy Twi.” She sat up and kissed me hard we seperated after a few moments. "You do. So happy..." She took my hand and placed it over her her chest. "It hurts." I put my hand over her hoof and kissed her gently then moved it over the scar on my chest. "Same." She kissed me passionately as we pressed together under the covers. But this time... I remembered to put a 'Do Not Disturb' sign on the door...