//------------------------------//
// A Hearth's Warming Miracle 
// Story: Pinkie and Bluie Twoie - A Pinkie and Bluie Hearth's Warming 
// by Talon and Thorn 
//------------------------------//

Relief flooded Bluebloods system glad to have an excuse to get away from the sitting room, at least for a few minutes. Still he had no idea who it could be at the door, he wasn’t expecting any more visitors. He opened the front door to reveal a small group of ponies in guard uniforms.

“Citizen!” barked their leader, a blue coated stallion wearing a fully concealing helmet, “We have received reports of a disturbance in this residence, I will have to ask you to step outside so we can fully investigate.”
 
“What!” cried Blueblood totally confused, “I don’t... What’s going on?” he asked.
 
“Step outside now! Or I will have you arrested!” commanded the guard.
 
Being arrested and taken away from the party had a certain attraction to Blueblood at this point and he strongly considered just letting himself be taken away. Then something clicked in his brain and he recognised the stallions voice, “Spare?” he gasped.
 
The stallion lifted his visor to reveal the grinning face of Marshal Blueblood, “Happy Hearth’s Warming Heir.”
 
Blueblood punched his now laughing brother on the shoulder, “Ow,” exclaimed Marshall, “Assaulting an officer of the guard won’t make things better.”
 
“What are you doing here?” asked Prince.
 
“Well we’ve been told to patrol the city and I thought to myself ‘where is any illegal activity going to be taking place?’ Then I thought of you. Me and the squad might have to spend a few hours here just to make sure nothing suspicious is happening.” He started to push past his brother into the house.
 
“Wait Spare, Mother and Father are..” began Blueblood but his brother had already started to enter the sitting room. There the Pies and Bluebloods were sitting opposite each other in a tense silence. Pinkie standing between then trying to keep the peace.
 
Prestige looked up to see her younger son enter and gave a rather unlady like squeal, “Marshal,” she called leaping to her feet, “It’s so good to see you, I didn’t think you could make it for Hearth’s Warming.” She nuzzled up against her child.
 
“Mom,” muttered Marshal turning red but not pushing his mother away, “Not in front of the troops.” Behind him the first of his soldiers were entering the room and grinning at their leader’s discomfort.
 
Pushing past the amused guards Blueblood made his way into the room, “Everypony,” he addressed the Pies, “This is my little brother Marshal. He and his, um, command have decided to visit for a few hours.”
 
As he had feared Blinkie’s eyes lit up taking in the various ponies in uniform. To Blueblood’s surprise Inkie’s eyes widened as well and she stared at Marshall before looked away shyly.
 
Blinkie stood, “Maybe your brother can show me around your house,” she suggested grasping one of Marshals arms.
 
Inkie jumped up as well glaring at her sister, “He could show me around as well,” she said taking another of the unicorn’s arms.
 
Somewhat overwhelmed the Blue stallion tried to extricate himself from between the two mares while his mother looked on scowling, “I don’t really know Heir’s place that well,” he explained, “I’ve only been here a few times.”
 
Prestige batted the two younger mares aside, “I think I should get to spend some time with my own son on Hearth’s Warming don’t you?” She guided the younger unicorn to one of the seats, “Now how have you been for the last few weeks dear?” she asked. Inkie dropped into a seat next to him.
 
Blinkie scowled and grabbed one of the soldiers, “I guess you can show me around then,” she said.
 
“Um, I’ve never actually been here before,” he replied nervously.
 
“Then we can explore together,” she explained as the two of them left the room.
 
“Its super fun to have all of you here,” said Pinkie hopping up from her seat and towards the troops, “Parties are always better with more ponies and we’ve got lots of food left over from dinner so you can all help yourself.”

One of the squad turned to Marshal, “Can we, Sir?” she asked.
 
He turned away from his mother's attention for a moment, “Yes, go on. You can have a drink as well, but only one. I'm sure Heir has quite the selection around the place.” Blueblood gestured at his drinks cabinet. There was a small cheer from the soldiers who firmly believed that if armies did indeed march on their stomachs then they should be full and preferably slightly drunk ones. Pinkie bounced off leading them into the kitchen.

"Your brother seems nice," said Sue, "No offence but he seems less uptight, than the rest of your family."

"Spare's always been a bit of a joker, he's never taken things vary seriously," replied Prince with a grin.

"Why do you call him Spare?" asked Clyde.

"Well in noble families you have the first born, the Heir who will inherit the title and the second born the Spare who only gets the title if something happens to the Heir," he explained. 

"Isn't it a little insulting to keep rubbing that in his face?" asked Sue a little unsurely, "It not like we point out to Pinkie that she's the youngest all the time."

"By five whole minutes," mumbled Clyde.

"Me and Marshal don't think of it that way. It's more that he's my backup, that he'll always be there to help me out if I need it. He's got his own life and career anyway."

Clyde and Sue seemed to ruminate on this. While they were thinking Pinkie burst into the room again, followed by a trail of guard clutching plates of left overs. She came over to Prince and dropped into the seat next to him, "It looks like everypony is getting on now, I knew this was going to be a great party."
 
Blueblood looked around, Prestige and Inkie were listening to Marshall talk about his work while Baron was apparently napping and Sue and Clyde were chatting amongst themselves. He was amazed, it actually looked like a normal domestic scene. Where had that come from?
 





 
Half an hour later to Blueblood’s continued astonishment war had still not broken out between the various groups at the party, most of Marshal’s squad had planted themselves around the room and were chatting with each other and the other guests (the one that had gone off with Blinkie was still missing he should probably be worried about that). Pinkie was still a little more subdued than her normal bubbly self which worried him a bit, although she seemed happy enough talking to her parents quietly. Baron had awoken from his food coma and was telling some story or other to a group of young troopers, one mare was looking up at him worshipfully, Blueblood really wished that wouldn’t last.
 
“What I really find interesting about the guard is the logistics,” said Marshal.
 
“That nice dear,” droned Prestige glaring at her husband.
 
“Oh it’s not as glamorous as fighting off invading griffins, but it’s just as vital if not more so to our nation's survival. Making sure the troops have all that they need, it’s a lot of paperwork but it’s worth it.”
 
“Tell me more,” said Inkie moving closer to the young officer until their flanks touched. Both of them looked away shyly for a moment before making eye contact again.
 
“How about a game of cards?” asked Sue loudly, she had found a deck somewhere. A few of the guards looked up in interest.
 
“That sounds a marvellous idea,” infused Marshal.
 
“Oh, me! Me!” cried Pinkie lifting a hoof high in the air and bouncing up and down. Blueblood was glad to see her acting more like herself.
 
“Inkie you’re in,” ordered Sue.
 
The grey fillies ears dropped, “Do I have to mother? I was having an interesting conversation with Marshall.”
 
“Yes.”
 
“I can play for a bit,” offered Marshal, “Me and the squad will have to get back to patrolling soon, we don’t want to be missed.”
 
“I’ll see if I can find Blinkie, you know she loves a game,” said Clyde slipping out of the room.
 
“Good,” said Sue leading the small herd of players into the dining room.
 
“Don’t be too hard on them,” whispered Blueblood to his father as the older unicorn left the room. The elder Blueblood was a famously good card player.
 
“I make no promises,” grinned Baron.
 
The gamblers settled around the dining table and Sue dextrously shuffled cards between her hooves, “Now the game is Stud Horse Poker, aces are high..”
 





 
Not interested in the card game and feeling exhausted by the days events Blueblood wandered the house looking for a quiet spot to rest for a while.  He opened the door to his bedroom then shut it again very quickly his face a rosy red. Blinkie was ‘entertaining the troops’ in there, at least two of them, possibly more, he hadn’t had the time to count the hooves and other body parts involved. It was a shame he’d quite liked those new sheets, now he’d have to burn them, it was just a shame he couldn’t burn the memory as well.
 
“Prince,” came Clyde’s voice from off to one side making Blueblood jump, “Have you seen Blinkie?”
 
The noble put his back to the door, he didn't want to know what the old stallion would do if he caught his daughter in that position, “No not recently,” he lied, “Maybe she went out for a walk?”
 
“Maybe,” said the stallion uncertainly.
 
There was a groan from behind the door and Prince tried to cover it with a cough, he was glad he’d had soundproofing installed in his room since Pinkie had started to visit.
 
“Well, if you do see her, warn her about her mother’s card game.”
 
“I’ll tell her to join in if I see her,” he reassured Clyde.
 
“No! Don’t do that, tell her to keep well away, her mother can take that sort of thing far too seriously. I’m going to find somewhere to lay low until she’s done, you should to if you value your money.”
 





 
“Oh look, I win again,” announced Sue laying down her cards and drawing a pile of coins towards her.
 
“That’s it I’m out,” announced one of the soldiers, "You've got all of my money now."
 
“Well that’s some nice armour,” said Sue with narrow eyes, “I could front you some jangles for it.”
 
Before the stallion could answer Marshal butted in “No, you’re not doing that again Spear, you know what happened last time.”
 
“Yeah, but I was drunk then,” muttered the trooper.
 
“One more hoof then we have to be off,” announced his superior officer.
 
“So soon,” asked Prestige looking up at the clock.
 
“I’m afraid so, the brass is fine with squads ‘disappearing’ for a bit on Hearth’s Warming but not for too long.”
 
“Ok, last hoof then ladies and gentle stallions,” said Baron dealing the cards.
 
The players carefully examined their cards, a few folded while others pushed various piles of coin into the centre.
 
“Ok, I call,” said Sue.
 
The cards were turned face up on the table.
 
“Do you have Mr Bun the baker?” asked Pinkie.
 
“Wrong game,” pointed out Inkie.
 
“Well phoie, all I have are all these pictures of ponies then,” she tossed her cards onto the table.
 
“That’s a royal flush, dear,” noted Sue, “It means you win.”
 
“Goodie then,” announced Pinkie pulling the coins towards herself.
 
“How does she do that?” asked one of the guards.
 
“Okay, that is it,” announced Marshal, “We have to leave now. Spear, see whether you can find where Clover and Shaft have gone.”
 
The squad organised themselves in the hall where they met with their missing members who were looking rather ruffled and were hastily strapping their armour back on. Behind them floated a satisfied looking Blinkie a wide grin on her face and her mane dishevelled.
 
“Do be careful,” called Prestige giving her younger son a muzzle, “And write when you can.”
 
“I will Mother,” said Marshal with a long suffering sigh, “Good night Father,” he nodded to Baron. “And if you want to hear more about the guard... or anything else Inky you can send letters via Prince,” the grey mare grinned widely. Finally he turned to his brother, “Have a happy Hearth’s Warming, Heir,” he said.
 
“You to Spare. If you’ve got some leave this place will always be here for you.”
 
“Thanks, and look after your mare friend, she’s something special.”
 
“Totally unique,” said Blueblood hugging Pinkie.
 
“Bye Marshall,” squealed Pinkie, “Tell me when you’re coming next and I can hold a special all guards all the time party.”
 
Marshal stuck his helmet back on, “Ok, move out, we’ve got a lot of city to cover.”
 
Grumbling slightly the troops marched out into the snowy streets of Canterlot.
 
“Well back to the game then,” announced Sue.
 
“I think I’ll drop out,” said Prestige looking a little pale despite her yellow coat. “I’ll sit down somewhere quiet for a while.”
 
“Are you alright mother?” asked Prince.
 
“I’m fine,” said the unicorn mare as she headed deeper into the house.
 





 
Clyde found himself in the house’s small library. It didn't look very interesting but it allowed him to avoid having to play cards with his wife, she could take that sort of thing far too seriously, he had spent a week on the couch the last time he’d had the temerity to win a game. He browsed through a few titles not recognising most of them, they seemed to be mostly genealogies and histories. He searched for something a bit more practical, an almanac maybe, when to his surprise Prestige rushed in, she turned away as soon as she saw him but he noticed her face was wet, had she been crying?
 
“I’m sorry,” said Clyde averting his face, he felt like he was intruding. He was just about to leave the room when his curiosity got the better of him, “What’s wrong?” he asked.
 
The unicorn mare was quiet for a moment, he could almost hear her mask drop into place. “Nothing’s wrong,” she began regally, “I just wanted some quiet, I’m not used to this kind for gathering, my parties are usually so much more civilised.”
 
Clyde turned his face set in a scowl. “I’m sorry my family upset you,” he barked.
 
For a moment Prestige's true face showed through, “I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice. “I miss my boys,” she admitted.
 
“Well Prince is about here somewhere and Marshal only just left,” said the brown stallion in confusion.
 
“I know but I hardly see them anymore. Prince is always so busy and Marshal is stationed in Canterlot.” She slumped down in a reading chair.
 
Clyde sat down facing the mare, “I know that feeling,” he said, “I haven't seen Pinkie for years, she was just a little thing now she’s a grown mare.”
 
“I know they grow up so fast don’t they? It seemed like just last year I was washing and dressing Marshal, now he’s a grown stallion and an officer.”
 
“I always heard that rich folk had others to look after their kids for them,” said Clyde in surprise.
 
Prestige glared for a moment then her face softened, “If you could employ someone to help you with your children wouldn’t you?”
 
“Mam, I raised triplets. There was a whole year I didn’t know what sleep was. If someone had offered me a hoof I’d have taken their whole arm.” They both smiled. “Besides, you should be proud of your son, soldiering’s a fine profession. Or so I’ve heard.”
 
“But it’s so dangerous, what if something happens to him? What with Corona and the like. Sometimes I lie awake at night wondering if my baby’s alright, and he’s so stubborn he won’t let me help him with his career.”
 
“You’ve got to let them go sometimes, even if they don’t want you to,” said Clyde darkly, “Pinkie wasn’t ever going to be happy on the farm, she needs something bigger. A place with more ponies. Just look at today she’s arranged this whole shindig herself. Inkie aint going to be happy spending all her life on the farm either, that girls got brains, she can make numbers sit up and dance.” He sighed, “She didn’t get that from my side of the family that’s to be sure, my wife’s sister went to Sharpwhinny Academy so that might explain it. Still it don’t matter if they live to be a hundred or live on the opposite side of Equestria, their still your children.”
 
“True,” agreed the mare. “I just wish I was closer to Prince. I’ve always got on with Marshal, knew what he wanted but Prince is too much of his father’s son. Well like his father used to be when he was young, so driven to get as far at court as he could. I tried to be proud of him, but he just seems so distant, he didn't even want to visit for Hearth's Warming. I think your daughter's done him a world of good.”
 
“Thank you, she’s a very special filly. But I know what you mean, I just don’t know what to do with Blinkie. She used to be such a quiet child, we used to think of Inkie as the talkative one,” he laughed, “Then her sister left and I think she took it upon herself as the oldest to try and fill the gap, acted out to get attention, then she discovered,” he shivered slightly, “Colts. She’s going to get in trouble one of these days, I just don’t know how to reach out to her anymore.”
 
“Have you told her you’re proud of her?”
 
“She knows that, she’s amazing at sensing shifts on the farm.”
 
Prestige sighed, “I think that’s the problem she doesn’t just want to be thought of as an unpaid servant. She needs to know that you’re proud of her, not what she can do. She wants to know her parents love her as herself not as a collection of skills, that’s why she’s trying to be her sister, she’s jealous. Pinkie got to go away and live her dream and she’s still stuck at home.”
 
Clyde sat back and thought for a moment, “How did you get so smart at this?” he said.
 
“We all have dreams, I didn’t always want to help run a province you know.”
 
“Oh,” said Clyde. “I better be off then, I’ve got a pair of fillies to talk to. Thanks for the advice Mrs Blueblood.”
 
“You’re welcome, and call me Prestige.”
 





 
Baron took a mouthful of his drink. He had been trying to pace himself, he didn’t want to embarrass his family but he did need something to get him through the day. The battle had been long and vicious as one opponent after another had fallen before him or his nemesis. The younger players couldn’t take the heat and had left in an giggling huddle a while back leaving just the two of them locked in conflict. She was a whilie one, he had thought he had a chance for a time but she had just been playing with him, giving just enough to get him overconfident before springing the last trap on him. “Wherever did you learn to play like that?” said as he pushed over the last of his coins to the victor.
 
“It's not all rocks on the farm you know,” said Sue stacking her money. “I have monthly poker nights with some of my neighbours and I don’t like to brag but I normally win.”
 
“Both beautiful and talented then.” He grinned his most charming smile, “We could do wonderful things together Mrs Pie.”
 
Sue blushed, “My husband is around you know, as is your wife.”
 
“Oh, they don’t matter,” said Baron lightly.
 
“They most certainly do,” snapped Sue, “I love my husband.”
 
He examined the grey mare’s face closely, “You really do, don’t you? How did you meet?”
 
“He was earning a little extra as a day worker on my family farm. My family were considered quite the big shots you know, big fish in a small pond. A few lucky harvests meant we were moving up to better things, Dad was thinking of selling up and moving to the big city. My parents were not happy about me dating an itinerant.” She smiled wistfully, “But I don’t know, there was something about him, he didn’t talk much, just got his work done. Then I caught him staring at the sunset one day, he was actually crying. I asked him why, he said he was crying for the dying of the light, inside that hard exterior there’s a sensitive soul. Anyway after we’d been together for a while he inherited the Pie farm. The first few years were hard but we survived, then the girls came along, triplets were a surprise to both of us.” She shook herself, “Anyway how did you meet your wife?”
 
Baron looked down, “She was chosen for me by my father.”
 
“What?” Sue was shocked.
 
“She was a good match, it benefited both of our houses, so it just happened.”
 
“No love at all.”
 
“There was some passion early on, we were both young, well her younger than me. Since then we’ve settled into a sort of mutual understanding. Tradition and our children keep us together.”
 
“I hope you don’t mind me saying, but that sounds horrible.”
 
“We keep ourselves separate much of the time, mostly just keeping up appearances. It was easier when I worked away from her and she ran the province but it's still tolerable. Anyway this is supposed to be a celebration and we're just depressing each other,” he finished his drink. “So what are you going to do with your winnings?”
 
“Well I was considering going on a holiday to an exotic island, or buying a fantastic new dress to make my neighbours jealous. However, as we were playing for jangles, I might buy a cake.” She examined the large pile of coins in front of her, “A big cake.”
 
“I’m sure your daughter would make that for free.”
 
“I’m sure she would, she’s very talented.”
 
“Made with love apparently.”
 
“Pinkie has never been lacking in love. She’s certainly fallen for your son.”
 
“And him for her. I do think that’s the better way of doing it rather than the agreement Prestige and I have. Not as good for the family name though.”
 
Sue looked sceptical, “And that’s important is it?”
 
“Really. No,” the stallion shrugged, “It seemed important when I was young. Reclaiming the family honour from being besmirched by its association with Corona, but it was a thousand years ago. If we didn’t keep the name alive no one but the Princess would remember Viser Blueblood by now. Plus in that time the family fortunes have waxed and waned so many times we have much greater horrors to atone for. Of course after all this time there probably aren't any blood ties left to Viser anyway. Mostly it’s just an excuse as to why we need to get as much power as possible without thinking about what we’re supposed to do with that power.”
 
“So stop.”
 
“Were that it was so easy Mrs Pie. There is a lot of momentum behind the family by now, quite a few cousins willing to take over if we stop.”
 
“The rest of my family upped sticks and moved to Fillydelphia, apart from my sister and she’s out of the rock trade. There was some friction but we still talk, I made my decision and they had to live with it.”
 
“Well I had my chance, it’s up to Prince now, he’s in charge and you know I think he may be making a better job of it than me. I don’t think he really cares about the family name any more, well not in that way, all I really think he cares about is your daughter. I’m quite proud of him.”
 
“Have you told him?”
 
“What?”
 
“That you’re proud of him.”
 
“Oh, we don’t really talk that way. I’m sure he knows.”
 
“Knowing and hearing are two different things.”
 
Baron leaned back in his chair, “I’ll think about it.”
 
“Well don’t think too long, you don’t know when something might happen to either of you and then all you’ll have is regrets.”
 





 
Clyde found Pinkie in the kitchen preparing a supper for her guests. He stood watching her for a moment as she happily hopped from dish to dish singing to herself. “Do you need a hoof?” he asked.
 
Pinkie halted in mid hop and seemed to fade a littler her colours becoming less bright. “I’m fine Father,” she said.
 
Clyde winced at the formality, “Pinkie, I need to talk to you about why I asked you to go live with the Cakes.”
 
“Oh, I know why. You told me you didn’t want me on the farm because I wasn’t very good at rock farming. I’m sorry I tried really hard,” she sniffed a bit.
 
Her reaction made Clyde hate himself even more, how could he have done this to his daughter? “No it wasn’t that, you’re better than anypony I know at detecting ley shifts. You would be amazing on the farm, but you wouldn’t be happy there. It’s your mark.” He pointed at his daughters flank, “Balloons, you don’t get balloons on the farm.”
 
“Some rocks are balloon shaped,” Pinkie pointed out.
 
Clyde blinked his train of thought derailed.
 
“But they don’t float, I tried,” continued Pinkie.
 
“No rocks don’t float, but you do,” he said, grasping the metaphor and running with it, “Like a balloon you needed to float to somewhere where you could live your mark. Where you could have parties and meet new ponies and just be Pinkie and that couldn’t be with me. I know you wanted to do it, when you used to stare away from the farm each night, but you wouldn’t leave.”
 
“You needed my help.”
 
“Not as much as you needed to be away from the farm.”
 
“So you sent me away.”
 
“I thought it was for your own good. I’m sorry I should have talked to you about it but you were so young and I.. I don’t think I wanted to think about it myself. I had to make you want to stay away, because if you came back I don’t think I could ever let you go again.”
 
Pinkie stared at her father for a moment, “Oh, I knew that.”
 
“You did?” said Clyde in astonishment.
 
“Well sort of. I knew in my noggin that you sent me away for my own good but my heart was all sort of flippy floppy about it and when you know something in your noggin but not your heart it can feel bad. It felt bad,” she whimpered.
 
Clyde leapt forwards pulling Pinkie into a hug, “I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?” has asked.
 
“Of course,” she said brightly, “What sort of Pinkie would I be if I didn’t forgive my own father?” She pulled away for a second, “But two conditions... One: I can visit you and Mama and Inkie and Blinkie as often as I want.”
 
“Of course.”
 
“And Two: You play tonight.”
 
Clyde froze for a moment, “I don’t know. The Blueblood’s are here,” he said fearfully.
 
“I know Mama made you bring it, I saw it in your saddlebags.”
 
“I don’t know, I’m not very good..”
 
“Pleeeeaaassseee!” begged Pinkie staring up at her father her eyes huge.
 
Clyde felt his will weakening, “Very well, but only the once.”
 
“We’ll see,” said Pinkie bounding off into the sitting room.
 





 
The families were both gathering in the sitting room as Pinkie shoved the furniture to the sides of the room.
 
“What’s going on?” asked Prince.
 
“You’ll see,” said his marefriend.
 
Clyde had removed a box from his discarded saddlebags and opened it to reveal a fiddle. He played around with it for a few minutes making sure it was tuned before rearing up onto his hind legs to play. He closed his eyes for a second then drew the bow across the strings and began a jaunty tune. Blueblood looked on in astonishment, he was amazed the tough looking stallion could play so well.
 
“Come on Bluie,” called Pinkie as she grabbed him and dragged him into the centre of the floor before starting to twirl around laughing. “Dance silly.”
 
He joined in as best he could but he was unused to the music and he thought he must have looked fairly silly, he could hear Inky and Blinkie giggling behind him. He wanted to stop but then he saw Pinkie, the grin on her face was so wide and she was laughing too, not at him but with him. He took her in his arms as the two of them cavorted around the impromptu dance floor. All too soon the music came to an end.
 
“Another, another,” cried Pinkie.
 
“Now I only said I’d do one,” argued Clyde.
 
“Please!” she begged.
 
“Very well. Just for you.” The old stallion reared up again and started on another tune.
 
This time Pinkie dragged Baron and Prestige onto the floor, “Come on and party,” she cried.
 
“Now I really don’t know how to dance to this,” protested the yellow mare.
 
“Oh I don’t know, you used to be able to cut a rug,” said her husband holding out his arm.
 
Crumbling in the face of both Pinkie and Baron Prestige finally acquiesced, “Very well.”
 
The rest of the guests joined them as well and soon they were all spinning around the floor.
 
The second number came to an end and Clyde slumped forwards massaging his back. “I’m afraid I’m out of practise for this,” he said.
 
“No problem,” said Pinkie rushing from the room and returning a few minutes later with a record player on her back. She placed it carefully on the floor and give it a few cranks before placing a record on it, happy, if somewhat tinny, music began to blare from the horn. “Come on every Pony, Party!” she cried.
 
And they did.
 





 
A short while later Prince was resting his hooves and watching Pinkie dance with her father when Baron glided up next to him. “I have something I need to say to you,” he said, “Next door.”
 
Prince furrowed his brow but followed his father into the hall.
 
Baron awkwardly shuffled his hooves as Prince shut the door to keep out the sound of merriment beyond.
 
“Now what is it you wanted to talk about?” said the younger Blueblood.
 
“I wanted to say sorry.”
 
“Sorry for what? How you behaved earlier? Things seem to have worked out alright despite that. I’m sorry I shouted at you.”
 
“No. You have nothing to be sorry for, what you said was entirely true. I’m sorry for well.. everything. How I raised you, what I taught you to do. I didn’t want you to have to go through the same things that I did, the same disappointments.”
 
Prince opened his mouth to speak but Baron held up a hoof for silence.
 
“I was an old fool. I’d forgotten what it was like to be young, to think that you could change the world, that you could make it all better and to maybe be stupid enough to actually do it because you don’t know it’s impossible. I’m sorry I took that away from you, that I tried to make you into a copy of myself.”
 
“Father... Dad, you taught me what I needed to know, how to stand up for myself, how to be confident, how to get things done. I’m the stallion I am today because of you. You only showed me the way, it was my own fault I decided to follow the rest of the court.”
 
“I don’t think I’ve ever told you how,” he voice almost cracked, “Proud I am of you, son. You’re a far better stallion than I ever was. I did just what my father wanted, I married the mare I was supposed to, became a player in the night court just as ordered. But you, you’re your own stallion you’ve found a wonderful mare, you don’t know what she was willing to go through for you. She even put up with your mother and me,” he smiled, “Keep her close and never be afraid to show her you love her back.”
 
“I don’t intend to,” said Prince with a smile, “Pinkie is definitely a keeper, if she’ll have me.”
 
Baron moved forwards and awkwardly wrapped one arm around his son, “If you ever hurt her you’ll have me to answer to, right?” he joked before releasing his grip. “Now let’s get back to our mares shall we?”
 





 
All too soon the day was over and the oncoming dark mean the two families had to leave for the night, of course as they both stayed in the same hotel they could continue the celebrations but they felt they should leave their beleaguered children to rest.
 
“Thank you both for a lovely day,” said Clyde, “Visit us as soon as you can Pinkie.”
 
“I sure will,” said Pinkie hugging her father, “I’ll be there before you even notice I’m gone, maybe even sooner.”
 
“Are you sure you don’t need help washing up,” said Sue.
 
“Thank you but I have people to do that for me,” said Prince, “You’d be taking their jobs if you did it,” he joked.
 
“I’ll be seeing you all the time now,” said Pinkie to her sisters, “It’ll be just like old time, the Pie triplets, getting into trouble and solving crimes. We’ll have such fun.”
 
“If you could give this to your brother,” said Inkie passing over a letter to Blueblood which he noticed was written on his own stationary.
 
“You two seem to have really hit it off,” he replied with a smile.
 
“He’s so interesting,” she gushed her hair seeming to puff up a little, “I mean I never knew the guard could be so interesting, all the paperwork that needs doing.”
 
Blinkie stepped forwards giving Prince a hug, “You might need to tidy the bedroom a bit,” she whispered.
 
“I noticed.”
 
“Like I said I don't get many visitors. I have to make hay while the sun shines.”
 
“Well maybe you could make that hay in your own field rather than mine.” The blue pony grinned as she stepped back.
 
“Now look after my son,” said Prestige to Pinkie, “Make sure he’s happy.”
 
Pinkie saluted, “That’s what I want to do for every day ever.”
 
“And Prince, keep an eye on your brother you’ll see him more than me. Look after yourself as well, of course. You could visit more often as well.”
 
“Yes, mother,” said Prince rolling his eyes.
 
She muzzled him gently, “I love you.”
 
“Me too,” he replied.
 
“Keep up the good work,” said Baron shaking hooves with his son. ”Remember what I said.”
 
“I will.”
 
“And make sure you treat this ravishing young filly well,” he hugged Pinkie, “If I hear anything bad I might just have words with you, you aren't too old for me to lay you over my knee you know.”
 
“You don’t have to worry about that, if I ever hurt her I’ll do much worse to myself.”
 
The two families trailed out into the snow talking amongst themselves.
 
“Happy Hearth’s Warming,” Pinkie and Bluie cried as they shut the door.






 
Within a house in the great city of Canterlot, two ponies lie cuddled together by a roaring fire.  Outside it is cold but inside, more than just the flames warm them.
 
“That worked out better than I thought it would,” said Blueblood kissing Pinkie’s mane.
 
“I wasn’t worried for a minute,” said Pinkie.
 
He laughed, “Really a remember a few minutes where you looked rather upset,”
 
“Pish posh,” mumbled Pinkie, “Oh, I like that pish, posh, posh, pish, pash”
 
Blueblood silenced her with a kiss. “I did tell you they would love your food.”
 
“And there’s so much left, I’ll have to show you what I can do with leftovers, bubble and squeak here we come. I love that and not just because of its name. Anyway I wasn’t worried because my family are the best family ever and yours can’t be that bad because they made you, and I love you.”
 
“And I love you to.” he said tenderly before sighing, “I suppose we’ll have to do it all again next year though.”
 
Pinkie stiffened in his grasp.
 
“Maybe you can just hold me for the moment then,” she squeaked.
 
“That I can,” he agreed with a smile.
 
And he did.