Fluttershy took the last bite of her pancakes from her plate and took her plate to the sink, next to everyone else’s. She turned around to look at her family. Rainbow, who was her wife, a colt who she didn’t know the name of, and a filly that she guessed was named Butterfly. The filly looked a lot like Fluttershy. Her coat was a slightly darker tone of yellow, and her hair was hot pink, and shorter. She also had a bow in her hair that Fluttershy recognized as hers from when she was a filly. After meeting both foals she also guessed they were twins, they seemed to be nine or ten.
“So, what are the plans for today?’ Fluttershy asked. Her whole family just stared at her, as if they were in disbelief.
“Mom, are you feeling ok?” the colt asked.
“I’m feeling fine. Why are you staring at me like that?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’m a little worried about you Mom, you’ve never forgotten about our picnic dates before.” The filly answered.
“Kids, give your mom a break, she has had a hard morning. Why don’t you two go get the basket, then we’ll head over to Twilights.
“Ok.” Butterfly answered and started walking to into the living room as a dark blue blur, flew past her.
“Last one there has to pack,” the colt taunted.
“Mach, that’s not fair! You got a head start.” Butterfly yelled, flying after him. Rainbow and Fluttershy laughed a little as they washed the plates. Rainbow put away the glasses and looked back at Fluttershy.
“So Shy, you excited to see Angel again?” Fluttershy didn’t understand the question at first, then realized she hadn’t seen Angel, or any of her animals, this morning.
“Um…yes, I am.” Her voice was a little shaky. Rainbow Dash heard this and flew over and gave her a hug.
“Don’t go crying about it again. I know you miss him, I miss Tank myself, but they are happy and safe, and so are we.” Fluttershy nuzzled into Rainbow, she may not have known where Angel was, or why he left, but knowing he was safe, and Rainbow hugging her made her feel better.
Mach landed in the kitchen and placed the basket down, then he smirked at Butterfly who flew in right after him. Butterfly gave him an angry stare and then they both laughed a little. Mach flew around the room throwing food to Butterfly who caught it and put it in the basket.
“All packed Mom,” Mach said as closed the basket.
“You two packed in record time today,” Rainbow said giving them a high hoof. Rainbow grabbed the basket and headed out the door followed by her foals and Fluttershy. Rainbow smiled as they all flew off towards the library.
***
“Twilight. Don’t you have something that can help me?” Spike asked
“I already told you, I’m too tired to cast any strong magic. Last night’s spell really took a lot out of me. It’s only for three days.”
“I’m a little worried about you, you shouldn’t be this tired from one spell.”
“Don’t worry about me I’ll be fine. Why don’t you go make me coffee? That would really help me out.”
“Well, ok, I’ll be right back.” As Spike when into the kitchen a loud knocking was heard at the door.
“Come on in,” Twilight called as she yawned. Fluttershy and Rainbow walked in followed by Butterfly and Mach. After they walked in, Twilight watched the door for a while as if she was expecting somepony else to enter. After thirty seconds Twilight looked at Rainbow, then Fluttershy, then the twins. She had a confused look on her face, as though she was asked a question that didn’t have an answer.
“Twi, Is something wrong?” Rainbow asked.
“No, nothing’s wrong. Why would anything be wrong?”
“Princess Twilight, may I borrow that book again?” Butterfly asked walking over to her.
“And which book would that be, sweetie?”
“The one I got last time, with all the plants and animals in it.” Twilight taped her hoof on her chin for a moment. She slowly flew up and took out a yellow book for the top shelf.
“Oh, you mean this one?” Twilight asked holding the book out so Butterfly could see it.
“Yes, that’s the one.” Twilight floated down and handed the book to the young filly. Butterfly hugged her and walked back toward the parents. Rainbow look uneasy, her eyes darting as if looking for something.
“Where’s Spike?” Rainbow asked.
“I’m right he-“Spike stared he walked in the main room, but stopped when he saw Fluttershys family. He paused for a moment and had the same confused look Twilight had a moment ago. Fluttershy cowed down a bit as Spike entered the room; he had grown, really grown. He looked more like the dragons that she saw during the Dragon Migration. Spike set the cup the coffee down and looked at the foals.
“Hey, Spike how you been?” Mach asked walking up to him.
“Fine…how about you?”
“I’ve been great, can we go outside I want to show you a new trick mom taught me?”
“Sure, we can do to that.” Spike opened the door and was barely able to get out as Mach followed him.
“I’d better go watch, in case he hurts himself again.” Butterfly said following them outside. Rainbow sighed with relief, happy Spike distracted them.
"Twi, could you give some more of that blue stuff? I drank the last of it two nights ago.” Rainbow asked.
“Blue stuff?”
“You know that blue stuff. Fluttershy what was it called again?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes you do, you called it by name last week.”
“What does it do?” Twilight asked.
“That blue stuff that gives any mare who drinks it a big di-“Rainbow mouth and sealed shut by a blushing Twilight’s magic. Twilight knew what Rainbow was asking about.
“Ya you can have some, but I need to make it first. I’ll come by tomorrow and give it to you.”
"Thanks Twi, if you finish it early, drop it off later tonight.” Rainbow gave Fluttershy a seductive smile as she said it. Fluttershy was a little confused by what they were talking about, and the way Twilight blushed made Fluttershy a little nervous.
“Well, see you later Twi.”Rainbow said
“Bye Twilight, we’ll see you again soon.” Fluttershy said as she follow Rainbow out. As Fluttershy closed the door the thought she saw Twilight giving her a worried looked. Outside Mach was doing a few loops in the air, and broke into a spiral flying downwards. He pulled up right before hitting the ground, did a small loop and landed next to butterfly.
“What did you think of that?” Mach asked.
“That’s good, almost as good as Rainbow.” Spike answered
“Almost, but very few ponies can be as great as I am.” Rainbow boasted walking up to them.
“I thought he was very good.” Fluttershy said.
“I never said he wasn’t; I just don’t think he is as good as I am, that’s all.”
“Are we ready to go?” Butterfly asked jumping up and down. Rainbow nodded, flying upwards. Fluttershy and the twins followed Rainbow and waved good bye to Spike as they flew off. Spike went back into the library and looked at Twilight.
“What was that all about?” Spike asked
“I don’t need to spell it out do I, it’s not like it’s a bad thing.” Twilight answered.
“Guess not.”
Twilight took sip from her coffee and when back to the book she was reading before.
Rainbow Dash lead her family to Sugar Cube Corner. As they in walked they were greeted by Pinkie and a mare that Fluttershy thought looked familiar, but wasn’t sure where she had seen her from before.
“Aunt Pinkie!” Mach and Butterfly flew over to her quickly. Pinkie gave them a hug and giggled slightly.
‘You two seem to get bigger every time I see you. Don’t you think so Pumpkin Cake?” Pinkie asked. Pumpkin cake laughed a little and nodded
“Hey Fluttershy, Dashie. What brings you here?” Pinkie asked.
“We had a cake ordered.” Rainbow answered
“Don’t worry Miss Dash, I baked the cake this morning as soon as I got up.” Pumpkin Cake walked in the back to get cake and Pinkie stayed with her friends.
“Dashie, I just want you to know everything is under control.” Pinkie smiled at her, then quickly bounced up stairs.
“What did she mean “everything is under control.”?” Fluttershy asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“One cake ready to go” Pumpkin Cake walked out of the back carrying a white box.
“Thanks. How much do we owe you?” Fluttershy asked; Pumpkin Cake started to laugh.
“Miss Fluttershy when did you get a sense of humor?”
Fluttershy let out a few fake giggles picked up the cake box, and started to walk out quickly.
“Have a good day” Pumpkin Cake called after them.
“Shy, are you sure you’re ok? You know they don’t charge us for small orders.” Rainbow Dash reminded her.
“I just don’t-“ Fluttershy stopped midsentence and looked down.
“There’s no reason to be upset,” Rainbow comforted her, placing her hoof on Fluttershy’s chin and lifting her head up. Mach and Butterfly both hugged Fluttershy hoping to make her feel better, and for the most part they did.
“Feel better now, Shy?” Fluttershy nodded giving her foals a hug back.
“In that case, next stop is Glass Lake Island,” Rainbow said flying upwards. Her family soon joined her and they started flying toward the island.
As they flew Fluttershy looked at Rainbow from behind and thought; “ She always knows just how to make me feel better. She has always been so nice to me and kind of cute.” Fluttershy’s eyes widened. “Did I just say Rainbow was cute? No I just meant she was cute in the way I think the foals are cute. I do not love Rainbow as anything more than a friend.”
Once again she wondered if that what she believed or is that what she wanted to believe.