Chapter 2
“Heart to Hearts”
To say that they were shocked to see was like saying Princess Celestia sort of likes cake. Most of the faces I recognized, at least the older ones, the foals were all new faces to be honest. There was that long awkward moment when nopony moved or spoke, except for the foals who were too enamored in their games to notice.
The first to even make an attempt at a conversation was one face I recognized. Where once I remembered a partying thirtysomething pegasus, my image was now replaced with an older mare. She, like the rest of her family, was tall, thin, with a violet coat and a brown mane that was showing streaks of grey. She looked upon me with, uncertain eyes. “Private, is that really you?”
I nodded, awkwardly. “Yes, it’s me Aunt Meadowlark.”
The awkward silence continued, nopony seemed to know what to say, including me.
That was, until another pegasus spoke up. Tall and imposing, every inch the military pegasus, with a violet coat and short brown hair, was my Uncle Hawk. He gave me a small glare and said, “So, are we finally good enough for your notice? Or does saving Equestria make you better than everypony else?”
“Hey now hold on!” Twilight said, getting between us. “Private is here for the same reason you all are!”
Hawk’s attitude changed the moment Twilight came into his vision. He adopted military posture and said, “Forgive me your highness, I did not mean to be so rude in your company.”
“And even still Hawk!” Meadowlark yelled, “You should at least be hospitable.”
“Why be hospitable to the stallion responsible for ruining Sparrow’s chances of happiness?” Another voice, female again, perked up.
Despite how much she tried to hide it, Aunt Robin had changed greatly from the last time I saw her. She was beautiful once, in fact she was a model back in her heyday. But Aunt Robin had apparently hit her expiration date three styles ago. She was a tad shorter than Hawk, with a blue colored coat, and red hair that was obviously dyed. She held a sour expression that would give Miss Harshwhinny a run for her bits.
“None of us asked you to come, I will not tolerate the presence of some mutt…” She said, a sinister glare coming on me. “Your highness, I don’t know what you saw in him, clearly royalty has gone down in taste since I was your age.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. Aunt Robin was never known for mincing words.
“Look, I just want to see Grandpa!” I yelled.
“What makes you think you have the right?!” Hawk yelled. “It’s because of you tha-”
“EEEENOUGH!!!” A voice yelled, silencing everypony.
Out of the house stepped one, Doveheart. A dark violet coat, long silver hair, and the silver eyes we shared, were all part of my Grandmother. She was once beautiful, although she would deny it to her grave. She almost looked like a pegasus version of Granny Smith now if I think about it. She walked solemnly towards us, nopony dared stop her. She finally came up to me, I had no idea what to expect…
By all accounts, I tried to hide from mom’s side of the family following her death. I didn’t even try to contact them. I told myself a long time ago it was because none of them wanted me around, or that they were too poor to look after Tailspin.
But now, I was ready to face the music.
I slowly removed my fedora and said, “Hey Grandma.”
She nodded, and then walked past me...towards Tailspin who was waiting patiently at the entrance. Tailspin caught a glimpse of Grandma, and looked to her.
There was a moment where Grandma stopped, and was quiet before my little brother. He held almost all of mom’s features, I can’t imagine what must have been going through her head.
Finally, she spoke, “You, you are Sparrow’s son right?”
Tailspin nodded, “Uh, yeah, I’m Tailspin. Are you... one of my relatives?”
Grandma….
Hugged Tailspin. She grabbed my little brother and held him tight to her. Tailspin was stunned by the gesture for a moment. But then, he returned the hug.
Damn it Tailspin, always too cute for your own good.
She let go of Tailspin for a minute, and turned to her children. “You all should be ashamed of yourselves!”
“But moth-” Robin tried to interject.
“Sparrow’s children are with us for the first time in over a decade and this is how you treat them!?” She yelled, dying down any sort of protest. “Family is family! I don’t wanna hear any insults, or discrimination! Sparrow was my child the same as any of you! You will show them the same respect and courtesy that is due! Do you understand?”
“Yes’m!” They all said at once, with terrified looks on their faces.
“Good, now, does anypony know when Hummingheart will be here?” She asked.
“She said she would be around once her shift is done,” Meadowlark said.
“Alright then, just remind her she’s supposed to bring the potato salad,” Grandma said firmly.
Wait, there’s a family reunion going on and potato salad isn’t there for ponies to ignore for the better stuff? How novel.
It was around this time I noticed the foals moving curiously to Tailspin. A lot of them bore a resemblance to Meadowlark. Well, she did get married last time I heard from her.
One of them, a big eyed violet pony said, “Will you pway with us cuzzy?”
“Uh…” Tailspin began.
“He’d love too,” I said quickly, using my magic to launch his wheelchair into the middle of them. “Have fun!” The foals gleefully gathered around Tailspin, then pushed him off into someplace in the yard where all the little foals went to play away from the adults.
“Uh, are you sure he can handle it?” Twilight asked me.
“Everypony has to go through the ‘playing house’ initiation at one point or another.” I said with a small smile.
Grandma laughed a little then took my hoof. “Come on, your grandfather is waiting.”
With that, both Twilight and I went into the house. Nopony else said a word as we did.
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The interior was cosy, filled with nicknacks, and comfortable chairs. The walls had the cheap wood panelling that most houses in this quarter possessed, but was still a lovely home filled with a lot of memories. On the wall were record covers from Blue Heart’s few albums, along with a lot of family pictures. Mom had a lot of siblings.
Grandma led us to the bedroom. I was heartbroken at what I saw. There lying on the bed was Grandpa Blueheart…
Blueheart was once a handsome stallion, that much anypony could tell. His blue coat had lost some of it’s sheen and his hair was silver now. His wings were at his side, the feathers looking matted as well, not preened in a while. Grandpa was hooked up to an iv tube and his breathing was rather heavy.
At his side was the youngest of the Heart siblings, Eagleheart, he stood at his father’s side, his blue coat covered by a white lab coat and his brown mane combed back. He looked at all of us coming in.
Grandma gave him a pleading look, Eagle just shook his head and left to give us some privacy.
She walked up to Grandpa, and gently took his hoof, “Dear, there’s somepony here to see you…”
Grandpa opened his tired brown eyes and looked at me, he smiled, “I, didn’ know if you would come…”
“Hearts flock together don’t they?” I asked with a smile.
“That they do boy,” He said with a weak laugh. “Come closer so I can have a look at you.”
I went over as close as I could manage in the small bedroom. Grandpa smiled and looked up at me. “You’ve grown, to t’ink, you were jus’ this little colt at one time who used ta play in yo’ mother’s wings…”
“Grandpa, I’m sorry I haven’t,” I began.
He shook his head. “None a dat, you had yo’ reasons fo’ keepin’ distant, as did we all. Sparry’s death was hard on alla us. When she married yo’ father, at first I didn’ know what to t’ink. But, looking at you, and hearin’ all you’ve done for Equestria on the news, I c’ain’t deny how proud I am of ya.”
“You heard about all of that?” I asked.
“Course I did,” He said, and then said with a grin. “And I heard you married some sweet princess.”
“Well, technically I was a student when we met,” Twilight interjected, coming into the room.
“It’s an honor Princess Twilight.” Grandpa said.
“Really the pleasure is all mine,” Twilight said. “I’ve rarely met Private’s relatives. I’m just happy we’ve come before things got too serious.”
“Oh don’t go talking like Eagle,” Grandpa chuckled, “I’m still right as rain.”
“Don’t you be like that.” Grandma chastised him, “You know Eagle is our family doctor and he’s never steered us wrong.”
Grandpa smiled. “I’ll be fine, I just wanted to clear the air with my grandchildren, an’ in-laws…” He finished with a smile at Twilight.
“To think, my grandson would marry a princess,” Grandma said with a laugh.
“Is there anything I can do to help, Miss?” Twilight asked politely.
“Oh, Eagle has things handled, but we could use some help down in the kitchen.” Grandma suggested.
I was about to yell why it was a bad idea before Twilight stuffed a hoof in my mouth. “I’d love to help! Give Private some alone time with my grandfather-in-law.”
“Right this way dear.” Grandma said, leading Twilight out.
Grandpa gave me a knowing look, “Bad cook?”
“Explosively bad…” I said with a look of dread.
“I know the feeling,” He said with a laugh.
“Excuse me, Private?”
I turned to see Eagle in the doorway. “May I speak with you for a second?”
“Sure, Uncle Eagle,” I replied, following him into the hallway. I looked to the doctor. “How bad is he?”
“Well, it definitely is pneumonia,” He said, looking serious. “With time and the proper medication he’ll work towards a cure. But at his age, who knows what could happen.”
“Can you at least give me an idea of his chances?” I asked.
“Pretty high so long as he doesn’t move around without the fluid. But, you know how old stallions can be,” He said with a light chuckle.
“Thanks for looking after him.” I said honestly.
“Anything for family,” He replied “And’ for the record, I never objected to your mother marrying your father, I was just an ignored minority.”
“So long as he can work towards recovery,” I said. “Everything will work out.”
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Perspective: Twilight
The kitchen was an absolute hive of activity, with Grandmother Heart supervising it all. She ordered her kitchen legion to chop this, or mix that. She’d go over, and get a taste of something being created, and offer a suggestion to help the flavor. The kitchen was an old fashioned sort, with laminated counters that have seen lots of meals prepared upon them. The old stove was still chugging along, despite being older than Grandmother Heart herself… Maybe Princess Celestia would recognise the model. The whole room smelled wonderful. It was making me wish I was a better cook than I was…
“Meadowlark! Don’t mix those spices unless you want to set everypony’s tongue on fire!” Grandma Heart shouted at the mare from earlier.
“Sorry, Mama,” Meadow said, “still trying to get used to all this.”
“Five foals yo’self and you’d t’ink you’dve mastered the art of cooking!” Grandma retorted.
“Well, I did master the art of reheating.” Meadowlark said with a good natured smirk.
“Twilight, I hate ta ask a princess to help out with cooking…” Grandma Heart said worriedly.
“Oh don’t worry,” I reassured her. “I’m not a princess here today, just an in law. And well, you reaaally don’t want to let me near cooking…”
“That’s alright,” Grandma replied, “I’m sure some of those potatoes can be peeled, it’s a simple enough task that will keep you away from a stove.”
Knowing my luck…
I proceeded to use my magic to begin peeling said potatoes. Luckily it was simple thanks to me levitating the knife. I could’ve used a windcutter spell to get them all sliced and diced but...I’d rather not test that with Alicorn magic.
Meadowlark looked over at me as she started preparing, what I guess was gumbo. “Sorry about Mother, she can be rather demanding of everypony in the kitchen.”
“It’s no big deal, I’m glad to help, at least a little bit.” I replied, tossing a skinless potato in the strainer.
“You’re not at all what I imagined a princess to be,” Meadowlark said with a laugh.
“I get that a lot,” I replied, I then tried to change the subject, “So, five foals?”
“Not exactly planned,” She replied, mixing the gumbo, “I was a big party pony back when I was younger. Got into a lot of troubles with Mother and Father over it. One day my coltfriend and I got a little too close during prom and well…”
“I can’t imagine it’s easy.” I said.
“Oh, once your foals work their way into your heart, it becomes easier. You start to appreciate the little things in life a lot more.” She said, a smile on her face.
“I’m glad you came around to enjoying your time with them.” I said with a smile, preparing to toss the potato into the strain.
“So, when are you and Private going to have foals?” Meadowlark asked out of nowhere.
Said potato ended up going through a window…
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Perspective: Tailspin
This. Was. Humiliating.
I am going to kill bro for this!
Here I am in the middle of a tea party with a bunch of little fillies. The table was frilly, the little house I was in was very well made, but it was obviously for little fillies. Why did this side of the family have to have more fillies than colts?
“At least they didn’t make me wear a bonnet…” I grumbled as I ingested invisible tea.
“Cuzzy Tailspin,” One of them said, “Why do ya sit in the chair all the time?”
“Well,” I explained, “I can’t walk on my hind legs, really, so I need the wheelchair to get around.”
“Aww, thats weal said,” Another said.
“Yeah, but I’ve learned how to live with it,” I said with smile. “So, we’re done playing tea party, what’s next?”
“We can play house!” One yells.
“Yeah! Cuzzy Tailspin can be da daddy!” another squeals.
Yeah right, me, a daddy, sure….
Well...maybe with….
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Hey big guy, made you a little something…
Thanks honey, though, you didn’t have too…
I wanted to...
I appreciate it, you know?
Well...maybe you’ll appreciate this….after all...the kids are in bed…
Sc-Scootaloo…
Don’t get bashful on me...just let it happen…
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“EEEEW Cuzzy is making kissy faces!”
That pulled me out of that awesome dream and into the sound of a bunch of fillies giggling. Uggh, this is worse than with da-
I looked out the window to see a mare run into the yard and push her way into the house...huh, wonder where she was going in such a hurry?
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Perspective: Twilight Sparkle
Stupid gossipy relatives. Asking me if Private and I had foals yet...barely a year and they expect...URGH!
I was about ready to take out my frustration on another potato when a mare burst into the room. She was a Heart, definitely, with a violet coat and long brown hair tied back in a work bun. She was wearing a business suit, must’ve just come from the office considering how it looked.
She ran right up to Grandma Heart, looking frantic. “Mother! When were you gonna tell me?!” She yelled.
“Hummingbird? It’s about time you arrived,” Grandma said, “Did you remember the potato salad?”
“That’s not important right now!” She yelled, “when were you going to tell me about the WILL!?”