Expectant faces met Twilight and Rainbow. Cadence had collected people together in the lounge and there were hot drinks and boxes of tissues. Rainbow kept hold of Twilight's hand, she noted that a different seat was free for them. Cadence had taken their earlier choice with Shining. She caught Rainbow's eye and nodded.
'I keep forgetting she is a professional.' The pilot thought, the sweet natured and friendly woman was so naturally understanding and caring, she was probably a sought after psychologist. Everything had been set so that Twilight would feel un-threatened and comfortable. Even down to the detail of putting her elsewhere in the room to where she had been. Rainbow sat them down in the free seat.
There was no Luna or Celestia. Twilight had asked to speak to them separately, she wanted to speak with her family first. It was a difficult matter, to be so close to the woman who was biologically her mother but to have lived her life with someone else to call mom.
“I'm sorry I had to leave earlier.” Twilight said, she needed to start everything off. Before her nerve fled and she put things on hold. Rainbow was a solid presence beside her and Cadence being there was reassuring too. “I needed to figure out how to move forward with this. Knowing the truth now.” The librarian was nervously holding her knees, trying to remain level-headed.
“We will cooperate with whatever you have decided.” Twilight Velvet said. She had spent the time talking to Spike. The boy had learned the truth and understood exactly what issues Twilight was having, he'd figured them out himself. Spike loved his older sister, but was keenly aware of her peculiarities.
“There isn't much I can say mom.” Twilight didn't feel her earlier negative emotions when saying 'mom', a good sign. “You raised me, you and dad. You're my parents and I love you both. It's going to take me a while to trust everyone again though.”
“We know Twily, it was wrong of us to keep it secret so long. It was simple enough, to pretend it wasn't instead of admitting reality.” Night leaned forward, offering a hand in truce.
“Thanks dad.” Twilight sniffed, she was tearing up again. She left her seat and took her parents into a hug. “I'm not sorry I freaked out though. I think this is one of those situations you are allowed to.”
“Of course.” Twilight Velvet held her daughter close. Things would change, of course they would. But not too much. For most of Twilight's life, Celestia had been a much loved mother-figure to the girl. She had been happy to share, knowing the truth of the matter. If anything this could do to quash some of the guilt Twilight had confessed to holding, loving someone else as much as she loved her mother had concerned Twilight as a teen.
Rainbow smiled as she looked on. It was going well. Twilight was comfortable and working through the problem. As the family reconciled, Rainbow had a thought. She moved across the seat to speak with Cadence. “I was wondering if you had some advice.” Rainbow asked quietly.
“I might.” Cadence sent Shining to hug his sister, it would be easier to talk to Rainbow without an overprotective big brother around. “How can I help?” She had an inkling that it was both in her capacity as a psychologist and as someone who knew Twilight very well that Rainbow had asked for help.
“I'm going to have to calm Twilight down pretty often I think. After all this... She was pretty wound up about the dinner before this whole secrets and truth stuff. I was pretty bad at that, I had to get Rarity to help. How can I help Twilight?” Rainbow asked earnestly.
Cadence smiled a little, she'd not known very much about Rainbow, even since Twilight had started dating her, but she knew then that the pilot would be a good and loyal partner. “I have a few little tips.” She moved across to sit beside Rainbow. This would be a conversation Twilight would be grateful if it were not overheard.
-*-
Once Twilight had finished speaking with her family, she was ready to talk to Celestia and Luna. Ready in a very stretched sense of the word. “I know what I want to say.” She said to Rainbow, holding her hand tight for support.
“Good.” Rainbow walked beside her. They had decided to speak with Celestia and Luna in the study. There was somewhere to sit and it was out of the way of the Sparkle household. They reached the study door, the soft voices of the women inside were difficult to make out.
“Ready?” Rainbow asked. Poised to open the door.
“Ready.” Twilight replied.
Ready was a subjective term indeed.
Before she could decide against it, Rainbow opened the door for Twilight and ushered her in. Luna was snuggled against her sister, comfort and support for the older woman. Celestia looked exhausted, there were bags under her eyes and tear-streaks down her face.
“Hello Twilight, Rainbow.” Luna said, sitting up a little. She kept her arm around her sister.
“Hey.” Twilight spoke quietly, in truth she was feeling very tired out and emotionally drained. She couldn't put much effort into speech. Rainbow led her to a seat opposite the pair already in the room.
There was a slightly tense silence as everyone tried to figure out the best way to begin. Eventually Luna took a deep breath and spoke. “We love you Twilight, okay? It was a silly idea to keep things secret but it worked, so we got complacent.” She squeezed Celestia's hand.
“I understand if you are angry and will respect any decision you have made.” Celestia said, her voice was as tired as she looked.
“I am upset things were kept from me so long.” Twilight said. “I said the same things to Mom and Dad...” She broke off. “Um, this is going to be awkward.” the librarian looked conflicted.
“They are your mom and dad Twilight. They raised you after all.” Celestia said gently, trying to help, It was painful to see Twilight conflicted. Conflicted in a situation she had created. “You can call me however you feel comfortable.”
“Thanks. There are just so many things I'm coming up against.” Twilight pressed a hand to her forehead. “Just when I think I have something figured out another comes up. I over think things.” She sighed.
“I think all of us are responsible for that.” Celestia ventured a tiny smile that Twilight managed to return. The simple act of normalcy set her crying again. “Heavens, since I opened the floodgates on this it seems there is nothing that won't provoke tears.”
“I can't begin to think how difficult all the secrecy, the grief and, well, everything must have been.” Twilight said. “I feel bad now for not caring more, about Du-... my father.” Twilight still stumbled on that fact. It was difficult to associate anything with someone who had died when she was so young.
“Don't worry.” Celestia leaned forward and placed a hand on Twilight's knee. “I never thought badly of you, it was a consequence of my decision. Hopefully things will be easier from now on.” She blinked a few more tears from her eyes. “If you'll give me the chance?”
Beside her sister, Luna looked on, occasionally looking to Rainbow. Both felt like intruders, if the pilot's expression was anything to go by, but they wanted to support the other two women in the room. Catching Rainbow's eyes moment, Luna shared a small smile. It was easily returned.
“Will you give me a chance again Twilight? I know I don't deserve it...” Celestia began, to be cut off by Twilight's immediate reply.
“I love you. I love you so much.” Twilight felt her own tears drip down her face, she felt the soft tissue Rainbow pressed into her hand. “But I can't trust you. Not yet. I have so much to consider, to re-consider. My whole life and, and everything.” Twilight used the tissue to wipe her eyes and face, not once turning away from Celestia.
“I understand.” Celestia was quiet. “It is better than I deserve.” She blinked once. “Thank you Twilight. I am glad you don't hate me.” There was a hitch in her voice then, it seemed to break whatever was holding Twilight back from her. The girl dropped to her knees and hugged Celestia, burying her face in the soft knitted jumper she was wearing.
“Just know I love you and I could never ever hate you.” Twilight sobbed and felt the embrace returned.
“I know.” Celestia said softly. “I know.”
Luna wrapped them both into a hug and Rainbow leaned in too.
They remained like that a while until it was finally time to part. “I think I need some time in my room.” Twilight said, holding onto Rainbow's hand. “I will join everyone for dinner though.”
“Hmm, that's right. It is Thanksgiving....” Luna trailed off. “This will be the most interesting in years at least.”
-*-
The rest of the day was quiet. The meal was made, but Luna and Celestia kept out of the way during the preparation. Applejack visited with a few “spare” dishes of food to share ahead of time, she shared a sympathetic smile with Rainbow and gave Twilight a warm hug. Stopping by their room after leaving the treats in the kitchen.
“Ah've got to hand it to your granny Sparkle, that lady can lead a kitchen. Like a four star general, no doubt about it.” Applejack whistled, it made Twilight giggle. “There we are, the cheerful miss Ah know.” She hugged Twilight again.
“Thanks AJ. I needed that.” Twilight let her grin remain.
“Glad to help. Now Ah better be getting back up to the farm. Granny Smith will be hollerin' if Ah don't.” She tipped her hat and saw herself out, glad to have checked up on her friends. Her family had virtually banished her from the farm until she had seen to the librarian, her worrying had set her to all kinds of silly tasks for a distraction.
-*-
Dinner was polite and not strained. Twilight was a little quiet and somewhat avoided addressing Celestia at all. For her part, Celestia was withdrawn but perfectly polite. Firefly made a careful decision to take up her time with conversation, for which Rainbow and Twilight were thankful.
It was not overly awkward but things were far from convivial. Rainbow was really hoping that Twilight wouldn't have a breakdown over this too. Any more and they would probably have to be looking for more help besides a counsellor.
Eventually, mercifully or not, the day drew to a close. The washing up was done and the left-overs stacked in the fridge. In the morning the family would be returning home. Twilight was quite happy to wish everyone goodnight. Even embracing each as she would have before the revelations of the past few days. Though, it was noticeable that she was a little less emotional about them. She still easily hugged Spike and Rainbow.
The broken trust really had bitten deep into her. It would take time to heal.
-*-
Settling in for sleep also had one rather unexpected panic. It seemed things had finally started to settle in her mind and make links to past memories. One memory that bothered Twilight was something she had shared with Rainbow. The recollection had flagged in her mind as the pilot was in the bathroom, it was something that set Twilight pacing.
Rainbow had been brushing her teeth, after all the dessert she had eaten that day, it was the wisest path to avoid a trip to the dentist. She returned to the bedroom to find a pacing and fretful Twilight. “Are you okay Twilight?”
Twilight halted her pacing to look at her partner. “Rainbow. I crushed on my aunt. An actual blood relative.” Twilight said, a crack of mania sneaking into her voice. “Lusted even.”
“Twi' calm down. 'Kay?” Rainbow said softly. She remembered now. Twilight explaining how she knew she was into girls. 'Hoo boy, this is a biggie.' Rainbow thought to herself a moment.
“Calm down! That was just so wrong and... I- I... Argh!” Twilight began pacing again but Rainbow caught her in an embrace.
“That was ages ago Twi' you don't like her like that anymore.” Rainbow said carefully. She led Twilight to the bed and sat her down. Joining her and holding her close.
“But Rainbow...” Twilight began to protest, but the panic and mania had left her voice. She was calming down instead of going off the rails. The librarian was still tense though. Rainbow had an idea.
“Don't worry Twi', really. I mean, there are three things you need to know. 'kay?” Rainbow held three fingers up, talking before Twilight could object or interrupt. “One: I don't blame you. Luna is one foxy lady and not a bad option of someone to majorly crush on.” She folded a finger down.
“Rainbow!” Twilight was blushing hotly. Rainbow snuggled into her partner to squash more protests. They were further on the bed and Twilight wasn't quite so tense.
“Two: You told me that the ick factor is something created by up-bringing right? You never knew she was your aunt, just that she was a cool girl a bit older than you. So there wasn't any mental barrier to it.” Rainbow hoped that this would help her scholarly lover think it through.
“You remember some of the things, the academic nerdy boring things, I tell you?” Twilight was impressed. Her voice was getting back to normal and had leaned into Rainbow instead of being sat up beside her.
“Yeah I do. You are passionate about that stuff. I have to take some interest in it.” Rainbow shrugged.
“Thank you.” Twilight said, she did appreciate Rainbow making an effort to listen to her sometimes lecturing sharing of information. If she was passionate or interested in a subject then it was all she would talk about for a while. “I don't know how I ever caught your attention.” Most of her panic was forgotten now. Though one thing stood out. “What was the third thing?”
“Oh yeah, three. “ Rainbow sniggered. “AJ totally crushed on one of her cousins and she knew they were related.” The pilot grinned wickedly. There was a funny factor to get Twilight laughing.
Agree so that she'll listen, present your perspective backed up with a fact and get her to laugh; three things to defuse a Twilight Sparkle who was cranking up her anxiety. 'Thank you Cadence.' Rainbow thought, hugging close to Twilight and slowly lowering them both to the bed.
Settled in the bed, Rainbow arranged the covers around them both. “So, can we get some sleep now?” Rainbow whispered into her lover's hair.
“Yeah. I think we can.” Twilight replied, she turned over to rest her head under Rainbow's chin, pressing her forehead into the pilot's collar bone. She wrapped her arms around her partner and sighed. “Sorry.”
“Don't worry Twi' this storm will blow over. Everything will work out right.” Rainbow whispered, kissing the indigo hair so close to her lips.