Chapter 5: Old Friends, New Faces.
To say Rarity was disappointed when she woke up and discovered that nothing had changed would be an understatement. Though she had to admit, waking up next to Spike was very, very nice. Like waking up next to a space heater set at just the right temperature. She’d be lying if she said it didn’t feel comfortable. Thinking about it, Rarity figured that Discord had a point, as incredulous as that may sound. And despite the mild disappointment there was a small amount of joy that came about when Rarity sat down for breakfast with “her” family. She still couldn’t believe how good a cook Spike was. It made sense of course, after years of cooking for Twilight he’d certainly pick up a trick or two around the kitchen. But the delicious food was secondary to the feeling of… warmth? Togetherness? Rarity couldn’t pin it down, but it was a nice and comforting sensation that put any and all of her current stresses at ease.
“Rarity, you know you don’t have to do the dishes, right?” Spike said as he placed another plate into the sink.
“I most certainly do!” Rarity said as her sponge went to work on a pan. “After you cooked such a wonderful meal, it’s only right I pitch in and clean up.”
Spike chuckled and gave Rarity a kiss on the cheek. “Well I appreciate it, thank you dear. Let me know if you need any- BURRR-FWOOM!” A scroll materialized from Spike’s burp and landed in his claws. “Uh, sorry ‘bout that Rares. I, uh, didn’t mean-“
“It’s quite alright darling,” Rarity said as she rubbed her ear. “I know you can’t help it. Granted, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a better and more quiet way to contact you than with magic burps.”
“If you ever find one, let me know-“ Spike unrolled the scroll and read it over “-huh. Looks like Twilight and Pinky need a little more help setting up the party.”
“Party?” Rarity asked.
“The faculty Hearth’s Warming party, remember?”
“Oh my, that’s today?”
“it sure is! I’ve been looking forward to this for weeks! We’ll dance, eat, drink, be merry and all that other stuff before the break.”
Rarity giggled, “Sounds simply marvelous darling.”
Spike gave Rarity a hug. “I’ll be back later, love you Rarity.”
Rarity’s heart skipped a beat when Spike said those wonderful words.
“I-I love…” But Rarity couldn’t return the affection. Try as she might, she still felt a wave of guilt whenever the words “I love you” came up. But Rarity figured that’d be a problem for a later date.
Rarity sighed, content with the progress she’s made on her orders. At this rate she’ll be on her way to finishing up well before Hearth’s Warming. So with the feeling of a job well done, Rarity decided that an early lunch was probably in order. She set her glasses by her sewing machine, did a quick stretch and headed for the kitchen. What’ll be on the menu? Cucumber sandwich? Perhaps a nice salad? Or maybe a nice helping of oat and vanilla swirl ice cream with chocolate sauce.
“Mommy?”
Lolite certainly had a special talent of sneaking up on Rarity.
“Oh, Lolite! What can I help you with darling?”
“I’m hungry. Can I have a gem and daffodil sandwich?”
Rarity smiled. “What a coincidence! I was feeling rather peckish myself and a daffodil sandwich sounds positively scrumptious. Why don’t I make lunch for the both of us?”
Lolite nodded. “Mmhmm!”
Rarity went to work on the sandwiches as Lolite took her seat at the table and watched her mother with hungry eyes. Rarity gathered the flowers, bread and gemstones (for Lolite of course) and in a matter of minutes had lunch for herself and the little filly. Lolite was practically bouncing in her seat as Rarity set her plate down. As soon as Rarity took her own seat, Lolite picked up her sandwich and was about to take a bite before pulling it back and looking dejected.
“Is something wrong sweetheart?” Rarity asked.
“There’s emeralds on this sandwich…”
“Is that a problem? I thought you wanted gems, darling?”
“Yeah, but emeralds are icky. Don’t we have any rubies or sapphires?”
Rarity’s anxiety was acting up again. She levitated Lolite’s plate. “Oh, o-of course! I’ll fix it straight away. So sorry Lolite, I suppose I just wasn’t paying attention.” Rarity quickly removed the emeralds and replaced them with rubies, the last thing she wanted to do was upset another mare’s foal. “Here you go, darling. One ruby and daffodil sandwich.”
Lolite looked to Rarity for a moment before turning her attention back to her lunch.
“Lolite?”
“Thank you…” Lolite mumbled before picking up her plate and leaving the kitchen.
In that moment Rarity wondered if she mucked something up again. Celestia knows she doesn’t have any experience with foals aside from her sister Sweetie Belle and the few times she spent watching Flurry Heart, but she couldn’t help but think for the second time (or perhaps a third time) she made another big mistake. Like a particular niggle in the back of her mind scolding her on her poor parenting. Rarity tried to shake that thought away, how in the world could she know what was right and wrong. She’s only been a “mother” for a day. She decided to ignore her current plight with food.
“How’s it going Rares?” Spike greeted as he walked into the kitchen. “Ooh, daffodil sandwiches? Don’t mind if I do!” Spike wasted no time in making his sandwich, making sure to include lots of emeralds and a few pickled peppers from the fridge.
“Help yourself darling,” Rarity said before taking another bite.
“Ahh, it’s the peppers that do it for me,” Spike sighed. “thank Celestia Sweet Apple Acres got into spice market.”
“How has your day been faring Spike?”
“Everything’s going smoothly,” he said before taking a greedy bite of his sandwich and reveling in the heat and flavor. “Came home for a snack, but Twilight wants me to run a ‘few’ more errands. Oh, that reminds me! I ran into your parents, they said they’ll be over to foalsit at around five or so and after that we’ll go meet up with Twilight.”
“Foalsit?” Rarity asked before being coming to her own realization. “Oh right, the party! That doesn’t give me much time to get ready.”
Spike chuckled, “I don’t think you need hours of prep to go to a faculty party with friends.”
“Spike,” Rarity tutted. “Precious scales. A lady must always look her best at soiree’s, regardless of it being casual or formal. You understand, don’t you?”
Spike smiled. “I most certainly do.”
Spike just put the final touches on polishing his scales when there was a knock at the boutique door. “Right on time. Hey Rarity, I think your parents are here!”
“I’ll get it darling!” Rarity called out from the bathroom as she finished curling her lashes and one last adjustment to her dress. She trotted down the stairs and to the front door and was greeted by Hondo Flanks and Cookie Crumble. They were certainly showing their age, but even with the new additions of wrinkles here and there, it wouldn’t make them any less recognizable to Rarity.
“Mother! Father!” Rarity greeted and wrapped her parents in a hug. “Hello! So nice to see you again!”
Hondo laughed, “You make it sound like you haven’t seen us in years!”
“Hello, dear!” Cookie greeted. “Are you and Spike all ready for the party?”
“Just about, Spike has just a few more details to take care of. Thank you both so much for foalsitting tonight.”
“Oh it’s our pleasure Rarity. You know I can never get enough of my grandbabies.”
Rarity ushered her parents into the shop just as Spike was coming down the stairs with Cobalt and Lolite.
“Grandma! Grandpa!” Lolite called out before running up to Cookie and hugging her.
“There’s my granddaughter! How have you been dear?”
“I’ve been fine!”
Hondo ruffled Lolite’s mane. “I swear you get bigger every time I see you!”
Lolite puffed her chest out. “Probably! I’m part dragon!”
“Hey Hondo, hey Cookie,” Spike said as he passed Cobalt to his in-laws. “Thanks again for watching the kids. Just make sure Lolite doesn’t have too much sugar after dinner or she won’t be able to sleep and there are extra diapers for Cobalt in the closet upstairs and-“
Hondo firmly patted Spike’s shoulder. “Come on Spike! This ain’t the first time we’ve cared for foals!”
Cookie giggled, “This’ll be easy. Besides, I’m sure Lolite will be on her best behavior for grandma, won’t she?”
“Sure will!” Lolite replied.
“Very well, I suppose we best be on our way-“ Rarity wrapped her scarf around her neck and turned to Lolite “-be a good girl for your grandparents, alright darling?”
Lolite took a step and hid behind Cookie. “Ok…”
“Go on and git you two!” Hondo said waving a hoof. “Have fun and don’t worry, we got everything under control!”
As the door to the shop closed and the dragon and pony pair strolled towards the Castle of Friendship, Rarity couldn’t quite grasp what she just witnessed. Lolite looked… scared. But why? What did she do to scare that sweet little filly? That uncomfortable feeling in Rarity’s heart was back as she suspected she made another foul up. But this time it was different. It was as if the answer she was looking for was right there in front of her, but she still couldn’t see it, only have a vague inkling.
“Is something wrong Rarity?” Spike asked.
“Oh, um. No, not really,” Rarity fumbled. She adjusted her scarf and cleared her voice. “Spike, did Lolite seem… different?”
Spike tilted his head. “Different? What do you mean?”
“I mean, she looked like she was scared of something…”
Spike chuckled, “Scared? Lolite? C’mon Rares, I think you’re worrying over nothing! The closest thing Lolite gets to being scared is when I bring emeralds home for dinner!”
Rarity wasn’t convinced, but figured it’d be best to play along. No sense in making Spike worry over something that just might be a misunderstanding.
“Perhaps you’re right darling. Maybe my imagination is just playing tricks on me again.”
Spike draped a wing over Rarity and brought her close. “Don’t worry Rarity. Lolite and Cobalt are both fine and when we get home your parents will say the usual, ‘he was a perfect angel’ and ‘she snuck an extra cookie when we weren’t looking’ and they’ll both be fast asleep by the time we walk through the door. So let’s just relax, unwind and enjoy partying with friends. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
Rarity reveled in the extra warmth from Spike’s wing and giggled, “Yes. Very much so.”
“Another coat?” Spike asked. “Geez, it seems like Fancy Pants orders a new coat every season.”
Rarity held her head high. “I’m sure it’s because he knows quality when he sees it. Not to boast or brag, but I am rather good with a needle and thread.”
“Well, if he wants to look his best, nopony can help him like you can.”
Rarity gave Spike a playful nudge. “Flattery will get you anywhere, darling.”
Spike scratched his head. “Isn’t it, ‘flattery won’t get you anywhere’?”
“Yes, but I believe you’re an exception,” Rarity dotted her sentence with a playful wink. She couldn’t believe how easy and fun it was to tease and flirt with Spike. Like she was used to it.
The couple arrived at the castle and as far as Rarity could tell, it looked like the same castle she’s seen for years. Even the firm knock on the doors sounded the same as ever and if Rarity was right, on the other side of the door was-
“Princess Luna?” Rarity tilted her head as the tall, dark, ruler of the night stood at the threshold. “What are you doing here?”
Luna’s faced scrunched slightly as if she were answering a painfully obvious question. “Why wouldn’t I answer the doors of my own castle?”
“Your castle?”
“Is something troubling you Rarity?”
“Oh, n-not at all! I just thought… that you’d be at the party already.” Rarity internally congratulated herself for yet another social save.
“Nay. As much as we’d like to be on our way, we’re still waiting for a certain somepony. Speaking of which-“ Luna cleared her throat “dearest!” Luna called out in a slightly softer Royal Canterlot voice. “Spike and Rarity are here!”
One magic flash later, Twilight was standing next to Luna. She was taller than Rarity remembered, about as tall as Luna. Rarity immediately chalked it up to being an alicorn trait.
“Sorry Lulu, just making sure the foalsitter has everything she needs to watch Dusk Note,” Twilight said as she nuzzled Luna.
Rarity’s eyes grew to the size of small moons. Twilight and Luna are- are married!? How!? When did-!?
Luna sighed, “Pastel Pallet has watched Dusk Note since before he could speak Twilight. I’m sure she has this down to a science.”
“I know, I know! It’s just, his magic is getting stronger and I don’t want him experimenting without our supervision or turn Pastel into a potted plant, or teleporting himself to Tartarus, or-!”
Luna’s quick peck on the lips cut off any further twilighting. “You worry far too much Twilight. Dusk Note is in very capable hooves. He’ll surely be safe for a few hours.”
“Yeah… yeah you’re right,” Twilight said sheepishly.
Spike coughed. “Uh, shouldn’t we be getting over to the school?”
“Oh, right, right!” Twilight said.
“My apologies!” Luna said.
Both were blushing.
Spike, Rarity and the wedded princesses left the castle in the direction of the school. Rarity couldn’t focus on the small talk among the group, she just couldn’t help but be curious over what other changes she’d see in her friends.
“Oh my stars! You’d hardly think this was the gymnasium,” Luna commented as she stepped into the room strewn with streamers, food, punch, colored lights, an abundance of balloons, party favors on every table and what appeared to be a large chocolate fountain with a slide. For whatever reason.
“Yeah, Pinkie Pie did most of the legwork,” Spike said. “She really outdid herself.”
“She always seems to outdo herself,” Rarity remarked as she hung her scarf on a hook.
“Well I had lots, lots, lotsa help!” Pinkie Pie said as she materialized out of nowhere and to nopony’s surprise. “Spike and Twilight were loads a help and my cheesy Cheese strung up the lights and helped me with my great and super-duper yummy idea of having a chocolate fountain slide. I mean, who hasn’t wished that their chocolate fountain could have a slide? Am I right? Anyhoo, without further ado!-“ Pinkie pulled out a small box with a big red button out of her mane and with a good, strong smack, the button triggered a flourish of confetti that rained down from the ceiling and a needle lowered itself onto a record player with music flowing out of every corner of the room, the lights began to blink in multi-color and a big banner with the words “Hearth’s Warming Par-Tay!” written in a bubbly font. “-LEEEEEEEEEEEET’S PARTY!!! WOOHOO!!!”
“Quite the party pony as usual Pinkie,” Twilight said as she gave Pinkie a hug.
“If you think this is great, you should see what Cheese and I have planned later. It’s a surprise, but it involves lots of pies.”
“Don’t that kinda ruin the surprise?” Applejack’s country drawl was unmistakable as she drew up to the group with a cream and green Kirin with a rust-colored mane in tow.
“I don’t think so AJ,” Autumn Blaze said. “It could be anything from a pie eating contest to a pie baking contest or a pie scavenger hunt! Ooh! Maybe it’s a pie food fight! That would be really fun, although it would be a waste of pies.”
“Ah guess we’ll hafta wait’n see sugar,” Applejack said as she nudged Autumn softly.
“Bleh! I think I’ll stay out of anything pie related, thanks!” Rainbow Dash commented as she and Soarin flew over to the group.
“That’s fine, more pie for me,” Soarin said as he licked his lips.
“Oooooh! Pinkie’s eggnog!” Trixie exclaimed as she made a beeline to the large glass bowl and took in the smell of nutmeg, rum and brandy with a deep breath. Rarity couldn’t help but notice how Trixie was a bit… rounder than she remembered. “Ahh, it smells heavenly!”
“No. No nog Trix,” Starlight scolded as she pulled back on the mare’s shoulders.
“But Starliiiiight!” Trixie whined. “I’ve waited all year for this! Can’t I just have a taste? I promise I’ll spit it out.”
“No Trixie, think of the baby.”
Trixie crossed her hooves over her chest and pouted. “It’s not my fault the baby’s taking their sweet time.”
Rarity was feeling a bit dizzy trying to digest everything she’s seen and heard in the span of a few minutes, but it was hard not to gawk at the ponies before her. It was strange. Here she was, surrounded by all her friends who she’s known for years but besides the minor wrinkle or bit of grey (in Rainbow Dash’s case, her mane was just a tad duller) it was like meeting them all for the first time.
I wish somepony could fill me in on all of… this!
“I brought gingerbread everypony!” Fluttershy announced as she set her tray of cookies on a table. “I hope you like them; Jinx and Discord couldn’t stop eating these.”
As if on cue, Discord snatched up a paw and talon full of cookies and teleported away before his wife could protest.
“Ask and I shall receive, I suppose,” Rarity muttered.
“What was that Rares?” Spike asked.
“Uh, I said I should really try some of Fluttershy’s cookies. Be right back darling.”
Rarity trotted off and for the second time in as many days, tracked down Discord.
“You know I can’t tell you everything right?” Discord asked as he popped another cookie into his maw and Rarity could swear she heard a tiny scream that was silenced as soon as Discord bit down.
“But I can’t just walk out there with no idea what’s going on! There’s too many things I’ve missed. Everypony’s married, Twilight and Luna have a foal, Starlight and Trixie are having a foal. How did that even happen? They’re both mares.”
“Magic is a crazy thing,” Discord mused. “and out of all the worlds I’ve been to, Equestria’s magic is the tops. You can turn apples and frogs into oranges, steal a pony’s cutie mark, even tem-po-ra-i-ly turn mares into stallions, if you know what I mean. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge!” Discord said while winking and nudging Rarity.
Rarity waved her hooves in front of her face as if she were swatting away some very unsavory images of what transpired turning that particular transformation. “Yes, yes, say no more, say no more! And I’d rather not go any further than that. Please, is there really nothing you can tell me? It’s not like you’re cheating me out of this whole… glimpse… experience… dream, whatever the devil this is. Just give me a little history lesson to catch me up to speed. That’s all I’m asking.”
Discord rolled his eyes and sighed, “Oh fiiine. But for the record, you’re running out of favors-“ Discord cleared his throat and directed Rarity’s gaze with his paw “- That’s Autumn Blaze, Applejack’s wife, they met during a friendship problem, quest, thingy. Then Autumn moved to Ponyville to help out on the farm and the rest is history. Lovely girl, but she really likes to talk. Rainbow Dash’s husband Soarin, they both hit it off after Dashie moved up in the Wonderbolts. Turns out the old boy admired her as much as she admired him.
“Cheese Sandwich is Pinkie’s main squeeze, once they started collaborating parties together, they fell for each other hard. They even threw two separate ’I love you’ parties at the same time. From what I hear it took Ponyville three days to clean up afterwards. Starlight and Trixie have been an item for moons, even more since the two of them started doing magic shows together. As for Twilight and Luna, well, after some major ‘twilighting’ and a bunch of pep talks, turns out Twilight’s feelings for Luna were mutual and they’ve been an adorable couple ever since. Not as adorable as Flutters and myself of course, but then again, no couple is.”
Rarity was quiet for a few seconds as she waited for Discord to continue, then just as the silence was getting awkward she asked, “And?”
“And what?”
“And what!?” Rarity cried. “that’s all you have to say!? That’s information I could’ve gathered on my own! Can’t you give me some of the finer details?”
Discord crossed his arms. “Hmph! Well aren’t we being pushy? Do you think I knew all of this when I got here? For the record, I had to do my own digging around to get this information.”
Rarity cocked a brow. “Wait. You don’t know either?”
“I hadn’t the slightest clue! Eris kept me in the dark about this timeline too, you know. She just promised me that I could see ‘my greatest wish’ for helping her out.”
“But then, what in the name of Celestia am I supposed to do!? I’ll be walking into a social deathtrap at this rate!”
Discord shrugged. “I guess you’ll just have to make like a Pegasus and wing it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll pinch a few more cookies while the missus is distracted. Good luck to you Rarity, tootles!” And with a snap, Discord was gone, leaving a disgruntled and rather peeved Rarity to chew her lip in frustration.
She should’ve know better than to bank on Discord giving her a straightforward answer. Heck, he’d probably give Rarity the run-around if she simply asked the time of day. But she knew she couldn’t just hide in a corner all night; she had to show her face and mingle. After all, it’s downright rude to ignore your friends at a party. So, with slight reservations, Rarity made her way back to the soiree.
With just a minor detour for a glass of eggnog for a little extra courage.
“You know,” Rainbow Dash said through a smug grin and clenched teeth. “Sky Splitter’s already an awesome cloud buster.”
“Yeah?” Applejack said through her own smug grin and clenched teeth. “Well mah lil’ Fuji’s a natural apple bucker. Might even be better than me one day.”
Off to the side, Soarin and Autumn both watched their respective wives and their battle of egos and pettiness with mild amusement. Soarin was slowly cutting into his slice of blueberry pie while Autumn was taking periodic sips of her glass of punch.
“Think we should cut in?” Soarin asked.
Autumn’s magic refilled her glass of punch as she kept her eyes on the two bickering mares. “Nah, not yet. I’m sure they have more to get off their chest. Let’s let them go at it for a bit longer.”
Rarity approached the group tasting the eggnog, taking special note of the fact that while delicious, was very, very strong. All the more courage she needed to get through this night.
“Well it’s nice to see some things never change,” she commented.
Soarin chuckled, “Ain’t that the truth?”
Dash’s eyes narrowed on the country girl. “Sky Splitter’s already the top of his class in flight school.”
Applejack returned the look in spades. “Fuji’s a cookin’ wiz. Ain’t no Apple since Granny Smith that can cook like he can.”
“He’s only seven.”
“So’s Sky.”
Rarity took another drink of eggnog. “So… Autumn, how have things been with you darling? It feels like ages since we last spoke.”
Autumn scratched her chin. “Huh. I guess it has been a while. I haven’t seen you in like three days or so, that is a long time, especially since we work in the same school, but it’s ok, I know you have to take care of Cobalt, your clients and teach. But things have been going great! Fuji’s helping me and AJ with our hot cider sales and I’m already planning the Spring production of ‘Kirin of the Opera’ which I’m sure will be a big hit with the students. Gotta love being the head of the drama department. What about you?”
Rarity blinked. Then she tried to breakdown everything Autumn said in such a short window of time. Discord wasn’t kidding she thought as she took another drink of eggnog. “Oh, well I’m fine dear. Putting the final touches on my orders and such before the holidays. And what about you Soarin?”
Soarin shrugged. “Eh, same ol’, same ol’. But the Wonderbolts are on break till the new year, so Dash and I have lots of time to spend with Sky. By the way, think we should break them up yet Autumn?”
Autumn thought for a second. “Hmm, after AJ talks about Fuji training for the Jr. rodeo.”
“Only if Dash brags about Sky almost making a sonic rainboom.”
“Deal.”
“By the way…” Rainbow Dash sneered. “Sky is only days away from perfecting the sonic rainboom…”
“Yeah?” Applejack sneered right back. “Well Fuji’s shapin’ up te be one heck of a rodeo star. Ah’m runnin’ outta things te teach ‘im…”
Autumn Blaze downed the rest of her punch. “Well that was fast.”
“Yep. And not a moment too soon. I think they’re both about to explode.” Soarin shoveled the rest of his pie in his mouth before trotting over with Autumn to their disgruntled wives.
“Big deal!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “Sky’s been-!”
Soarin pulled his wife back. “Hey Dashie! Why don’t we go check out the dessert table? Pinkie brought more than just pies; you know!”
Autumn’s magic wrangled Applejack. “AJ, AJ! You’ve got to try this punch, it’s sweet, tart and refreshing! Or maybe the eggnog! Rarity seems to like it!”
Both couples parted ways and the tension in the room was gone. But Rarity couldn’t rest yet, she still had other guests to see and ponies to chat with. She took another drink of her eggnog, noting that the room has gotten slightly warmer and that she needs to top off her glass.
“And so I said, ‘you mean the one that ate all the canned peaches?’ and the firepony said-“ Pinkie pointed to Cheese Sandwich.
“Why? Did it already make the paper?” Cheese finished.
A wave of laughter rose up in the group as they held their stomachs after the punchline was flawlessly delivered. Rarity found herself laughing so hard that she was starting to tear up. Leave it to Pinkie to lighten any mood.
“My, I’ll have to remember this joke when next I see my sister,” Luna commented as her laugh finally died down.
“Geez Pinkie,” Starlight said between breaths. “that was a doozy!”
Pinkie Pie giggled, “Aww, thank you! But I can’t take the credit. Cherry was the one who came up with it! Ahh, I’m so proud of her!”
Cheese wrapped a hoof around his wife. “One minute we’re holding her bottle, next thing we know, we’re holding our sides! With a sense of humor like that, she’ll go far.”
Oh, I con-concur!” Rarity said. “Such well-crafted comedy at such a young age is a great talent.” She took another gulp of her eggnog.
“Does she have to drink that in front of me?” Trixie grumbled.
“Take it easy Trix. Stress is bad for the baby,” Starlight said.
Trixie just grumbled something colorful under her breath and trotted over to Rarity, who was starting to look a bit wobbly. “How did you do it?”
Rarity tilted her head and nearly lost her balance. “Whaat do you mean, dahling?”
“How did you get through not being able to drink when you were pregnant? Twice, none the less!”
Rarity took another sip of nog. “Oh it wasn’t too diffi-cult. Though I admit that not being able to have any Schiava Gentile for so long was rather harsh. My mouth would water every time I saw a bottle. But it was aaaaaaaaall worth it in the end, hahaha!” Rarity took another sip. Perhaps it was the alcohol talking but she felt like the story she told, wasn’t born from a lie, but rather from experience. She reasoned that it was most certainly her half-full glass of courage and not anything else. Nope. Nothing else at all.
“Uh, hey Rarity?” Spike said as he approached his wife. “Think you’ve had enough of that eggnog?”
Rarity finished off her glass. “Oh Spikey Wikey! I’m ok! I’m fiiiine! I’m just cutting loose, or something like it! Noooothing to wo-worry about, haha!”
Just then the music changed from fast and upbeat, to slow and measured. Everypony’s ears perked up and the couples moved to the dance floor.
“Oh, how joyous!” Luna remarked as she offered her hoof to Twilight. “Care for a dance, dearest?”
Twilight took her wife’s hoof. “With you? Always.”
Luna and Twilight took to the floor and Rarity was amazed to see that Twilight wasn’t a terrible dancer anymore. She still lacked any rhythm, but it seemed as long as Luna lead, Twilight was able to keep up.
Rarity’s heart felt a pang of want and envy as she watched her friends dance with their spouses (in Discord and Fluttershy’s case, performed some kind of waltz in the air). Such closeness and love, as if nothing in the world could bother them. She looked up to Spike with hopeful eyes. “Spikey… I wish to dance as well…”
“Are you sure Rarity? I don’t want you to stumble out there. You might hurt yourself.”
“I’ll be alright,” Rarity answered with conviction. “Please, Spike I… I really want to dance with you.”
Spike smiled and held out his claw. “Heh, how can I say no? Just be sure to hold me tight, ok?”
Rarity nodded and with shaky steps walked with Spike to the dance floor. Spike held his arms open and if on instinct, Rarity rose up on her back legs and placed one hoof on his shoulder and the other in his claw. It was a strange position for a pony, but for whatever reason, it felt… natural. Like Rarity’s done it before, what felt like countless times. Swaying and stepping to the romantic music in (almost) perfect synch. Rarity looked up at Spike, their eyes met, and she got lost in his deep, rich, green orbs. Her heart fluttered like a dove and she couldn’t look away.
“This is nice,” Rarity murmured.
Spike gave a playful smirk. “Yeah. And looks like you can still stand, so that’s good.”
“Oh hush, you.”
Just then, before Rarity realized it, Spike’s lips met with hers. After about a second or two, he pulled away and Rarity was absolutely giddy. Yes Spike kissed her before, but this felt different, it was more than just a simple peck, she felt his love for her in that kiss. Rarity rested her head in the crook of Spike’s neck as she felt her face turn red.
Spike hugged her closer to him and whispered, “I love you Rarity.”
Rarity sobered up for that moment she heard those four words pass Spike’s lips. She felt like she could walk on clouds or even plow an entire field by herself. She heard him say it before, but with the atmosphere, their closeness and the eggnog, Rarity’s heart was melting as if she waited her whole life to hear Spike say those words.
Rarity nuzzled Spike’s neck. “I love you too, Spike,” she whispered back.
Geez, this took more time than I was expecting! Lots of issues, lots of second guessing and my old pal depression giving me writers block again. But In the end I like how this chapter turned out. I'm trying my best to keep these chapters around 3,000 words to keep them short, sweet, and not as intimidating to rewrite, but there was just too much I wanted to fit in. Also it's this chapter (and uh maybe one or two more) that made me go with a "T" rating. Not sure if I need the "sex" tag, but let me know if I do... or if I do later. I mean how else do you make babies? Did the Cakes order their twins through a catalogue?
So when I first started writing this chapter (or rather, this story), I wasn't entirely sure who I wanted to ship Twilight with. Everyone else is straight forward (for me anyway) but Twilight's a little different. I always thought of Twilight's romantic chemistry to be mostly neutral, but that's fine because there aren't really any bad ships for her, with the exception of Spike (her little brother), Celestia (her teacher and IMO a second mother) and Discord (might as well be a crack ship). Again, I'm sorry Pandoraverse fans, I don't know why I keep kicking you in the baubles, I swear it isn't intentional. So in the end I just decided to flip a coin between the two characters I usually ship her with, Flash Sentry and Luna. The coin came up "Luna" and the rest is history. Though I will admit, there's something about this story that makes Luna a better choice. Not sure what it is and maybe I'm just imagining things, but I do feel that Luna is the better choice for this story.
By and by, I'm actually on vacation at time of writing, which is great! I haven't had a vacation in well over a year because... you know, and I'm taking this time to help out the family and to focus more time to my writing and art. Fingers crossed I can bang out another chapter for each of my stories while I'm away.
P.S. since no one guessed it, chapter four's title was a reference to Persona 4. The main menu track is titled "Corner of a Memory" and I was like "Huh. That'd make a really friggin cool title for a chapter." And it was rather fitting as well, wouldn't you say? 
Oh wait, my fourth chapter had a reference to the fourth Persona game. Funny how that worked out.
Let me know what you guys think of this chapter, I love reading the comments.
As always, thanks for reading. See you next time 
Silver Wit
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Nice to see everypony enjoying themselves. Can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen when Rarity sees her kid again. I sense drama on the horizon.
10875589
Oh ho, you just might be right
Keep going man!
10876146
Will do!
What a great chapter I really enjoyed this. I liked all the ships as well, all good choices. It was nice to see them all just relaxing & having a good time. Gotta say i'm interested in where ya gonna go from here. Think its safe to say Lolite is starting to click on that something ain't right with her mom, so looking forward to seeing how that plays out.
& Persona 4, I had no idea, its been so long lol Keep up the great work & I look forward to the next chapter
& I hope you enjoy what's left of your vacation 
10876379
Lolite is a major part in the story. It wouldn't be too farfetched to say she wouldn't have something to bring up
Ok you two, now nice this to the bedroom
10876420
won't lie, I can't wait to see how that's gonna go lol
& I will look forward to seeing or rather reading it
10876654
Oh my! How saucy
10876654
That's future Spikes problem
It was future Spike that changed my mind, --------> Back to the Past
Future Spike knocked the past you up?
Twilight!
I'm feeling lucky 
Now!
. . .