The three of us, Shy, Scoots, and myself worked equally on the preparation of Hearth's Warming Eve dinner. Scoots and I were occupied making an old O'Hara family dish, boiled potatoes with green beans and pepper, while Shy was prepping the batter for a small homemade vanilla cake. Once both dishes were ready to begin cooking Shy politely asked us to leave the kitchen as she had a special treat she wanted to cook for me. I gave a genuine smile and led Scoots to the couch where we cuddled up under a blanket and I began reading to her from my tablet, "A Spell for Chameleon" by Piers Anthony, she had taken a liking to the main character Bink. I think it had something to do with the similarity between the two not having found their magic, or in her case her cutie mark.

I felt the little filly in my arms nodding off about an hour in to me reading to her. I powered down the tablet and snuggled in to the couch pulling a blanket over us while the sound of Shy humming a little tune in the kitchen lulled me in to peaceful nap. I don't know how long I was asleep but eventually I awoke to a pair of soft lips on mine. Opening my eyes I looked in the beautiful blue eyes of the pegasus who had given me her heart. She pulled back blushing a bit and nuzzled Scoots awake who gave an adorable little yawn and blinked her eyes sleepily.

"Dinner's ready sleepy heads." The demure little pegasus informed us.

Scoots stood on my chest and stretched, arching her back like a cat, then booped my nose and hopped to the floor, "Come on Papa Bear! I'm starving!"

My heart warmed, "Papa Bear", I could really get used to that. I stood giving my own languid stretch and made my way to the kitchen behind my girls. The sound of little claws on the wooden floor told me Tripod was close behind me and likely Angel bunny as well.

Five places were set at the table. Scoots and I took our seats while Tripod and Angel hopped up on little stools that had been placed at the table, just high enough for them to eat off plates with their people...ponies. Shy trotted out of the kitchen with a large covered tray perched on her back and then deftly lifted it with her wings and placed it in the middle of the table. Taking her seat she said, "Bear would you like to do the honors and uncover our holiday feast?"

Without hesitation I reached forward and lifted the lid, I was immediately assailed by a delightful aroma that made my stomach growl like a ravenous coyote. Was that...yes...my stars in heaven yes! MEAT! Before me was not one but three baked and seasoned tuna steaks, a massive bowl of salad, the potatoes and beans that Scoots and I had made, as well as a modest little vanilla cake.

With great care I served my girls their vegetable dishes as well as a slice of cake. I took the potatoes and two of the tuna steaks for myself. I set the third steak on Tripod's plate and watched him dig in with the smuggest cat face I have ever encountered. Angel bunny was presented with a salad overflowing with sliced carrots which he for once did not turn his nose up at.

I took my first bite of the tuna steak savoring the pepper and other seasonings that had been rubbed in to it. Scoots watched me looking a little green around the gills but Shy had a massive grin on her face. "By God this is the best food I have eaten ages, where, how did you get fish Shy?"

She gave a pleased smile while hiding a bit bashfully behind her mane, "Well a g-griffon merchant in Canterlot does special feed orders for some of my little patients...I just ordered a little extra for you...I hope you don't mind..."

I stood up from the table and walked around it to where Shy was sitting. All eyes in the room on me, I scooped her up in my arms and gave her a long and deep kiss. I could hear little Angel bunny making a gagging sound while a very loud purr came from my ever-growing cat. The most satisfying sounds to reach my ears were the high pitched "awwwww" from a little filly and a sharp gasp and then an "hmmmmmmmmm" from the mare melting in my embrace. After what felt like an eternity, but was actually only about half a minute, I came up for air and helped Shy settle back in to her seat. I made my way back to mine holding my fist out to Tripod who bumped it with his paw and gave a wink. I adored how smart domestic animals were in this world.

We ate our wonderful dinner making small talk here and there. The main topic we discussed though was the Hearth's Warming Pageant we would be attending tomorrow. It would be our first "Family Outing" not only was I looking forward to time with my girls I would also get to see a slice of Equestrian history. I knew little of the story behind the holiday and I had chosen not to read up on it, much to Twilight's dismay, and instead chose to see the show and then read up on the holiday for any questions I might have brought up.

It was nearing nine in the evening and the three smallest members of the family seemed to have contracted a case of the itis after such a large meal. I cleared the table and made to pick up Scoots when Shy shooed me away and took her upstairs herself to tuck her in. Having been assigned to our other two family members I set about tucking them in for the night. I first added wood to the fire in the hearth to ensure the warmth of the cottage. I then laid out a thick blanket a safe distance from it and set out the lethargic Angel bunny upon it. He only punched me once and without much enthusiasm. I followed by placing Tripod beside him who reflexively curled around the small rabbit ensuring he was safe and snug. I had the feeling the two of them had something of a sibling dynamic developing and I honestly couldn't be happier.

"Bear?" Came Shy's voice from upstairs.

"Yes Shy?"

"Come on up to bed whenever you are ready...if you don't mind..."

I quickly finished tucking the animals in and washed up the remaining dishes. I made my way in to our bedroom to find it lit with a small number of candles but what took my full attention was what was on the bed. Laying on her side Fluttershy was blushing heavily while wearing a see-through pink nighty, pink socks on each leg, and a bright red bow tied around the base of her tail. I was honestly speechless.

"I-I...hope you don't mind opening your present a little early...." she said in the most adorable and bashful way that only Shy could pull off.

Mechanically I removed my clothes and climbed in to bed beside her. Like a cat stalking her prey she belly-crawled around the mattress until she was on top of me and planting little kisses on my chest and neck. Feeling bold I asked, "I guess I don't mind Shy...but what am I getting you?"

She gave me a sultry grin, "You can give me my present in the spring...for about a week...and then eleven months later I can give you...yours...if you don't mind..." She punctuated the statement by locking her lips with mine.

My last thoughts before we began running on instinct were: Ponies go in to estrus in the spring....ohhh my... Next Chapter: 17 - Promised Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 43 Minutes