“...And so then Aria hears the price and starts making that face,” Adagio chuckled as the four of them sat at the table, “That combination of being embarrassed and blushing at the same time.”

“Hey, come on,” Aria made a face, “I wasn’t expecting that, okay?”

Sunset chuckled as she ate, “How much did you spend?”

“Over seven thousand.”

“Holy shit!” Sunset balked, “On one custom plug?”

“Custom toys are expensive,” Adagio chuckled, “Sona’s vibrator cost me about sixty-four hundred.”

“You should’ve seen my face!” Sonata giggled, “Mommy and Trixie were laughing hysterically!”

Sunset laughed, “Was it something like what I did when you made that first pass at me?” Sunset asked.

“Pretty much,” Adagio laughed.

“And I bet you made a little sound,” Aria chuckled, “Like your little squeaks.”

“Maybe,” Sonata grinned.

“She did!” Adagio laughed as she handed Sonata another slice of pizza.

“I did!” Sonata bit into the slice happily.

“Wow,” Sunset giggled, observing the family dynamic they had, “I can imagine what shopping trips must be like for you guys.”

“Sonata begs for everything she can find, and Aria just pouts the whole way through,” Adagio remarked as she handed Sunset another slice.

“I do not! I just don’t like shopping,” Aria pouted.

“There, see? Pouting all the time,” Adagio snickered, reaching over to kiss Aria’s cheek.

Aria blushed, still pouting.

“It’s hilarious!” Sonata laughed, “And I don’t beg! ...I just see a lot of pretty things.”

“You liar! You do so beg!” Adagio teased as she leaned over and kissed Sonata’s nose.

“I don’t…” Sonata giggled, nuzzling her nose.

Aria rolled her eyes with a smile, took out her phone, played a video, and held it out for them to see.

On the screen, Sonata was eyeing a beautiful dress hanging from a high rack, fingering the fabric and admiring it lovingly, “It’s sooooo pretty! Can I get it, Mommy? Please? Pwetty pwease?”

“Sweetheart, you have all kinds of dresses you don’t wear,” Adagio chuckled, looking at the price tag, “Oh, that’s not too bad. Let’s finish our shopping first and then we’ll come back, okay?”

“Yay! Thanks, Mommy!” Sonata giggled, giving her a hug.

Sonata pouted, blushing, “...Okay, maybe I do have a case of the gimmies…”

“That’s my fault,” Adagio nodded, but her smile indicated she had no regret for that, “I spoil my girls.”

“It’s not the gimmies. At least you say please.” Sunset snickered.

“I guess so,” Sonata smiled.

“Still, she does enable her a little,” Aria chuckled a bit, “And Sonata needs to hold back a little.”

“I knooooow,” Sonata pouted, “I’m trying!”

Sunset pondered for a moment, “Were you raised being spoiled, Sonata?”

Nodding, Sonata drank her juice, “Mm-hmm. At least when my parents remembered I was actually there. We were pretty well-off and I’d get maybe…. ten or twenty presents at Christmas or my birthday. So I guess I am a little too used to that…”

“No kidding. I remember spending Christmases with you guys,” Aria muttered, “Mother never got me things, ever. We didn’t celebrate.”

“Well Mommy loves to spoil both her girls,” Adagio purred, nuzzling the two of them, “Mommy also loves to spoil her girls downstairs as well,” she said as she pulled out a bag from under the table and handed it to Sunset.

“No kidding,” Sunset chuckled, “I don’t think I’ve ever had a boss who spoiled their staff.”

Sunset opened the bag and nearly dropped it. Inside was a cheque marked “XMAS BONUS” for 3,400 bits, and a jeweled necklace made from rubies and Yellow-Orange Zircons.

“O-Ohy my gosh!” Sunset uttered, shaking, “N-no way!”

Adagio smiled, “Do you like it, Sunny?”

“I… I love it, it’s just… wow… I… Oh, wow! Thank you!” Sunset grinned widely, “I can’t thank you enough for this!”

“I got something for all the girls, and Night Shade. You’re first because… well, you’re my favorite,” Adagio smirked.

“Aww, gee…” Sunset blushed, then gave her a hug, “Thank you, I appreciate this so much!”

Adagio patted her back and kissed her cheek, “I’m glad. I just hope the others will too!”

“They will, guaranteed,” Sunset beamed.

“Wow, Mommy! This was so nice of you!” Sonata grinned at her, “They’re going to be soooo happy this Christmas!”

Adagio nodded and kissed Sunset’s nose, “While I’m at it, I think you deserve-”

She was cut off when the emergency bell signaled by the door. Something was wrong downstairs. Sighing, Adagio stood up and looked down through the window, seeing a man trying to drag an unconscious woman from the bar.

“Ugh, I need to make those glasses glow and whistle Edelweiss when somebody spikes it,” Adagio groaned as she strode downstairs, leaving the other three alone.

“Oh, no…” Sunset sighed, facepalming, “Not again.”

“Again?” Aria said incredulously, “Okay, I’m convinced there’s something else going on with all that.”

The three of them crowded the window to see Adagio stride up to the man and pry the two apart. The man, looking rather small and jittery, drew a handgun… and then promptly lost it when Adagio slapped his wrist as he moved to point it at her. Smacking his face into the bar, she called for the police and for Night Shade to pull the security tapes for them.

“C’mon dear, sit up,” she sighed as she pulled the unconscious woman into a sitting position and gave her a few taps to the cheek with a wet cloth. After a few minutes, she groggily came to. The three of them saw Adagio speak to her for a minute, before the patron jolted and threw her arms around Adagio’s shoulders, crying.

“Oh, wow… that poor woman,” Sonata pouted sadly, “I hope she’ll be okay.”

“Not the first time she’s had to help a scared man or woman here,” Sunset nodded, “But she does a good job at consoling them.”

“Man, that’s just sad,” Aria sighed, “Poor thing.”

“Over forty attempts at that, and not a single one has been successful,” Sunset whistled, “She watches this place like a hawk. No surprise our only security guard works the cameras.”

“Kinda jumpy, isn’t he?” Aria asked, “Sonata went to show him her stuffed bear and he freaked out.”

“I dunno, his last job was pretty stressful,” Sunset shrugged.

“I can imagine,” Aria shrugged a little.

Adagio sat the woman upright as the paramedics arrived. Kissing her cheek, she helped the paramedics lay her onto a stretcher and watched as she was carted off to the hospital to have her system flushed.

“Poor little thing,” she said as she came back up, “I swear, if this keeps up I’m going to have to have chemical detectors installed.”

“That was still amazing, what you did,” Sunset smiled.

“It sure was, Mommy!” Sonata went and gave her a hug.

Adagio smiled and hugged Sonata, patting her back, “Aw, it’s nothing. I do that all the time.”

“It’s still amazing!” Sonata kissed her cheek.

Adagio cooed softly and nuzzled Sonata’s cheek, “Mommy loves you two, Sona-baby.”

“C’mon, Ma,” Aria came over and patted her back, “We kept your food warm.”

Adagio smiled and sat back down at the table, “And how’d you to that? Leave it between Sunset’s legs?”

“Oh, come on!” Sunset made a face, snickering, “I wouldn’t eat it after that!”

“Me neither,” Aria shook her head.

“That sounds good!” Sonata grinned.

“Well if I’m going to put my mouth down there anyway, there’s no reason to have a double standard about my pizza,” Adagio chuckled as she leaned over and kissed Sunset’s cheek.

“Touche,” Sunset giggled.

Adagio smirked, “Would you like to stay for dessert after supper?”

“Well, sure,” Sunset nodded, “If that’s okay with you two, also.”

“I’m game!” Sonata nodded too, grinning.

“Sure, I guess,” Aria gave a small smile as she glanced at Sunset.

“Lovely,” Adagio purred as she slowly dragged her foot up Sunset’s leg under the table.

Sunset giggled from the touch, “Great! Sounds like fun.”

Adagio bit her lip and winked. It was going to be fun.

“Okay girls,” Adagio smiled as she sat with her staff of eight in the breakroom. There were three waiters, and five dancers. The bouncers had already gone home with their gifts along with night Shade, “To thank you all for such a lovely couple of years, I got you all something nice.”

She pulled out a small bag filled with smaller bags and handed one to each of her girls, “These are for you.”

The girls all opened their gifts to find a 3,000 bit Christmas bonus along with personalized necklaces. All of them were shocked as their jaws dropped and squeals of delight escaped them. Immediately, they crowded around Adagio in an eager group hug, all of them thanking her and giving her kisses on the cheek.

“Aw, I love you too, girls,” she smiled, kissing them back wherever she could, “It’s the least I can do. You girls let me provide for my babies upstairs.”

“Hey, it’s great working for such an awesome boss!” Said one of the dancers.

“Sonata’s adorable, and I get a kick out of Aria’s attitude,” said one of the waitresses, giggling, “We’re glad it makes them happy, too.”

Adagio smiled as she nuzzled one of the dancers and felt one of the waitresses tugging at her pants, “Ooh! Sweet Leaf, are we getting sneaky?”

“Hee!” Sweet Leaf laughed, winking at her, “Couldn’t help it.”

“By all means, carry on,” she giggled as she accepted another hug from one of the dancers.

“Don’t mind if we do!” Another dancer came up behind her and hugged her, “You smell so pretty!”

“Mmm, thank you,” Adagio purred, nuzzling her employee’s cheek, “You all smell like baby oil.”

“Just like you requested,” the dancer nuzzled her cheek back.

“Wearing that scent’s been nice! My husband loves it,” said Sweet Leaf, giggling.

Adagio scoffed in mock surprise, “What would your husband say if he could see you down in front of me right now?”

“He’d beg to watch,” Sweet Leaf grinned.

Adagio smiled as she reached down and gently stroked Sweet Leaf’s cheek, “I’ll bet he would.”

“For sure!” Sweet Leaf laughed, hugging her again.

Adagio patted Sweet Leaf’s back as she pulled the waitress into her lap, nuzzling her close as one of the dancers, a younger girl named Violet Blurr, gently rubbed the back of her neck.

“A little tense back here, Mistress Adagio!” Violet remarked, “But still sooo soft.”

Adagio cooed softly as she leaned back into Violet’s massage, nuzzling Sweet Leaf in her lap, “Thank you, dear. I have been tense. Had to kick too many patrons out of the club…”

“You definitely handle that like a pro, Mistress!” Violet smiled, rubbing her shoulders.

Adagio smiled brightly, leaning her head back to look up at Violet, “Thank you, sweetie.”

“Anytime!”

“You’re the cuddliest boss I’ve ever had,” Sweet Leaf grinned widely, “I think we can all say that!”

The other dancers and servers made murmurs and nods of agreement.

Adagio smiled as she laid a hand over her heart, “Aw, you girls always know just how to cheer me up.”

“And why wouldn’t we?” Violet gave a nuzzle to her hair, “You’re always there for us!”

A server by the name of Nectarine smiled brightly, “Remember when I broke up with my boyfriend a few months ago? You sat down with me and held me while I cried. I knew then that I would do the same for you. Not that I expect you girls to break up! But just… you know, to be there for you!”

Adagio reached over and patted Nectarine’s leg, “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Rose Heart, another dancer, came around and wrapped her arms around Adagio’s shoulders, “When I realized I was going to have to strip to pay my bills, I was terrified. Remember how you gave me shifts on the slow hours to start and got a temp security guard for me?”

Adagio nuzzled her cheek, “Of course. Can’t have my girls too afraid to work, can I?”

“It’s just nice to know we can count on you,” Violet said with a giggle, “I mean, you don’t even have to do all these things. Yet you just do, and… we appreciate it so much. It’s all part of why we just love coming to work every day.”

“Definitely!” Nectarine agreed, “I used to be scared of getting close to a boss or finding them to be awesome. But you really proved me wrong!”

Adagio’s heart fluttered as she listened to them. She’d always known her girls liked her, she wouldn’t consider herself a successful businesswoman if they didn’t, but never realized just how much they adored her. She was loving every second of it. Reaching back, she kissed Violet’s cheek as Sweet Leaf nuzzled into her neck.

“And we love you, Adagio!” Sweet Leaf nuzzled her, “Best boss ever!”

Adagio kissed Sweet Leaf’s forehead, “Oh you girls. I love you too,” she patted Sweet Leaf’s back as two other waitresses came up to nuzzle her hair, “I love you so much.”

They all gathered around her, hugging her any way they could, giggling and smiling.

“We love you, too!” They all chorused.

Adagio stumbled out of the conference room several hours later. After ordering pizza and beer for everyone and closing the club early, she along with Sonata and Aria had spent the evening celebrating the holidays with the waitresses, dancers, and Sunset Shimmer. Sweet Leaf was latched around her waist as they all stumbled drunkenly onto the club floor.

“Sweetie… Sweet Leaf…” Adagio giggled, playfully batting away Sweet Leaf’s hand as it kept diving to her crotch, “You’re reasoned beyond all drunk!”

“I’m drunk not, swear I!” Sweet Leaf giggled, nuzzling her.

“Well… since you way it that put,” Adagio laughed, letting Sweet Leaf grab at her.

“Ding dong! Ding dong ding dong! Wedding bells… on an April day…” Sonata stumbled about, drunkenly singing, “And I set fire to the rain…”

Adagio giggled as she and Sweet Leaf clumsily made their way toward her, “Sona I-OOH! Sweet Leaf, your hand is cold… Sona, you are more assuredly drunk!”

“Mommy…” Sonata giggled, falling to the floor and crawling over, “I drunkie, Mommy…”

“Yes you are,” Adagio giggled as she and Sweet Leaf fell down next to her, Sweet Leaf’s hand digging into her pants, “We’re all drunk…”

“Drunkie… Hee hee! There’s two of you, Mommy…” Sonata giggled happily.

“Sonata! There you are!” Aria squealed in joy, going over and hugging her, “I missed you! I don’t like you being away from me! You’re so cute! I wanna hug and snuggle you! Yes! Who’s a cutie? You are!”

Adagio laughed as she watched the two, “Ooooh, Big sis is protective of little sis. That’s precious!” She beamed, falling back onto Sweet Leaf, “Oops, sorry Sweetly!”

“It is okay!” Sweet Leaf laughed, laying back now, “Woohoo!”

“Mommy!” Aria giggled, snuggling Sonata, “She’s my Sona-baby, too! Wittle baby Sona! Soooo cute! I love you!” She cooed, nuzzling her.

Adagio disentangled herself from Sweet Leaf and stood up to wrap her arms around Aria’s waist, “Mommy loves wittle baby Sona too, Ari-baby.”

“And I love you, Mommy! You’re the bestiest!” Aria cooed, nuzzling her.

“Awwww!” Sweet Leaf giggled drunkenly, “You guys… cute are so!”

Adagio grinned and kissed Aria’s cheek, “Mommy loves you too, Ari!” she grinned, falling back into an armchair and taking both girls with her into her lap.

“Yaaaaay!” Aria cheered, laughing childishly.

“Oh you are just the most precious thing when you’re drunk!” Adagio cooed, kissing Aria’s cheek as she cuddled the both of them.

“What do you mean? I’m just happy!” Aria nuzzled her.

“I know, but you’re just so bubbly!” Adagio giggled, nibbling Aria’s ear.

“Hee! I am!” Aria snuggled against her.

“You sure are, Awi!” Sonata cooed, wiggling happily.

“Awwww!” Adagio’s entire staff cooed as they watched the three of them.

Adagio buried her face into Sonata’s hair and inhaled deeply, “Did you have fun, Sona-baby?”

“I did, Mommy!” Sonata nuzzled her and grinned.

Adagio turned to Aria and nuzzled her hair, “And what about you, Ari? Did you have fun?”

“I always have fun, Mommy!” Aria kissed her face.

“Good girls,” Adagio purred, kissing the both of them as she gingerly stood up, astounding her entire staff as she hitched both of them on each hip like children.

“I’m gonna take them upstairs, you girls have a wonderful holiday and take the next two weeks off,” she grinned as she sauntered over to the stairway.

“Byeeee Adagio!” They all called to her, laughing. Next Chapter: Sniveling Little Neck Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 57 Minutes