The girls had gone to bed a while ago, while Adagio stayed up, waiting for Twilight. It was well past the time that she was supposed to have arrived, but Adagio would stay up all night if she had to.

As she got up to make herself some more coffee, the buzzer out back sounded. Pressing the intercom, she sighed, “Hello?”

“It’s… It’s… me…” Twilight’s cracked voice sounded from the feed.

“Oh! Come in, sweetheart,” Adagio pressed the buzzer and listened for the door opening downstairs.

It took nearly a minute or so, but the slow footsteps approached the door. There was a pause, then the apartment door opened to reveal Twilight. Her dress shirt and pencil skirt were a bit rumbled, her hair was disheveled, and her face was stained with tears. She stumbled in, as if drunk, and sniffled. Looking up at Adagio, she lifted a hand weakly to wave at her.

“Hi…”

“Hi sweetie,” Adagio came over and brought her into a hug, gently bringing her over to the sofa and sitting her down, “Now c’mon, tell Mommy what happened.”

“I… I went to Canterlot to get some papers, maybe do some extra work… And I found this tape from years ago…. it was security footage,” Twilight sniffled, leaning against her.

“And you watched it?” Adagio asked, gently stroking her hair as she held her.

“My curiosity got the better of me, so I did… And it was… it was footage of me… b-beating on… Kitten…” Twilight whimpered, beginning to cry again.

Adagio gently ran her hand in small circles over Twilight’s back, “Oh no…”

“Yes…” Twilight sniffled, “It was… It was horrible to see! I’m a monster, Adagio… I’m a monster!”

Adagio rubbed Twilight’s back as she gently rocked her, “Shhhhh, you know Asy wouldn’t want to hear you say that,” she whispered softly.

“I-I know… I know…” Twilight whimpered, nuzzling into her neck, “I’m trying, Adagio… I really am. I just… I hope it’s enough… But I don’t know sometimes. I have nightmares, sometimes I can’t sleep, I can’t eat… I just… collapse.”

Adagio patted Twilight’s back, “What kind of nightmares, sweetheart?”

“Nightmares about what I’d done to her… What my mother did to me… And all these voices in how I deserved every bit of it…” Twilight sniffled, “Sometimes I see all my friends, beaten and bruised, asking me why I hit them…”

Despite the gravity of Twilight breaking down in her arms, Adagio had to work really hard to stifle a giggle at the idea that Twilight would ever in a million years be able to overpower Rainbow Dash or Applejack. Stroking her back in circles, she pulled Twilight into her lap and kissed the top of her head.

“Shh, you’re okay. Mommy’s got you,” she whispered, stroking her hair, “It was just a dream, Twilight. Your friends love you, your wife loves you, and your mother can’t hurt you anymore.”

Sniffling, Twilight snuggled into her more, managing to relax, “I’m sorry about all this… I’m a mess… I wish I could’ve come to see you under better circumstances.”

“No no no, you don’t have anything to be sorry for,” Adagio whispered, rocking her in her lap, “That’s what Mommy’s here for, sweetie.”

Closing her eyes, Twilight could feel a sense of warmth and comfort. Something she’d only felt long ago, when she was younger and looked to Celestia for comfort. When all she wanted was someone to hold her like a mother would. It was amazing that this would be doubled now. She sniffled, taking a few deep breaths.

“I love you, Mommy…” Twilight murmured in a small voice.

“I love you too,” Adagio whispered, stroking her hair and her back, “Does Ascentia know that you came here?”

“...I didn’t get a chance to tell her yet,” Twilight shook her head, “I-I couldn’t talk to her just yet. I didn’t want to worry her… And she tells me never to speak of any of it again. So I knew I had to wait until I wasn’t… well, a mess.”

Adagio stroked her back as she reached for her cell phone, dialing Ascentia’s number. After a few seconds, there was the sound of scraping on the other side.

“Hello?!” came Ascentia’s frantic voice on the other end, “Twilight?! Is that you?”

“Asy, it’s Adagio,” Adagio said softly, “Twilight’s here with me. She had an episode and I told her to come here since it was closer.”

Adagio could hear Ascentia breath a quivering sigh of relief, “Oh thank god, I’ve been up all night worried… what happened?”

“She saw some old security footage and it set her off,” Adagio said, “It’s really bad this time.”

“Okay… just please make sure she gets home to me safely,” Ascentia whimpered.

“I will, I promise,” Adagio smiled as she hung the phone up, wrapping her arms around Twilight as she reclined back on the sofa, stroking her hair, “Do you wanna stay here tonight, sweetie?”

“If that’s okay. I won’t take up much of your time, I’ll go home first thing in the morning,” Twilight murmured with a nod.

“You can take your time, you’re not imposing at all, sweetie,” Adagio whispered, kissing the top of her head, “We’ll make you breakfast and get you some tea, alright?”

“Sure… thank you, Adagio…” Twilight managed a small smile, “I… I feel a little better, now.”

Adagio smiled, though felt a little disappointed that she’d dropped calling her ‘Mommy’, “You want to sleep in my bed with me, or with Sunny?”

“Uh…” Twilight blinked, uncertain, “...I don’t know…”

“Take your time, then,” Adagio kissed her cheek, “Mommy’s not going to bed for a while.”

“Okay,” Twilight nodded, wiping her eyes, “Can I… ask you for a really weird favour? You don’t have to do it, it’s just… um… something I always liked whenever I had a bad day.”

“Of course, what is it?” Adagio asked, patting her head.

“Well… whenever I was really sad or just had a bad day, Cadance used to play board games with me. It didn’t matter which one, but it always helped me,” Twilight giggled a little.

“Oh well that’s not weird at all,” Adagio giggled, “What do you wanna play, sweetie?”

“Um, well, what games do you have?” Twilight straightened a little.

Adagio stood up, perching Twilight on her hip as she strolled over to the shelf of Sonata’s board games, “Hmm… Monopoly, I’ve Never, Mouse Trap, not sure why she still has that with half the pieces missing, Uno, Skip-Bo, Clue but we need more people for that, and this sexy version of Monopoly that Sunset bought.”

“There’s a sexy version of Monopoly?” Twilight asked with surprise, “I know there are the novelty editions of the game, but sexually, too?”

“Mmhmm, Intersexion,” Adagio giggled, “Buy properties, chance cards are now challenge cards, it’s all very silly. We haven’t played it yet, been waiting for a special occasion.”

“I hope to be there when you do,” Twilight winked, “Um… do you have a deck of cards? We could play poker.”

“Sure,” Adagio picked a deck off the highest shelf and carried Twilight back over to the sofa, setting her down onto one side and putting a board on the middle cushion, dealing out a hand to her, “There we go.”

“All right then,” Twilight took her cards, looking them over, “I have to warn you, I’m not good at poker face.”

“That right there is the battlecry of the hustler,” Adagio smirked, peering at her cards before laying them facedown, “So how do we bet if we don’t use money?”

“Um… beans? Peanuts? Walnuts? Pistachios?” Twilight tilted her head cutely.

“Let’s just say we’ll owe somebody one,” Adagio winked as she turned over her cards, “Three of a kind.”

“Darn… Two pairs,” Twilight pouted, turning hers over.

“That’s one for me,” Adagio giggled as she dealt another hand, returning two cards and drawing another two, “Full House.”

Twilight traded two cards as well, and gaped, “...Full house, too. But you have three Queens.”

“Oh look, my three identical sisters,” Adagio snickered, “Looks like I win again.”

Sunset yawned as she sat down at the table, the smell of bacon and sausage making her mouth water. She was still partially asleep and leaned against her hand as another smell wafted through the air. It was flowery, and smelled wonderful. Sunset smiled as she tilted her head to the side and connected with a shoulder. Looking up and prying her eyes open, she was met with an eyeful of Twilight, wearing a set of Adagio’s pyjamas.

She jolted back and rubbed her eyes, “Whoa! Twilight, sorry!”

Twilight smiled brightly, giving her a hug, “It’s okay, Sunset. I could tell you were half asleep, so I didn’t want to startle you.”

“Twilight slept in my bed last night,” Adagio chuckled, “Sorry Sunny, she wanted Mommy to cuddle her.”

“It’s okay! It’s okay,” Sunset blushed, shaking her head.

Adagio giggled as she turned back to the stove, “You’re adorable when you’re all blushy, sweetheart.”

“I concur,” Twilight gave Sunset a kiss on the cheek.

“There we go,” Adagio giggled, setting a towering plate of breakfast in front of each of them, before sitting down with her own, “There’s my girls.”

“So… how are you, Twilight?” Sunset asked nervously, “I mean, is everything okay? We were in the room when Mom was on the phone with you yesterday.”

Twilight hesitated, looking away as Adagio handed her a cup of coffee.

“Twilight’s feeling better,” she said, leaning over and kissing Sunset’s cheek, “She just needed Mommy to hold her for a little bit.”

“Oh, okay,” Sunset said with relief, “Still, I’m glad you made it here. It’s been a while…” She blushed a little, “I was hoping to see you before you left…”

Adagio smirked as she looked between the two of them, quietly eating her breakfast as she kept one eye on the both of them.

“Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to leave without seeing you girls,” Twilight assured her with a sweet smile, “But enough about me. How are you doing?”

“We’re doing alright. Got a lawyer for Mom and everyone working downstairs is willing to testify in her court case,” Sunset smiled, leaning over and kissing Twilight’s cheek.

“Oh, right! She e-mailed me about it,” Twilight hissed, “But that’s good, at least it’s moving along.”

Sunset nodded, “We had to drag Mom out of the lawyer’s office, though. She thinks with her clit.”

“Hey!” Adagio pouted.

“Even Ms Rose knew you were about to hit on her!” Sunset stuck her tongue out at her.

Twilight giggled at this, “Are you serious?”

Sunset nodded, “She had that look in her eye. Ms Rose just came out with it and said that she was married. But that look she gave Mom said ‘Not in a million years.’”

“Oh, goodness…” Twilight stifled a giggle, shaking her head. “Pinkie does that too, I’m not surprised.”

“Give that look, or hit on everything that moves?” Sunset asked with a chuckle.

“The latter, all the time,” Twilight giggled, winking at her.

“Doesn’t she have a husband?” Sunset asked, tilting her head.

“Yep, and she’s expecting,” Twilight nodded, “It’s a pretty long story. But let’s just say they have an understanding and a bit of an open relationship sort of thing.”

“Ah, I see,” Sunset chuckled, “I saw the photos of her, she’s got a gorgeous bod.”

Twilight giggled, “She does. When you come to visit, you definitely have to meet her.”

Sunset blushed, “Is she… bi?”

“Oh, yes. She does go both ways, obviously, but she does lean a bit towards women sometimes,” Twilight nodded and patted her back.

“Oh really?” Sunset smiled, leaning against her.

Bringing an arm around her shoulders, Twilight nuzzled her hair, “Absolutely. I think she’s going to love you.”

“So… what’s she like?” Sunset asked curiously.

“Oh, she’s very energetic. Always bubbly and very bouncy, smiling all the time, and she just loves to entertain. Calling her hammy wouldn’t do any justice,” Twilight laughed a bit, stroking her hair, “But most of all, she’s going to make you laugh a lot. So be prepared for that. Especially if her friend Cheese Sandwich comes to town, then they’ll engage in a Goof Off.”

“Oh my god,” Sunset laughed, “She sounds wonderful. So how is she… you know… in bed?”

“Incredible,” Twilight winked, “She’ll do anything you ask.”

“Wow really?” Sunset blushed deeply, “Anything?”

Nodding, Twilight kissed her forehead, “Yep. Of course, sans gross things like scat or golden showers… eww… Even she draws the line there.”

Sunset gagged, “Ugh, don’t ruin the mood by mentioning those. So… what kind of things do you guys do with her?”

“Sorry,” Twilight rubbed her back apologetically, “Anyway, nothing too special. Just a couple of toys and experimenting with whips.”

“Wow, whips?” Sunset looked surprised.

Twilight nodded, making a face, “Yeah… I didn’t particularly care for them. Kitten did, though. The last time we went to the sex shop, she pointed at some whips and gave me puppy dog eyes… So now we have a whip.”

Sunset stifled a laugh, “Oh my god, I can’t even imagine what that must have looked like. Do you ever whip her?”

“Er….” Twilight looked away, “I tried it once, but I accidentally whipped it too hard. She ended up bleeding, and I didn’t touch it since. So I let the girls use it on her.”

Sunset hissed, “Oh, I can see that… how do they do with it?”

“Just fine, as far as I know,” Twilight nodded.

“Okay,” Sunset smiled, “So does Pinkie use it on her a lot?”

“Mm-hmm, she does,” Twilight replied and mussed her hair a little.

“Does that… how does that sit with you?” Sunset asked tentatively.

Twilight pondered it for a few moments, then gave a little shrug, “Well, if anything, it’s kind of relieving. She does enjoy that kind of sex play, and I know that. But she can’t always get it from me, so it helps that the girls can kind of give her what I can’t. I wish I could do it myself, but I don’t trust myself to lay my hands on her like that.”

Sunset leaned in and nuzzled her, “You know, Twi… I’ve never heard of someone like you before.”

“How so?” Twilight asked curiously, kissing her cheek.

“You know, an…” Sunset hesitated, and hugged her, “An abuser that… that’s putting so much effort into trying to get better…”

“Oh! I see,” Twilight hugged her back, kissing her forehead, “Well, thank you, Sunset. I’ve tried in the past, but I kept going about it the wrong way. Even now, I still have a long way to go. It’ll never truly be gone, but, I do try. I just still have panic attacks and I can end up lashing out. The medication has helped tremendously, and I’m still seeing my doctor, so it helps.”

Sunset had to admit, when she first heard the stories about how Twilight had abused her wife, she was terrified of her for quite some time. Like most of Twilight’s friends, she’d even become very suspicious of her. It wasn’t until Ascentia sat her down and explained everything in more detail, including Twilight’s history and the fact that she was making an effort to get better, that her anxiety was put to rest. Ascentia seemed to shrug off what Twilight had done to her, and she found that both frightening and impressive.

“That’s good to hear,” Sunset smiled, kissing Twilight’s cheek and squeezing tighter, “I’m… I’m sorry about what you had to grow up with…”

Holding her closer, Twilight closed her eyes and nuzzled Sunset’s hair, “Thank you, Sunset. I appreciate it. It doesn’t excuse what I did, though.”

“I know,” Sunset snuggled tighter and kissed Twilight’s cheek again.

“Now you two, don’t get be getting too frisky before you’ve had something in your bellies,” Adagio giggled.

“Yes, Mom,” Twilight said teasingly, laughing a little.

Adagio chuckled and set a plate down in front of each of them as she heard the unmistakable sounds of Sonata stumbling out of the bedroom, “Oh sweetie, there you are! Breakfast is ready.”

“Mmph? Is it…?” Sonata rubbed her eyes, blinking blearily, “Where… Where am I?”

Adagio smiled and came around the table to drape an arm over Sonata’s shoulder and guide her to the table. Sonata was a slow waker and had a habit of stumbling around for upwards of twenty minutes in the morning, still unsure of what was going on around her. Kissing her hair, she gently sat Sonata down and set a plate in front of her.

“Here you go, sweetie,” she cooed softly.

“...Thanks, Mommy…” Sonata yawned, reaching for a fork and smiling.

“Awww,” Twilight giggled at the sweet display between them, “I just love watching you take care of them like this. It’s so sweet.”

“Thank you, Twilight,” Adagio giggled, tidying Sonata’s hair and tying it back in a ponytail so she wouldn’t be dragging it through her food, “Mommy always takes care of her babies.”

“They’re really lucky to have you,” Twilight murmured, nuzzling Sunset’s hair.

“Thank you, sweetie,” Adagio smiled warmly as she sat down next to Sonata and looked back up at her, “You know, last night you called me Mommy.”

“I did? Oh! Right, I did,” Twilight giggled, “Well, I can call you Mommy, then. I know how much you enjoy that.”

“Lord knows you need one,” Adagio said softly, coming around the table and hugging Twilight’s shoulders.

Giggling, Twilight leaned back against her, “Thank you, Mommy.”

Adagio kissed the top of Twilight’s head and returned to her seat, “This afternoon, Ascentia’s going to come and pick you up, alright?”

Twilight nodded, taking a grape and running it along Sunset’s lips, “That sounds good.”

“Alright then,” Adagio smiled, “When you two are finished your breakfast, you can go to Sunset’s room and… play.”

“Oooh, I like the sound of that, too,” Twilight winked.

Adagio winked right back and dug into her own breakfast, “Alright, you girls have fun.” Next Chapter: What's Left Of Timbre Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 17 Minutes