“...How did you deal with your mother in law?” Sunset asked as she handed Ascentia a beer.

“I murdered her on the side of the highway,” Ascentia said tonelessly as she took her beer, Rainbow taking her’s as they sat at the bar.

“Cold blood,” Rainbow remarked, shaking her head, “But after what she did, I can’t say it was a bad thing.”

“What did she do again?” Sunset asked, the details on the murder of Twilight Velvet were never released to the public. And Ascentia herself was very tight lipped about it. This was compounded when Ascentia scowled and jutted her thumb toward Rainbow.

Rainbow exhaled, took a sip of her drink, and placed it back down on the bar. She then cracked her knuckles before speaking, “It happened when Twilight was still committed. Her mother went in there, bribed Asy’s father, and then…” She took another sip of her beer before continuing, “She raped Twilight in her cell… When Asy found out, she was livid, to say the least.”

Sunset made a small, sympathetic noise as she handed Ascentia another beer.

“Why did you wanna know?” Ascentia asked bitterly, clearly ruffled by reliving this.

“I…” Sunset looked at her nervously, wondering if she should continued, “...I found out yesterday that… Mrs Blaze was the one who hit Adagio.”

“What?!” Rainbow exclaimed in shock, “She hit her?! ...Why?!”

“We think it was because she was drunk and on the highway,” Sunset said quietly.

Ascentia scoffed, “Yeah right. With how much Blaze hated Adagio? I’ll believe that when I see it.”

“Either way, that’s horrible,” Rainbow said, shaking her head sadly, “I’m so sorry.”

Sunset sniffled and sat down on her stool, taking a drink of her water, “It’s times like this I wish I was allowed to drink on the job…”

“You own this place, drink away,” Ascentia shrugged.

“No. Mom always told me not to drink while I’m working,” Sunset shook her head.

Ascentia shrugged and downed the rest of her beer, “Whatever…”

“You okay?” Sunset asked, looking up.

Ascentia shrugged while Rainbow patted her back, “She doesn’t like talking about Twilight Velvet,” she explained.

“I’m sorry,” Sunset looked down guiltily.

“Don’t worry about it, Sunny,” Rainbow waved it off, “You know Asy, she always bounces back.”

“I’m like a rubber band,” Ascentia said dejectedly.

Rainbow snickered, “In more ways than one,” she smirked, reaching down and squeezing Ascentia’s rear.

Sunset chuckled a bit, “Well… in spite of this, we do have great news, though.”

“What’s that?” Ascentia asked, not registering the hand on her backside.

“Sonata’s pregnant,” Sunset smiled, wiping her eyes, “The procedure worked. She’s having Mom’s baby.”

All at once, Ascentia perked up and smiled brightly, “Oh my god! That’s amazing!” She squealed, lunging over the bar and throwing her arms around Sunset’s shoudlers.

“See? What did I tell you? Like a rubber band,” Rainbow smiled, eyeing Ascentia’s rear.

Sunset giggled, “Yep, you weren’t kidding. You girls can go ahead and pass the news on if you want.”

“Oh I plan to!” Ascentia squealed in excitement as she hugged Sunset as tightly as she could.

“They’re gonna be stoked, for sure!” Rainbow laughed, patting Ascentia’s rear.

Ascentia pulled back and kissed Sunset’s cheek before re-attaching herself to her neck, “Oh Sunny! I’m so happy for you! And for Sona and Aria!”

“Totally!” Rainbow slapped her a high five, grinning.

“Thank you, girls,” Sunset smiled, “Sonata’s upstairs if you want to see her on your way out. She was… really upset yesterday, but she’s feeling a little better.”

“We’ll see her in a bit. We haven’t got anything else to do today,” Ascentia giggled as she kissed Sunset’s cheek.

Sunset nodded, “Terrific. Just… don’t mention Mrs. Blaze to her. Or to Aria, either.”

“Oh, I won’t. Don’t worry,” Ascentia smiled, pulling back as she felt something pressing against her rear. She looked back to see Rainbow leaning over her, “...Really?”

“Sorry Asy,” Rainbow snickered, and caught Sunset’s look. She grinned brightly, “Don’t worry, I’m not gonna do that here. I remember what happened before! We’ll get outta here.”

Sunset glanced up toward the patrons. There were none. There was some holiday celebration going on in Canterlot and the club was empty today, “The place is empty, I don’t care what you do.”

“Okay then,” Rainbow winked, “Let’s have a little fun. You can watch if you want, Sunny…”

“Hey Sunny? I… I wanted to talk to you about something,” Sweet Leaf said as she sat down at the bar.

“Yeah?” Sunset looked up from organizing some glasses, “What’s up?”

“Well… I’ve been here since the Razzle Dazzle opened,” Sweet Leaf explained, “Adagio always said I was one of her best waitresses. There’s never been an incident with me. So… I was thinking I deserve a raise.”

“Really, now?” Sunset gave a smile, then nodded, “I think Mom may have even been planning to, I’m sorry it just took a while. I can give you a raise for sure.”

Sweet Leaf beamed and lunged forward, hugging Sunset tightly, “Thank you! Thank you so much!” she giggled.

“You’re very welcome, Sweet Leaf,” Sunset hugged her back, “Would a five percent raise work?”

“Mmhmm!” Sweet Leaf nodded, pulling back and kissing Sunset’s cheek, “It’s just… my rent’s gone up this year, so I need the extra income.”

“Aw, really?” Sunset pouted sympathetically, “I’m sorry to hear that. By how much did it go up?”

“About two hundred bits,” Sweet Leaf sighed, “I’m not paying 1,100 bits a month for my apartment.”

“Jeez!” Sunset hissed, “Even my first apartment wasn’t nearly that much, and only had raises by about two percent at the time.”

“I’m being extorted,” Sweet Leaf explained, “The landlord keeps saying we can come to an ‘arrangement.’”

Sunset frowned at this, “What does he mean ‘arrangement’?”

Sweet Leaf looked up and frowned as she pistoned her fist in front of her mouth.

“....No. You’re kidding me…” Sunset grimaced at this, “When is your lease up?”

“I just signed a renewal last month,” Sweet Leaf explained.

“Sweetie, I think you should report this,” Sunset said gently, placing a hand on your shoulder, “If you’re being extorted like that, you need to do something about it.”

“Thing is, I have no case,” Sweet Leaf shrugged, “He brings it up every few months, but when it comes time to renew the lease, my rent keeps going up. It’s a six month lease. He’s been doing this for a year and a half. But he’s allowed to raise the rent on his own apartments when it comes time to renew the lease. So unless I can prove the two are linked, I’ve got fuck all I can do. It’s either keep paying, or start sucking.”

Sunset gave her a hug, rubbing her back, “I’ll give you as much as you need to get through this. But if anything happens, you know you can come stay here with us.”

Sweet Leaf looked up, “Really? Isn’t your place crowded enough as it is? And you’ve got a little one coming soon. I’d hate to be in the way.”

“You wouldn’t be in the way. Our couch is a hide-a-bed, and we’re still going to help if we need to,” Sunset assured, “If it were crowded, I’d give you money for a hotel, too.”

“Hey, what’s going on?” Aria asked, coming up to the bar and glancing at Sweet Leaf.

“We were just talking about raises and jerkass landlords,” Sunset replied.

“Who has the jerkass landlord?” Aria asked.

Sweet Leaf raised her hand, “My landlord keeps raising my rent, trying to extort blowjobs out of me.”

“Why don’t you stay here?” Aria suggested.

“She’s worried about our apartment being crowded,” Sunset sighed.

“So give her one of the others,” Aria shrugged.

Sunset looked up in surprise, “...Others?”

Aria cocked an eyebrow, “Sunny… this building has three floors. What do you think is on the third?”

“Uh… empty storage rooms?” Sunset guessed.

“No. There’s five fully furnished apartments up there,” Aria said, “Ma kept them ready in case people needed a place to live. After she passed away, I kept them clean and up to standard.”

“Ohhhh!” Sunset whistled and giggled, “I had no idea. I didn’t think too much about them, so I didn’t even ask. Well, that changes everything! Would you like to live in one of the apartments then, Sweetie?”

“Uh… yeah! How… how much is the rent gonna be?” Sweet Leaf balked, amazed by what she was hearing.

Aria went behind the bar and unlocked a drawer, pulling out a set of instructions Adagio had left about the apartments, “According to Ma… homeless kids and employees pay nothing.”

“Ooh!” Sunset looked over the papers, then nodded, “Well, looks like it’s your lucky day, Sweet Leaf! I’ll still give you that raise and you can move into one of the apartments.”

Sweet Leaf was completely silent, barely able to comprehend what she was hearing. Only twenty minutes ago, she was wondering whether to ask Sunset for a raise or just bite the bullet and give in to her landlord. Now, Sunset had not only given her a raise, but cut out a massive chunk of her expenses.

“I… I… oh my god, you guys… that’s… that’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever done for me,” Sweet Leaf said, her voice cracking,

“Hey, we’re here to help,” Sunset smiled, giving her a hug, “And we know that’s what Mom would have wanted.”

Sweet Leaf wrapped her arms around Sunset, squeezing her tightly as she nuzzled her neck, “You’re just like her…”

“What? Me?” Sunset blinked, then laughed, “Well… I have had to fill her shoes, but oh no, I’m not like her. But thank you, that’s a sweet thought!”

“No really. You are,” Sweet Leaf smiled brightly, “You’re just as generous, just as protective… and you’re just as gorgeous as she was,” she leaned back in and hugged her tightly.

“No way, she was way prettier than me,” Sunset giggled, “But thank you, Sweetie. I really feel a strong sense of what she wants, and I try all I can to uphold that. Besides, as long as the club is still running well and everyone is happy, that’s all that matters.”

Aria smiled as she picked up the newspaper and thumbed through it, “Will you two just kiss already?”

“Aria!” Sunset laughed, “Now you’re just being silly.”

Aria snickered, “Hey, Ma was really grabby with the staff.”

“That doesn’t mean I have to be,” Sunset stuck out her tongue.

“Killjoy,” Aria stuck her tongue back out at her.

Sunset poked her leg, turning back to Sweet Leaf, “So! If you need any help with moving, you can let us know, okay?”

“Yeah! I should be fine. I don’t have much to move,” Sweet Leaf smiled.

“You can junk all your furniture. Ma put some pretty nice stuff in there,” Aria smiled.

“Why don’t we go on upstairs and check it out?” Sunset suggested.

Sweet Leaf nodded as Aria took out her keys, “Yeah… let’s go.”

“Sweet Leaf is junking her entire lease and moving in this week,” Sunset explained as she sat down on the sofa next to Sonata and Aria.

“Aww, that’ll be nice,” Sonata smiled as she looked up from her book.

“Yep, we showed her one of the apartments, and she was stoked,” Aria chuckled, “Practically moved right in on the spot, if she could.”

“She doesn’t have much stuff to move since she’s leaving all her furniture there,” Sunset nodded, “I saw photos of her apartment. That place is a dump. I can’t believe she’s been living there for so many years.”

“She works as a waitress and stripper, what did you think she lived in?” Aria asked.

“I don’t know, maybe something small and modest, but still clean,” Sunset gave a little shrug.

“Ha, not in this town,” Aria scoffed, “This town is a dump. This club is the nicest place for ten miles. And it’s got a topless bartender.”

“Hey!”

“You get the point,” Aria shrugged, “Most of our waitresses and strippers are living in some pretty shitty places.”

“That’s terrible,” Sunset frowned, “They shouldn’t be living like that.”

“It’s the best they can do. It’s all that’s for rent out here,” Aria shrugged, “Ma was talking about buying up some more property and getting into the housing market. But she passed away.”

Sunset thought for a few moments, tapping her chin, “That’s true, I remember Mom talking a lot about that. Hey… Sonata, you looked over the books a lot, right?”

“Mm-hmm,” Sonata nodded, not looking up, “I still did for a while, Aria took over after Mommy passed away. But I can help again, if you want.”

“Sure,” Sunset nodded, “You had access to the other account Mom had, right?”

Sonata nodded, “What about it?”

“I think I have an idea,” Sunset smiled, “Aria, get my laptop.”

Aria frowned as she leaned slightly back to pick Sunset’s laptop off the table that was two feet away and handed it to her, “Want a beer while I’m at it, Archie?”

“Very funny, Edith,” Sunset stuck her tongue out at her. She took the laptop, opening it up, “So, I’m thinking we do just that. We can buy a piece of property, and use that as housing for our employees.”

“Free of charge?” Aria asked, “Fixing up an entire apartment building and maintaining it is going to be costly. This building was paid off and it only had the five.”

“No no, I’d negotiate a fair rent with them,” Sunset said, shaking her head. She searched along a real estate website, scrolling through selections, “I would say we could buy a whole new property and build…. but that’d be more expensive. So maybe I’ll find a small complex or a boarding house… We’ll give out the rest here, too.”

“Great idea,” Aria smiled, kissing her cheek, “Sona, how much was Ma’s net worth, anyway?”

Sonata popped open her phone and navigated to her banking site, “Let’s see… about… 42 million bits.”

Sunset’s jaw dropped, her eyes going wide, “...Really?”

“Mm-hmm,” Sonata said with a nod, “She had quite a bit in stocks and other investments. She just let it build up a lot of the time.”

Sunset glanced over at the transaction history, “Whoa… that’s pretty impressive. I mean, I knew she was loaded but I didn’t… wait a minute, what’s this?” She pointed to a debit transaction for 72,000 bits, dated for just a few days before she died, “What did she spend so much money on?”

Sonata glanced it over for a moment, then realized, “...Oh. It was something she bought for me. It arrived a few weeks ago, after she died… I-I couldn’t open it…”

Aria reached over, rubbing her shoulder, “So that’s why the mail guy came later in the afternoon for that special delivery.”

“Yeah… I didn’t even know she bought something for me. But when I checked her history, there it was…” Sonata murmured, looking back at her phone.

“Where is it now?” Sunset asked.

“I put it in my closet. Like I said, I wasn’t ready to open it yet,” Sonata admitted.

“...Do you want to get it now?” Aria asked, nuzzling her cheek.

Sonata thought for a few moments, glancing around the room. She put her phone in her pocket, then stood up, “Yeah… I’ll go get it. I guess now is as good a time as any.”

Sonata vanished into her room and returned a few minutes later with a very large box. She set it onto the table and sat down.

“Do you want me to do it?” Sunset asked.

“It’s okay… I can do it. ...I just need a knife or something,” Sonata murmured, placing her hand on the box and trembling slightly, “Actually, I’m shaking a bit. You should cut the tape, Sunny.”

Sunset drew out her pocket knife and cut through the table as she and Sonata both popped the box open. Inside were three smaller boxes. One orange, one purple, and one cyan. Along with some envelopes taped to each one. Not needing any more instructions, they each took the box they knew was theirs and sat down with them.

“What do you think it…” Sunset popped open the letter, “Dear Sunny. It’s a shame I won’t be around for our first anniversary. Mommy has some business out in Karadoon-Holy shit, Karadoon?! She wasn’t seriously thinking about going out there was she?! Dear sweet Celestia… But I’ll be back to celebrate about a week after. Hopefully this will make up for me not being there.” The letter continued to explain each gift inside. Sunset decided to wait until she saw what they were to read.

“Wow, so this is all anniversary gifts…” Aria realized, wide-eyed, “That’s why she had it mail-ordered, she knew she wouldn’t be home.”

Sonata shook a little bit, clutching her box, and the envelope, “I knew there was a logical reason, but… When I accepted this, it almost felt like… something else. Like Mommy was giving us something from beyond the grave to make us feel better.”

Sunset popped open the box and found a large number of different gifts placed carefully inside. She drew out the first one, a white, sequin blouse that was decorated with a number of orange and red jewels, “Sweet mother of…”

“Holy crap, that’s pretty!” Aria gaped. She looked down at her own box, which she popped the lid, and saw a similar arrangement. Reaching in, she pulled out an aqua green nightgown, with a darker shade of green for a trim. The hem and neckline were decorated with amethyst gems, “Oh my gosh… I remember this thing! I saw it in a catalogue and told Ma I had to have it.”

Sunset looked back down at her letter, “Sunny, Mommy always thought you would look so beautiful in white. Especially all sparkly. You were Mommy’s little gem. And it gives a spectacular light show when you take it off. So a little performance for topless night ;)”

“It’s so pretty…” Sonata murmured, still clutching her unopened box.

Aria looked at her own note, “Aria, Mommy always loved how you looked in a nightdress. But the ones you have are all so scratchy. How do you ever get any sleep? I got you one that’s made out of Tatzlsilk. I hope you love it.”

“Wow,” Sunset touched the fabric, “That feels really nice! Oh, you’ll never want to get out of bed with this puppy!”

Aria chuckled and pulled out the next item, a Tatzlsilk bra and set of panties. No jewels on these, but very soft and very pretty, “Mommy couldn’t help herself. She loves seeing you in sexy lingere, sweetie.”

“Oooh, we’re going to have so much fun with those,” Sunset winked.

“They’re so pretty, they’d look great on you,” Sonata giggled.

Sunset kissed Aria’s cheek as she continued to dig through her bag, and pulled out the next give from her own. It was a pair of silk panties… with a vibrator attached, “Don’t think I don’t see how antsy and itchy you get at work, Sunny. This should help you pass the time. It’ll buzz ever so quietly, and then blitz you out of your mind when you sit down. There’s an attachment in the box if you also want it to blitz your cute little butt too ;)”

“Well well, looks like Ma thought of everything,” Aria snickered, winking at her.

Sunset blushed, wondering if it was really professional to wear this kind of thing at word.

‘Eh, it’s my club. I’ll do what I want,’ she thought as she grinned widely, setting the panties into her lap.

Aria looked through her box, then pulled out a smaller box within it. This one held a bracelet, decorated with her birthstone, and a few other various jewels matching her hair colours, eyes, and favourite colours overall. “Wow… Now that’s just cute,” she smiled, taking the bracelet out and putting it on around her wrist. “Oh Ari, you don’t get nearly enough jewelry. Mommy really should buy you these things more often-”

“There’s a reason for that,” Sonata giggled, “Aria prefers sex toys.”

“-but I think this should make up for that. I was thinking next year it could be a choker designed the same way!”

“That’s so sweet…” Sunset giggled.

“I’d have liked that choker,” Aria remarked with a smile, “Oh, well. It’s no big deal.”

Sunset looked back into her own box and paused in shock. She gently reached inside and lifted out a gorgeous, diamond necklace. Finding a latch on the side, she realized it doubled as a locket. Inside were two photos. First one that was taken when Sunset started working at The Razzle Dazzle. Adagio had one arm around her shoulder and was nuzzling her. Her other hand was down her pants. She giggled at this. The second was of the two sharing a kiss at their wedding. “Mommy loves you, Sunny.”

“Awww… that’s so adorable!” Sonata cooed, clapping a little.

“She really went all out,” Aria whistled with a smile, “Sweet, lavish, and just plain pretty.”

Aria looked back into the box and laughed. She sheepishly pulled out a glass plug with an amethyst set into the base, and what looked like a leather and silk wrist brace. “Mommy knows how much you like to masturbate, although I still wish you wouldn’t do it at the table, sweetie. Anyway, you already know what the plug is for. Lord knows I’ve bought you enough to start your own shop. The brace is so you don’t get such bad carpal tunnel anymore.”

“Really? Another anal plug?” Sunset snorted, giggling, “What does one person need with so many? What are you trying to say, Mom?”

Aria flipped over the letter and scoffed, “I’m trying to say that Mommy’s baby likes her little bum filled.”

“...Wow, even beyond the grave, she always hears me,” Sunset sweatdropped.

Aria looked back inside and found a necklace just like the one she’d given Sunset. Only instead of diamonds, it was jeweled purple and silver. Inside was a photo of Aria going down on Adagio as she sat on the bar. A memory that brought an instant blush to her face. The other photo was of them at their wedding. She smiled and wiped an eye as she read the same confession of love in her letter.

“Awww…” Sunset giggled, ruffling her hair. She placed her box down, but spotted something at the bottom. Reaching in, she found a pack of her favourite candies, Jolly Ranchers, “And some candy! Of all things! Candy!” She giggled, eagerly opening it up.

Aria giggled as she leaned over and kissed Sunset’s cheek, glancing up at Sonata, “What’cha waiting for? Open yours!”

“Okay… here goes…” Sonata looked down at her box, then nodded as she picked up the envelope, taking out the letter inside.

Aria and Sunset watched excitedly. They’d long since come to terms with the fact that Sonata was Adagio’s favorite. They couldn’t blame her. She’d been with her the longest and was a big part of getting her business off the ground. These days, whenever they discovered something lavish or exceptional heaped onto Sonata, they were nothing but happy for her. Maybe a little jealous, but happy nonetheless.

“Dear Sona. You have no idea how sorry Mommy is that she has to leave you before our anniversary. It’s killing me inside. We talked for so long about getting married and now we can’t spend our first anniversary together? It’s awful. Just awful! I hope you can forgive me for this. And I really hope this makes up for it.”

Hands shaking a little, Sonata had to hold the letter away from herself to avoid getting tears dripped onto it. The little memories of their talks of one day getting married came back. For when she was of age, only for all that to change, but to no complaint from either of them. She sniffled, caressing the box a little bit as she stared at the first bit of the letter.

“Of course I forgive you, Mommy… it’s not your fault at all,” she murmured.

She then followed their example of opening the box before reading further. The first gift inside was a beautiful pink and purple gown, along with a set of blue lingerie and a choker that read “Mommy’s Baby”.

“Oh, now that’s just adorable!” Sunset giggled, “That’s so Mom. I’m surprised you didn’t get ‘Mommy’s Baby’ or something tattooed to you.”

“I considered it, but needles hurt,” Sonata pouted, but giggled.

“You should get it tattooed right here,” Aria chuckled, reaching over and patting Sonata’s abdomen, just above her sex.

Sonata giggled, “As long as they sedate me for it, sure!” She looked into the box again, pulling out a magenta blouse, with blue threaded buttons, and a little pink heart with a blue jagged musical note printed on one side, “Awww… this was my favourite shirt back when I was in high school! It was the same shirt I had on when I met her... I didn’t know they made these anymore!”

“They don’t,” Sunset remarked, looking at the tag inside. It was dated some sixteen years ago, “I think this is the same one. It looks like she had it resized and restored.”

“Nice,” Aria chuckled, “And since you still look like you’re in high school, you wouldn’t look any different!”

“Oh, you guys!” Sonata laughed a bit, nuzzling the fabric and placing it aside.

“What else is there?” Sunset asked with a chuckle, “I got vibrating panties and Aria got another thing to shove up her ass. What did you get?”

Sonata looked into the box, “There’s a couple things, and something else in a box…”

“Well let’s see!” Aria grinned cheekily as she came around to sit on Sonata’s other side.

Pulling out the little box first, Sonata was surprised to discover that it was a silver chain, with a heart-shaped locket on the end. It was surrounded by various stones, including a topaz in the centre. She gently pried it open, which consisted of a winking Adagio photo on one side, with Aria and Sunset on the other one. “Aww, this is so nice… I haven’t had a locket in forever!”

Aria took the letter from Sonata and looked it over, “I always wanted you to look as beautiful as you always made me feel, Sona-baby. A lovely dress, some pretty lingerie, the whole shebang. I gave the girls lockets just like this one, but there’s actually another in there that I think you’ll really like. Mommy always wanted to shower her baby with gifts like she deserved.”

“There’s another one?” Sonata looked into the same box, then pulled out another one, similar to the first, “Ooh! This must be it.”

Inside was a single photo. It was of Adagio sat at a bus station, giving a casual glance to a girl huddled up in a ball and covering her face. Seemingly crying. It looked like it had been taken by a scene photographer. How Adagio had tracked him down, they would never know.

“Whoa….” Aria’s eyes went wide, “Talk about above and beyond!”

“That’s…” Sonata shook a little, clutching the locket to herself, “Oh, Mommy… I can’t believe you found this…! I never would’ve thought…”

Sunset and Aria both leaned in and kissed Sonata’s cheeks, “You know Ma loved you more than anything else in the world, Sona…”

Sonata noddled, giving them both nuzzles, “I know she did… and I loved her more than I’ve ever loved anyone…” She placed the locket around her neck, then looked down into the box. Along with a packet of her favourite candies, there were also a couple of photos. One of when Sonata had moved into the apartment and unpacking her bags. One of Sonata and Adagio kissing happily on their first anniversary as girlfriends. One of their first time, where Adagio had taken her on the dancer’s stage. One of them sharing a kiss while Aria was going down on Adagio. That moment still made her laugh. There were photos that went right up to the point that Sunny had come into the picture. All of them making the three of them smile.

“Wow, these are so cute…” Sunset giggled, “She must have been saving these for an occasion like this one.”

“I feel like I’m on a trip on memory lane…” Sonata murmured with a smile, giggling. She looked at another photo, this time of them at karaoke, “Ooh! We were singing Love Is An Open Door… I practically begged her to sing it with me. It was so fun!”

Sunset and Aria both laughed, wrapping their arms around Sonata as they finished sorting through the photos, “Wow… this is all just… huh?”

Sunset leaned over the box and found another one lying at the bottom. She pulled it out and opened it, almost going nuts with giggling, “Oh my god…”

“What is it?” Aria asked, leaning over.

Sunset lifted two rather large strapons out of the box and grinned sheepishly. Aria laughed as she took one. One was purple, the other was orange.

“Oh that’s just nuts.”

“Wait, there’s more,” Sunset chuckled, pulling out a note, “Sunny and Ari. Since Mommy can’t be there, please give Mommy’s baby a good, hard fucking for our anniversary. I don’t want her walking straight by the time I get back.”

“Oh, goodness! That’s so awesome! You’re so silly, Mommy!” Sonata laughed hysterically. She placed the box down, hearing a little thump. When she checked, she saw something wrapped in tissue paper. Taking it out, it was a framed photo from their wedding, much like the other two. “....I’m going to cry, now…” She giggled.

“You’re not gonna cry, you’re too giddy,” Aria giggled as she sat down and turned on the TV, “My god, could this day get any better?”

The second she turned on the TV, they were greeted with the sight of a news anchorwoman.

“For those of you just joining us, Doctor Beverly Blaze of South Ashfield was killed this morning when she attempted to invade the home of the Sparkle and Dash families. Mrs Blaze attempted to force herself into the premises, whereupon Princess Ascentia Sparkle shot her seven times in the chest.”

“And the answer is yes!” Aria grinned, giving a fist-pump, “I love you, Asy!”

“Oh, wow…” Sunset murmured, wide-eyed, “That’s… oh my god.”

Sonata was stricken in silence, completely unsure of what to say.

On the news report, they had cut to footage outside the Sparkle and Dash house as royal guards examined the premises.

“I was scared for my family’s life,” Ascentia said to the reporter, though her attitude, tone and expression indicated anything but fear or shock. In fact, the inklings of a smirk were starting to spread, “This crazy, drunk woman forced her way into my house, screaming all sorts of things and threatening my little Sunny. I did what any mother would do in that situation,” she said, her smirk now a wide, smug grin.

“Ascentia?” Shining Armor said as he passed by the frame, “You’ve got a little evil on your face.”

“I think she knows we’re watching, too…” Sunset remarked, whistling, “Well… at least that woman is out of our lives for the rest of forever.”

“The rest of forever?” Aria asked, “What’sa matter? Can’t brain today?”

“Oh, shut up,” Sunset giggled, playfully shoving her. “Sona? Are you okay?”

“Yeah… Yeah, I’m all right,” Sonata nodded, “I guess I’m just a little surprised. But anyway, what Mommy did for us here… I know it was coincidental timing, but it’s like she was giving us one last gift… Just to make us feel better.”

Aria and Sunset nodded as Aria turned off the TV. “Yeah… yeah it was. This was nice… it was really nice…”

“I want to cry, and yet I’m too excited to cry,” Sonata giggled a little, “I’m just sad we couldn’t give her our anniversary present…”

“Well… she did tell us to give you something,” Sunset smirked as she and Aria sidled up closer to Sonata.

“Huh?” Sonata looked up at her, “What do you mean?”

Aria and Sunset smirked as they lifted Sonata into the air, holding her between them.

“...Is this about the strap-ons?”

The two of them quietly nodded as they kissed down Sonata’s neck.

“Okay, just… one at a time, please…” Sonata giggled a little, nuzzling them.

Aria and Sunset chuckled, “Let’s take her into the room,” they said in unison, perching Sonata on Aria’s hip as they retreated to the bedroom.