As the train came to a stop in Canterlot’s station, Rainbow woke up from her nap with a small snort. She blearily opened her eyes to look out of the window only to get a faceful of bright light from the setting sun, making her wince. They had taken the early afternoon train out of Ponyville, and after talking with Twilight for a little over an hour, Rainbow had decided to sleep the rest of the trip up, and naturally, Scootaloo had fallen asleep nestled safely in her grasp.

She felt Scootaloo stir between her forelegs, then heard her mumble something inaudible. “What was that?” Rainbow croaked out, her voice hoarse. She spread her forelegs to give Scootaloo a little bit more room, then brushed her daughter’s mane with a hoof. Rainbow glanced down at the cast that pinned her wings to her side before Scootaloo spoke up.

“I said, are we there already?” Scootaloo rubbed her eyes and sat up to peer out the window. “Wow... I must have slept through the entire train ride, huh?”

“Sure looks like it!” Spike said from the seat across from them as he stowed his latest addition to his comic book collection in his backpack. “I just spent the whole train ride re-reading the entire Power Ponies series!”

“Yes, Spike, I know,” Twilight said with a light giggle. “You and I talked about it all the way up here, remember?”

“Heh, yeah...” Spike sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, then he slid from the seat. “So we going or what? You told your parents that we’d be up here by eight, but it’s already half an hour past that! See?” He gestured at the train station’s clock with a claw, pointing out the window.

“Well then, we’d better hurry up! I don’t like being late, you know.” Twilight nudged Rainbow’s flank with her muzzle, nearly pushing her from the seat. “Come on, sleepyhead. There’ll be time for us to snuggle later. My parents said that they were making a big dinner for us, and I am getting pretty hungry.” She felt Spike hop up onto her back.

“Yeah, same here.” Rainbow hopped off of the seat and nuzzled Scootaloo again. “So whatcha say, squirt? Wanna get some grub?”

“Sure! Can I ride on your back?” Scootaloo asked rather sheepishly, eyeing Spike on Twilight’s back. A small yawn parted her lips moments before Rainbow held out her wing for her to climb onto. “T-thanks, uh... Mom.”

“No problem, Scoots.” Rainbow waited until Scootaloo settled down between her wings, then she tightened the strap on her saddlebag. She felt Scootaloo lay down and wrap her small forelegs as far around her neck as she could, so she made a mental note to not whip her head around for fear of throwing her daughter off. Shooting a smile at Twilight, she asked, “So what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

They made the trip to Twilight’s street in record time, the promise of food making their steps light and quick. The thought to fly was ever prevalent on Twilight’s mind, but a part of her preferred to simply trot down the roads that used to be so familiar to her as a filly. Most of the shops that she remembered had been long since replaced by other businesses, but the walk back home still held an aura of familiarity that she held close to her heart.

Walking up the road that led up to her old house, Twilight paused a few houses down. She was so used to just walking in and out of the place that she once called home, but now that she had her own place, it felt rather improper to just walk inside. So, after taking a breath to steady her nerves, she looked at Rainbow and asked, “You ready? I’m pretty sure my parents aren’t aware of the fact that we’re a couple, so just be prepared for that. I don’t think it’s gonna be a problem, but...”

“Everything’s gonna be fine, Twilight!” Spike spoke up. “They’re your parents, and they’ve always loved you no matter what. Why would you being with Rainbow make them think otherwise?”

“Exactly, Spike!” Rainbow said with a confident grin. “If anything, they should feel glad that you’ve found somepony to love.”

“Yeah, I guess. I just, well... they were always talking about grandfoals and all that. I know that Cadence and Shining will eventually have foals of their own, but...”

“What, I don’t count?” Scootaloo lifted her head from the back of Rainbow’s neck and giggled.

“Of course you do, squirt!” Rainbow started walking again. “She was just saying that she thought that her parents assumed that she’d get with a stallion, and not an awesome pony like me. Isn’t that right, Twi?”

“Yeah, it is.” Twilight caught up to her and nuzzled Rainbow just below her left ear. “You really are a catch, Dashie... One in a million.” Their conversation lapsed into silence as they walked up the path leading to Twilight’s old house. Twilight felt Spike rub the side of her neck. As she lifted her hoof again to knock on the door, she looked over her shoulder and whispered, “Thanks, Spike.” Then, after taking yet another deep breath, she fluffed her wings and knocked on the door three times. Twilight heard hoofsteps come from inside, then a few seconds later, the door flew open to reveal her mother.

“Twilight! Rainbow!” Twilight Velvet pulled the both of them into a fierce hug, one that only a mother could pull off. “It’s so good to see you all!” She let go of them and looked at Spike. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about you, mister!” Velvet stepped in between her daughter and Rainbow and laid the wettest of kisses on Spike’s cheek.

“Heh, yeah, it’s good to see you too!” Spike wiped his cheek off with a claw.

“H-hello,” Scootaloo said, rubbing her left leg with a hoof. “You’re Twilight’s mom, right? So... are you my grandma?” she asked hesitantly. Sliding off of Rainbow, she stepped up to Twilight Velvet and cocked her head to the side, her breath catching in her throat.

“I suppose I am, little one!” Twilight Velvet leaned down and nuzzled Scootaloo’s head. “It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Scootaloo. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you!”

“Honey, is that them? Night Light’s voice echoed from deep inside the house.

“Yep!” Twilight Velvet yelled over her shoulder. Looking back at her guests, she stepped aside and waved them in.

Spike jumped off of Twilight’s back and scampered up to Velvet. “So whatcha cookin? Anything particularly tasty?”

“You bet! We made Twilight’s favorite salad, iceberg lettuce with baby carrots soaked in ranch dressing! But for you? We made so many hay fries and nachos that you’ll be eating leftovers for days!” She paused as she closed the door behind everybody. “Hey Twilight, why don’t you go show Rainbow and Scootaloo their guest room? I made sure both your old bedroom and the guest room was squeaky clean!”

“Guest bedroom? When did we get one of those?” Twilight asked, cocking her head to the side.

“Oh, I redid your older brother’s room last year. I also found his stash of some rather... inappropriate magazines, too,” she added with a blush. “I figured that since he and Cadence have their own castle now that he wouldn’t mind me redoing his room.”

Separate rooms? Twilight licked her dry lips and glanced at Rainbow, knowing that she was thinking the same thing. She saw her open her mouth to say something, but with a nudge from her flank, she shut her up. “Sure, I’ll get everybody’s stuff upstairs, and then we’ll come right back down!” She nodded towards the stairs, and thankfully, Rainbow took the hint.

“You wanna come help Mommy put your stuff up, Scootaloo?” Rainbow asked.

“Sure!” Scootaloo scampered upstairs, beating Twilight and Rainbow to the top. “So where are the bedrooms? This place is huge!”

“My bedroom is this way, little one,” Twilight said, nodding to the left. She stepped forward, Rainbow and Scootaloo close behind. With a quick spell, she pushed her door open. Her bed was neatly made, complete with two light purple pillowcases. Her floor to ceiling bookshelves looked like they had just been freshly dusted, and her usually dirty desk was bare of any books, quills, and parchment.

“So, uh... Twilight?” Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck as Scootaloo took her saddlebag off. As her daughter hopped on Twilight’s bed, she asked, “I know your mom just said that she made a separate room for me and Scootaloo to sleep in, but... do you have any idea how she’s gonna react when we tell her that we were planning on sleeping together?”

Twilight giggled. Hehe, phrasing... “Well... she might be a little shocked that we’re already snuggling, but I don’t think that she’d be opposed to it. Just... let me do the talking, okay?”

“Yeah, alright. So what about Scootaloo and Spike?” Rainbow used the tip of a feather to unfasten her saddlebag, which she stowed in the corner.

“They can sleep in the guest bedroom, I suppose.” Twilight lit her horn and lifted Scootaloo from her bed, then placed her on her back. “Wanna go see where you and Spike are sleeping?”

“Totally!” Scootaloo let her legs fall on either side of Twilight’s back, then she yawned. “Even after that nap on the train ride, I’m still feeling pretty sleepy.”

“Yeah, me too,” Rainbow said as she left Twilight’s room, looking left and right. “So where’s Shining’s old room?”

“Just to the left of mine,” Twilight said as she trotted past Rainbow. “Riiiiight here!” With another flash from her horn, she opened up the door to Shining’s old bedroom. “Woah...” All of Shining’s old posters had been replaced by a few pictures of the scenery around Canterlot. The Royal Gardens, Waterfall Park, and the Overlook? The dark blue walls had been painted a light brown color, the window had a pair of white curtains, and the stench was all gone. The bed was noticeably bigger and was clad in a pure white comforter.

“Wait, only one bed? What about Spike?” Scootaloo cocked her head to the side as she jumped off of Twilight’s back. She hopped up onto the bed and curled up into a ball, sinking down into the bed. “Dang, this is comfy!” With a light giggle, she glanced at Rainbow. “But not as comfy as your bed, Dash!”

“Oh yeah?” Rainbow grinned as she flew to the bed. “Well, this bed is pretty nice, and super big, too. Would you mind sharing it with Spike while we’re here?”

Scootaloo thought about it for a couple of seconds. “Nah.”

“Awesome. Now come on, you two lazy bugs! Mom’s made dinner, and I’d hate to keep my parents waiting.” Twilight stepped to the side, letting Rainbow and Scootaloo walk past her. They trotted downstairs and made their way into the dining room where Night Light, Twilight Velvet, and Spike were.

“Twilight!” Night Light stood up and embraced his daughter. “It’s been much too long!”

Twilight wrapped her hooves around his neck and nuzzled him. “I know, and I’m sorry we didn’t stop by after the trial. We were just so caught up in things that I didn’t even think to come home for a while.”

“Oh, that’s okay. You’re here now, and that’s all that matters!” Night Light stepped back and looked at Rainbow Dash. “Ah, Miss Dash, I presume?” he asked with a warm smile.

“Yep! It’s nice to finally meet you, sir.” Rainbow glanced around the table. “So, uh... where do you want us all to sit?”

“Oh, just sit wherever you want to, dear!” Twilight Velvet said with a dismissive wave of her hoof.

“Sweet...” Rainbow watched as Scootaloo walked around the table to sit next to Spike. Twilight sat down across from her mother as Night Light sat down at the head of the table. Eyeing the cushion next to Twilight, she shook her mane out of her face and sat down next to her marefriend. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Velvet eyeing her, so she forced herself to not look in her direction.

Once everybody had plenty of food on their plates, Night Light cleared his throat. “So, Twilight? How’ve things been? I’m sure you and Rainbow Dash have had a lot on your plate since you got legal custody of Scootaloo.”

“Yeah, things have been a little rough, but we’ve gotten through them just fine,” Twilight said, sneaking a glance over at Rainbow. She smiled at her and flicked her tail around Rainbow’s flank, then looked back over at her father, knowing all too well that he couldn’t see her small sign of affection towards her marefriend. “Scootaloo is recovering pretty well, and since her abusive parents are still on the loose, we thought it’d be nice to get away for a while.”

“Hey, you guys aren’t abusive!” Scootaloo said indignantly. She tried to hold a neutral expression, but she couldn’t hold her smile back.

“Yeah, you bet your flank we aren’t!” Rainbow said with a giggle. She looked over at Twilight’s parents. “We’ve already given her a bedroom in my house.”

“Don’t you live in a cloudhouse, Rainbow?” Twilight Velvet spoke up.

“I sure do!” Rainbow shoved a forkful of salad into her mouth.

“So do you two have a schedule or something for who watches over Scootaloo? Or does she stay at your house all the time?” Velvet asked, toying with the food on her plate.

“Oh, we don’t have any sort of schedule. Since our houses are connected, we don’t have to worry about dropping Scootaloo off at all. Since our daughter can’t fly yet, she needed a way to get up to my house.”

“Mo~om!” Scootaloo glared at Rainbow as she crossed her forelegs. “You didn’t have to tell them that...” she mumbled.

“Oh...” Woops... Me and my big mouth! Rainbow’s shoulders slumped as her smile left her face. “Sorry, Scootaloo, I—”

“Gotcha! Hehe, you sure are gullible.” Scootaloo grinned and looked over at Twilight’s parents. “My wings are smaller than usual,” she explained. “Even though some doctor said that I’d never be able to fly, I don’t believe him. You know why? Because Rainbow promised me that she’d help me get up there, no matter what!” She didn’t notice Rainbow grimace.

“Aww, how sweet...” Velvet cooed. “So... why are your houses connected?” she asked Twilight.

“Well... in order for us to get custody of Scootaloo, we had to make certain arrangements. We were told that we couldn’t use the library as Scootaloo’s primary residence because it was public property, and Rainbow’s home floats in the air, so... Rainbow tied her front porch to my bedroom’s balcony.”

“So... let me get this straight.” Night Light propped his head up on his hooves. “In order for Scootaloo to get to Rainbow’s house, she has to go through your bedroom? Wouldn’t that get a little annoying if you were trying to sleep, having ponies walk in and out of your bedroom?”

“It’s not like that, Dad,” Twilight said, feeling her cheeks warm up as she blushed. “Rainbow and I, we’ve... grown really close since we’ve started taking care of Scootaloo, and...” She looked at Rainbow as she paused, her heart racing in her chest.

“Let’s just say that we share the same bed,” Rainbow said, finishing Twilight’s sentence for her. She pushed her cushion up against Twilight’s and laid a wing across her back, tugging her close. Feeling just how tense she was, she massaged her back for a few moments, then said, “We’re together now.” Twilight kept shivering under her wing, even though the room wasn’t all that cold. “And I love Twilight, too,” she added with a smile.

“...I see,” Night Light said, his voice low. “Is this right, Twilight?”

“Yes, it is.” Twilight flicked her gaze up to meet her father’s, expecting his face to wear a look of disapproval. “We, um... we’re in love, Dad.” She felt Rainbow grab her hoof, which she held onto with all of her strength.

Night Light chuckled, then grinned. “Well, I’m glad to hear that.” Looking at Rainbow, he said, “You’ve got yourself a very special mare, Rainbow. Don’t ever forget that.”

Rainbow pulled Twilight up against her side, then said, “I never will...” As Twilight turned to look at her, Rainbow nuzzled her cheek. “I love you, Twi...” she whispered, her voice so soft only Twilight could hear her.

“I know... I love you too, Dashie...” Twilight whispered back, her eyes closed. Her ears laying flat on her head, she looked up see her mother wink at her.

“Anyways...” Rainbow loosened her grasp on Twilight as she started eating again. “I was thinking that Scootaloo and Spike could share Shining Armor’s old room so that Twilight and I can sleep together.”

Night Light dropped his fork, his mouth open wide as he stared at Rainbow. “Wait, what?”