"Help."

The mare was asking for help! Caramel looked back to Bitternut Dandy, his eyes smoldered with rage. "You did hurt her! How dare you hurt a mare!" Caramel snarled at Bitternut Dandy. Caramel was usually slow to anger, but Bitternut had been riding his patience since the moment they met, and this latest encounter just put him over the top.

Bitternut Dandy took a step back and lifted his hoof defensively as he became alarmed at what saw in Caramel's eyes. "That's it, I'm getting the Constable! I hope you enjoy jail!" He said with a sneer.

Caramel dropped the bottle and formula he was carrying to the floor and snorted in anger, pawing his hoof across the carpet. "Go ahead and get him, I'm sure he will be interested in what you have been doing to her!" Caramel jerked his head towards the mare, who had stepped back and was quietly watching the exchange with wide scared filled eyes.

That seemed to give Bitternut Dandy pause. "She can't tell him anything, she's mute! It will be my word against yours, and since I am her brother, he'll believe whatever I tell him!" He sneered smugly, believing that there was nothing Caramel could do.

"You see this." Caramel lifted his hoof to his throat and slid it down to his chest where he tapped over his heart twice. "This means, help."

Bitternut Dandy suddenly looked pale as his eyes widened. "You can understand that stupid hoof talk?" He asked in disbelief, apparently it never occurred to him that anypony would even bother.

Caramel stomped his hoof to the floor angrily. "That stupid hoof talk is sign language, something apparently you never learned. I wonder what Tin Star will think when I share what she has to say to him, perhaps there is more she has to say then you would like."

Bitternut face suddenly contorted in rage, as he abruptly charged. Caramel wasn't expecting this and was caught by surprise. Even though Caramel was more fit, Bitternut still had thirty pounds on him, and when Bitternut slammed into him, Caramel was lifted up and shoved back until his shoulders slammed into the wall, he could hear the plaster shatter and cave in from his impact with it. Pain exploded on his back and shoulder where it had slammed into the wall, and his chest burned where Bitternut had his hooves shoved into it. Caramel tried to push back, but Bitternut was pressed in too close and he didn't have the leverage.

"Everything was just fine until I met you miserable country hick ponies!" Suddenly Bitternut shifted his hooves to Caramel's throat and pressed in hard, chocking off his air. "Perhaps when I'm done with you, I should teach your cow a lesson as well! She seems like the kind who could use a little discipline to keep her in her place."

Caramel knew he was in trouble, he could see spots at the edge of his vision. Desperately he punched at Bitternut's ribs, but his position was bad for a good strike and all he got from Bitternut was a grunt. Reaching his hooves up, Caramel tried to pry Bitternut's hooves away from his throat. Slowly he managed to pry his hooves up just enough so that he could get a much needed breath.

Just down the hall Caramel's door swung open and Goldie stuck her head out. "What's going?... Caramel!" Goldie suddenly cried out, seeing the situation he was in. Apparently she heard the scuffle and rushed to the door. Caramel wanted to shout to Goldie to get back into the room but his hooves were slipping and his throat was once again being pressed into. Caramel redoubled his efforts to push Bitternut off him, when something suddenly slammed into Bitternut's side, throwing him off of Caramel.

"Get off my husband you sorry excuse for trash!" Goldie shouted. Caramel was suddenly able to breath again as he slumped down, gasping to catch his breath, Goldie was there, helping to hold him up. Bitternut rolled to a stop on the floor, having been thrown an impressive distance down the hallway when Goldie rammed him off of Caramel.

Caramel looked over at Goldie as she supported him, he could see the rage broiling in her eyes as she glared murder at Bitternut, looking like she was ready to tear Butternut's throat out, Caramel had never seen her so scary looking.

Bitternut quickly climbed back to his hooves and whirled back to them, where he suddenly snarled and spat onto the floor when he saw the chest the mare was carrying laying on the floor with the mare now gone. "Curse that sow! She's not getting away from me!" Bitternut shouted before he dashed past the startled Caramel and Goldie. He ran down the hall to the stairs where they could hear him as he descended hurriedly before he slammed the front door open as he rushed out.

Caramel vision had cleared and he was now able to stand on his own. "Where's Cinnamon? Is she safe?" He asked worriedly.

"She's fine, I put her in the crib before I rushed out to see what was going on." Goldie reassured him, before she started to look him over. "How are you? Did he hurt you?" She asked as she started to feel around his body looking for any injury's.

"I'm fine, just a bit banged up. Did you see where that mare went?" Caramel asked, looking around.

"When I came out, I saw a light blue mare running down the stairs, is that who your talking about?" Goldie replied, still looking him over, as she was not totally convinced that he was uninjured.

"What happened up here!?" Mrs. Swan exclaimed from the stairs as she ascended up them. "Oh my gosh! Caramel, Golden! Are you two okay? whatever happened?" Her eyes were wide with concern as she surveyed the scene.

"I'm fine, we're all fine, though I am sorry about your wall." Caramel was surprised at how much damage he actually caused when he was pushed into the wall, there was now a large depression in the shape of his back and shoulders.

"Never mind the wall, I'm just glad nopony was hurt" Mrs. Swan said in relief.

"It was that Bitternut Dandy! He attacked my husband!" Goldie said angrily gesturing with her hoof to the stairs.

"Dandy!? Why would he attack you?" Mrs. Swan asked Caramel, confused.

"When I came back upstairs, Bitternut was leaving his room with a blue pegasus mare. She had a chest strapped to her back, and I saw what looked like kick marks on her body, as well as her left eye was swollen shut."

Goldie gasped and covered her mouth, shocked at the cruelty he had just described, Mrs. Swan on the other hoof just looked angry, and she scowled at Bitternut's door.

"Bitternut said she was his sister, but I'm not sure I believe him." Caramel said. "I found out the mare was deaf when she signed help to me. Bitternut didn't like that, and attacked me. During our scuffle the mare got free and ran away, once Goldie knocked Bitternut off of me, he saw that she was gone and went after her." Caramel said as he started for the stairs. "I'm going to go look for her, I need to find her before Bitternut does."

"Not without me your not!" Goldie shouted as she hurried after him.

Caramel paused to look back. "Somepony needs to stay and watch after Cinnamon."

Mrs. Swan waved her hoof. "Go on, I'll watch her, go find that mare before Bitternut does."

With a nod of thanks to Mrs. Swan, Caramel rushed down the stairs with Goldie right behind him. As they reached the main floor, they started for the front door, but Bentleaf suddenly stepped out and stopped them.

"Excuse me, do you two know why there is a mare hiding under the stairs, crying?" Bentleaf asked, hoping they would have an answer as to why a strange mare would secret herself under the stairs to weep.

Caramel exchanged looks with Goldie. Could it be this easy? "Show us." Caramel and Goldie said together.

Bentleaf lead them around to the back side of the stairs where there was a small door, opening it they found the light cornflower blue pegasus mare huddled up in the dark. She looked absolutely miserable, as she looked up at them. Tear streaks ran down her cheeks, and her eyes were fearful and panicked looking.

Lifting his hoof, Caramel signed to her. "It's safe now, he's gone. We won't let him get you." She blinked at him in surprise, it appeared that she never expected to find somepony who could use sign language. Caramel smiled at her as he gestured for her to come out.

The mare glanced between Caramel and Goldie, looking unsure as to what to do. Slowly she nervously crept out. Lifting his hoof, Caramel introduced himself and Goldie to her, explaining that they wanted to help her. Goldie smiled gently and stepped next to the mare and gently ushered her to the kitchen, where Goldie started to fuss over the mare's wounds. They seemed to be mostly superficial, though the kick mark over her ribs, made the mare flinch when Goldie examined it. And the swelling over her eye appeared to be older and had already started to heal.

As Bentleaf went to bring his wife downstairs, Goldie wet a towel and started to wash the mare's tear streaked face.

"The poor dear, she looks so banged up." Mrs. Swan said as she entered the kitchen, carrying Cinnamon.

The mare was looking to be much calmer now, as her shivers appeared to be settling down, though her eyes kept roaming around the room, constantly looking at everypony nervously. Goldie brought her some water and a banana nut muffin that was sitting on a nearby tray. The mare quickly took the glass and downed the water in a few large gulps, then set onto the muffin, devouring it in moments. Seeing how hungry she was, Goldie moved the tray of muffins over to her, where the mare took another one and began eating it at a more reasonable if hurried rate.

After she finished her second muffin, the mare hesitantly lifted her hoof and began signing to Caramel. "She says her name is Blueberry Cloud." Caramel said as he watched her.

"Ask her what happened to her." Goldie said, refilling Blueberry's glass with more water, before moving over next to Caramel.

Caramel signed the question and they all waited for the mare's answer. Blueberry drank the refilled water more slowly this time, but she still drained it all down. When she was done, she began signing quickly.

Caramel was rather rusty and was having trouble following what she was saying. "She says that she's from Las Pegasus and that she couldn't stand her tyrannical father anymore and ran away. Her half brother Bitternut was sent by their father to bring her back, and he's been keeping her in that large chest ever since he caught her, he even forced her to carry it."

"How horrible!" Goldie exclaimed, looking truly horrified. Caramel felt sick as he wondered if that thump he heard this morning could have been made by Blueberry when she was inside the trunk.

"I'll say. I think we better get the constable, he's going to want to hear this." Mrs. Swan said with a nod.

When Caramel finished signing what Mrs. Swan said to Blueberry she suddenly started to shake her head emphatically, then she began quickly signing.

"She says that her father has some really rotten lawyers working for him, and whatever trouble Bitternut gets in, they will get just him off, and then they will force Blueberry to go back home. She says that they did it before, and they will do it again."

"Why doesn't she just fly away?" Bentleaf asked, gesturing to her wings.

When Caramel relayed the question, Blueberry sadly shook her head, slowly she unfurled her wings and they all gasped. All her feathers had been clipped short, there was no way she could fly.

"How can anypony get away with such a travesty? Clipping a pegasi's wings is a heinous act, and nopony should get away with it not even family." Goldie said with a angry snort.

"Well, we could always use a hoof around here, how about she stay here until it's safe to move on?" Mrs. Swan offered, but again when Caramel relayed that idea Blueberry shook her head and began signing again.

"She says that its not safe to stay here, Bitternut will keep looking in Galloping Springs until he finds her. Their father has cut him off from his trust fund until he brings her back home, and that has made him very determined and angry."

Goldie thought for a moment. "Hmm, then how about this idea. Our train leaves in just over an hour, what if we just take her with us. Bitternut can search Galloping Springs all he wants, he won't find her if she's in Ponyville." Goldie said.

When Caramel finished telling Blueberry, she thought about it a moment, at first she seemed happy about the idea but then her face fell and she started signing.

"She's sure that Bitternut will be waiting at the train station and she's worried that he will see her, that's how he found her last time." Caramel said, glancing around to see if anypony had an idea.

Goldie gave Blueberry a good looking over, her coat was a light cornflower blue, and her mane and tail was a darker moderate blue. An idea started to form in her mind, an idea that just might work. "What if we made her into another pony?" She offered.

Everypony looked at her, and after glancing around at where all the others were looking so did Blueberry, though she didn't know why they were all now looking at Goldie.

"What are you getting at?" Caramel asked, curious about the smile that Goldie was now wearing.

Goldie turned to Swan Song. "Do you have any black tea, coffee, or beetroot powder."

Mrs. Swan gave her an intrigued look as she started to grin, it appeared she knew what Goldie was thinking. "I have all of those in the pantry."

Goldie's smile grew bigger, this was going to work. "Then lets get brewing, we don't have a lot of time. We'll need your biggest pot for this."

Mrs. Swan hurried over to Caramel to pass him Cinnamon before she hustled off to get what Goldie needed. Caramel watched Goldie as she rifled through the cupboard and pulled out a large pot, with a satisfied smile.

"Goldie, what is this plan your concocting?" Caramel asked her, as she filled the large pot with water. "What are you going to do to her?"

"I am trying my hoof as an artist!" She answered excitedly. "My sister Aura is going to be so proud of me." Setting the filled pot onto the stove she started the burners under it. Turning back to Caramel she planted a kiss to his lips for a brief moment, before glancing over to Blueberry, who was looking around at all the activity with a confused look. "Ask her if she ever wanted to be dark purple?"

Waiting outside the bathroom, Caramel played with Cinnamon. Laying his ears down low, Caramel would suddenly spring them up straight with a surprised look, then he would lay them down again and wait a moment before he sprang them back up again, Caramel watched as she burbled and blew spit bubbles in happy delight at the strange movements of his ears. The bathroom door finally opened and Goldie and Mrs. Swan both stepped out beaming, taking up positions to each side of the door, Goldie held up a hoof.

"Now introducing the new and totally disguised to not look like Blueberry, Blueberry!" When Blueberry failed to step out of the door, Goldie quickly stuck her head in and gestured for her to come out. After a moment Blueberry hesitantly emerged, Caramel gaped at her in surprise, in the short time they worked on her, they had done a fairly good job of disguising her. Her mane and tail were so dark a blue they were almost black, while her coat shone as a deep purple, and she now wore a cream colored dress that covered her wings as well as her cloud with lightning bolt cutie mark.

Blueberry paused, shyly looking around. "How do I look?" She asked, nervously gesturing with her hoof.

Caramel grinned at her, eyeing her up and down. "You look very different." He then turned to Goldie. "How did you manage to change her color?"

Goldie was looking very pleased with herself. "It's something I heard about, if you brew coffee, and black tea, together, then soak it in a light colored coat you will temporally stain it darker, and if you add the magenta from beetroot powder into it, then you will give it a purple ting, and with her natural blue color, it worked out even better."

Caramel was amazed at her quick thinking in coming up with this idea. Leaning forward he gave his smug wife a kiss. "You are just full of surprises." He said as he moved back.

Goldie quickly wrapped her hooves around his neck to keep him close. "You better believe it." She then planted her lips to his for a much more detailed kiss then the quick one he gave her a moment ago.

"Oh my... you two are hopeless." Mrs. Swan said with a shake of her head and giggle. "Ahhh, to be young again."

Unnoticed by Caramel and Goldie, their bands started to glow. Blueberry gave a start of surprise when she saw them glowing, but Mrs. Swan didn't seem concerned about the strangely glowing bands on their legs. Looking closely Blueberry wondered what they were, and how they got them, she found the soft golden color they glowed pretty.

"Is this the one?" Bentleaf asked as he came down the hall. Caramel and Goldie broke from their kiss to look back at him. Upon his back was a white, wide brimmed derby hat with yellow lace.

"Yep, that's the one, bring it here." Mrs. Swan said, gesturing for him to bring it to her.

Taking it from Bentleaf, Mrs. Swan put it on Blueberry head and stood back to look. "That should do nicely." Indeed, the wide brim of the derby hat did a very good job of covering most of Blueberry's face.

"Well then, lets go catch a train." Caramel announced, before he kissed Goldie once more for luck.

Once they were at the train station, Goldie and Blueberry, sat down on one of the numerous benches to wait for Caramel to buy Blueberry's ticket and to upgrade them to a private cabin. Goldie was now wearing her white dress, along with a sun hat that Mrs. Swan had given her to use so that Blueberry wouldn't stand out. Mrs. Swan and her husband Bentleaf were so generous, they refused any compensation for the damage caused to the wall in the hallway, nor for any of the dresses or hats that they were given.

Cinnamon was burbling happily in her lap as Goldie idly looked about, she could see that Blueberry was nervous as her eyes kept flicking about, she wished again that she say something to Blueberry to help calm her, and she made a mental note to have Caramel teach her sign language whenever they were free. Reaching over, Goldie set her hoof atop of Blueberry's as she sought to reassure her, but when she did Blueberry gave a little jump when her hoof touched hers but she quickly settled down and looked at her and smiled her appreciation for her gesture. It was then that something caught Blueberry's eye and she shifted her gaze to look behind Goldie and her uninjured eye suddenly widened in fear.

Goldie resisted the urge to whirl about and look behind herself as she pressed down on Blueberry's hoof trying to regain her attention. At first Blueberry didn't respond but then she blinked as she regained her senses and quickly looked down hiding her face with her hat. Goldie could feel Blueberry's hoof was quivering under hers, and once again she thought how despicable Bitternut was, a brother was supposed to protect his sister, not terrorized them.

With a casual glance, Goldie spied Bitternut standing across the station looking around as he searched for Blueberry, with where they were sitting in relation to him, there was no way he didn't see them sitting there, but thankfully it seemed Blueberry disguise was working. Turning away, Goldie looked towards the ticket counter and saw Caramel working his way back with a ticket in his mouth.

Goldie nudged Blueberry and nodded towards Caramel, lifting the blanket wrapped Cinnamon up, they both stood and went to him.

Bitternut was annoyed, he had spent the last hour scouring this hick town for his worthless sister, and she had yet to show her ugly face. Why did father want her back so badly anyways, its not like he cared for her all that much. He let out a irritated sigh as he scanned the platform again, but failed to see his sister, but one pony did catch his attention.

It was that nosy stallion from the B&B, the one he never bothered to learn the name of, and there was his cow of a wife trying to look fancy in a dress and hat while holding that noisy snot nosed whelp of theirs. With them was a new pony also trying to look fancy in a dress and hat, he couldn't see her face because of the large brim of her derby hat, so he settled on admiring the soft curves he was able to make out from around her dress, there was a strange bulge he could see along her sides, and as he thought about it he concluded that they were probably wings. Strange he thought, most pegasie tailor their dresses so that their wings would stick out.

His eyes followed them as they moved and boarded the train, there was something about that deep purple mare that was bothering him, there was a nervousness about her steps and as he watched her board the train, she glanced over towards him and as their eyes met for that brief moment before she disappeared inside, he saw recognition in her eyes. Recognition and fear.

Caramel slid open the door to their private cabin and let the two mares and filly in first, before joining them and closing the door behind himself. Now that they were alone, they all let out a relived sigh. Caramel stored his luggage bag in a bin above the seats before he sat down with the others.

"I was so scared." Blueberry signed to Caramel who repeated it to Goldie.

"He was there, and he was looking right at us." Goldie added, as she adjusted Cinnamon in her lap.

"Did he recognize her?" Caramel asked, concerned that she might have been discovered.

Goldie shook her head. "I don't think so, at least he didn't look like he did."

"Well lets hope for the best then." Caramel said, before looking across to Blueberry, lifting his hoof, he signed as he spoke. "So then, tell us about yourself."

Blueberry nibbled her lip for a moment as she thought, but then after a moment she began signing, Caramel relayed what she signed to Goldie.

"My father's name is Lucky Strike, and he owns of The Lucky Horseshoe Casino in Las Pegasus, my mother was Silver Step, one of the greatest ballerina dancers of her time. When they discovered I was deaf, my father was very disappointed and from then on he would have very little to do with me, calling me defective. My mother loved me none of the less, and even before I was eating solid foods, she had hired a teacher to teach her sign language so that she could teach it to me when I was older." Caramel struggled to keep up with her as she signed.

It was at this point that Blueberry paused as her gaze dropped down sadly, after a short period she resumed. "When I was about to start school, my mother became very sick and died, I was devastated and didn't come out of my room for a week." Caramel became a little chocked up at hearing this, he knew what it was like to loose family, he felt Goldie lean into him as she offered some comfort for him, for she knew how close to home this was to him. "My father never shed a tear at her passing and saw me as an embarrassment, he never enrolled me in school like what mother wanted, and my grandpapa became very angry when he heard about this and hired tutors to come and teach me."

Goldie leaned forward. "You didn't mention Bitternut, were is he in all of this."

When Caramel finished signing Goldie's question, Blueberry grimaced and let out a sigh. "Bitternut is the result of my father dalliance with one of his casino dancers, on his wedding day of all days. After my mother died, he used his crooked lawyers to get full custody of Bitternut, and took him from his mother. Ever since Bitternut moved in he has been a terror to my life, bullying me every chance he gets, and father allows it, he said that I needed toughening up."

Caramel couldn't believe a father could act that way towards his own daughter, if it turned out that there was something wrong with Cinnamon, he would love her just the same. "If your father doesn't care for you, then why does he want you back so bad? Why doesn't he just let you go live your own life." Caramel asked, speaking out loud for Goldie.

Outside the train horn blasted out, and a moment latter, the train shuddered as it started moving forward, pulling away from the station. They all gazed out the window and gladly watched Galloping Springs moving past thankful they were now on their way to Ponyville.

Blueberry looked like she was about to cry as she watched the scenery pass by, she had been though a lot, and Caramel was sure that the relief she was feeling was sure to be quite overwhelming. Once the outskirts of the town passed and they could see the rolling fields of grass and oak trees.

"My father wants me to stay because my grandpapa is in poor health, and is likely to die soon."Blueberry resumed, answering Caramel's last question. "Grandpapa owns the largest newspaper in Cloudsdale and he hates my father, calling me the only good thing to come out of his daughter marrying my father. Once my grandpapa passes, I will become the sole beneficiary for his estate, and once that happens, my father is going to use his lawyers to deem me incompetent of caring for myself or my finances and my father will take guardianship over me, and take it all for himself. He's been wanting to buy a second casino to expand his business, and he is going to use me to get what he wants."

Goldie was aghast. "How horrible! A father is supposed to love their daughter not use them to get what they want! Just look at Caramel, he's a prime example of what a father should be like." Caramel flushed at the praise she gave him, and he awkwardly relayed what she said to Blueberry, while he did so Goldie leaned over and affectionately nuzzled Caramel's neck, her marriage band began to glow as her feelings for him manifested.

Blueberry noticed this. "What is the glowing bands around your legs?" She asked curiously.

Caramel glanced at Goldie's leg and noticed that her band was glowing. "I guess it's our turn to tell our story, sit back, this is going to take a while." As Caramel told Blueberry about themselves, Goldie laid herself out as best she could to nurse Cinnamon. While she nursed, Goldie watched as Caramel signed to Blueberry, she was fascinated at how a pony could communicate just by gestures. As she observed, she noticed that Caramel also used his ears sometimes, cocking them into strange angles as he told Blueberry their tale. Laying her head back, she watched until she drifted off to sleep.

After a while, when he finished telling an abridged version of the last couple of days, Caramel notices that Goldie had fallen asleep. With an amused look down, he saw that Cinnamon was also asleep while still clamped onto Goldie's teat. Shaking his head at the sight he reached down and gently pulled Cinnamon off of Goldie's teat before moving the filly down to her other one, and after he brushed it across Cinnamon's lips a few times, she sleepily opened her mouth and took the new teat in and suckled, after a few moments, Cinnamon perked up and began nursing more vigorously.

Opening the diaper bag, he took out a small blanket and covered Goldie as best he could. Turning to Blueberry. "Wake me if anything happens." He signed to her before he settled himself against Goldie, resting his head onto her flank, closing his eyes he was asleep in moments.

Blueberry took off the derby hat and set it down on the seat next to her, sitting back she watched the landscape roll past the window. This small newly formed family was so kind to her, offering their help without asking for anything in return, so very different then her own family, she felt envious of the love and care she saw each of them give each other, wishing she had a family like them.

Their nap only lasted a hour, before Cinnamon decided that she needed her diaper changed, as Caramel readied Cinnamon, he glanced over at Blueberry. "Have you ever changed a diaper before?" He asked her.

Blueberry blinked at him in surprise before she mutely shook her head. "I have never taken care of a foal before, though I did hold one once a long time ago when a friend of my mothers came to visit and she let me hold her daughter."

Ginning, Caramel waved her over. "Well here's you chance, come on over."

Blueberry seemed stunned at what he was asking her to do, she had never been given this kind of responsibility before, her eyes went down to the squirming filly as she waited to be cleaned, slipping out of her chair she moved over to where Caramel freed up a spot for her. Goldie watched from her seat as Caramel patiently walked Blueberry through the trying experience of changing a foal's diaper. When Blueberry fastened the new diaper into place she looked up with a satisfied smile, proud of her accomplishment.

Happy that she was able to get the dirty job done without messing it up, Blueberry returned to her seat and was surprised when Caramel moved closer and set Cinnamon into her lap. "Here, you did such a wonderful job changing her diaper, how about you hold her for a bit." He signed to her.

Blueberry didn't know what to do, gently she gathered the filly up and cradled her in her hooves, seeing the nods and smiles from Goldie and Caramel, she guessed she did it right. Caramel sat with his wife and let her lean into him as they relaxed, happy that they were going home. After a bit, Goldie asked Caramel to teach her some sign language, as Caramel showed her some signs, he discovered that Goldie was a quick study. Blueberry helped out and even made a game of it, as they taught Goldie the alphabet, and some basic conversational signs.

The sun was just touching the horizon when their train pulled into the familiar depot of Ponyville. Stepping off the train, Caramel rolled his shoulder to settle the luggage bag on his back, Goldie and Blueberry had removed their dresses and stored them away. Blueberry had volunteered to carry Cinnamon's diaper bag while Goldie carried Cinnamon.

Before arriving, Caramel and Goldie had spoken about where they were going to go when they got here. It was quickly decided to go to Chisel and Lilly's house first, Caramel needed to break the news about Fudge to them and introduce them to Cinnamon. Goldie felt bad that she was putting her parents off until the next day, but she knew it was for the best.

Chisel and Lilly's house sat on the far side of Ponyville and as they walked through town Caramel ran though his head how best to tell them all that has happened, Goldie sensed his nervousness and leaned herself over against his side, letting him know he wasn't alone in this, Caramel gave her a grateful smile and nuzzled her just behind her ear, knowing how much she loved it when he did that.

Stepping up onto their front porch Caramel paused at the door, his feelings were in turmoil as he considered everything he was about to share with them, but Goldie was there again pressing into his side giving him the support he so much before needed. Whenever he came by to visit or to do his laundry he just went in without knocking so it felt a little strange to lift his hoof up and knock on their door.

The wait was short, hoofsteps could be heard aproching the door from the other side. The handle clicked and the door swung open reveling the peach lavender coat of Lilly Pad as she looked out at them. When she saw Caramel she suddenly rushed out and hugged him.

"Oh Caramel dear, it's been almost a week! We've been so worried, whatever happened?" She asked worriedly, after a moment she noticed Blueberry and Goldie standing nearby "Goldie!? What brings you by? I haven't seen you visit here in ages, not since you and Caramel put grey hairs in my tail." Lilly went to hug Goldie but then noticed she was carrying Cinnamon. "Oh my! Who is this!?"

"Aunt Lilly, I would like you to meet Cinnamon, and the mare on the other side of Goldie is Blueberry, she's a friend of ours." Caramel said as he introduced them. "Would you please get uncle Chisel? I have some important things to tell you two."

The serious tone of his voice and the fact he was using a family title with her caught her attention. "Of course, come in and have a seat in the parlor, I'll get Chisel and make us some tea." Lilly said as she started for the kitchen.

"Aunt Lilly,... the tea can wait. Please bring uncle Chisel, what we have to tell you two is important." Caramel pressed the need to speak to them, stepping to the side he let Goldie and Blueberry through the door first.

"This sounds rather serious. I'll go get him." She said, feeling the seriousness of his tone.

Caramel removed his luggage and set it off the the side of the entrance hall, before helping Blueberry take the diaper bag off her back as well, he lead them all into the parlor, there were several cushioned chairs and sofa's arranged around the room to comfortably entertain guests, two sofa couches sat across from each other with a small antique coffee table between, with a pair of sofa chairs sitting to the side.

Caramel led Goldie to one of the couches and let her sit first before he joined her, sitting just close enough to feel her against his side. Blueberry chose to sit in one of the smaller sofa chairs, curiously she looked around the room and admired the paintings and the decorative tea set inside a glass cabinet nearby.

Caramel felt a little sick as his stomach twisted around nervously, Goldie seemed so sense this as she reached over a hoof to rest it atop of his, a few moments latter Chisel and Lilly came in and sat across from them, Chisel looked around at the newcomers, he smiled warmly to Blueberry before he nodded to Goldie, the sight of Cinnamon gave him pause for a moment before he looked over to Caramel.

"So, what is it you want to tell us?" Chisel asked.

With a deep breath to steady himself, Caramel began telling the two about what happened to Fudge. Lilly cried out as she clutched at Chisel, her face wracked with grief, Chisel wasn't one to hide his feeling ether as tears streamed down his face as he held his wife and tried to comfort her. Caramel felt that pang of sorrow rear up at the sight of Chisel and Lilly grieving for Fudge, and he couldn't help the tears that welled up, and slowly dripped from his own eyes.

Goldie nudged him and gestured for him to go to them. Nodding, Caramel stood and crossed over to them, without a word they both opened up their embrace and brought him into it. Goldie noticed that Blueberry was looking very awkward, as this very personal scene was happening in front of her, Goldie realized that because of her upbringing, Blueberry had probably never seen a caring family comforting each other before. This will be a good thing for her to see, a true example of what a loving family should be like.

After a time, Caramel pulled back and waved Goldie forward, they both introduced Cinnamon, who was immediately taken in by the pair. Caramel and Goldie sat back on the sofa together, and watched as the two gushed over Cinnamon. Caramel and Goldie then both explained all that had happened since his leaving five days ago.

It turned out that it was a good thing that Chisel was holding Cinnamon instead of Lilly when they got to the part when they announced that they gotten married, because Lilly suddenly jumped up with a joyful cry and lunged over the coffee table to hug both Caramel and Goldie raining kisses on the two.

"I knew it! I knew it for all these years!" She shouted as she mushed kisses into a giggling Goldie and an embarrassed but stoic Caramel. "Oh, with how idiotic you've been acting with her since you came back, I was starting to loose hope!"

Blueberry watched the exchange with started eyes, the happiness, joy and love she was seeing exchanged between them all was wondrous, to be a member of such a family must be amazing. She remembered the kisses and hugs she had gotten from from her mother before she passed, and from her grandpapa whenever he stopped by to visit. She missed them both terribly.

All attention was suddenly turned to Blueberry as Caramel and Goldie introduced her and explained her story, once they finished the tail of their dramatic rescue and escape from the evil bother, both Chisel and Lilly turned and welcomed Blueberry warmly, Lilly going so far as to hug her.

"You all must be famished after your long trip, I'll make some vegetable stew for us all." Lilly announced as she turned for the kitchen. "Goldie, come and help me prepare the vegetables, and you my dear are going to help us as well." She said to Blueberry as she snatched her up and ushered her along with them. "Chisel honey, how about you and Caramel make the cornbread."

Chisel stood and gestured down to the filly he was holding. "What about her?" He asked, holding Cinnamon up.

Lilly paused as she looked back. "Well have her help out too, we have a lot to celebrate! Goldie, please show Blueberry where the knives are and have her start washing and peeling the potato's."

Caramel smiled as he followed them into the kitchen, trust Lilly to put every pony to work. Caramel didn't need any help to make the cornbread, so Chisel just held Cinnamon while they talked. Being deaf didn't stop Lilly from directing Blueberry in what she wanted her to do, peeling and dicing as needed, until all the prep work was done and the food just needed time to stew.

They all gathered on the front porch to sit and enjoy some ice tea, while they waited for dinner to cook.

"So have you two thought about where your going to live?" Lilly asked, sitting down in a wicker chair across from Caramel and Goldie.

"Well we talked about it a little but we haven't come up with anything definite yet." Goldie answered.

"My apartment is way too small for us." Caramel pointed out.

"And even though my parents place has the room, I'm not sure staying with my parents would be the right choice." Goldie added.

Lilly pursed her lips, as she thought about it. "No, I suppose not. What about buying?"

"I've saved up some money, but not nearly enough for a down payment. I suppose we'll haft to find a larger place to rent." Caramel said while Goldie nodded her agreement. Cinnamon let out a long yawn in Caramel's lap, her eyes started to drift shut.

"When are you going to tell your family?" Lilly asked Goldie, taking a sip from her glass of ice tea.

Goldie exchanged looks with Caramel. "We think sooner is better than latter, so we'll go tomorrow and have a talk with them."

"And how do you think Taproot is going to handle the news?" Chisel asked.

Caramel was worried about that. He remembered when Taproot would would give him rides on his back when he was younger, but now? He didn't know how Taproot felt about him, he was friendly enough with Caramel when he comes by the supply store, sometimes telling him some really raunchy jokes about a milk mare and her itchy udders, or some other joke that would make a blushing Caramel rush away to find something else to do.

"This is going to be quite the shock for him, and he'll probably overreact." Goldie said worriedly.

Chisel let out a guffaw, but quickly quieted when Lilly glared at him. "Perhaps it would be best if one of us comes along." Lilly offered.

"That would probably be a good idea." Goldie answered, nodding her head before she looked over to Caramel who was carefully tucking the edges of a blanket around the now sleeping Cinnamon, keeping her warm. "But that will probably not be necessary, Caramel has a good and loving heart, and when my father sees that in him, he'll accept him as family, I just know it." She said confidently, her marriage band on her leg started to glow.

"You really think so?" Caramel asked.

Goldie smiled over at him meeting his eyes. "Of course I do." She then leaned over and nuzzled his neck affectionately, while Caramel nuzzled her in return.

Lilly and Chisel exchanged knowing looks, as the pair exchanged affections in front of them. "You two are too adorable, you know that?" Lilly said in amusement, before standing up, and motioning for Blueberry to come with her. "Come on, dinner should be ready soon, how about you help me set the table." Blueberry blinked up at Lilly as she stood, not hearing what Lilly had just said, but that wasn't going to stop Lilly from putting her to work setting the table anyways. Draping a hoof over her shoulder, Lilly ushered her into the house with a smile.

It was nice being home, Caramel thought to himself, sitting at the table. To his left, Goldie munched on her forth piece of cornbread, and across from him, Blueberry was staring wide eyed at yet more food that Lilly had placed in front of her.

"Your much too thin, why your practically skin and bones, you go ahead and finish this up, and then latter we'll have some wonderful apple pie, you like apple pie don't you? Of course you do, everypony loves apple pie." Lilly chatted away, acting like Blueberry could hear her every word.

Caramel smiled and shook his head as Blueberry looked over at him with pleading eyes, the amount of food that Lilly had piled onto her plate was enough to feed a couple hungry stallions. Lifting his hoof. "I'm afraid that it's too late now, she has you in her clutches, and she won't let you go. For better or worse, welcome to the family." He signed to her.

Blueberry blinked at him, then after a moment a pleased look came over her, and she picked up some cornbread and began eating.

Chisel turned to Caramel. "Please tell Blueberry that she is welcome to stay as long as she likes. She a sweet filly, and Lilly and I would enjoy having her around."

Caramel couldn't help but grin. "Aunt Lilly is going to spoil her rotten you know." Caramel said as he nodded towards the pair as Lilly refilled Blueberry's glass of lemonade.

"Oh, I'm sure she could use a little spoiling." Chisel said before he looked back to Caramel. "And what of you two? Where will you two be staying tonight?"

Caramel thought about it. If he was to go back to his apartment he would haft to explain everything all over again to his roommate Noteworthy, and he most defiantly did not feel like going through that again, at least not tonight. With everything that's happened, he was exhausted.

"If you don't mind, would you let us stay here tonight?" Caramel asked.

Lilly looked up at him from across the table, as she was offering a very stuffed looking Blueberry even more food. "Of course sweetie, take the room at the top of the stairs, and Blueberry here can have the room across the hall. Oh, and one other thing." Lilly said with a smile. "From now on you will both call me aunt Lilly, I forgot how good it made me feel to hear Caramel call me that, I want to hear more of it, got it?"

"Yes, aunt Lilly." Both Caramel and Goldie said at the same time, causing them both to look at each other and chuckle.

Just then Cinnamon started crying from next room, she was laying in a wicker laundry basket converted to be used as a bassinet.

"Oops, sounds like she's hungry, I'll go nurse her. Caramel would you make a bottle for her?" Goldie said as she stood.

Caramel was already standing himself. "I'll have one ready in a moment."

"Oh, and make about half of the usual amount, my milk is coming in a bit and she doesn't need so much from the bottle." Goldie told Caramel before she stepped out of the room.

"Caramel?" Aunt Lilly called out, causing Caramel to pause and looked back at her. "What you two are doing for Fudge's little filly is just amazing, you two are going to be the most wonderful parents for her, I can see it even now." She crossed over to him and much to his surprise she kissed his cheek and hugging him.

Caramel felt a little embarrassed by the affection and praise Lilly was giving him, but it also felt really good. "Thank you aunt Lilly." He said, returning her hug and not knowing what else he should do, kissed her back.

After dinner, Caramel grabbed the diaper bag and took it into the kitchen. Taking out all the dirty bottles, he began to wash them in the sink. Once he finished, he set them out to dry. Sorting through the bag, he saw that he was low on diapers and wipes, and he made a mental note to buy some first thing tomorrow.

Leaving the kitchen he walked down the hall into the living room. Goldie and Chisel were sitting across from each other playing a game of chess, and by the look of the board, it appeared that they were both evenly matched. Aunt Lilly was sitting with Blueberry, showing her how to croshay, Caramel was once again amazed at how aunt Lilly was able to communicate with Blueberry without the need for sign language.

Cinnamon was happily burbling to herself in the laundry basket next to Goldie. Looking in, Caramel smiled at her as he reached in and picked up her errant pacifier, pulling her slobbered hoof from her mouth, Caramel then stuck her pacifier in. Goldie was deep in thought as she considered her next move against Chisel. Not wanting to disturb her, Caramel gave her a quick peck to her cheek.

"I'm going to take a bath." He murmured to her, before he headed upstairs to the bathroom.

Inside the bathroom, there was a large soaker tub with a shower next to it, turning the shower on, he stepped in and washed himself. Once he finished that, he stepped out and started to fill the tub, making sure that the water was just short of scalding, lifting up one of the bottles next to the tub he read the name, Grandma Murrmal's rose oil with vanilla! With a shrug, Caramel added it to the water, immediately he noticed a sweet fragrance wafting up from the tub.

Now that the tub was filled, he turned the water off and gingerly stepped in, it was quite hot, and he hissed to himself as he lowered himself in. Settling himself in, he leaned back and let out a sigh, he wasn't one for taking baths but today he just felt he needed one. After all he had been though for the last week, he was now home, with the family and friends that loved him. The smell of the rose oil was quite pleasant, as he felt himself drift, and he knew that if he wasn't careful, he just might fall asleep.

The sound of the door opening made Caramel crack his eyes open and glance over. Goldie smiled at him as she slipped in.

"It finally registered in my mind that you said you were taking a bath, and I realized that that sounded like a wonderful idea. You got room for one more?" Goldie asked sniffing the air. "Hmm, rose oil, good choice."

"There's always room for you." Caramel answered.

Goldie turned on the shower and stepped in, leaving curtain partially drawn shut. Looking out, Caramel was able to see though the gap she had left with the curtain, lifting his head up a little he watched as the water ran down her body, soaking into her coat, plastering her mane down to her neck, he found the sight rather enticing, feeling his breath quickened with excitement. Goldie slowly lathered her body in shampoo, working from her mane all the way back to her cute tail. Caramel had to repress the urge to nicker at the sight of her as she rubbed the shampoo over her flanks and her carrots with greens cutie marks.

Goldie shut her eyes and lifted her head up into the stream of water, rinsing the shampoo out, working her way back she arched her back while she lifted her tail up to let the water run off, giving Caramel a good view of her treasure vault. Letting out a snort, Caramel was suddenly feeling very hot.

Shutting off the shower, Goldie gave herself a slight shake before she stepped out, crossing over to the tub, she slowly slipped in.

"Ahhh, this feels really good." She murmured, sounding pleased. Moving her hoof through the water she suddenly bumped into something, which caused her to give a surprised smile. "Oh my, what is this? Did somepony enjoy watching me shower?"

Caramel gave her a sheepish crooked grin. "What!? Don't be silly, that was here before you even came in."

Moving herself forward she straddled his thighs, and hugged his stiffened member to her belly, she slowly stroked her hooves down its length. "I think your lying, I think you liked what you saw, didn't you?" She purred. "Perhaps you liked my soft wet flank, lathered in soap suds, or my glistening rump as I bent over." Goldie slid her hooves back up his stallionhood, only to stroke down again.

Caramel let out a moan, and involuntarily thrust his hips up into her, driving his stallionhood along her belly, finding her ministrations to be a bit stimulating. "I confess, I did it! I was the one leering at you through the shower curtains, I couldn't help myself, your beauty drove me to it, I lost my senses when I beheld your elegance."

"Oh Caramel, you say the sweetest things." Goldie leaned forward and kissed him, pushing her tongue into his mouth. Below the water she slid her body forward and began to rub her own feminine bits along his shaft, causing Caramel to gasp into her mouth as he clutched his hooves around her.

Slowly she continued to slide herself along the full length of his stiff stallionhood, as their lips and tongue's busily pleased one another, occasionally Caramel would let out a grunt and he would thrust up with his pelvis and grind his stallionhood along her slit more vigorously, causing Goldie to stiffen as she felt a spike of intense pleasure shoot though her body.

The water sloshed in the tub as she moved her body, feeling herself growing closer with every stroke she made, inch by inch she edged closer to the very edge as she found herself in tortuous bliss. Caramel broke from their sloppy kissing to suddenly go for her throat, nipping and sucking on her sensitive spot, in the hollow of her throat. Goldie panted for breath as she balanced on the edge of ecstasy, the water would now slosh out a little with her more vigorous movements as she sought the euphoric state of orgasmic release. Suddenly Caramel tightened his grip on her as he thrust his pelvis up once more, his shaft surged along her slit, and that finally did it, she fell over the edge. Letting out a quiet whinny, her back arched back as waves of warm pleasure rolled though her, the smooth velvety walls of her foal passage rippled and squeezed, clamping down on itself.

Caramel sought out her lips, and Goldie eagerly accepted and kissed him vigorously, waves of orgasmic pleasure still flowed though her as she attacked his mouth, nibbling and sucking on his lips and tongue. Slowly her orgasm faded and she collapsed down onto Caramel's chest, panting for breath, Caramel hugged her to himself as he slowly rubbed his hooves along her back, satisfied that he was able to please her.

"Caramel?" Goldie asked, speaking into his chest.

"Hmm?" He murmured to her.

"Do you... do you ever regret what happened with us? With us getting married and all." Goldie asked.

Caramel paused in his petting to look down at her. "Goldie, the only thing I regret is my pushing you away for so long. I was an idiot, and I regret the pain I gave you in doing so." He spoke softly but she could hear the self-condemnation he held for himself in his voice

Goldie lifted her head up and kissed him, her lips were soft and gentle, caressing his as she expressed her tender love for him. Breaking from the kiss, Goldie met his gaze. "I understand now why you did so, and I don't hold it against you. I was an idiot for not going to you sooner, and I feel so stupid for not seeing the pain you were in."

Caramel quieted Goldie with a kiss. "No more talk of our regretful pasts, we have a future to look forward to." Tightening his hold on her, Caramel leaned back and enjoyed the feeling of a warm relaxing bath with his wife.

Something suddenly occurred to Goldie. "But what about you? We didn't finish what we were doing?"

Caramel gave her a tired smile and shook his head, while barely opening his eyes. " I'm too tired to continue, and I'm happy that I was able to please you. Just relax with me and enjoy the warm bath while we can."

Goldie nestled her head back down onto his chest. Smiling to herself, Goldie enjoyed the feelings of happy contentment that settled over her, as she once again thought about how she had such a wonderful stallion to call husband.

Downstairs Chisel looked up from the book he was reading. "Sounds like they're done."

Lilly looked up from her croshaying. "They were certainly having fun weren't they?" Looking over at the oblivious Blueberry who was bent over her attempt to croshay with her brows furled in concentration, Lilly tapped her shoulder and shook her head at her. "No, not like that, like this, watch." Lilly started to gesture with her hooves the correct way, Blueberry watched for a moment before she then smiled and nodded her understanding and starting again.

Author's Notes:

Blueberry Cloud is a background pony seen in "Sonic Rainboom" She was in Cloudsdale, probably visiting her grandfather.

Pony Sign Language involves the use of one hoof as well as the body, head and ears. For example to say "Hello" A pony would set their hoof to their heart and nod their head, to say "Good Morning" a pony would cross their hoof across their chest and nod their head, and to say "Good Bye." a pony would hold their hoof up and nod their head. Most of the time adverbs are skipped in order to make signing quicker.

If your wondering how they can spell using sign language, they use their ears for that, think of how the navy used flag signs to make letters, it would be the same concept, numbers are given by tapping the hooves in patterns.