Night fell upon the city of Canterlot as Sunset looked out the living room window of her sold home, smiling to herself. Hearing dishes being placed onto the dining room table, she followed the noise, finding Sonata helping to set the table. Picking up a few glasses from the kitchen counter next to her, Sunset went around the table, setting them down. She noticed Trixie wasn’t downstairs yet.

Sunset set that last of the cups in place. “Alright, I’m getting Trixie, Mom. I don’t want her stewing upstairs all alone.”

“That would be great, honey,” Mrs. Cake replied before turning to Sonata. “Sonata, can you get out the milk and juice please?”

“Sure thing Mrs.—er, Mom.” Hearing a light chuckle from Sunset, she asked in mock sternness, “And what is so funny, Sunny?”

“Oh, nothing. You just keep slipping up like that. It’s cute.”

Sticking her tongue out playfully, Sonata pointed to the steps, and Sunset headed upstairs as Mr. Cake came into the kitchen, carrying a large plate of barbecued corn on the cob and freshly cut celery and placing them onto the table. He quickly walked to his wife, gently wrapping his arms around her and kissing her cheek before kneeling to one knee and kissing her pregnant belly.

“I love you, dear,” he said, standing up. “Sunset’s back, she found love, and she made a new friend. It really does feel like we’re a family again, doesn’t it?”

“What do you mean ‘again’? We’ve always been a family and always will be.” Mrs. Cake turned to Sonata and held out her arms. Taking the cue, Sonata rushed into Mrs. Cake’s arms as the older woman finished, “And, Sonata, you and our grandbaby will always be a part of this family.”

The women stayed there for a few seconds, basking in each other’s warmth, before Mrs. Cake said, “Why don’t you go upstairs and let Trixie and Sunset know it's time for dinner, honey? We’ll wait for you three to come back to join us.” As Sonata scampered off happily, she called after her, “And tell Trixie that we really did love her magic show.”

“I will!” Sonata called back, racing up the stairs to the guest room. “Sunset, Trixie, it's time for dinner.”

“Coming!” Sunset came out of the room with Trixie. Sonata noticed that Trixie was already in pajamas. Sunset’s pajamas.

Quirking an eyebrow, Sonata grinned and said, “Wearing Sunset’s PJs, huh?”

“Well, it’s not like Trixie brought her own,” Trixie replied before turning to Sunset. “But, what will you wear, Sunset?”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Sunset began, flashing bedroom eyes to Sonata. “I’m sure Sonata will think of something for me to wear tonight.”

Turning as red as a tomato, Sonata pointed towards the stairs, saying, “Uh, y-yeah, I’ll think of something!” As Sunset and Trixie began walking downstairs, Sonata recovered and said, “Oh, Trixie!” When Trixie turned to her, Sonata quickly grabbed her in a hug and continued, “We really enjoyed the magic show, and we’re all really looking forward to another one.”

Gulping, Trixie trembled in Sonata’s arms, before Sonata ended it, unfazed by Trixie’s reticence. “Wh-What was that for?” Trixie asked.

Sonata smiled cheerfully. “No matter what happens in the morning, you’ll always have a place in this family, Aunty Trixie.” Trixie flashed her a confused look, but Sonata grinned, gently taking Trixie by the hand and leading her downstairs. “Now, let's get you to the table and get you a well-needed, home-cooked meal.”

The girls sat down as Mr. Cake held out his hands to Sunset and his wife, who both took a hand. Sonata took Sunset’s hand as Trixie hesitantly took Mrs. Cake’s. Finally, Sonata and Trixie joined hands. When all present linked up, Mr. Cake said, “Look around, everyone. We will always be family, from now until the very end.”

Sunset adding, “None of us will ever be alone again.”

Ending the gesture, Mr. Cake went into the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with a large pot in his hands. Setting it down, he opened it, revealing a soup with bowtie noodles, cooked carrots, potatoes, rice, broccoli, and lightly salted mushroom. He slowly served everyone their meal, starting with Trixie and ending with his wife, before he sat down, serving himself last.

An hour passed before the meal was over. Sunset looked to her father, saying, “Want me to help clean up, Dad?”

“Thanks, honey. When you get finished, could you get out the ice cream for dessert?” As Sunset and Sonata got to work, he turned his attention to Trixie, adding, “Trixie, would you like some ice cream, too?”

“Trixie would love some, thank you,” Trixie replied, before she turned her attention to Mrs. Cake. “Thank you for having me over tonight. It was really nice of you to both allow Trixie to perform for you all and to feed her afterward.”

“You’re very welcome, dear,” Mrs. Cake replied, giving her husband a concerned glance.

Sunset and Sonata returned to the kitchen table with a big bucket of ice cream, five bowls, and five spoons. Setting them down, Sonata and Sunset noticed a sad look on Trixie’s face and exchanged concerned glances. Sonata set out the bowls and spoons while Sunset got a scooper for her father to use. Finished, Sonata sat back down, thinking, “She looks so sad. I hope everything is alright.”

“Alright, two scoops for everyone.” Mr. Cake started.

“Oh, one scoop for me, please, dear. Topped with pickles, chocolate sauce, and honey.” Getting confused looks from everyone except her husband, she leaned back in her chair, gently patting her belly, blushing as she continued, “Sorry. It’s the cravings. You know how it is.”

“Oh, that’s nothing to be ashamed of, Mom,” Sonata chimed in, adding, “This morning, I thought of eating crab with peanut butter and mustard.” Laughing, she finished as she patted her own stomach, “I guess babies like weird food, huh?”

Everyone enjoyed a hearty laugh, and after the family ate their dessert, Trixie smiled, saying, “Thank you all for the wonderful dinner.” Noticing the time was nearly eight-thirty in the evening, she continued, “But may Trixie please be excused? She needs to get some sleep before school tomorrow.”

“Of course, dear.” Mrs. Cake began, turning her attention to Sonata. “Sweetheart, will you please show Trixie to her room.” Returning her attention to Trixie, Mrs. Cake finished, “I’ll be up in a minute to tuck you in, dear.”

As the two girls left, Mr. Cake got up, helping to clear and wash the rest of the dishes as Sunset returned to the table, a glass of water in her hand. Seeing a distraught look on her mother's face, she set her glass down, saying, “Mom, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, it's nothing, honey.” Giving Mr. Cake a passing glance, she added, “It's going to be a long day for everyone tomorrow. You better head to bed now.” Watching her daughter head upstairs, Mrs. Cake turned her attention to her husband. “Carrot, Trixie can not go back to that…that…”

Mrs. Cake found herself unable to finish her words. Her jaw trembled, and she felt her husband’s loving hands coming to rest on her shoulders. She let him gently pull her into a warm embrace as he soothingly ran his fingers through her hair, calming her down. Taking her gently by the waist, he led over to the couch and sat her down.

“Honey,” he softly began, “I want Trixie to stay as much as you do, but the law is the law. We can’t just rip her away from—”

“Carrot Cake, that monster beat his own daughter with his belt!” she interrupted him, adding, “Trixie told me that her father was trying to ‘beat the sin out of her’ and that her mother is a chronic drunk who doesn’t give two cares about her own daughter. We can’t in good conscience leave that poor child to face those beasts.” Looking down, she finished, “I want Trixie to know that she is loved and very much needed.”

“I know, honey. I know.” Looking at the few boxes that lined the living room wall, he added, “But what can we do? I mean, does Trixie have any proof of this abuse?”

Pulling him in closer, she gently took his right hand, laying it over her pregnant belly. Snuggling up to him, she watched as he closed his eyes and smiled, feeling his son and daughter moving within his wife's womb.

“I don’t know if Trixie has any proof, Carrot, but I do know one thing for sure.”

Gently leaning in, he softly pressed his lips to hers, taking in her scent and perfume before pulling away slowly and looking into his wife's eyes, softly saying, “What’s that, dear?”

“That I will be a mama bear to Trixie and protect her with all that I am. I’ll do the same for Sonata and our grandbaby as much as I would for our daughter Sunset.”

Mr. Cake gave her a pleasant nod and gently helped her off the couch, leading her towards the steps and upstairs. Getting upstairs a few moments later, Mrs. Cake kissed her husband's cheek, saying, “Why don’t you go to bed, honey. I’ll join you in a few minutes. I want to tuck the girls in before heading to bed myself.”

“Alright, dear. I love you.”

Smiling, she watched as he went into their bedroom before heading to Trixie’s room herself. She knocked on the door and heard Trixie say from inside, “C-Come in.”

Mrs. Cake entered the room, finding Trixie in bed with the covers pulled up to her stomach. “I just wanted to tuck you in and let you know that you will always have a place here with our family.” Sitting down on the bed, she continued, “You sleep well tonight, dear. I’ll be right next door if you need me.”

Gently pulling the covers up to Trixie’s shoulders, Mrs. Cake smiled warmly to the surprised and teary-eyed girl before getting up and walking out of the room, closing the door behind her. Knocking on Sunset’s door, she heard Sonata call, “Come in.”

Entering the room, she smiled pleasantly to Sunset and Sonata before pulling the covers up to their chest, saying softly, “I love you both.” Leaning in, she gently kissed the girls’ foreheads before adding, “You both have a big day ahead of you. I’ll need your help to get the truck all packed, so make sure to get some sleep. And Sunset?”

“Y-Yes, Mom?” Sunset replied with a nervous grin. “You’re not upset that Sonata and I are sharing a bed together, are you?”

Mrs. Cake chuckled. “No, of course not, honey. You love her, and she loves you, and you both can make your own decisions. I was just going to say that it’s so good to have you home. I love you.” She finished to both of them, “Now, get some sleep, sweethearts. We want to get the truck loaded and ready by ten.”

“Wait, how will Trixie go to the police about her dad?” Sonata asked, sitting up. “I mean, if we’re both here helping you and Mr.—Dad load and pack the truck, and Trixie has school tomorrow, how is she supposed to go to them safely?”

Mrs. Cake gently laid her hands on Sonata’s shoulders and gently pushed Sonata back down into the soft mattress. “Shh, Sonata. Just get some sleep. We’ll deal with this in the morning.”

Sonata wanted to keep speaking, but a yawn broke her off, and soon, she drifted into a restful sleep next to Sunset, who slowly wrapped her arms around Sonata, pulling her sleeping girlfriend in closer, burying her face in Sonata’s hair.

Mrs. Cake headed to her own bedroom and climbed into bed next to her husband, soon falling asleep herself.

---

A few hours passed before Sunset woke to the sounds of crying. Getting up and shaking off the sleep, she opened the door and tiptoed into the hallway, listening to the sounds. Sonata soon followed, awakened by Sunset’s movements and curious about the crying herself. It didn’t take long for them to realize the sound was coming from Trixie’s room.

Sunset opened Trixie’s door and walked into the room, seeing Trixie holding a picture in her hands. Startled, Trixie looked at them and said, “Sorry. Trixie didn’t mean to wake you.”

“No, it’s no problem,” Sunset quickly said. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Trixie said, but the tears in her eyes betrayed her, and she continued, “Just…Why can’t Trixie have a real family? One that actually loves her.”

Wordlessly, the two women climbed into bed with Trixie, both gently wrapping their arms around her and pulling her back into the soft mattress. Sunset said, “Trixie, you do have family that loves you. We love you and want you in our life.” Gently stroking Trixie’s hair, she added, “You are loved, Trixie, and we’ll never let anyone hurt you. I promise.”

Sonata chimed in, “Sunset’s right. We’ll give you all the time you need. Just say the word.” Kissing Trixie’s cheek and gently snuggling up closer to her, she added, “No matter what tomorrow brings, Trixie, we won’t let anyone hurt you. We promise.”

Feeling Trixie trembling in her arms, Sunset and Sonata pulled the blanket over the three of them and pressing their lips to Trixie’s cheeks. When they pulled away, Trixie said somewhat bitterly, “Oh, come on. You can say you’re family all you want, but it won’t make it true. Trixie wants a real family, not some make-believe one.”

“Oh, Trixie,” Sunset said softly, “Sonata and I are your family, even if we’re not blood.”

“Yeah, Trixie,” Sonata said, “and we’ll help you get through this. Just like we won’t leave you right now. We’ll stay with you all night long.” Looking to the nightstand next to the bed, Sonata spied a box of tissues. Grabbing one, she gently dabbed it to Trixie’s eyes, adding, “It'll be alright, Trixie. Sunset and I will make everything all better.”

Sniffing and letting Sonata finish drying her tears away, Trixie slowly wrapped her arms as best as she could around the pair. Gulping lightly, she said, “Thanks, you two. Trixie doesn’t get any of this at home.” Letting out a sigh, she continued, “Trixie’s dad always beats her with a belt to beat the sin out of her, and Trixie’s mom is always too drunk to stop him. Trixie doesn’t even know what sin he keeps trying to beat out of her.” Turning her head to look away, she found her eyes locked with Sunset’s. “Do you know, Sunset? Do you know the sins I need beat out of me?”

Gently pressing her lips to Trixie's forehead and soothingly stroking her hair, Sunset replied, “Trixie, there’s no sin to beat out of you. I know evil when I see it, and I can tell you that you’re most certainly not evil. Not at all.”

“Thank you, Sunset,” Trixie said, yawning. “I needed to hear that. Honestly, I’m rather jealous of you.” Turning to face Sonata, she corrected, “Of both of you.”

“Why?” Sonata asked, confused.

“Because you both have something that Trixie—er, I want more than anything in the world, even more than fame or fortune or anything like that. You have a loving mom and dad, and you both are in a healthy relationship and treat each other well. So, Trixie’s…well…I mean—”

Her words were cut short as Sunset’s fingers gently pressing down on Trixie’s lips. Sunset began, “Trixie, listen carefully. We do love you, and we really do want you to be in our family as our sister.”

“Please say that you’ll stay with us and become our new sister,” Sonata said, laying her head over Trixie’s chest and listening to Trixie’s heartbeat, “Besides, you’re already an aunt, so either way, you’re a part of this family.”

Raising an eyebrow, Trixie gave Sonata a confused stare as Sonata grinned back. “That’s the second time tonight you’ve called me ‘aunt’. Why do you keep calling me that?”

“That’s what an aunt is, right? A parent’s sister?” Sonata gently took Trixie’s hand into her own and placed it on her stomach, saying, “I’m pregnant, and I would for realzies love it if you became my sister, Trixie. I’m sure you’d make a great aunt.”

Looking down to Sonata’s stomach, Trixie gulped, saying, “You both really mean it? You really want me to be an aunt to your child?” Looking back into their hopeful gazes, she added, “Trixie would be...honored, Sonata.”

“So, I take it that you’ll stay with us?” Sunset asked. “It would mean the world to Mom and Dad if you would. It would mean a lot to us, too.”

“Trixie would love to stay with you, Sunset. If the police will let her stay, that is.” Pausing, Trixie looked away. “Trixie will also try not to be as skittish around you from now on.”

“Don’t worry about it, Trixie,” Sunset said. “I won’t hold it against you if you’re a bit jumpy, and besides, we just had a whole conversation together, so I know you really care, even if your instincts say otherwise.

Smiling, Trixie lay back down into Sonata’s and Sunset’s waiting arms. Pulling them close, Trixie said, “Trixie is very happy to have you both as her sisters. I love you both. Good night.”

Sunset and Sonata kissed Trixie’s cheeks again. “I love you, too, Trixie,” Sunset replied.

“We both do,” Sonata said. “Good night, sis. Sleep tight.”

Next Chapter: Welcome Home, Trixie (Edited by Icecreammac) Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours