Golden Dawn groaned awake in a pool of drool. She looked over at the time and blinked several times trying and to make it make sense. It wasn’t the right clock. Both things hit her at the same time. She was at Shining Ire’s apartment and worse, she was late for work.

Golden Dawn scrambled out of bed. The sheets were wrapped around Shining Ire, but Golden Dawn still fell out of bed. She crawled the other half of her body out of bed and stood up.

“What?” Shining Ire groaned.

“Late!” Golden Dawn exclaimed. “Far! Work!”

“Wait,” Shining Ire said stumbling out of bed and into the living room. “We should talk.”

“Tonight! My place!” Golden Dawn said as she scrambled to pick up her keys. “Sorry. Bye!”

Golden Dawn’s opened the door into her face. “Ow!”

Shining Ire giggled as Golden Dawn slipped out. Their doors both opened it, but they swung in the opposite directions.

Golden Dawn’s mind was on getting back to her apartment to make it to work as little late as possible. She zipped out of the complex and into the air, making aggressive moves to get back to her part of town.

When she finally got to the diner, it was about five minute until opening. An hour behind when she was supposed to be there to get ready.

“I am so sorry,” Golden Dawn announced as she rushed in. “I was out with friends, who don’t live near here, and I just didn’t wake up. It won’t happen again!”

“It’s okay,” Mrs. Diner yelled from the kitchen. “You never are late and you always are ready to take on a shift.”

“Hey, you got everything already set up,” Golden Dawn said surprised. Much of the pressure melted off of her shoulders. She was late, but not behind.

“Sort of, come back here!”

Golden Dawn pushed open the door to the kitchen and met Mrs. Diner with a filly who was a little younger than her.

“Dear, this is Cake Pop. I hired her yesterday. You will be training her this morning.”

“I will teach her everything,” Golden Dawn smiled.

“You look good this morning,” Mrs. Diner said. “Rested. You obviously had some fun.”

“A little frazzled because I woke up late, but it was a fun day hanging out with the others and getting to know them outside of the gala.”

Golden Dawn turned to the filly. “Hello. I am,”

“Golden Dawn,” She nervously finished.

Golden Dawn cocked her head and then it clicked. “Right, you are Stream’s little sister.”

She just nodded her head.

“Well get over the shock quick. I don’t bite and more importantly, you are going to have to work beside me. If this was in the mills, you wouldn’t get to change stations because you are besides a filly fooler. That is unproductive and stupid.”

“And,” Golden Dawn said glancing at the clock on the wall. “In two minutes Grey Sky and Winter Melody will be walking through that door for their Sunday meal. They have their grandfoals most Friday nights and all day Saturday and they want somepegasus else to cook for them.”

“I will get you up to speed on everything so you can own your shift and not just make money, but make friends. Customers love being known and you will love that they want you.”

The door jingled and Golden Dawn stepped out. She poured a cup of coffee and a glass of apple juice to take out. Grey Sky and Winter Melody had four foals with them. They had to sit in the corner booth for room.

Golden Dawn smiled as she brought them the two drinks to start.

“You four must be Aires, Rain Drop, Dark Sky and Sapphire Lilly”

“Wooow. How did you know?” Rain Drop asked.

“Because your grandpegasi talk about you all the time.”

Sapphire Lilly was the only one not impressed, or happy. She also was the oldest and the only filly.

“You guys have had a full weekend,” Golden Dawn smiled at the two of them.

“They will be with a few more days,” Winter Melody smiled.

“I hope everything is alright,” Golden Dawn replied.

“We will find out on Tuesday, after the hearing,” Grey Sky smiled back.

“Well, it is really special for you guys to be brought here today. They come here every Sunday. I think its because of me, not the food.”

Everypegasus laughed except Sapphire Lilly.

“You don’t seem like the Sapphire Lilly I have heard about,” Golden Dawn stated. “Smart, fun, loves to laugh.”

“I am old enough to understand, but nopegasus will explain what is going on.”

“Sometimes we don’t tell to protect others,” Golden Dawn smiled.

“Answers would be nice,” Sapphire Lilly huffed. “I know what is going on, but I don’t get it because nopegasus will answer my questions.”

“Cake Pop will handle the rest of the drink orders. Sapphire Lilly, lets sit down a few tables away and see if I can answer those questions. If your grandpegasi agree to it.”

Grey Sky and Winter Melody exchanged glances for a moment. Grey Sky finally nodded and they sat down at a table a nearby.

“What do you think is happening?”

“My mom’s pregnant. Again.”

“Why do you say that?” Golden Dawn asked cheerfully.

“Because she started getting sick in the mornings like she was when she was pregnant with Dark Sky. And then both of my parents panicked and got quiet. Then we were sent over early. Our cousins came the next day. We go to school like normal.”

“What is it that you don’t understand?”

“Why can’t she had another foal? Why do we have to have two?”

“Nopegasus is making us have foals. You could have one, or none if you wished.”

“But why not three? I want another little sibling.”

“You are not old enough to understand,” Golden Dawn smiled. “Nopegasus can really understand. But we have laws to keep us safe. A big problem for us is called overpopulation. If we have too many foals, the Grand Pegasus Race grows. We need foals to keep us going, but if we as a whole, make too many, then our farmers won’t be able to grow enough food and we will starve.”

“So each couple is only allowed to have two foals.”

“And if they get pregnant with a third?”

“The pregnancy is terminated. They force the mare’s body to stop being pregnant.”

“Doesn’t that kill the foal?”

“Yes,” Golden Dawn slowly nodded.

“Isn’t that murder?”

“I can’t answer that,” Golden Dawn admitted. “I feel it is, but at the same time, I recognize and understand that, if we don’t keep our population in check, more may suffer and die. It isn’t a fun balance to have to handle.”

“So, what will happen? Are they in trouble? They are going before a judge.”

Golden Dawn smiled warmly at her. “They are not in trouble. Unplanned pregnancies happen. That is why they are called unplanned or unwanted pregnancies. The body doesn’t always do what we want it to do.”

“They will talk to a judge and he will either order the termination, allow them to continue with the pregnancy, but, a very big but, they will never get to even see the foal. The foal will be given to a couple who can’t have foals of their own, but they still can only have two foals. And if they are lucky, they will be given permission to keep the foal.”

“Our population can have third foals, but we can’t have too many. It is harsh. It is no fun. But it beats starving and watching that foal and others suffer and die because we didn’t keep that tight.”

“I have some advice for you. And I know because my parents had a third. They won the right to not terminate the pregnancy, but they never even saw the foal. It broke my parent’s hearts. It always hurts.”

“Your parents will need you to care for Dark Sky as much as you can. Take some of the pressure off. It’s their job to worry, not yours. But you can reduce that and they will appreciate it. If your parents are allowed to carry the foal, they will need that support of an older sister.”

“My mother’s spirit broke when she couldn’t even see her foal. So she will need any support you can give. The best way you can do that is by taking care of yourself and your brother. And if they win, which I hope they do, then they will need help caring for a newborn.”

Sapphire Lilly sat there for a moment. “So, be ready for them to be sad. Very sad.”

“Yes,” Golden Dawn nodded. “I already know that you will do everything you can to help out.”

Sapphire Lilly was taking it well. At face value. She had no emotion as she processed the disturbing information. She finally spoke her mind. “I still don’t find it grand that we have to terminate pregnancies.”

“I don’t think there is a Pegasus above these clouds that thinks its grand. Or that doesn’t find it a horrible thing. We rationalize it as a fact because, we have to do it in order to continue thriving. They say its looking at the bigger picture.”

Sapphire Lilly snorted. “The bigger picture might be grand and stunning, but few of us ever get to see more than a small piece. And even then, its make up of a lot of tiny dots of bad and lackluster splashes of color that is our life. The paint of life is never a nice, perfect circle. Because life is never nice and perfect.”

Golden Dawn just stared at Sapphire Lilly.

“That made my head hurt,” Golden Dawn admitted. “But I think you are right. Which means you are smart.”

“School is boring,” Sapphire Lilly shrugged. “I don’t get what is so hard about it.”

“Your parents have enough to deal with right now, so you should research alternative schools that could challenge you. Who knows. You might be the next big scientist to discover a new way to farm and increase our food so that every couple can have a third foal. Or something as equally important.”

Sapphire Lilly smiled. “I will. I will bug my principle tomorrow. And I will do everything I can for them. Thanks for being an adult about it and actually talking to me.”

“No problem,” Golden Dawn smiled. “It is hard to know when somepegasus can handle something like this. So give them grace.”

They went back to the table. It wasn’t long before their orders were ready and Golden Dawn was setting their plates in front of them.

“Dear,” Winter Melody smiled. “What has you so chipper this morning?”

“Oh, you remember how a few weeks ago I went to that charity gala, yesterday I had the whole day off and I spent it with the friends I met there. I had a blast.”

“You are holding something else back,” Grey Sky stated.

Golden Dawn thought for a few seconds. “Oh! Right. I enlisted in the military. But just to be a regular soldier.”

Grey Sky nodded his head, obviously impressed. “I served my six years. Are you looking at officer? You would make a great officer.”

“I am no leader,” Golden Dawn replied. “Contrary to what everypegasus seems to think, I learned the hard way that I am no leader.”

“Don’t discount yourself,” Grey Sky replied. “But it is good to hear that you are joining. You will do very well there. This place is good and we will miss you, but it is a very good move for you.”

“Thanks,” Golden Dawn replied, getting a bit flush.”

Golden Dawn had Cake Pop by her side as she worked the lunch rush. If the table wasn’t a regular, she had Cake Pop take the order.

At the end of the rush, Cake Pop came out of the kitchen and leaned beside her on the counter.

“You have a lot of regulars,” Cake Pop stated.

“Most are Sunday regulars,” Golden Dawn replied. “But a good server will have their regulars. I am teaching you what I know. You will be here anyway, so you might as well invest a bit into the customers. You feel better and they feel better. Plus they tip better and come in more often.”

“They will brighten up a bad day just because they came in to see you and you will brighten up theirs by being there, for them. A good server does a lot more than just bring out drinks and food. It can be tough, but it is a good job.”

“I am not sure how long I will be working here,” Cake Pop stated. “But the mills are full or near full and being very selective in their hiring choices.”

“You can live a good life doing this,” Golden Dawn stated. “Well enough for sure. When it comes down to the bottom line, you have a steady job with some income.”

“This will be an interesting job,” Cake Pop replied.

The door jingled and Golden Dawn smiled at the middle aged Pegasus who over walked to the counter. He sat where he always sat.

“Hole Punch,” Golden Dawn greeted him. “I haven’t seen you in a few weeks.”

“Well, I spent a bit of time in the hospital,” He smiled back at her. “They say my heart isn’t too good. They don’t know how long it will be before it gives out.”

“Aww,” Golden Dawn sighed.

“Don’t dote on me,” He said waving her off. “Black coffee and a plain donut. I will get half of the donut right.”

Golden Dawn laughed with him and brought them over to him.

“What have I missed with you? You are extra chipper today.”

Golden Dawn smiled. “I had fun with some friends yesterday. A full day off. I didn’t realize how much I needed it.”

“New server?”

“Yep. Cake Pop. It’s her first day. She is picking it up fast. She may become your regular server if your heart will allow you to keep coming.”

“Oh, what has changed with you?”

“I am heading into the military service.”

He laughed with a grin on his face. “Good for you. I am so happy for you. You will love it. It will make a good home for you. Assuming you didn’t join to cook.”

They laughed together.

“No, just a regular soldier. A light trooper to be exact.”

“You will make a damn fine trooper. You will make the Pegasus Race proud. I have always believed that your name and Cutie Mark are a sign. A good one. A new dawn for the Enclave. If there is a new dawn to come, you will be right there making it happen.”

“Thanks,” Golden Dawn blushed. “You are the first Pegasus to hear about me serving or potentially serving who hasn’t asked if I was going to be an officer. It is refreshing.”

“Bah,” He said waving it off with his wing. “If you want to be an officer, you will make a damn fine one. If you don’t want to be an officer, you will make a damn fine soldier as well. You are a strong gal who get what she puts her mind to and does it better than most.”

“Why did you join? It wasn’t for a job. It wasn’t to avoid the stigma you have.”

Golden Dawn chuckled as she leaned against the counter.

“Fear,” She smiled. “A good fear. One the recruiter wasn’t trying to instill in me to get me to join. Better put, facing a reality I didn’t know existed, and wanting to make sure that I protected not just myself, but my friends and family. I didn’t know going in, but I couldn’t leave knowing what I found out. There is a real, valid reason we need soldiers in all of their fields.”

He grinned at her. “And you are going to get what you want. It will change as time goes on, but you have the spunk to get it each and every time.”

Hole Punch shifted to lean onto the counter. “But what do you think of the new server? She will be taking over for you.”

Golden Dawn took in a deep breath. She didn’t know Cake Pop had come up behind her to ask a question.

“If she listens and learns to connect with the customers, she will do amazing. Its a great group of pegasi here to support her while she works. As a server, you have to keep calm and not get offended. There will be a whole lot of different types of pegasi who come through here.”

Hole Punch smiled. “Any types in particular?”

“Things will move a lot smoother for her when she relaxes around me and just gets to know me. Stop being afraid of a filly fooler.”

Hole Punch let out a jolly laugh. “I knew there was something else I loved about you! We both have the same taste in pegasi. Mares!”

They laughed for a bit.

Hole Punch reigned his laughter in. “Cake Pop has been waiting patiently with a question.”

“Damn it Hole Punch!” Golden Dawn said without looking at Cake Pop. “You always set me up like that. And I always fall for it!”

“But you never have gotten in trouble for it,” He pointed out.

“No,” Golden Dawn replied shaking her head with a smile. “Its always worked out in my favor.”

Golden Dawn turned to Cake Pop. “What do you need?”

Cake Pop was unsure how to handle their antics. “The fountain is out of Cloud Cola.”

“Simple fix,” Golden Dawn smiled. She turned back to Hole Punch. “Thanks Hole Punch. You have always been a good, strong Pegasus I can trust.”

“Well,” Hole Punch said standing up. “You have a good day. Both of you. I will be around. I need to get back before the wife becomes too concerned. She will think I am lying in the street somewhere, ignored by the pegasi all around.”

Golden Dawn chuckled as he left. As always, he left cold, hard bits.

“That is a lot of bits,” Cake Pop stated. “How much is coffee and a donut?”

“Seven bits,” Golden Dawn said as she cashed him out and pocketed the rest.

“That was at least twice that,” Cake Pop stammered.

“That is just a perk of a regular,” Golden Dawn shrugged. “Now, these bottles here are the syrup for the pop. The fountain mixes the syrup with carbonated water in a designated ratio.”

Golden Dawn opened the cabinet blow the fountain to reveal the syrup bottles. She pulled the empty bottle off the rack and unscrewed the top. The new one was pulled up to it, the top put on and then Golden Dawn skillfully flipped it upside down and into the rack. Gravity would ensure that every last drop was used.

“The desired mix strengths for each blend is here,” Golden Dawn explained. “And that is where you adjust the mixtures. The empty bottles are collected and sent back to be sterilized and reused. Or recycled if they are damaged. Sustainability is key.”

Cake Pop was concerned. “That looked heavy.”

“You will get the hang of it,” Golden Dawn smiled. “Just make sure the top is on securely. You do not want to try and clean up the syrup off the floor from a spill. I swear it still is stickier over here at times.”

Cake Pop laughed a bit and Golden Dawn let out a sigh of relief. Cake Pop was relaxing and accepting her for her.

The rest of the day finished smoothly. Cake Pop was off at 3 and Golden Dawn was off at a sharp 5. She got too close to her apartment door when she noticed Shining Ire leaning against the door.

“Shit!” She said coming up to her. “I forgot you were coming over. I was training a new server. But it’s good to see you.”

“You also forgot about dinner with your parents,” Shining Ire said as she followed Golden Dawn into her apartment.

“Fuck. I am not used to balancing a social life. Or spending the night anywhere but my apartment. Or do anything other than work.”

Golden Dawn took a deep breath to reset.

“Okay. First, if renting the apartment with you is still an option, yes. I will. I have proven I can be independent and I am being overly stubborn now that a new option is available.”

“Good choice,” Shining Ire smiled.

Golden Dawn tossed the dirty uniform off to the side, starting a new pile.

“Second, just come with me. I am pretty sure the my brother and his wife will be there. They were going to be invited. One more won’t be noticed. They will happy to know I am making friends.”

“The sink, really?” Shining Ire asked as Golden Dawn began to wash her hair in it.

“I don’t have time for a shower and getting wet,” Golden Dawn rationalized.

Shining Ire just shook her head.

“So, we leave us as?” Shining Ire asked from the bathroom doorway.

Golden Dawn wrapped her head in a towel. As she squeezed by Shining Ire she gave her a peck on the cheek.

“It leaves us with me unable to juggle a new social life and renting an apartment with you until I leave. My parents won’t pry and they take things at face value.”

“Do they know?”

“Mhm,” Golden Dawn said through a mouthful of bobby pins. “They knew from an early age. There was a stallion name Strat. He was buggy me early on. She explained that his odd behavior was a colts way of expressing how he thought I was cute.”

“That is when things got started. She worked me through things. She knows when that time comes I will introduce them to the one.”

“But?”

“But my head is still swimming from training a new server and then forgetting about my parents. And you coming over.”

Golden Dawn stepped out of her closet and tossed on a simple dress.

Golden Dawn smiled at Shining Ire. “We have a few minutes to talk. Let’s sit…”

“On your bed?” Shining Ire asked with a raised eyebrow.

Golden Dawn pulled out the sass. “Alright, so my seating arrangement isn’t goof for company.”

“Or anything,” Shining Ire said plopping her flank on the bed.

Golden Dawn joined her with a hop to try and bounce Shining Ire. The bed didn’t respond, but they clashed together. Golden Dawn pulled Shining Ire in close with her wing.

“Last night was unbelievable,” Golden Dawn quietly said to Shining Ire. “My first real connection with anypegasus. Beyond the illusion of a first time. You said that renting was still open.”

“I would rather not have you rent,” Shining Ire smiled. “Move in sound better?”

Golden Dawn smiled mischievously at Shining Ire. “I could really use the upgrade. On all fronts. Including a new edition to my life.”

“So, I’m just an upgrade?” Shining Ire asked, a light, teasing nuzzle.

“I don’t upgrade or add anything,” Golden Dawn said, finishing with a light kiss of her lips.

Golden Dawn pulled her wing in. “If you are coming to my parents, then we need to head out. If not, that’s fine. We didn’t exactly plan this out.”

Shining Ire stood up. “Friends, and we are renting a place together. Just until you head off to basic. We can let the rest settle after.”

“Alright then,” Golden Dawn smiled. “Lets go.”

They flew until they got to a more upscale neighborhood and then they dropped to the street.

“Your parent’s live here? These places have open patios!”

“Yeah, and their names are Bobbin and Batten Sword. A Batten Sword is part of certain looms.”

Golden Dawn chuckled. “They are on the higher end when it comes to finances. But it only changed the type of house. We got little extra than anypegasus else here. Both my parents have worked for most of my life. It went into the house. But a lot of families live in smaller apartments, like where I live. A lot of lower income families from all over the city live in this area as well.”

“DEAR!”

They looked up to see a mare waving at them a few stories above them. Golden Dawn took off to the balcony and landed on it, immediately hugging her mom.

“Mom! It’s so good to see you. And you too Dad!”

Golden Dawn’s father was sitting a bit away with a young foal on his lap.

“Ace has grown big,” Golden Dawn stated. “I assume Raid and Summer are inside?”

“Yes, they are,” Bobbin smiled.

“Well, this is Shining Ire. We meet a few weeks back. I went to that charity gala as few weeks ago. Met some new friends and have been having a blast since.”

Golden Dawn kicked the sliding door open. “Raid, get your ass out here! Since you are here, I don’t want to repeat myself.”

“Aw, come on!” Dawning Radiance yawned. “We could use the sleep. A gentler wake up would have been nice.”

“Oops,” Golden Dawn chuckled. “I didn’t think about that.”

When Dawning Radiance and Summer Hue got to the door, Golden Dawn made her announcement.

“I joined the Enclave! Just as a regular soldier. Somepegasus needs to protect your asses, so I am going to.”

“Good move,” Batten Sword smiled at her. “Very solid move. The mills are full again.”

“And the diner is about to have a full serving staff,” Golden Dawn added. “I forget I was coming to dinner when Shining Ire and I made plans. But I am going to drop my lease on my apartment and rent with her for the remaining time. I leave late fall. It will complicate things less.”

“Very solid choice,” Batten Sword nodded.

“At the diner, they will take care of me and not just cut me out,” Golden Dawn shrugged. “But its going to get tighter since I won’t be working most of every day.”

“That will be good for your health,” Dawning Radiance said, finishing with a yawn. “On moving, Summer and I now own this place. Mom and Dad are staying with us until their retirement.”

“That’s awesome!” Golden Dawn said excited. “A great place for you to pick up. And I won’t have to learn a new address.”

“What about you, in the military?” Dawning Radiance asked.

“After training, its free. That is all I know. And I can have a family. So it has to be big enough for two foals. I don’t know how long I will stay in, but I know I don’t have to worry about housing or food. At least not food while I am single. But i’m not at that other half yet.”

“Well we should head over,” Bobbin stated. “I am hungry.”

“Over?” Golden Dawn asked confused.

“Warp Beam and Shuttle invited us all over a little after you called. They have some announcement. It’s been a while since you have seen Blazing Midnight.”

“Yeah,” Golden Dawn stuttered. “It has.”

Bobbin and Summer Hue stepped into the kitchen to grab some food.

“Just let me,” Golden Dawn said. “I do this for a living.”

“We have it,” Summer Hue smiled.

“I know, but I am better.”

Summer Hue rolled her eyes and they gave the dishes to Golden Dawn. Her wings were laden down with everything. Golden Dawn easily carried it down the hallway aways to the correct apartment. The door was opened quickly and Golden Dawn’s wings were immediately freed up by the others.

“We are so glad you all could come over,” Shuttle smiled. “We have some big news.”

“Blazing and Jeweled Bridge are pregnant,” Golden Dawn stated.

The others just looked at her.

“What?” Golden Dawn shrugged. “I may not have been invited to the wedding, but I still know him. He is easy to read, sitting on the couch like that. But I suggest he gets snipped quick because it won’t be one hearing, but multiple.”

Nopegasus had any idea what to say. Shining Ire just stayed out of the way, smiling and enjoying Golden Dawn’s antics.

“You didn’t invite her to the wedding?” Warp Beam sternly asked.

“I. No. No,” Blazing Midnight blushed.

Warp Beam raised an eyebrow, waiting for a real explanation.

Blazing Midnight hung his head. “When everything happened, I backed away and put distance between us. I avoided her.”

“When what happened?” Warp Beam asked.

“When we found out she was a filly fooler.”

Warp Beam let out a disappointing sigh. “I thought you were better than that. I thought your friendship meant more. Because that didn’t matter for your friendship.”

“I was a fool,” Blazing Midnight stated. “Since seeing you at the charity ball, its been eating away at me. You were… you. And I shouldn’t have let that go. Shocked or not, I shouldn’t have let it go.”

“It hurt, a lot!” Golden Dawn stated. “But I can’t be mad at my best friend. Even when he is that stupid.”

“Thanks,” Blazing Midnight smiled at her. His cheeks were as red as they could get.

“And its at least twins,” Blazing Midnight stated to everypegasus. “The Doctor is pretty sure its triplets and there is a chance it might be quadruplets.”

“Snip snip,” Golden Dawn interjected.

“It’s our first pregnancy, so the judge gave us permission to follow through no matter how many. And yes, that means I will go get that taken care of. When I work up the nerves.”

“Nothing is stopping you from doing it tomorrow,” Golden Dawn poked.

“Foals first,” Jeweled Bridge said firmly. “In case something goes wrong. I don’t want us to have acted too hastily, even doing the responsible thing.”

“Snip Snip,” Golden Dawn prodded again.

She was rewarded by a flying pillow from the couch. She wasn’t able to dodge it. But she didn’t want to. That was the ways things used to be. Should be. And were back to being.

“Well,” Golden Dawn shrugged. “I am headed in the opposite direction. I joined the military. I leave in the fall.”

They were shocked, unsure as what to say. They didn’t see that coming.

“Did you sign up with her?” Jeweled Bridge asked.

“Oh, Shining Ire and I only met at the gala. She is not joining. I am going to be dropping my apartment lease and renting with her for the few months in between. I actually have friends again. I forgot I was coming to dinner with my parents. I didn’t know dinner had moved here until five minutes before we arrived at your door.”

Golden Dawn plopped onto the carpet. The adults had the furniture, the foals got the floor. That was the rule. It didn’t apply anymore, but it felt right.

“Cake Pop, Stream’s little sister. I trained her today. She just graduated. First real job.”

“Nice,” Midnight Blaze said joining her on the floor they had been playing on longer than they could remember.

Shining Ire plopped down besides them. Jeweled Bridge rolled her eyes and joined them. They were not down there long before dinner was ready. The table was packed with no room to move. But it was enjoyable celebrating both the Blazing Midnight’s and Jeweled Bridge’s pregnancy and Golden Dawn’s enlistment.

It was late when they all departed. When Golden Dawn and Shining Ire were clear from any prying ears.

Shining Ire chuckled. “I guess I should endure the horror and spend the night in your apartment.”

“It would be wise,” Golden Dawn shrugged. “And fun.”

“I’m glad we said nothing more,” Shining Ire admitted. “We spent one night together. Its new to both of us. There was other, real stuff of importance to celebrate. It was fun. I like your family. A lot. And your friend’s family as well.”

“Good,” Golden Dawn yawned. “Because they kind of are attached to me. Even Uncle Warp Beam and Aunt Shuttle. No, they are not blood related. Or related in any way. It was simpler that way when we were younger.”

Shining Ire stayed silent as they made their way to the apartment. She spoke once the door was locked behind her.

“I am not even sure what I am anymore,” Shining Ire admitted. “I still think I’m into stallions, but I can’t deny us. Or what I feel.”

“Eh,” Golden Dawn shrugged as she put the sheets back on the bed correctly. “It will take time for it to make sense. Don’t over think it. I hear you can like both.”

“Fuck,” Shining Ire said pulled off her shirt. “I know what I like right now. But I can’t not think I’m still into stallions.”

“You just need to relax and forget about labels,” Golden Dawn said tossing her dress in front of the closet instead of hanging it back up.

“Come on,” She said grabbing Shining Ire. “Let’s just get some sleep.”

Golden Dawn wasn’t sure what to do with somepegasus else in the bed with her. The night before they had fallen asleep, exhausted. Now there was time to think. Shining Ire solved that question by pulling Shining Ire in so she was spooning her.

“I always preferred spooning,” Shining Ire whispered. “Just being the one spooning, not being spooned. The stallions don’t like that role reversal. They can’t just stick you with it if they want to.”

“Well,” Golden Dawn sighed contently. “Mmmm. I like it.”

Next Chapter: Story 1 - Red Dawn Night Estimated time remaining: 5 Hours, 12 Minutes