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The smell of classic home cooking made it increasingly difficult for me to focus on the typewriter in front of me. That, and the knowledge that we had guests and new friends in the house. That was why I decided to end my entry early and catch up on the rest later. But being back in my makeshift study did put me back in my happy place.

Right when I finished up the last page and began to set the stack of paper aside, Ember once again walked up behind me and draped her arms over my chest for another embrace. I welcomed it and placed my hand over where her two crossed. Ember then asked, "All done?"

"For now, yeah. Too many distractions right now and I wanna enjoy the time we have. I can finish the rest later." I replied while Ember took the stack of papers and set them aside for me. "It feels great being back in here though. Nice and out of the way."

"I see why you like this room so much." Ember replied as her eyes scanned the laundry room and the equipment that took up quite a bit of space. "Nice and cozy. A good place to work your mind. Maybe I should get a spot like this carved out back home..."

I then added, "Yep. And it's even better in winter. The room gets nice and warm when we have the door closed with the clothes dryer running. And even a little steamy if we have the washer set to use hot water."

"And I have no idea what laundry even is. Not like we have much cotton or silk to weave with back home." Ember grunted amusingly while she glanced out the open door and over to her disassembled suit of armor at the far end of the house. "I guess my socks probably need it right now too. Goodness knows how many times I've worn them so far..."

"I'll see if we can squeeze you in. Not sure if the laundry's been done recently." I retorted with Ember stepping over to me and gently seating herself across my lap. She draped a wing across my back for leverage, her tail snaking behind her to the floor. I almost smirked at just how comfortable she was around me, having gone from a mighty warrior to an almost playful girlfriend hanging out with her crush. I put my arm around her backside to help in keeping her upright while my other grasped her hand. "Thank you for staying."

"Thank you for inviting me in for the night." She whispered to me as she leaned her head against mine, those beautiful scarlet eyes closing. Even with the sounds of conversation and cooking happening just outside the laundry room, we were focused only on each other at that moment. Ember then whispered in wistful dread, "There'll be no easy way for me to leave tomorrow..."

"I know... I wasn't expecting you to head home with a smile on your face." I muttered as I too found myself dreading losing my beloved and guardian after so many weeks together. She was always by my side. She went to great lengths to keep me safe when danger arose. And she vowed to die with me if there was no other outcome that would end the war in our favor. My fingers tightened around hers and said, "I want to tell you."

"Not yet... Please." Ember whispered without opening her eyes. Even without looking, she lifted my hand before her lips and placed a kiss upon it that sent a shudder down my spine. "My little warrior poet... Save your masterpiece for the right time."

"I would hold you forever, if I could." I muttered as I found the need to resist speaking my heart to that wonderful woman to be near impossible. Who knows when we would next see each other once she finally went home the next day? I then pulled her hand to my lips and placed a kiss atop it. Ember responded by leaning even more firmly into me. My hand's grasp loosened as I rubbed my fingers over her hand. Despite being hands that have wrought carnage upon her enemies and have held weapons many times, they were still so delicate. Covered in smooth blue scales, I began to wonder if there was an artist in her too. "I wonder what marvels these hands can weave..."

My words caught her attention. I noticed Ember's scarlet eyes open just a crack to gaze upon our hands. "I've always been a warrior... Do you really think these hands can weave masterpieces like yours?"

"If not through text, then maybe something else. Visual art, musical art, or who knows? Even the way you wield the spear at times has a certain grace to it. Even the use of such weapons is an art form." I explained while having always seen swordplay as an art. Something I take pride in practicing.

I continued to kiss those precious hands, hands that have held and protected me many times. Ember got creative with the use of her tail to close the door leading out and leaving us isolated in the laundry room. And her hands were soon replaced by her lips. Our eyes closed and arms wrapped around each other. I soon felt the caress of her tongue upon mine, that familiar faint hint of sulfur upon it. We groaned and cooed into that wonderful kiss as we simply could not hide our love for each other. It was such a shame that we could not say it just yet...

During only the briefest lull in that kiss, Ember whispered with a gasp. "You'll always have me..."

Our fingers intertwined as we again kissed. As our tongues danced. As that lovely little dragoness clung to me. She whispered again during a brief pause to breathe more easily, "If the world rejects you... Come find me. I'll always be yours."

"Ember..." I muttered before tears began to flow down my cheeks. Holding her like that... Savoring such precious intimacy with that beautiful dragon queen... It only then reminded me of what I would truly lose the coming day. And I began to quietly weep as I held her in my arms. "Please don't go..."

"I...don't want to..." Ember muttered as we could no longer find the will to partake in such precious kisses. We held each other in joy and also dread, knowing what tomorrow would bring. "I shouldn't have to leave... Why does it have to be this way?"

My heart ignored my knowledge that I should not say such things. Even if they were true. My voice wavering, I whispered beautiful truths to her. "I just...love you so mu..."

"Please... Don't... Don't make this harder than it already is..." Ember almost snarled as I felt her tears dripping onto my shoulder. She wheezed as she said, "I am this close... This close to just telling those boulderheads to leave without me... To go back and just...give the Bloodstone Scepter to whoever wants it. I don't care about the throne... Not when you appreciate me more than they ever did..."

"But...they need you..." I muttered in realization. She would do it, I was sure of it. She really would forsake the dragon lands entirely if she really wanted to.

"But I don't need them. You're all I need." Ember cooed with her finger caressing the length of my jaw. Her scarlet eyes gaze into mine and said, "I wish...I could just stay here forever. To just be happy with you, day after day. These past several weeks, you were my world. A world I couldn't bear to lose... I don't know if I can leave that behind now. What I would give..."

Such beauty in those words. And my heart ached for her all the same. There are so few I could bear to leave without shedding tears and Ember had carved out a place in a very special spot in my heart. I was so in love... And she was too. It was not fair for us to be apart. Her hand in mine and with fresh tears on my face, I asked quietly, "Would you...be my dragon bride if you could stay?"

Ember's eyes open wide as she stared at me in stunned silence. It was just a rhetorical question, but it could have been misconstrued as a genuine proposal. I think Ember knew this too, but it did not stop her from giving me a response that said exactly what was in her heart. She took hold of me and demanded, "Kiss me, you wonderful man!"

And I did. Our lips locked once more as we resumed that wonderful kiss. Just...anything to find comfort. We could not take comfort in knowing what came next, so we took comfort in each other. We held each other. We tasted each other. We sang to each other. Anything to dull the pain of our inevitable parting. And at the first opportunity, Ember whispered to me. "I will find you."

"Wha...?" I started to mutter with my tears drying. She sounded confident. What was she planning?

Ember pulled away and looked me in the eye. Those scarlet eyes held an almost impish kind of determination in that gaze. "I will find you. I know where you live now. I swear you won't be waiting too much longer to see me."

"Then...I will see you soon?" I asked with Ember nodding readily. But even with this reassurance from the Dragon Lord, and knowing that she has a way of making things happen when they need to happen, I still could not keep my tears at bay. My voice kept breaking as I muttered, "I just wish...it didn't have to be next time instead of every day..."

"James... Why are you crying so much?" Ember asked tenderly, fingers wiping my tears away one by one. "How many do you weep for when you have to say goodbye?"

"Very...very few... The ones I have the greatest difficulty in seeing... The further apart we'll become, the harder it is to let go... And you're one of them..." I explained while struggling to keep my composure. We held each other dearly, Ember's fingers caressing the back of my head constantly. "You're not just the best the dragon lands have to offer... You're one of the best people I know."

"I'm honored... I wonder... Do you hold me so tightly because we were so dependant on each other out there? Sustaining each other on the battlefield?" Ember asked in curiosity as I too pondered that thought. We served together. Defended each other in situations where we could have ended up dead. What does such an experience do to those who are friends? Perhaps even more? "Every time we faced the enemy, I was so worried about you... Like you were carrying the entire war on your shoulders. That if anything happened to you, everything would fall apart. There were too many times when I felt my heart jump into my throat..."

My fingers coiled more tightly around hers. I rested my brow against hers as I whispered to Ember, "Maybe the only reason I got as far as I did was because...you came back to us..."

"No... No, I didn't." Ember said firmly before looking me in the eye with a very stern, yet sincere stare. "I came back to you. And I'm glad I did."

I sighed with my emotions calming, my beloved still in my arms. "I'm...honored. Even after everything, I always had you. I don't think...I would value you this highly if we didn't go through what we did. You and Rain Shine."

"We gained something of value after all." Ember sighed in what sounded like a moment of relief. As if she found reason to relax. She then whispered with her head against my chest, "Didn't we, my dear?"

"I know I did... I can't measure the value of someone like you..." I whispered to her with her head tucked under my jaw.

After a moment longer, Ember caressed her hand over my back. And in a very soothing manner. "It'll be OK... It will...be OK... I want to believe that..."

I grunted quietly in curiosity, wondering what she was even referring to. Ember then lifted her head and spoke with quite a confident smile on her lips. "We'll make this work... It's not like you'll be rid of me that easily."

That almost smug tone... It was almost like Ember was daring me to run from her just so she could have the satisfaction of chasing me down. "You sure of that?"

"Don't forget what I told you, James." Ember whispered with her fingers tenderly and very flirtatiously caressingly along my jaw. "I will pursue you to the ends of the earth. You'll never escape me."

Something about those words caused a very special memory to stir. For Ember had indeed pursued me when I fled. And she engaged me in a duel where neither of us could bring ourselves to put our hearts into it. And...the aftermath as we soared ever higher into the sky. My love for her burning as I remembered the words we shared, I whispered a familiar question to her. "How far are you willing to chase me?"

That smile... It brightened even further as her eyes narrowed in epiphany. She remembered. "I'll scale every wall in my way. I'll cross every ocean if I must."

I asked again, "But how far?"

Ember responded in kind with her wing beginning to pull the two of us closer. "To the ends of the earth. And I will dive to the deepest depths."

I then asked the final question I remembered. "And for how long?"

"From this world to the next, if I have to." She cooed with her brow resting against mine, those beautiful scarlet eyes gazing into mine. And before I could even try to say a thing, she said one last familiar phrase. "Because you mean the world to me."

"I..." I muttered as fresh tears began to flow. How hard it was to not be able to say what was needed, but the truth being known to us both. We needed each other. We were meant for each other. The war, as scathing as it was, gave us each other. And I could not bear to go back to being without her. My voice breaking again, I whispered to her. "I can't lose you... Not now..."

"You'll never lose me." Ember spoke with a very firm gaze, both hands cradling the sides of my face with her wing holding her against me. She continued to whisper as our conversation became evermore private, hoping that whoever was on the other side of the door would not hear. "I will always be your shield. I will never break. I...will...never fall as long as I still have you. Your enemies will be my enemies and I will show them no mercy if they ever raise a blade to you."

Such power in those words. I am constantly reminded of just how hotly the love of a dragon burns. My tears ceased to flow as I was left reeling from such a powerful declaration. But as she held my face, Ember's eyes displayed a certain...playful sincerity. "A queen must protect her king as much as he protects her, right?"

I remembered. That failsafe we had planned in case Equestria would ultimately refuse to take me back. I had to ask. "Would you really take me as your king, Ember?"

She did not hesitate as she whispered to me. "If things go from bad to worse and you need to come to me, I'll crown you on the first day. My people will welcome you and they will bow to you. And if anyone has a problem with that, they'll answer to me."

I could not even begin to comprehend reigning over dragons, especially when even a firebrand like Ember could have such difficulty keeping them in line. Although Ember's tone softened as she pressed her brow to mine, her scarlet eyes barely inches from mine. "Yes. I would gladly be your queen."

I held her. Cradled my beloved Ember against me as if we had just been wed. And she dealt a sudden gentle blow to my heart as I closed my eyes. "Do you remember the fantasies we shared with each other that day? Do you remember mine?"

How could I forget? Such beautiful words were shared that afternoon. And I remembered hers, even as she whispered to me with what was surely a lovely smile spreading across her lips below. "I'll be expecting you to make mine a reality once I crown you."

It was...such a beautiful admission to make. Even if just fantasies, to hear Ember say to me how she...hoped for a family... I felt my heart swell as I muttered, "That... I... Becoming a father to dragon children is a nearly lifelong dream of mine... Especially if they're yours... Do you really want that?"

Ember then said something I had not heard before. Something she must have been keeping very close to her heart. "I've dreamed of carrying our egg... And I've dreamed of seeing our hatchling... He had your eyes."

As a father who had just been reunited with his firstborn, the image those words instilled in my mind were enough to spawn another set of tears. When I closed my eyes, I could almost see that little dragon child. Smaller than Spike, and certainly looking even more helpless and weak, cradled in the arms of its mother and father... Ember's words reached me in my daydream. "We'll have to discuss it at some point. I'm not ready yet... But someday."

Although this did bring to mind an unfortunate realization. I had seen her people in person. And my eyes sprang open as I asked, "Wait... Would your people really accept an heir who was fathered by an outsider?"
I did not get the response I expected. Ember burst into a quiet snickering fit before she said, "What kind of question is that? The children of the Dragon Lord and a hero of the War of Preservation? I'd say that's more than enough to win them over."

Ember finally released my face and caressed the back of my bandaged head as a means to bring our faces even closer together. Even as she kept her jaws angled downward to let our eyes gaze into the other's. "I don't know if you know this yet, but the ones under my command? The twelve who've been with us the whole time? They really respect you now. Once we get back home, word will surely start to spread. They will know your name. And they will know what you've done for us. I swear the next time you ever show up in my home, my people will have some much warmer greetings for you. And if they don't... I'll be reminding them. With pain."

I could only imagine how my next visit would go after the first time was marred by being assaulted and harassed by a band of juveniles. What was the ringleader's name? Garble? I doubt he would ever grow to respect me, but he would be incurring the wrath of Ember if he ever tried anything again. She only let him off with a very uncomfortable pin to the ground while twisting an arm last time. She just might kill him if he ever messes with me again now. "You...uh...can be pretty scary, now that I think about it."

"Oh, don't go thinking I'll ever take a swing at you." Ember chuckled before she again cradled my face between her hands. She then said softly, "These hands will never hurt you. I swear it."

"And I believe you." I whispered back to her while I took both of her hands in mine and placed soft little kisses upon them. Such dainty little hands. One would never guess how much destruction they wrought during the war. "You have such beautiful hands."

"All the better to hold you with, my dear." Ember giggled, her beautiful blue hands taking both of mine between them. She then whispered to me, "If you ever need a hand to hold, mine are always available."

"And I appreciate it. There's...something about holding a hand that you just can't experience with holding a hoof." I replied with that strangely comforting feeling of having my hands being cradled between the hands of someone else. Someone very dear to me.

"No one ever held my hand until you did." Ember sighed dreamily now that she had my hands pinned between hers. "I see why you like this so much."

"I'll hold them forever, if you would let me." I whispered to her, my words enticing Ember into clamping her fingers even more firmly around mine.

I saw Ember beaming at me as she provided a tender retort. "Hold me forever. In my dreams."

For a while longer, it was just the two of us. Tucked away in the cozy confines of the laundry room with the sound of dinner being prepared just on the other side of the door. Man and dragoness, so deeply in love. Lips touching, hands clasping, but the right words never being spoken. I have always been a patient man, but never before have I felt more impatient. We both knew the answer. And yet that answer could not be spoken. And so I whispered to Ember for some confirmation. "Are you sure you're not ready? I can tell you now..."

Ember cradled my face in her palm as she gazed into my eyes in longing. "Trust me, James... I didn't really start listening to my heart until after I found you. I'm not ready...because I don't really understand myself yet. Please... Give me some time. If you ever do ask for my hand, I want to be ready for it."

"Yes, no, or asking for more time? All right." I replied as I recalled the lesser known third option in the art of dragon courtship. I would have to wait. I may have understood how my own heart worked at the time, but not Ember. What a massive learning experience this entire ordeal had been for her.

"Thank you... Really, I don't want to sound indecisive, but... Well, I've never been all that great at talking about my feelings. Not like anyone ever listened to me before you came along." Ember retorted with a hint of snark in her voice. She smirked at me as her fingers slid over my bandaged head. She even tapped her fingers upon it before she said, "My little warrior poet... How often are your thoughts filled with such beautiful romantic musings? How frequently do you think about holding and cherishing the lucky ladies who came into your life?"

"Very...very often, if I'm to be completely honest." I muttered in some embarrassment. That piercing impish gaze Ember was giving me... She was just trying to get a rise out of me.

"I'd expect no less from you." Ember chuckled as she likely took pleasure in getting me all flustered. Although I then noticed that her mouth was watering quite a bit. The aroma of Fluttershy's cooking was seeping through the door and it was becoming increasingly succulent over time. She wiped her lips before saying, "OK, I think we've been in here long enough... I can barely think with that smell getting in here."

"Always eager to try new cooking, right? Trust me, Fluttershy's great and cooking up great meals. And I can hardly wait to get some fried potatoes right about now." I replied as I could hear the sizzling of that dish in a skillet.

The two of us peeked out the door to find Smolder had just finished setting the table while Fluttershy was tending to the stove. She even set out some extra plates just in case we had guests. Although the little dragoness gave us both a very smug smirk, no doubt from being all too aware of how long we were into there together. "So, what were you two up to in there?"

"Stuff. Just...stuff." Ember muttered bluntly before Smolder burst into laughter. There was no hiding such an attraction between dragons from another dragon. I hurried out of the kitchen while Ember stayed behind to observe Fluttershy working her culinary skills. Probably to get an idea of how good old fashioned home cooking works.

I sat on the sofa in the living room and savored a moment of solitude. Novo still had Gladesong with her and was probably showing off the new baby to the entire crew aboard the Alabaster. Sky Beak was still in town somewhere. And Scootaloo was still over at Sugarcube Corner with Pinkie Pie. And when considering who was in the kitchen, the only one still unaccounted for at that moment was...

"May I...?" I heard a demure little voice ask from my right. Standing just off to the side was a little dark mare with blank pale blue eyes.

"Sure thing, love bug. Come here." I muttered with an outreached hand. The little Changeling bounded up into my arms and rested atop me as I lied down on the down. I felt her nuzzle her cheek against my chest. Right over my own heart. I then asked, "You liking your new home?"

"I can still barely believe I really have a home now..." Ocellus sighed with her hoof rubbing over me. She then added, "And...the love in you is feeling sweeter now... Are you healing?"

"I hope so... I'm just ready for things to go back to normal... Eh?" I muttered before a sound got my attention. There was a knock at the door. "Oh. Excuse me, Ocellus."

"Aw, and I was just getting comfy..." She grumbled while I left her behind on the sofa. She did not sound all that upset though.

There was another knock at the door before I could get to it. And when I opened it, I was actually very surprised at who was on the other side. A very familiar griffon hen. "Gilda?"

"Yo... You think now's a good time?" Gilda asked while trying to keep her voice down. Fluttershy had no idea she was even in town. But there was no better time to make amends than now. We had all gotten settled now that I was back home. I nodded quietly before allowing Gilda inside. She scanned the interior of our living room while Ocellus just watched from her resting spot. Gilda then glanced back at me and said, "Nice place you got here."

"Thanks. Anyway, you ready for this?" I asked with some apprehension in my gut. I was not there to see what happened between Gilda and Fluttershy when they first met. I could not make any assumptions of how this reunion would go. Gilda adjusted her feathery bangs to drape over the left side of her face before she nodded at me. Then was no turning back now. I then peeked into the kitchen and called out to my wife. "Fluttershy? We have a guest who wants to see you."

"OK, I'll be right there. Smolder, could you please mind the stove for me?" Fluttershy replied with the little dragoness taking over for the moment. But when she stepped into the living room... "Hello, how can I..."

Fluttershy instantly froze with eyes wide open. The room became quiet and filled with a subtle tension as Gilda and Fluttershy stared with only Ocellus and I watching. Gilda was the first to break the silence as she nervously raised a hand in greeting. "Hey... Been a while."

My wife's only response was to take a step back. To have someone who left more than just a poor first impression on her right there in the sanctum of her own home must have been alarming. She clearly recognized Gilda, who was quick to hold out her hand in an attempt to calm her. "Hey, before anything else happens... I need to say I'm sorry... Really. I am."

Fluttershy stopped her retreat while she gazed at Gilda in some confusion. "You...are?"

Gilda brought herself down to the floor to make herself appear less menacing. She then explained, "Look... I'll just tell it like it is. When Dash moved away to Ponyville, we...didn't go through the same experiences. She became a better person while I...didn't. I've asked myself a lot of questions while we were out there during the war and... Let's just say I know what a total dweeb I was. I'm not proud of who I was. I wish I didn't do what I did. And I wish I had more good influences in my life. Really... I'm sorry."

My wife tilted her head to one side in bewilderment. She then asked, "You... You served in the war?"

"Yeah! Yeah, I was in the same unit as Dash. We evacuated anyone who got hurt. Saved a lotta lives out there. And... Well..." Gilda explained before she glanced over at me. And I knew where this was going. "Your man here's the one who set me straight. Even got Dash and I to patch things up with each other. We're all cool with each other now."

Fluttershy stared at me in surprise, wordlessly demanding answers. And so I said, "I don't know exactly what happened between you two, but Gilda was nothing if not a good friend after we sat down and just talked to each other. It always sounded like she came from a bad environment that ended up being a terrible influence on her. I didn't even like her at first myself until we really just talked about things."

"Yep. I was always a bad girl. And I don't wanna be bad for the wrong reasons anymore." Gilda retorted while almost poking fun at herself over her own bad decisions. She then looked at Fluttershy and said, "I didn't come here expecting any forgiveness. But you needed to know that I'm sorry for any of the junk I put you and everyone else through. And if you want, I'll just see myself out."

Fluttershy had such a conflicted look on her face. Probably a result of her memories clashing with what she had just heard from us. Although she then said, "To be fair... I had completely forgotten about you by now. I think we only interacted with each other for about twenty seconds last time."

"That's...it?" I asked in surprise. For such a brief encounter, I expected it to have been burned into Fluttershy's memory. But if that was the first and last time they ever really crossed paths or directly interacted with each other, Fluttershy's encounter with Gilda was probably remembered more as a one-off unpleasant experience instead of making a new enemy.

"I only remembered you when I saw you." Fluttershy replied as she took a step forward. I think she had no idea how to see Gilda at that moment. They barely even knew each other. She then asked, "But all my friends like you now?"

Gilda nodded and said, "Yeah, I'm cool with the girls and they're cool with me. You got some good friends. And you've got one awesome hubby."

That last part caused Fluttershy to visibly recoil as a thick blush filled her face. Fluttershy flustered almost joyously while I too cracked a huge grin. "Oh, well.. I... I guess I did get really lucky... We've been...really good for each other..."

"Yeah, I can tell. And he never forgot about you out there. I caught him making out with that hippogriff queen at one point and just about took him for some lowlife Casanova wannabe, but he really had no plans on ever leaving you. The guy's a very rare kind of good egg." Gilda explained with it being my turn to recoil in unease. I still remember that talk we had.

Fluttershy ended up giggling quite a bit as she recalled who that queen is. "Oh, you mean Novo! Well, I had heard about her before then. And I only just met her this afternoon. She really is an amazing mare."

"Yeah, she's way cool. Didn't know a queen like that could even exist." Gilda snorted while rolling her eye. Although that smirk then faded as she asked, "But anyway... Are we good now? Or do you wanna show me the door?"

I think Fluttershy was much more sincerely considering her stance on the whole issue. She barely even knew Gilda. And what she did know was nothing good at all. My wife averted her gaze as she mumbled, "I don't know... I don't think I've ever met anyone who was so unconditionally mean to me right away."

"Hey, I'd sock myself in the beak if I could meet the old me right now." Gilda spoke firmly, a look of disgust on her face. Her eye even closed for just a moment. Probably to think more clearly about past actions that surely filled her with nothing but shame. "I was a bad girl. Not gonna deny that."

I was tempted to reach out to comfort Gilda, but decided against it. This was only between the two of them. But when Fluttershy still hesitated in giving a response, I had an idea. I turned to Ocellus and asked, "What're you feeling from Gilda here, love bug?"

"Her? Um... Now that you ask..." The Changeling over yonder replied while we all turned to her. She looked directly at the griffon hen and said, "I mean it's not like I can read minds, but... It really doesn't feel like she's hiding anything. That love...feels very sincere. It's...warm."

"Heh, no hiding your heart from a Changeling, am I right?" The griffon hen snickered with a crooked smirk on her beak. But she quickly lost that smile when her eyes met Fluttershy's again.

After a moment longer, Fluttershy came up with an answer. "I think I have an idea. I'm not really sure what to think... But there's someone you'll have to meet before anything else happens. We'll let them decide."

Gilda tilted her head to one side and side, "Let someone else call the shots? OK, cool. But...uh...where are they?"

I almost did not notice it, but Fluttershy's ears twitched as she picked up a faint sound that we did not. Ocellus also noticed something and looked towards the front door. Fluttershy then said in an almost smug manner, "Wait for it..."

Barely three seconds later, the door burst open without so much as a knock on it. And Novo quickly ducked inside without an ounce of subtly. "Mama's home!"

"Oh hey, the queen again. What's up?" Gilda asked before her eye narrowed upon noticing a tiny filly being cradled in Novo's arm. "Hang on... What's that there?"

"Oh, this little sweet pea?" Novo replied as she took a seat and held Gladesong in both hands. She nuzzled her beak against the giggling foal's nose as she said, "Mama here just finished giving this little princess a private tour of the Alabaster and introduced her to the crew. And she had a ball! Didn't you now, baby girl? Yes you did! And everyone wanted to snuggle with you."

Once again, Novo was channeling her motherly side like a true old pro and Gladesong was loving her for it. But as Novo spoke so sweetly to who was essentially her new goddaughter, Gilda's eye opened wide while her beak hung open. The truth was right in front of her and I had to wonder how much I really told her out there on the Empty Plains. She glanced at me and then at Fluttershy while the two of us beamed with a certain smug sense of pride. Gilda then muttered, "Oh man, you really do have a kid..."

Only then did Novo notice how quiet it was in the room. She looked left and right as if she was wondering if someone was hiding. "What's with the tension in here? Was there a fight while I was out? Should I hold onto this little sweet pea a little longer?"

"No, you showed up at just the right time. We were hoping Gladesong could meet someone." I replied while Fluttershy nodded towards the queen after glancing at Gilda. I then asked, "Novo? If you'd please?"

"Sure thing, honey. OK now, sweetie. Mama's gonna set you down now. You've got a new friend to meet. And I think it's this pretty kitty here." Novo retorted as she gently lowered Gladesong to the floor. Gilda had no idea how to handle that bit of sweet talking from the hippogriff queen while the feathers coating her head became very fluffy and ruffled. Novo was quick to see Gilda's physical reaction and scoffed appropriately at it. "Oh, why the ruffled feathers? Mama knows a pretty thing when she sees one."

"I'm never gonna get used to this chick..." Gilda grumbled before she froze upon finding Gladesong toddling up to her. Possibly on reflex more than anything, the griffon hen then spread her impressive golden wings. I think she was under a bit of duress at the time and probably had no idea how to deal with very young children. But instead of being intimidated, Gladesong's eyes opened wide in wonder at Gilda's sheer wingspan. Much bigger than her own mother's. She cooed in wonderment while spreading her tiny wings as well. This did not go unnoticed with Gilda even starting to crack a smirk. "Hey... You like my wingspan, huh? I bet you wish those tiny things could get as big as my babies here."

Gladesong giggled and flapped her tiny wings rapidly with no sense of rhythm in a manner that would never get her off the ground. I think she got the idea from watching how Scootaloo does it when piloting her scooter. Gilda played along and performed a few very gentle flaps of her own wings to fan my daughter. That breeze in her face only excited Gladesong more before she toddled forward and nestled herself into Gilda's fluffy neck. Once again, Gilda's feathers puffed up as she squirmed in discomfort. She looked at Fluttershy and I in desperation and asked, "What do I do?"

"Be nice to her." Fluttershy replied with an almost fiendish smirk on her lips. There must have been something satisfying about seeing someone who gave her a very brief but scathing bit of grief during their only encounter being so uncomfortably out of their element. And it was pretty funny seeing a tough girl like Gilda having no idea how to respond to a foal wanting affection from her. Especially when this was clearly a test. Gladesong had already given Gilda her approval. But what about the other way around?

There was a sneaking suspicion in my gut that Gilda may have been afraid of hurting Gladesong. The way she kept glancing at the two of us made me wonder if Gilda had ever harmed a child. I strongly doubt that, even that would be going too far for Gilda on even her worst days. But Gilda then froze as her eyes focused on Novo while the hippogriff queen watched with almost excited interest. I think Gilda was most wary of Novo's potential reactions more than anything. If she did anything to harm the filly Novo had become so enamored with, the hippogriff queen would surely unleash unimaginable hell upon her. And that was a side of Novo I dearly hoped would never be seen.

Gilda appeared to be carefully considering her options before she finally rested a hand on Gladesong's back. She gently stroked the snuggling filly before saying, "So then... Uh... Heh, I really didn't think I'd ever meet you. I'm...Gilda. I'm a good friend of your dad. And your auntie Dash and I go way back... Hey, she knows Rainbow Dash, right?"

"Oh, she's friends with all of our friends. They love her." Fluttershy replied with her smirk becoming a kinder smile. She could tell Gilda was really trying to endear herself to the new baby tucked into her feathers.

"Cool. I bet she's not ready for foalsitting though." Gilda retorted snarkily before focusing on Gladesong again. And after a moment of looking her over, Gilda did something we were not expecting. She took Gladesong's tiny wings into her beak and began to preen them one by one. We heard her sigh before admitting, "I guess even I've got a mama cat in me somewhere..."

That was all it took. Fluttershy then stepped up beside Gilda and caressed her head with an outstretched wing. Gilda looked up at my wife only to see her smiling very kindly down at her. "I forgive you."

Gilda did not even respond at first. Perhaps she had written off ever being forgiven by those she wronged. But she did finally lower her gaze and muttered, "Thanks... Really. I know I shouldn't be asking for any second chances after that anyway."

This did a lot for my heart. I had faith that Gilda really was a good person, but it was relieving to see Fluttershy sharing my sentiment. Although I then noticed Fluttershy tilting her head to one side with that smile fading into a look of curiosity. Just when I started to wonder why she looked so confused, she spoke up. "Why is your face bandaged on the left side?"

She saw it. Granted, those feathery bangs draped over the left side of Gilda's face might have been enough to keep a casual passerby from noticing, but it was much less plausible when up close to someone. Gilda sighed with her hand cradling Gladesong's head into her fluffy plumage and said, "You weren't supposed to see that..."

Fluttershy's initial wariness was replaced by genuine concern. She asked softly, "Did you...get hurt in the war?"

Gilda kept her response brief. "Almost lost an eye. I got lucky."

I saw my wife's eyes open wide while she glanced over at me for further confirmation. I flinched at the memory as I said, "She took an arrow to the face."

"Oh my goodness, no! No, that's too much!" Fluttershy shrieked before grabbing the very surprised griffon hen in a comforting hug. Gilda had no idea how to even respond while keeping Gladesong securely held against her. "No, no, that's not fair! Even you didn't deserve that! Are you sure you're all right?"

Gilda stammered and stuttered, barely able to get a word out at first. Although she then cracked a relieved grin and said, "Nah, I'm... I'm good. Just need to keep this wrapped up for now. I guess karma got me good that day. Got me for being a bad girl, but showed enough mercy to let me keep my eye. Seriously, lefty here still works."

This did little to soothe Fluttershy's shock. She continued to hold Gilda and pet her head while whispering sweet words of reassurance and offering any possible aid. Gilda went from looking uncomfortable to looking like she was on the verge of laughing. She eventually glanced over at me once Fluttershy quieted down and said, "You married a really good mare."

"At the end of the day, she was probably the best choice. I'm grateful for her." I replied while smiling down at my wife and daughter.

"Mmhm... And I know I won't be the last." Fluttershy said almost proudly while she continued to hold and pet Gilda in her arm. Gladesong was too content with being nestled in Gilda's feathery embrace to really mind what was going on.

Gilda averted her gaze for a moment with her eye looking at nothing in particular. I watched and listened as she muttered, "Yeah... He told me. You're really doing that kinda relationship, huh?"

"I know it's not...normal, but I really do have faith in him. Rarity was the first and we both thought it could work. And it has been working so far and very well too." Fluttershy explained while she hugged Gilda's head. "We're all a family here. And it's a family that will just keep growing."

Novo said her piece as well after a long silence from her. "She's not kidding, honey. If even I see it as viable, then you know these lovebirds know what they're doing."

"Hey, I didn't say I don't believe you! It's just...kinda surprising knowing everyone here's on the same page." Gilda retorted before going silent in contemplation. I saw her tilt her gaze downwards to focus on the filly she was holding against her chest. I heard Gilda say softly, "Sounds like you're gonna have lots of moms eventually... And probably lots of brothers and sisters too."

Upon hearing that, Novo and I shared a gaze. And her eyes told me everything I needed to know. That beautiful creature wiggled her eyebrows at me with such a smirk on her beak. And I could only grin back at her in nervous amusement. Gladesong would absolutely not be the last child to be born into our family. Certainly not if Novo had anything to say about it.

While Fluttershy continued to hold Gilda and Gilda continued to hold Gladesong, there was a knock at the door. And Sky Beak was on the other side once Novo opened it. The blissful queen then said, "Welcome back, grandpa. Your baby girl's made a new friend while you were away."

"Ohohoho my goodness, it's gonna take so long to get used to this..." Sky Beak chuckled as he stepped inside. He was not carrying anything on him and even his armor had been discarded, leading me to believe he had dropped off any souvenirs he had picked up back at his bunk aboard the Alabaster. He then sniffed the air and asked, "Ooh, am I just in time for dinner?"

"Yep. You wanna join us?" I asked while glancing over at the kitchen. Smolder appeared to be finishing up just fine and I could even see some of the servings being moved to platters. The kitchen was about to get very crowded.

"I'd love to! But first..." Sky Beak retorted before stepping over to Gilda. He brought himself down to the floor and asked, "May I see her?"

Gilda's eye opened wide as Fluttershy finally let her guest go. The griffon hen then looked down at Gladesong and said, "Oh, right. Papa bird. Grandpa. Here you go. Hey, squirt. Your dad's old man wants you."

Sky Beak's eyes lit up as Gilda took Gladesong into her hands and held her out to my feathery father. And as soon as the little filly locked eyes with the joyous stallion, she perked up and squealed quietly in joy. I took it upon myself to say, "I think she knows who you are by now."

"Oh my goodness, I think you might be right." Sky Beak spoke softly as he took the tiny filly into his hands. He nuzzled his beak against her forehead as she let out a soft coo like a dove. "I still need to introduce you to your grandmother. Ocean Flow will be over the moon to meet you, little one."

Seeing the two of them together got me feeling a little sentimental. It was a sight I never expected to see. A man I came to know as my father holding my own daughter. A family I never would have had should I have remained on Earth. This realization hitting me right in the heart, I sat beside Sky Beak and put my arms around him while he did the same to me with his wing. I rested my head against his and whispered, "I'm...very grateful to have you here right now..."

Sky Beak gently tucked Gladesong between the two of us and returned my sentiment with a tiny whisper of his own. And that whisper carried with it a truly beautiful statement. "I don't think I've ever been more proud of you."

I all but burst into tears. This was the life victory had given me. My family with Fluttershy had only just gotten started when I headed out to face the enemy. And now it had already grown. For just a moment, there were no words. All prying eyes even turned away to let us savor this moment of familiar silence. Although I did hear Gilda speak to us with a quivering whisper of her own, ""You really struck gold, dude. I'm happy for you."

After a few more minutes, there was another knock at the door. And I should have seen it coming. Novo did not even reach for the door before it burst open with an excitable voice calling out. "Hey, Dad! Did you know there's this huge airship parked out front... Whoa."

Scootaloo had just made it home. And she was not ready for all of the guests we had there. My eldest daughter looked around at everyone and asked. "Wow. We have guests?"

"That's not a problem, is it?" Novo retorted with an amused smirk on her beak. She then turned to Scootaloo and said, "And I take it you are your daddy's #1 girl, right?"

The pegasus filly gazed up in awe at the gorgeous hippogriff mare before her. And then it all clicked. "Wait... Are you that awesome queen Dad talked about when he got back from that island a couple of months ago?"

Novo chuckled at Scootaloo's choice of words before tussling her mane. "That's me! Queen Novo. Pleasure to meet you, baby. Sounds like you're the little sparkplug he's told me about."

"Wow, you're one cool queen. No wonder he likes you so much." Scootaloo said with a huge snickering grin on her face. She then trotted around Novo and tossed her cape up onto the coat rack by the door. It was still so hard to believe that she now had a perfectly fitting cutie mark on each flank now. And while she did look like she was ready to talk to me, she was instead drawn to the big feathery stallion who was holding me in his wing. Scootaloo then asked, "Hi, mister. Who're you?"

Sky Beak glanced at me while I started to smirk at him. He then looked at my daughter and said, "Well, I am Sky Beak. And if what I've heard is true, you happen to be my granddaughter."

That stare... It was as if Scootaloo's mind had just blown a fuse while she processed that revelation. I almost laughed at that stare before she said, "Wait! Sky Beak... Sky Beeeak... Aren't you the guy Dad met who he said was like a dad to him?"

"That's me! And trust me when I say your dad grew up to be a good man." Sky Beak laughed as he continued to cuddle with my youngest daughter. "And I am just so thrilled to meet the granddaughters I never even knew I had."

"Wow, our family just keeps getting weirder and weirder... First Rarity's a second mom to me? And now I got a bird grandpa?" Scootaloo asked while looking more bewildered than offended. This left me conflicted since explaining my relationships to her has been the most difficult aspect of my family, but she then quickly waved her hooves and said, "Whoa, hey, it's not like I got a problem with that! I didn't even know what it's like to have a family and now I've got a family with so many cool people in it! Man, I hope my wings get as big as yours someday!"

I snickered under my breath while Sky Beak held his head high and laughed. "Ha! I guess big wings run in the family! Have you even seen your father's wingspan? Always makes me proud when I see him take to the air."

Scootaloo just stared at my jesting father with a cockeyed gaze. But she then grinned and said, "Oh, you mean those wings! Yeah, that armor he's got has such a huge pair!"

Sky Beak then looked his new granddaughter over and said, "Maybe it's because I almost never see pegasi where I come from, but your wings do look rather tiny. Is this normal from fillies your age?"

"Pretty much, yeah. You'd be surprised how a pegasus can fly with such little wings. I guess we're all a bunch of lightweights." Scootaloo said before she looked at her own wings and rapidly fluttered them. Although I still was not convinced they would ever be able to get her off the ground. I still need to check in with Apple Bloom to see how that little gift for Scootaloo is coming along. As if to mirror my thoughts, Scootaloo then said, "Mine don't work yet, so I just use them to get around on my scooter. I guess I'm just a late bloomer. Then again, all of us Cutie Mark Crusaders were late bloomers in finding our cutie marks, so I guess I'll start flying before you know it at this rate!"

"Sounds like you and your friends were busy fighting your own war while we were fighting ours." Sky Beak replied while he tussled his granddaughter's mane.

Fluttershy then stepped around him and said, "I was wondering why you were wearing your cape everywhere for weeks on end, even when you were in the house. You were just keeping that a surprise for James?"

Scootaloo then explained, "Actually, we were keeping it a surprise for everypony. It didn't feel right showing anyone until everypony finally came home. So we kept our flanks hidden every day. And thanks to Pinkie Pie, we got our whole cute-ceañera planned out for next week! The whole class will be there!"

"That was very sweet of you to wait until they were all home to see for themselves." Fluttershy replied as she nuzzled our daughter's head. She then looked at Gladesong and said, "And there's still somepony who needs to see it."

"Ooh, right!" Scootaloo gasped before she approached Sky Beak and I. I had little to say with Scootaloo's attention being spread thin between all our guests, but it was a pleasure just watching and listening. Scootaloo quickly lowered the volume of her voie as she got Gladesong's attention. "Hey! Hey, check it out! Your big sis just got her cutie mark! Pretty cool, right?"

Gladesong must not have seen her big sister's bare flank in some time and very curiously reached out to touch it. Scootaloo snickered as she added, "Yep, it's exactly what it looks like! Your big sis has some mad skills on a scooter. But I bet you already knew that."

Scootaloo then reached out and held her tiny sister in her arms, even bumping their noses together. She just looked so proud to being one step closer to being a mare while cradling her helpless baby sister in her arms. "Man, so much happened lately... I earned my mark... We both got a grandpa... Our family's just gonna keep getting bigger, huh? I wonder how many moms we'll end up having..."

Novo then took the opportunity to speak up with quite a chuckle. "You better believe it, honey. One of these days, I'll be your mama too. Yours, and this little sweet pea here."

Scootaloo's eyes popped open wide before she looked up at the hippogriff queen towering over her. She then rapidly looked back and forth between Novo and I as I felt myself starting to blush at what Novo had just revealed to my eldest daughter. Scootaloo then asked, "Dad... Really? You and...this queen are...?"

I covered my face and just squealed in uncontrollable awkward laughter. How could I ever explain to my child that I was deeply entrenched in a powerful romance with a queen of a foreign land? Scootaloo then looked up at Novo and asked, "Does that mean...you're gonna be our mom too?"

"Honey, I'm gonna be mama to ALL of your daddy's babies." Novo retorted with no shame or subtlety that started to get some of us to crack up. I peeked between my fingers and saw Scootaloo staring up at Novo with her jaw hanging open. Novo then lifted her head high and said, "That's just how this mama rolls, baby. If my sugar bear is the daddy, I'm the mommy too and I won't be told otherwise."

Scootaloo's stunned expression began to be replaced by a very giddy grin. She then looked my way while pointing up at Novo and said, "Dad. This? This right here? Coolest mom in the world. She's awesome."

While the rest of us laughed, Fluttershy got playful and spoke with an exaggerated pout on her lips. "Scootaloo, what about me?"

While she did look nervous upon realizing she might have disrespected the closest thing to a real mother she had ever known, Scootaloo thought fast and motioned for Fluttershy to come closer. And once her head was held low as if expecting a quiet whisper, Scootaloo grabbed Fluttershy with one arm and said the best thing she could that immediately put a smile on Fluttershy's face. "You're the nicest mom in the world."

I finally heard Gilda crack up a bit from nearby after having eluded Scootaloo's attention. And only then did Scootaloo take a good look at her. "Huh? Say... Didn't I see you in town that one time? I think it was only on one day? Kinda hard to forget a griffon."

It sounded like Scootaloo had been in the dark about Gilda's visit the first time around. Probably for the best when considering the falling out with Rainbow Dash she had. Gilda, still not entirely comfortable around kids, waved at my daughter. "Sup? Yeah, I was only here one time until I met your dad. And I go way back with Rainbow Dash. The name's Gilda."

"Ooh, you're old friends with Rainbow Dash?!" Scootaloo squealed upon hearing a name she adored all too much. She wiggled out of Fluttershy's embrace and trotted over to our guest. "I'm Scootaloo! And I'm Rainbow Dash's #1 fan! I even run her fan club in Ponyville!"

While I have never pegged Rainbow Dash as a local celebrity, the existence of her fan club among the kids of Ponyville is something I always found equal parts adorable and hilarious. And Gilda just lifted her head high and laughed. "Dash has her own fan club here?! That sounds so like her. I've got so many stories from our time at flight camp where I had to bail her outta trouble so many times..."

Not much later, it was time for dinner. And everyone who was in the house at the time joined in. Gilda was almost hesitant to stay, but Fluttershy won her over. And...it was crowded in the kitchen. Much more crowded than ever. I am surprised we were able to fit everyone in there. And the conversation between Scootaloo and Gilda just carried on well past the living room and into the kitchen. It sounded like Rainbow Dash made a lot of bad decisions after meeting Gilda, but at least they made for good stories.

Fluttershy looked especially thrilled to have Ember and Novo sitting at the table. I was especially impressed we had enough food to serve everyone there. Although it helped that Ocellus was only trying basically one bite of everything since she could get much more filling nutrition from everyone around her. In a way, it felt like one big family dinner now that Sky Beak could truly call himself a grandfather. Although Fluttershy still could not get over the sight of Novo dining at the table like a commoner. Novo eventually noticed the frequent stares she was getting from Fluttershy and asked, "Something on your mind, honey?"

"Oh, I just... It's so strange having a honest to goodness queen dining in my own home right now. Not even the princesses in Canterlot have done that." Fluttershy stammered with Ember casting her an amused smirk. She knew Novo enough by then to know her friend was not like most royalty.

Novo chuckled before she said, "Honey, I don't even spend all my time up in the Ivory Palace back home. I frequently mingle with the common folk. It helps that I can get anywhere just fine on my own two wings here. And I wouldn't miss this for the... Say, where'd our princess go?"

Fluttershy glanced downward for a second before she said, "She's...nursing. Under the table."

It was then that I do what I do best during a big meal. I listened. So many conversations were happening all at once around me and I observed as many as I could. Scootaloo was chatting up Gilda, Fluttershy was conversing with Ember and Novo, and Sky Beak was being the fatherly stallion he is by talking to the two younger ladies at the table in Smolder and Ocellus. The clamor in the air was strangely soothing and almost nostalgic. And not in the same way as the noise I always heard during meals in the mess halls during the war.

There would be no leftovers that night. The entire table was devoid of edibles by the end. Ember sighed in satisfaction, although I am sure she wished she could have had more. "This time was...so different from all the other meals I've had. What was all that delicious food?"

"Just the magic of cooking in your own kitchen." Fluttershy giggled at Ember's response to tasting some real home cooking for the first time. Once the table was cleared of dishes, Smolder and Ember helped out in the kitchen by cleaning the dishes. It helped that they had the hands for the job. Fluttershy was especially shocked that the Dragon Lord herself stepped up to the task with a wet sponge wet down with soap rubbing away at a casserole tray. "You...uh...don't mind doing the dishes?"

"Of course not! I had to do my own in my own quarters during the war. They set me up really nice with my own cottage. And I think I'm really getting the hang of this whole civilized living thing by now." Ember replied nonchalantly while Smolder could only snicker at Fluttershy's bewilderment over how self-reliant Ember was in our own home.

With dinner done, Gilda stood near the door. And I knew why. She was not even planning on staying for dinner yet there she was. I approached her and asked, "You heading out?"

"Yeah, I stayed longer than I should've anyway. I'm gonna head over to Dash's place for the night. And I'll be on the next train home tomorrow." Gilda retorted before taking a moment to look around the place. All while Fluttershy started to approach with Gladesong cradled in one arm. The griffon hen smiled humbly and said, "Thanks for having me over. I wasn't even planning on staying longer than that..."

"If Gladesong likes you, then you must be a very different person from when I last saw you. I don't even remember it that clearly." Fluttershy explained with Gladesong even reaching out to our guest. My wife then whispered, "Be sure to say goodbye to your new little friend."

"Heh... Yeah... Hey there, squirt." Gilda muttered while still looking very unsure of herself. She gently rubbed our daughter's head as she said, "Time for mama cat to go... Maybe... Maybe she'll swing by again... Just be good for your mom and dad. They're...both great folks."

Gladesong giggled and took hold of Gilda's hand with the griffon's rough avian flesh securely wrapping those tiny hooves in her grasp. But once that was done, she reached high and held me in a very firm embrace with arms and wings that I did not anticipate. I heard her whisper to me, "You did a lot of good for me out there. I'll always have your back."

Much like with Ember, I found it difficult to say goodbye to a new friend who had been very reliantly there for me when I needed her most for weeks on end. I asked softly, "When can I see you again?"

"I... I...don't know..." Gilda muttered with a sigh while Fluttershy patiently watched in silence. I heard Gilda purr for a moment as I dragged my fingers through the feathers that lined her head. "Gonna miss you bad, big guy... There just aren't enough guys like you where I come from..."

I remembered a sacred conversation I had with her during some of the darkest days of the war. When I was all but crippled and laid up in bed. Where such wonderful things were said. I then whispered very discreetly to her, "Do I still make you feel special?"

Gilda then whispered back to me as I felt her embrace tightening even further, "I...need you in my life... I know where to find you now. I still owe you some drinks and you owe me a massage."

"Come back soon... I promise you'll be welcome here." I whispered before Gilda looked me right in the eye. I took the opportunity to apply some scritches to her head before whispering something precious to her. "Still beautiful."

"Bad boys got nothing on you." Gilda churred before she very reluctantly released her grasp on me. She almost appeared tearful to have to say goodbye now. We then both noticed Fluttershy watching silently from the sidelines. Gilda then turned to face my wife while trying to keep a straight face. "You really did marry a good man... No... No, you married the best man out there. Take good care of this guy for me, OK?"

"Oh, I will. We have so much to catch up on. And thank you for watching out for him out there." Fluttershy replied while she bowed her head to our guest.

With another sigh, Gilda looked up at me as I held the door for her. She closed her eye and looked away, but then looked back up at me with a more reassured smile. "I know where to find you guys now. I'll swing by Ponyville again sometime. Especially now that I got both you and Dash to visit."

"We'll be waiting... Take care of yourself out there, Gilda." I replied with a growing sense of longing in my heart. And as soon as she was out the door, Gilda spread her wings and took to the sky before heading southeast. Definitely heading for Rainbow Dash's house with the sky turning orange during the sunset. I then looked down at my wife while she looked up at me. "Are you sure you're OK with her now?"

"I almost didn't recognize her. What did you do to her out there?" Fluttershy replied while nuzzling Gladesong's head.

"All I did was give her a push in the right direction. And she was smart enough to listen." I explained while still remembering the first encounter she and I had and the conversation in the mess hall following it. It was almost surreal thinking back to that and knowing what Gilda is like now. "It's a shame she took too many wrong turns in life. She's really a great person when on the right path."

"Hopefully she'll stay on the right path this time." Fluttershy spoke while watching Gilda's distant form in the sky. I let out a sigh now that the house was starting to feel emptier. Fluttershy then pointed over to the sofa at the back of the room and said, "Here, make yourself comfortable and I'll brew up some more tea. You must need plenty of rest after everything that happened.

"Yeah, thanks... I really should take it easy." I quickly went over to the sofa and reclined gracelessly all over it. Even with Gilda gone, the house still felt full of activity. Smolder and Ember were still doing the dishes while Novo and Sky Beak were chatting up Scootaloo. And it sounded like Ocellus was put in charge of Gladesong for the moment while Fluttershy worked on brewing some tea. She sounded like she was really trying to endear herself to the new filly.

I savored those minutes of precious peace, almost as if I was afraid it might end at any time. And it did in a certain way. Just as I was getting too relaxed with my eyes closed, someone bounded up onto me. A quick glance revealed that Scootaloo was now resting upon me with her big round eyes looking at me while giving me the impression she was pretty tired too. "Hey, Dad. How're you holding up?"

"Just...getting back into the swing of things one bit at a time." I replied with my hand caressing her head. I then asked, "What about you? How were things here on the homefront?"

"Things were a bit quieter in town after the whole war thing really got going. It was...weird not having all of you back home. We really felt like something was missing... Sugarcube Corner got really quiet without Pinkie Pie and it was weird not seeing Rarity's place open for business... Total strangers even walked up to me and asked when you'd be back because of how much they missed your massages at the spa."

I... I had to catch myself on that last one. There was no way I could not kind of laugh at how badly the locals were missing my services at the spa. Even I was having a hard time believing how long it had been since I last set foot in that place. I hope I have no lost my touch. Although Scootaloo then said, "But hey, it was all OK! Everypony knew you guys had a good reason to not be there. And I kept telling everypony at school how you and Rainbow Dash were out there fighting. They thought I had the coolest dad ever!"

What is it with life and death combat being seen as a good thing no matter what culture one finds the topic in? Then again, Scootaloo will always be Scootaloo. I proceeded to explain while rolling my eyes, "I don't care how cool it looked in action, nothing about that war was fun. I'd be perfectly happy if I never had to hold a sword ever again."

Scootaloo immediately shut up for a moment after I said that. She almost looked tempted to ask questions, but apparently had enough of a gut feeling to take my words at face value. I saw what happened out there while she did not. My daughter then gently rested her head on my chest and muttered, "I know... You got hurt... But is it bad?"

I wanted to spare her the most gruesome details and kept my response brief. "It could've been a lot worse. And I'm already through the worst of it. When I said I'm gonna be OK, I meant it."

"Phew... Alls well that ends well, right? At least nopony really got hurt out there, right?" Scootaloo asked with an expected naivety. She could never comprehend the horrors of war without seeing it herself. Nor should she or anyone else in Equestria ever have to.

"You didn't see the infirmary..." I muttered with my eyes gazing to the ceiling. It was a miracle she did not see under Gilda's bangs and notice the bandage over her left eye. "We might not have lost anyone, but plenty of good people got hurt out there... A lot worse than what Pinkie Pie got."

Scootaloo fell silent for a good moment while I could only stare at the ceiling. Although I eventually felt Scootaloo try to wrap her arms around my torso for a hug. "Sorry... I... I don't wanna think about how bad it really was..."

"You're young. You can't comprehend it. And you shouldn't. There are some things that have no place in Equestria and war is one of them." I said with a hand resting on Scootaloo's head. I then tried to change the subject by bringing up something else important that happened during the war. "And besides... It sounds like you and the girls won your own war lately."

"Heh... We sure did! And boy, did we all feel stupid over how obvious the answers were!" Scootaloo replied while lifting her head to show a big dumb grin filled with pride and also some embarrassment. She then turned herself a bit to let me see her flank and its cutie mark while she sat atop me. "But wow, I can't believe it finally happened. Should've happened a lot sooner, come to think of it. But I guess we were all really dumb, huh?"

"Hey, don't beat yourself up. As they say, the journey is the destination. Not many can say they've had as many misadventures as you girls did while trying to figure yourselves out." I snorted as I could only imagine what kind of nonsense those three fillies got up to even before I first met them. As incompetent as their methods were in discovering their talents, they must have had quite a few experiences worth writing home about. Ah, the aimless adventures of childhood...

"Eheheheh, yep! The school talent show, that sleepover at Fluttershy's, that weird cutie pox fiasco, and don't get me started on when we took a shot at being school journalists... We did a lot of weird stuff trying to get our marks." Scootaloo snickered while clearly not looking back on those events with much pride. It at least got me to smirk over what those vague descriptions implanted in my head. But then Scootaloo looked away with some sort of forlorn gaze before she asked, "But now that we got our cutie marks... What now?"

My eyes opened wide as I too felt a chill in my heart. Even I had more or less stopped expecting Scootaloo and her three closest friends from ever acquiring their cutie marks. Their antics as the Cutie Mark Crusaders had become so routine that I had no reason to expect things to change. But they had and in one fell swoop. And I could already guess what Scootaloo's concerns were. "You worried that the Crusaders will have to disband?"

"I guess... I mean I don't wanna stop being friends with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, but..." Scootaloo muttered before trailing off in thought. It was not like her to be sentimental, but this newfound dilemma was forcing her to deeply contemplate the current situation now that the club that practically defined her had lost its purpose. She then looked at me and said, "You get where I'm coming from, right?"

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders is an aspect of your life that brought you and your friends together and the fact that being in the club no longer carries a purpose has you afraid that the three of you might not have as much of a reason to be friends. Am I somewhere in the ballpark?" I replied while Scootaloo nodded readily to confirm my suspicions. I did some brainstorming for a moment and did not take long to think up a possible solution. "In that case... If you girls are worried about the relevance of the Cutie Mark Crusaders in your lives... How about this? You each have your own talents now, but... How about considering setting up a cutie mark counseling service on the side? I can't imagine you girls being the only kids who have that much trouble figuring out your talents. I mean look at Mitta. She still doesn't have her mark and she's much older than you."

"Heh... A counseling service? Uh... My brain's not really getting that, but I'll bring it up with the girls next time I see them. Maybe Sweetie Belle will get it better than me." Scootaloo grinned uneasily as if she felt really embarrassed with my more complex words going over her head. She was still a kid and definitely not the brains of her trio of fillies. Although she then said more happily, "Speaking of Mitta though, she was hanging out with us a lot more often after you guys went away. I guess she had a lot of free time with the boutique closed. Where'd you find her again? That weird village in the Everfree Forest Apple Bloom told us about?"

That place... It felt like years since I was last there. "Yeah, Sunny Town... Almost forgot about it. I mean we got the curse to be removed from her, but I'm guessing the fact Mitta hasn't acquired a mark yet means there might be a lingering permanent effect left by the curse. Not that it seems to bother her. All that matters is that she's happy here."

"Yeah, she never looks all that bothered by her flanks being blank..." Scootaloo replied before her gaze fell upon Novo and Sky Beak by the fireplace. They were taking turns playing with Gladesong, who was all too happy to be cuddled by the big beautiful bird horses who were fawning over her. But when I looked their way, Scootaloo whispered to me. "Dad. Are you really in love with Novo like you are with Mom?"

There was something stressful about hearing such a question from my own adopted child. It was one thing to have to explain my relationship with others. It was another entirely to have to get my own child to understand. I had difficulty looking at her in the eye as I said, "Yes... Very much so."

Scootaloo then whispered, "And Rarity too? Sweetie Belle's big sister?"

"Yes... She was the first to become...something more than a friend." I replied while knowing that Scootaloo could not comprehend the more intimate aspects of romantic relationships. At least I sincerely hopes she does not yet. And so I asked, "But...are you all right with it?"

She did not respond with disgust or open joy. Scootaloo looked over at Novo as she watched the hippogriff queen cradling her own baby sister as if Gladesong was her own flesh and blood. She had gone into full mom mode and was loving the tiny filly as if she was her own. I saw a very hopeful smile on Scootaloo's lips as she looked at me out of the corner of my eye. "If you have more wives, we'll have a bigger family. Right?"

"Huh...?" I muttered in some confusion. I think Scootaloo knew that such a relationship is not normal and probably should not be publicly revealed, but she was surprisingly...calm about it.

"I didn't know what it's like to have a family until you and Fluttershy took me in." She said softly before looking over at Gladesong while she was being gently passed back and forth between her newly found grandfather and a mare who would all too happily be a second mother to her if asked. "If this means what I think it does... I'm gonna have a lot of moms eventually."

She was surprisingly happy about that and even grinned at me. "They've been so happy with you whenever I see them. I don't get all that romance stuff yet, but I can tell you know what you're doing. There's a lot of real love in the air here."

"Thanks for being understanding, Scoot. I really didn't know how to tell you upfront like this..." I replied with a huge surge of relief flowing through me. If there was one person I was most fearful in having to tell about this, it was Scootaloo. At least Gladesong and any future children in my family will grow up seeing firsthand the unique loving dynamics between me and their mothers. They will understand early on that there is no sin in how our hearts work.

"Hey, it's cool. I have no idea how I'd explain it to anypony either!" Scootaloo almost laughed at the fact that even she was clueless of how to effectively describe such a family. Although she then stammered, "I haven't told anyone... Feels like something not everyone should know about, right? Although it was kinda weird when Rarity tried being a mom to me... We kinda agreed to just stay friends after that. It's weird when your friend's big sister is basically like a mom to you..."

"Pfft, no kidding... I was wondering how you and Rarity would mesh like that." I snickered under my breath before I reached out and caressed Scootaloo's head. I then spoke sincerely, "But really now... No matter what happens. No matter who becomes part of our family, nothing will change between us. You'll always be my little girl."

Scootaloo beamed at me with her cheeks puffing out a bit from how hard she was smiling. She pushed her head into my hand while she said, "Yeah... No matter how many moms I end up getting, you'll always be my dad."

Gladesong really was the star of the show among our guests. They just would not stop fawning over her while Gladesong adored the attention. And I was given a front row seat to their antics in the living room. Although after a while, Scootaloo whispered to me. "Hey, Dad? Gilda's hanging out at Rainbow Dash's place until tomorrow, right? You think I can head over there? You think she'd let me stay the night too?"

"Tonight? Hang on a minute..." I muttered before trying to contemplate very carefully this request and whether or not Rainbow Dash would appreciate it. Scootaloo has very rarely been invited for a sleepover at Rainbow's place and it has always been for group parties with her friends. But when considering everything that Rainbow Dash had gone through in recent weeks, having her #1 fan over for the night would probably be a good source of positive reinforcement. She would likely appreciate the company of a young friend she had not seen in a long time. And it would make the house a little quieter at night for Fluttershy and I. "You know, that sounds like a good idea. She could probably use a little extra company. Just make sure you bring all your necessities and come straight home if she says no."

"Got it! Thanks, Dad!" Scootaloo immediately ran to her bedroom to fetch everything she would need for an overnight stay and soon emerged with a pair of saddlebags at her side along with her full set of safety gear. She even had the pair of goggles I had gotten her a while back. She gave me and Fluttershy a hug goodbye and even ran up to Sky Beak to give him a hug too. "See you later, Grandpa!"

The two of them were clearly still getting used to being extended family while Sky Beak could only pat his granddaughter on the back. She quickly said goodbye to everyone else and hurried out the door. And less than a minute later, the familiar sound of buzzing wings filled the air. Anyone who had never heard that sound before immediately looked towards the door like something was right on the other side of it. At least until the buzzing became increasingly distant until it faded away entirely. Sky Beak looked at us all and said, "I don't think I've ever heard something like that. Was that Scootaloo?"

"Just a byproduct of how she gets around. She didn't get that cutie mark for nothing." I explained while feeling so happy to be hearing that sound again for the first time in weeks. It was good to be back home.

Just after Fluttershy served us all tea, there was a knock at the door. And when Smolder answered it, Seaspray was standing on the other side. "Good evening, my friends. I was merely checking in now that dusk is setting over us. All of my men have returned to the Alabaster for the evening and I am required to inquire abut the current status of her majesty. Is all well?"

"Yes, admiral. Mama's having a ball with this sweet little princess here." Novo retorted while Gladesong was on her back and getting comfy in the queen's soft cushion of feathers. Seaspray very nearly laughed at how comfortable Novo was getting with the new baby. Although she then took note of the change in lighting outside and said, "Come to think of it, looks like it is getting late... Should probably be getting ready for bed myself. But..."

Novo looked back at Gladesong as the little filly also looked like she was about ready to turn in for a nap. No wonder she was getting so cozy there. Novo then looked at us and asked, "I know I just gave this baby girl a tour of my ship, but... Please? Can I watch her for the night? I'll get her back home safe and sound in the morning."

She was even clasping her hands together in pleading. Novo was utterly in love with my daughter. Fluttershy and I glanced at each other before my wife asked, "Are you sure it's all right? I mean...a queen? Foalsitting our baby? Would it really be no trouble?"

"Of course not, honey! My babies are your babies and your babies are mine! I'll give this little sweet pea a slumber party she wont soon forget." Novo retorted before her eyes narrowed in thought. She then brought up a very good point. "And besides that, I think you two lovebirds need some peace and quiet for your first night together in...who knows how long. Shoo the kids out for the night and enjoy yourselves."

That was a very good point indeed. While Fluttershy's many animal friends do watch over Gladesong during the night to insure that the rest of us do not need to be disturbed, there was no harm done in letting Gladesong spend time with a very doting new family member. I nodded and stood up from the sofa. "I think she'll be in very good hands with you, Novo. Take good care of her and take everything you need."

"Let me get that for you!" Fluttershy spoke up as she trotted off to gather up the necessities for traveling with a baby. A few diapers, maybe some light and easily eaten snacks, and so on.

While Novo waited for Fluttershy to come back, she reached over her shoulder and pulled Gladesong forward and into both hands. Gladesong was starting to look drowsy, but Novo's sweet motherly tone was just enough to keep her from moaning in exhaustion. "Ooh, just look at you. This baby girl's had a long day. You're fighting it, but you're about ready to head off to dream. Well, just hang on a little longer and Mama Novo here will get you a bath and then tuck you in for the night. And your grandpa will be along for the ride too."

Sky Beak snickered with a fist over his beak before Seaspray curiously stepped into the house to peer over the two of them while Novo lightly booped her beak against Gladesong's nose. He smirked knowingly before he said, "Sky Beak, old friend. You never told us you had a granddaughter."

"I didn't even know I had one!" My papa bird laughed before he reached out and nuzzled her cheek. "But now I do. And she is just soooo precious! More than I could've ever dreamed! I was not ready to become a grandfather in one afternoon!"

Seaspray glanced my way with that smirk on his beak growing. It did not take a genius to figure out who her father is. "You have my heartiest congratulations, Sir James. Such a fine little lady she is."

"Thank you, admiral." I retorted shyly. It was then that Fluttershy came over with a satchel that surely held everything Novo would need to watch over a baby overnight. Novo then held our daughter out to us to let us say goodnight. I gently took Gladesong into my arms and kneeled beside her mother. I could go one more evening without her. Especially when knowing who would be watching over her. "Be a good girl for your Mama Novo, all right?"

Novo reacted visibly to those words by letting her entire coat of feathers fluff up in joy. Most other royalty would probably find her behavior to be ridiculous and unbecoming of a queen, but Novo could always get away with it due to sheer experience that rivaled the Equestrian royal family themselves. Fluttershy giggled at the sight of the motherly hippogriff before kissing our baby girl on the forehead. "Mommy and Daddy just need an evening to ourselves tonight. And you'll be in very good hands. You do love your Mama Novo, don't you?"

Gladesong was tired, but she knew who the name of Novo belonged to by then. And hearing that name caused her face to brighten as she cooed and giggled softly. Her mother and I both kissed her goodbye and handed her back to her amazing foalsitter. But once Novo was holding Gladesong again, she gave our child a puzzled stare. As if she had a sudden realization and the cogs in her head were turning. That was when she very sharply turned her head to look at a startled Ember. "Wait a minute. Ember, you haven't held this baby girl once since you got here."

Ember's eyes widened as we all looked at her. Novo was right. Ember's interactions with Gladesong had been comparatively sparse after her arrival. The Dragon Lord took a step backwards as she exclaimed, "But...but I don't know how to deal with babies!"

Of all people, Smolder burst into proud laughter while she stepped forward. "Ha! I guess I really am better than the Dragon Lord at something!"

"Come on, honey. You're gonna have heirs of your own someday, right? Get over here and say hello to this princess." Novo demanded smugly as Ember became increasingly cornered. The hippogriff queen held out our daughter towards her, Gladesong giggling excitedly as she beheld the pretty blue dragoness ahead of her.

Ember was completely out of her element. It was almost funny how she had no idea how to respond to being offered a child to hold. Smolder then pushed her forward and said, "Come on, sit down first."

There were no objections from Ember. She knew there was no getting out of this. Smolder then took Gladesong into her hands and masterfully passed her onto Ember while helping the Dragon Lord adjust her arms and hands to cradle our foal better. "There, make sure you hold her head. Keep her spread out over your arm... There you go. I guess you're her new dra dra now."

"Dra dra...?" Ember asked in bewilderment while we could only snicker at the baby talk Smolder was all too familiar with by then. We all watched quietly as Ember stared down at the tiny pegasus in her arms while rarely blinking. She was just so confused over what to do next. "Um... Hello there. Nice to meet you, Gladesong... And what do I do now?"

Chuckling filled the air. This was funnier than it should have been. Although Gladesong then reached out and touched her hoof to Ember's snout. I think Ember was starting to sweat a bit with all eyes on her. She looked down at Gladesong while Gladesong looked up at her. I decided to make a move and kneeled behind Ember before putting my arms around her with my hands supporting hers from below. "Hey there, sweetheart. This is Ember and she's amazing. She was always there for me out there. And she's the best dragon in the world."

"Jaaaames, not in front of the baby..." Ember squealed quietly while Gladesong just giggled and reached out to Ember, the Dragon Lord trying to hide her face as everyone watched.

I decided to add on another layer of praise for my beloved, my eyes focusing on my daughter. "Yes she is. She's the best. Your Mama Ember is amazing. And she's so pretty."

Ember almost laughed before she said, "Come on, James. You know that's not true. You know I'm not a mother."

"Not yet." Novo suddenly interjected before everyone burst into laughter. And Ember... Oh my lord, her face froze with such a profound blush spreading across it. Although I too had to avert my gaze because of what that statement implied for me as well. Just to prod Ember further, Novo then jokingly added, "And we know who the daddy will be!"

"Oh, shut up!" Ember groaned while I finally had to break down in laughter of my own. I tried to restrain it, wheezing as I gasped for breath, but failed entirely. Although I noticed Ember looking down at Gladesong more contemplatively while her arms started to rock back and forth ever so slightly. She certainly had the arms and hands for rocking a baby to sleep. She then whispered to Gladesong, "I still can't believe you're his... I know your father well, little one. And he is...a wonderful man."

It was then that Ember turned to Novo and held out Gladesong to her. "Sorry... I'm really not ready for this. I think I've had all I can take for the moment."

"No shame in that, honey. You'll get used to it eventually." Novo replied before cradling her new favorite foal in one arm. She then stood up and bowed her head before saying, "Now then, I think I better get this princess ready for her beauty sleep. You all have a good night and I'll get her back to you first thing in the morning."

We all said our goodbyes while I shared an embrace with Novo and Sky Beak. It was finally starting to get dark out there too. Autumn was very near if not having already begun. But once our hippogriff guests had departed for the night, I noticed Ember was still seated where she had been. Her gaze was directed at the floor while she seldom blinked. While everyone else left her alone, I kneeled behind her again. "You OK there, Ember?"

She said nothing. She barely even budged. I tried reaching for her hand, but she was quick to sense my approach and immediately wrapped her fingers very firmly around mine. I could feel her grasp quivering. "Mama Ember, huh...?"

I was unsure of what to even say. Did that little exchange trigger something in her? Ember then turned her head to look at me over her shoulder, that scarlet eye filled with an uncertainty. She whispered preciously to me, "I still remember. He had your eyes."

That dream she spoke of... A dream where she held a child of her own. A child...we made together? A beautiful fantasy, to be sure. But I knew it was much too soon. How could we even consider the concept of a family when it was still too soon to openly admit such feelings to each other? I said what little I could. "We'll see... We'll see, all right?"

"I wish...I understood my heart better... Just not enough time to think about the finer things in life. Not when the dragon lands have always been the way they are." Ember muttered forlornly with her brow resting against mine. She sighed harshly and added, "The day that wasteland changes for the better can't come soon enough."

"You'll make it happen, Ember. I know you will." I whispered before placing a kiss upon her snout. "You're the only one who can make it happen."

"And I will. I'll do it for you, my warrior poet." Ember said firmly as I felt her grasp around my hand tighten to the point of becoming uncomfortable. She then stared almost fiercely into my eyes as she spoke, "You were the one to open my eyes to the truth. I swear that someday... Somehow... I'll make the dragon lands and its people something you can be proud of."

Such a bold and stalwart statement only made me love her more. I could not hide a smile. "And I believe you, Ember."

We just sat there for a moment longer. Just holding each other and savoring what little time we still had left. I was grateful that she stayed longer than she needed to. We eventually slumped to the floor as I held my beloved from behind. Just a result of getting too relaxed as night fell across the land. And I whispered such wonderful things directly into her ear. "You really are the best of all dragons... You are so beautiful... I would've been lost without you out there... You sustained me..."

"Enough. Kiss me." Ember growled before rolling over and pushing me onto my back in the process. She was atop me and immediately brought her lisp to mine. The kiss deepened immediately as I tasted that subtle hint of sulfur upon her tongue. I am sure someone was watching, but no one dared interrupt. This was our moment.

Ember cooed and moaned softly into that kiss while I sighed and groaned. Her hands caressed my head and face while mine slid lower. From her flexible blue spines and down over her haunches before caressing the robust base of her tail. I was basking in the love of a dragon and it was nothing short of bliss. Every love I feel for the wonderful women in my life who have become so much more than friends is different in its own unique way, but Ember... The love we hold for each other may quite possibly be the most powerful of them all. A love that bloomed on the battlefield and defied the horrors and rigors of war... What could possibly challenge that?

Ember eventually lifted her face from mine, our lungs wheezing as we gasped for unfiltered fresh air. A thick string of saliva momentarily connected our tongues as we gazed at each other in a haze. She spoke with a beautiful whisper, "I hope...I can figure out how to say such lovely things to you someday..."

"Your actions speak well enough for now, Ember." I whispered back to her as we held each other for a while longer. Although that moment of intimacy was finally interrupted by a gurgling in Ember's stomach. We almost snickered at how undignified that interruption was before I asked, "Didn't get enough to eat?"

"I guess I did go lighter than I used to... You got anything for dessert?" Ember asked sheepishly while propping herself up above me. It was right around then that I heard the laundry machines turning on at the far end of the cottage. Fluttershy must have just started on a batch. Ember was one step ahead of me and said, "I'll ask...what's her name again? Flutterby?"

"Fluttershy. And it sounds like she's in the laundry room." I replied before Ember helped me onto my feet. While Ember headed off out of sight, the sound of the laundry machines reminded me of the only real clothing Ember had on her person. A glance over at her disassembled armor revealed that her pair of white socks were absent. Fluttershy must have gathered them up to have them washed by morning.

Night was setting over the land and the sounds of the night were starting to creep into the cottage. The calls of crickets were especially prominent and further highlighted the presence of autumn. Although when I turned around, I saw Ocellus sitting on the sofa at the back of the room. She waved at me with a hoof before she was briefly engulfed by a flash of green fire. The flames faded to reveal she had taken on the form of her favorite dragon disguise before she lightly patted the spot beside her in invitation. I did not refuse and took a seat beside her. "How are things, love bug?"

"Better than I could've ever hoped." She replied before leaning into me and convincing me to lie against the corner. She nuzzled her head against my chest and said, "It really feels like...I have a home now."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you want." I said softly before noticing her little hand trying to get its fingers around mine. I smirked in realization before taking her hand into mine. "This why you decided to wear this form?"

"Mmhm. I've really grown to like it. And it feels much nicer to hold hands than just having your hoof held." She giggled before reaching up and placing a soft kiss upon my lips. I felt the faintest flow of her love seeping into my during that brief touch. "You've done so much for me... I... I didn't know if we'd ever make it this far..."

"When I said I'd take you home with me, I meant it. Welcome home, love bug." I whispered before placing a kiss upon her head and through that soft flowing head of hair. I am not certain if dragons can even grow hair like that naturally, but it looked so good on her and only enhanced her feminine appearance. Although I then noticed someone else approaching at a brisk pace. "Oops, better make some room."

"You got that right. Move over, I've been waiting a long time for this." Smolder spoke firmly before I found myself sandwiched between the two little ladies. And Smolder made clear her intentions by taking hold of my other hand and resting her head against my shoulder. "I followed you out there to bring you home and now I have."

"You both helped in making sure everyone made it home alive... Thank you." I muttered as I contemplated just how much of an impact those two little ladies made on the war's outcome without even having to set foot on the battlefield. "You did so much without even having to fight. You're both heroes."

Ocellus just buried her face in my chest and squealed quietly at such heavy thanks. But Smolder closed her eyes and leaned even harder into me, her grasp on my hand remaining firm. "A dragon and a Changeling being a couple of game changers? When I went out there to find you, I didn't think I'd be doing anything that big. I just wanted to bring you home..."

"I'm grateful either way, Smolder. Thank you for being there." I whispered before lifting her hand to my lips. Her eyes opened just in time to see me place a kiss upon the back of her palm. I then spoke a familiar and sacred term. "Mia poca draghessa."

" Je t'amie toujours, mi amor." She replied in turn with her usual faint growl disappearing to let her natural unfiltered voice shine through with angelic clarity. It was one thing to hear that out there during a wartime scenario. But now that we were back home... Back where we first came into each others' lives... It felt so much more meaningful. The two of us shared a brief kiss before Smolder closed her eyes and sighed deeply. "I gotta admit... I'm jealous. What is it about you and Ember that's just so...amazing when you two are together?"

It was quite the paradox. When I first met Smolder, I found myself drawn to her in spite of her youth. A girl with the mind and heart of a weathered and sincere young woman, a product of having to grow up too fast as a result of archaic dragon traditions. But Ember... Now there was a real woman. Nearly ten times Smolder's age and with a lion's heart, we went through so much together that Smolder and I did not and should not have to suffer through. I met Smolder first, but Ember carved a place into my heart much harder and faster. I tried to contemplate why Ember and I were so madly in love while Smolder and I had not gone quite so far despite having a little more time to know each other. Even if that is for the best when considering her age at the time. "To be fair, Ember and I went through...much more rigorous experiences together. Experiences that could've killed us... I guess nothing really makes you understand the value of someone dear to you when you go through scenarios that could end up with either of you not living to see tomorrow."

Ocellus looked up at me with some intrigue and said, "But...we were there with you just as long as her. We were all in the war together. What's the difference?"

I sighed while not surprised that neither really understood the contrast I was getting at. I then explained, "You two were safe and sound in the command center at all times except when making your rounds with our sensor crystals. You two were never in any danger. Ember was out there in the thick of battle with me. We protected each other. And she was especially fierce when I got hurt. We both had situations where we nearly lost each other..."

"Does...that mean..." Smolder asked with a somber tone. I looked her in the eye as she looked...so depressed and deflated. "Does that mean she's...better than me? Will I never be as good as her?"

"Smolder. No. Listen to me. Please." I whispered firmly in the hopes that no one was listening in on this conversation. Smolder did not turn away and never looked away from me. Thinking carefully, I began to speak. "It's not like Ember and I willingly put ourselves in danger just to measure our value to each other. The bonds she and I developed... It was in spite of everything going on around us. And it's not a method you should ever go out of your way to pursue if you want to improve a relationship with someone. That trial by fire method might bring you closer to someone, but that's only if you both survive. Please... Figure out what your heart wants away from the battlefield. Don't try to be Ember. Just be you."

The little dragoness scowled in careful thought for a moment while Ocellus watched and listened curiously. Smolder then muttered, "It...does sound really crazy when you put it like that. I mean I can scrap if I have to, but it sounds like going into battle like that isn't something anyone would really wanna do..."

"It's not. I never enjoyed it." I said glumly with the two little ladies tightening their grasp around my hands. I nestled my face atop Ocellus' head and into her soft sandy hair. "I would've much rather just gone home and lived in peace with you girls at the first opportunity. I appreciate what I earned in the end, but it's not an experience I want to go through twice."

"Then don't. If Ember will be your woman on the battlefield..." Smolder whispered before turning my face to her with her other hand. It what felt like the first time in too long, I saw a beautiful look in those eyes. Not at all the gaze of a naive child. That was the gaze of a woman who understood her heart enough to say what came next. "I'll be your woman here at home. In my own way. At least when the time comes, right?"

"Thank you... It's good to be home, Smolder." I whispered with our lips once again touching. We just did not have enough time to each other out there during wartime. And she was entirely out of her element. Smolder never belonged on a battlefield or anywhere near it. Neither did Ocellus.

"It really is... And we really didn't have all that much time together before the war happened... I can't wait to catch up on lost time." Smolder sighed in such relief with her head resting against my chest. Although she then smirked at Ocellus and I before saying, "Just don't forget about the love bug now. She's here to stay, right?"

"Of course. I promised her a place with us. And she can come and go as she pleases." I replied before kissing Ocellus atop the head. I then whispered to her, "This is your home now. At least until you'd rather go somewhere else."

"But...I don't want to leave..." Ocellus whimpered while reeling from that little transfer of love. She snuggled up to me even harder, a quiet statement coming from her lips. "But...if I do ever go... I won't go far. Because...I'll always be your little love bug..."

"Ocellus... You really are too precious sometimes." I muttered before releasing my grasp on their hands just so I could put my arms around the two little dragon ladies and embrace them against me. Smolder may have followed me into the Empty Plains, but we found Ocellus together and were both richer for it.

Night began to set in properly as the sun disappeared over the western horizon and the Everfree Forest. And Fluttershy had been more than happy to treat Ember to a classic dessert in the form of a banana sundae. Although just when I was wondering what her subordinates were up to, I got an answer upon looking out the front door. It was hard to make them out in the poor lighting, but I could see them. All twelve of them deep asleep in the darkness in the meadow just outside. The pale form of the Alabaster floating idly nearby was a sight to see in the glow of the nearly full moon. Things were quiet aside from the sounds of an early autumn night.

I noticed Smolder leading Ocellus into Scootaloo's bedroom. Our new guest would need a place to sleep for the night. "Are you sure Scootaloo won't mind me using her bed tonight?"

"Not if we fix it up in the morning. She'll never know you were there." Smolder said with a bit of dragon cunning. I cracked a smirk at how the two contrasted each other so well. They really were good friends in all the best ways.

Fluttershy went about the house dimming the lights. It was a long time coming, but it was finally time to settle in for the night now that I was back home. With things going quiet and Smolder and Ocellus whispering amongst themselves in the next room over, Ember approached me with a subtle frown on her lips. "So then... What now?"

"A hot shower sounds good. Or a bath, if I need to keep these bandages dry." I replied before looking around the living room. There was one question still on my mind. "Where will you be staying tonight?"

"I guess...right there? That looks comfy enough." Ember pointed to the sofa at the back of the room. It was certainly large enough to nap on. Especially if she curled up on it. She looked up at me and added, "I'll stay out of the way."

This was too humble of Ember. Even moreso than usual. "I just want you to feel at home and welcome here. If you have any requests..."

"No, really. It's fine. I mean it's a lot better than napping on rocky cave floors back home to begin with." Ember retorted with a bit of a snicker in her force. Even I cracked a bemused smirk. I suppose even the most modest bedding looks like an improvement over what the dragons are accustomed to. The Dragon Lord then touched my hand and whispered, "I'll be fine. Someone has to stay down here to guard the place."

"Wha... Ember, no. You're not staying up all night when you're our guest of honor." I said firmly before taking hold of her hand. Her eyes widened in surprise before I explained further, "Besides, it's safe in here. We've never had an incident of anyone or anything trying to break in during the night. And even if someone tried, all of the nocturnal creatures in the immediate area would sound some sort of alarm. If trouble shows up, you better believe that Fluttershy's littlest friends will alert us to it. And that's not getting into the fact that she's friends with a bear who nests nearby..."

"Wow... I was getting the impression that she has a thing going on with the wildlife around here, but they're really that invested in her?" Ember asked while I just nodded. Any wildlife we noticed on the Empty Plains were entirely wild and wary of civilized entities. Such creatures being so friendly towards the people of Equestria was not a concept she was accustomed to. Ember then looked at the door one more time and said, "All right, if you say so. I guess you don't need my help with we've got dozens of little sentinels watching over the place. I guess I can sleep well tonight after all."

I could already hear the bathtub filling with water upstairs. Fluttershy must have gotten the idea that it would be best to leave my bandaged head as undisturbed as possible and went with setting up a hot bath. Ember and I turned off the last few lights while leaving Smolder and Ocellus undisturbed before carefully making our way up the stairs. Ember even placed a hand atop my head to push it lower just to insure I did not bump it on the ceiling just below the top of the stairs. Only the modest glow of an oil lantern was casting light around the room. Probably just a means to keep our eyes from getting too used to bright light. Ember looked around at the fairly rustic interior design of our bedroom and said, "Cozy. It gives me the feeling you can get to sleep easily in here."

"Yeah, it tends to have that effect." I replied as the sound of running water from the next room over stopped. I closed the hatch behind us for some extra privacy and sound insulation before peeking into the bathroom. Another lantern was casting a glow throughout the room while Fluttershy was even mixing in some of her favorite bath salts with the tub's water. She was going well out of her way to avoid the use of electrical lighting to keep the atmosphere as relaxing as possible. She smiled at me knowing with an eye glancing over her shoulder at me. "Thank you, dear."

"It's your first night back. You deserve the best, so I'm getting out only the finest stuff to make this bath something special." Fluttershy whispered even more quietly than usual. Ember and I even closed the bathroom door behind us to muffle our voices even further so we would not disturb the two little ladies downstairs. Although once she noticed Ember was joining us, Fluttershy asked curiously, "Um... Dragon Lord Ember? You're...not going to stay for this, are you?"

"You don't have to bother with the honorifics with me. And...well... I am staying for his sake after all." Ember replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. Her status as Dragon Lord really was irrelevant at the time. She was an honored guest and friend first and foremost.

"I...didn't mean that. I meant...well..." Fluttershy started to stammer as I even noticed a faint uneasy blush forming in her cheeks. I tensed up as well once I realized where this was going. "You're...not going to watch him undress, are you?"

"Oh." Ember flatly mumbled, her scarlet eyes glancing at me before even glancing down below my waist. She knew what that meant. Ember crossed her arms and turned her head away for the moment and said, "I mean I've seen how he looks when completely bare, but... I mean... I guess... Don't mind me. I'll wait."

And she did. Ember did not peek once as I undressed and cast my clothes into the corner of the room. The faint hiss of the dissolving bath salts was joined only by the hum of a ceiling fan to filter out any excess steam. A necessity for a compact room with wood finishes everywhere. Only one I was safely seated in the rounded wooden bathtub did Ember turn to look. "Come to think of it, we didn't have something like this at my place... Or in yours. We always did our bathing while standing up."

"You only had shower stalls? They are a bit more convenient and don't take as long as a long hot bath. I guess this is for when you really want to pamper yourself and relax after a long day." Fluttershy replied while I just sighed in relaxation with the water being at just the right elevation once I was seated in the tub. Perfect temperature too. My wife then whispered to me, "And you're had a very long day."

"A day that feels like several weeks at least..." I groaned in a poor attempt at humor. Fluttershy then kissed me on the cheek while Ember kneeled behind me. I caressed the side of Fluttershy's face with our brows touching for the moment before Ember reached her arms around me and embraced me from behind. Her hands sank below the surface of the water to rest over my chest while I sighed and leaned back further to rest my head against the side of hers while cradled in the gentle curve of her horn. We were both smiling. Something that did not go ignored by my wife. "You're always so happy together... And you're always so gentle with him, Ember."

"Only because he's always so good to me." Ember whispered while I cracked an uneven grin. It was not my time to speak. Ember pulled me closer to her as she said, "He taught me that tenderness is not a show of weakness. And that being beautiful doesn't mean you're not powerful. I learned a lot of important things from this man."

Fluttershy noticed when I brought my hand to rest over Ember's, even with it being below the milky water's surface. She then asked, "Has she always been good to you too, dear?"

I said something important. Something I had told only Ember up until then. "Ember always gave me courage."

"Only because you always gave me hope, my little warrior poet." Ember cooed to me. I think she dearly wanted to wrap her wings around me, but the bathtub would just get in the way.

"Oh my, such a lovely thing to say. Although James never actually writes poetry." Fluttershy giggled while she leaned closer to us. "I should know. I read all his journals. He's amazing at writing wonderful stories. Even if they are technically autobiographies."

"Then it looks like you'll have enough material to keep you entertained for weeks with how many boxes packed with the stuff are down there." Ember snickered while we all tried to keep our voices down for the sake to the two little ladies downstairs.

I then decided to say something then. Just as a precaution. "Just be warned that some of those entries...get weird. I really wish I could explain some of them."

Ember did most of the work when it came to bathing me. Fluttershy merely supervised since Ember's hands were much more adept for the task. I handled the act of washing anything that was too far below the water's surface. And all the while, Ember kept whispering such wonderful little things to me. And she was careful to speak just loudly enough for Fluttershy to hear her. As if she wanted my wife to know how dearly she held me to her heart. So she would know there was no deception between us. And Fluttershy... She was so touched by the genuine sincerity between the two of us. She knew she could trust Ember. "I'm happy for you two. You both found something very important out there, didn't you."

I spoke first. "I found the best dragoness in all the land."

"And I found the best man in all the land. And I really mean that. No man has ever been so courteous to me until this little warrior poet came along." Ember said next while she reached under my jaw and flirtatiously tickled it with a single wiggling finger.

Fluttershy then asked a question that I do not think she could have expected the response it would get. "Do you two have any plans?"

The levity in the air faded as Ember and I stopped smiling. Ember's washing motions stopped as she held me from behind again. "We...do have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. If Equestria...ends up rejecting him."

Fluttershy tilted her head to one side in confusion. She could never imagine such a thing. And I could not directly look at her as those painful memories floated to the front of my mind. "But...why would that ever happen? Equestria's people would never hate him. Not now... Right?"

I decided to speak up then. "Dear... What have you heard in regards to why the war was even happening in the first place?"

"Not...much. I was more focused on watching over Gladesong and just waiting out everything that was going on. Did something happen?" Fluttershy replied with a surprising show of ignorance. I suppose not everyone was that privy of global headlines. Certainly not in cozy little Ponyville.

Ember sighed while she held me. I left the explaining to her. "Let's just say that...we eventually found out why the human emperor was still around. He never really died and had some sort of trap set. He had been leeching off of this man's life force since the instant he appeared in Equestria. And after a full year, he woke up. And...that meant as long as James was alive, he would never die."

I could barely even look at Fluttershy stared at me with wide eyes filled with horror. She asked softly, "But... But... Surely nopony tried to..."

"Some got desperate..." Ember muttered while keeping me very firmly embraced in her arms. As if trying to shield me from anything unpleasant. "I had to personally stop more than one attempt on his life. Teh war's over now so there's no point in anyone thinking this man is a threat, but... You never know. Some might resent him for having an indirect connection to the one who almost ruined this world. And if Equestria grows to hate him... He will at least always be welcome in my home."

"That can't be... Equestria would never hate James... He's never given them a reason to hate him! They... This world wouldn't ever turn on him, would they?" Fluttershy asked while looking and sounding all the more distressed with every passing moment. At least I knew my wife would never stop loving me.

I felt the edged of Ember's mouth curve into a slight smile while she rested her head against the side of mine. "We hope not. But just in case, we've got a backup plan. Rain Shine and Novo are in on it too. Even if all of Equestria rejects this man, he will always have us. Between the dragon lands, the Grove of Silence, and Capricorn Island, James will always be in good hands."

Fluttershy's gaze sharpened just slightly as she looked at us. I could feel that stern gaze and locked eyes with her. "Well, if that does happen... I hope you won't mind me still being in his life. I won't leave him now. And Gladesong will know what a great person her father is even if the rest of Equestria says otherwise. I'll be there for him... I'll be there for you, James. All right?"

"Thank you, love... Really... I hope it doesn't happen, but we can't act like I didn't have anything to do with what's been going on out there." I sighed with a bit of relief in my heart. Fluttershy would never reject me. I knew that much by then.

As Ember continued to bathe me, Fluttershy's eyes were suddenly filled with inspiration. "Speaking of which... How did you two meet anyway?"

"By accident." I retorted with Ember giggling next to my ear. We could never forget that day. "I literally blundered into the dragon lands out of sheer curiosity without even knowing where I was. And I got harassed by a bunch of dragon punks and... After I decided to give them a taste of their own medicine, this beautiful creature showed up in full armor with spear in hand. I didn't even know she was a woman until Nightmare Moon intervened to stop the duel."

"I admit I gave those boulderheads more credit than I should have. And your husband here put up a very good fight for someone who was holding back. I really didn't wanna hurt him either for the most part. I was getting all sorts of hunches that it was all a mistake. Although I guess my pride got the better of me anyway..." Ember explained in turn before she hugged me from behind even more firmly. I heard her speak into my ear, "Really, I'm sorry I didn't stand down sooner. I screwed up."

"It's OK, Ember. Really. You held back too." I replied with my fingers caressing the side of her head. I then explained with Fluttershy, "We had a sincere chat later and... Well... It's not that important. All that matters is that Ember tracked me down later, found out the war was happening, and joined in."

"Don't be so modest. What you told me back then was important." Ember said firmly to me. She then looked at Fluttershy and said, "He...opened my eyes to some things I didn't want to admit at the time. If you've heard nothing but the worst things about us dragons, those rumors aren't wrong... My people...are idiots. Barbarians who don't realize how the rest of the world has left us behind. I intend to fix that."

Fluttershy looked a little too aware of what Ember was speaking of. "I did hear nothing but bad things about the dragons from their homeland when some of my friends came back from an excursion into it. But you're nothing like that. You're amazing, Ember. I hope you succeed in fixing everything wrong with your homeland."

A glance to my right revealed that Ember was smirking rather confidently. "I think I'm on the right track. The first trick is to get my people on my side of things and the twelve of my men you saw out there might be just the advocates I need. They really grew to respect you ponies during the war and they've seen what the rest of Equestria has to offer. A little information spreading through word of mouth may be just the push in the right direction a little change in the dragon lands needs."

"I hope you succeed. I just love dragon babies, but the adults always scare me. If the dragons of Equestria become much nicer under your rule, then I would be so eager to visit and get to know more dragons." Fluttershy beamed at the thought. I too had hopes that the dragon lands would see a wonderful revolution in the very near future. Even if it would likely take years for them to properly convert such a wasteland into a proper society. To go from what is essentially the Stone Age to the modern day in only a few years is a highly unrealistic expectation, even for Equestria.

Ember continued to bathe me while making certain she kept the bandages on my head dry. Fluttershy went about the place to tidy up and fetch Ember some of the tools she needed for the job. I think Ember really wanted to wash my hair since I did feel her slide her fingers over my bandaged scalp. Even if there was no hair under there to wash at the time. Although she did take some enjoyment in washing my face. I could feel the caress of those powerful fingers through the washcloth when she lathered and rinsed me. I even felt her slide both fingers over my eyebrows simultaneously before rubbing them over my eyelids while I had my eyes closed. Since I had to turn around to face Ember for that part of the bath, I was greeted by such a lovely smile for her when I did open my eyes. She whispered to me, "Keep those eyes safe for me. I love the way you always look at me."

"Same to you. You've always had such beautiful eyes, Ember." I replied softly before Ember wasted no time in placing a kiss upon my lips. Ember then turned to Fluttershy, who was standing just to my left. "Your turn. He's your man after all."

"Oh, I have so many to give to make up for all the time we've spent apart." Fluttershy giggled before she too leaned forward and began to shower my face with soft little kisses. And she saved the last for my lips. My wife gazed at me with those beautiful eyes and whispered sweetly, "Things are finally getting back to normal."

"Yeah... Hopefully." I muttered while just feeling so tired. I was soon back on my feet and wrapped in a towel with Ember once more respectfully turning away until I was at least marginally dressed in a fresh pair of boxers. With the tub emptied and the three of us in the bedroom, Ember made her way to the hatch leading downstairs. But when she reached for it, she paused. "Ember...?"

The Dragon Lord looked back at us with such a gaze of hesitation. She looked down at the hatch again before looking back at us. "I...don't want to leave your side tonight. May I stay with you two?"

"Let me see first..." Fluttershy replied while she appeared to be gauging the width of our bed. We already had to upgrade to a larger frame and mattress once before, but was it spacious enough for all three of us? Both Ember and Fluttershy are very petite compared to me, so I was hopeful we could all squeeze ourselves in. After a brief moment, Fluttershy looked at Ember with a smile. "I think we can all fit just fine."

"Thank you... I know I shouldn't be asking you of this, but...the more sure I am that he'll be safe here, the easier it'll be for me to leave tomorrow." Ember said softly as she stepped over to the left side of the bed. We had the sheets turned down and I had scooted over to place myself in the middle. I looked at Ember while she placed her hand upon mine, her lovely face gently illuminated by the flickering flame inside the lantern nearby. "I did say I would always be your shield."

"I remember. Just know that I'm always safe out here." I replied while I lifted her hand to my lips. Ember's scarlet eyes narrowed in delight as I placed a kiss on the back of her palm. Once Ember was lying beside me, she immediately draped a wing over me with a finger tracing over my chest like so many times before. Fluttershy was very observant of the body language being displayed between us and she never stopped smiling. I am sure there were many things she wanted to ask Ember, but knew better than to press her on that subject. The lantern was finally snuffed out to blanket the bedroom in near total blackness before Fluttershy rested beside me on my left, leaving me sandwiched between those two wonderful women. They both held me beneath the covers while they both kissed me goodnight. "Thank you for everything... Both of you."

"We're here for you, dear. Sweet dreams." Fluttershy cooed to me in the dark. I felt so safe in the embraces of those two. And in a matter of minutes, I drifted off to sleep.

I cannot recall exactly what I dreamed of. I was left completely undisturbed. No celestial visitors of the royal family entered my dream that night. But when I did awaken, I felt profoundly drained and not at all happy. My eyes slowly opened as the dream faded away and I came back to my senses to find the bedroom gently lit by the morning sunlight. And I felt deeply disappointed that my first night back in my own house had to end with such an unenjoyable dream. I stared at the ceiling, just wishing I could go back to sleep especially since Fluttershy and Ember were still soundly asleep with me trapped in their embraces.

With nothing else to do and not having the will to wake them, I closed my eyes to try and go back to sleep in the hopes of experiencing a better dream regardless of how brief it might be. I did not quite get that. Whatever dream I did experience, it was too brief for me to recall. A stirring beside me on both sides brought me back to my senses. And I found two pairs of beautiful eyes gazing upon me. Fluttershy spoke first, but the smile quickly faded. "Good morning, dear... Are you...all right?"

"I didn't dream well... Just...woke up feeling not happy." I mumbled with my hand touching her hoof under the covers. It was not how I wanted to start my first day back home.

"Then let's fix that." Ember retorted. She pulled me with her wing to roll me closer to her and pulled me in for a very secure embrace and kiss. She sighed sweetly into that kiss before gazing me right in the eye. "Better?"

"A...little, yeah." I muttered while not sure how to respond to such a way of starting my day. But I found myself starting to smile when Ember and Fluttershy started to pass me back and forth between them for kisses. It did not completely quash my doldrums, but it helped enough.

I decided to forego bathing that morning and got myself dressed before following Fluttershy and Ember downstairs. Ember looked especially refreshed upon waking up in a house with the aesthetics Fluttershy preferred her home to have. Although the scent of nature's morning grandeur and the pleasant aroma of wood was joined by the scent of cooking. Smolder was busy in the kitchen with preparing hot breakfast staples and had even donned an apron that looked a bit too fitting for her.

Breakfast was pleasant enough and it was great to be enjoying a classic country breakfast of eggs and hash browns. Some good eating did wonders for my mood too while I listened in on the conversation going on between the four women around me. It almost felt awkward that I was the odd one out as the only man there, but it just allowed me to listen in on the girl talk happening around me.

While uneventful, the meal was a good start to my day. Smolder and Ocellus handled the dishes while continuing to converse with each other, although Ember peeked out of the kitchen window to check on her men. They looked like they were only just starting to wake up. "They'll be famished by the time we get home. Unless they found a way to fill their bellies while they were in town."

"Yeah... At least they behaved themselves." I replied wile knowing it was sooner than planned for them to depart. I still had some precious time left with her. Although I was starting to wonder about what was happening aboard the Alabaster nearby. No one had come down to alert us to anything, so Novo was definitely keeping Gladesong happy and entertained somehow.

Ember took hold of my hand and guided me out of the kitchen and into the living room. I knew better than to ask questions when she did something like that without a word. She guided me right to the sofa at the back and had me take a seat. Once seated, I found Ember practically crawling onto me before draping a wing over me with her head nestled into my chest. I heard her whisper to me, "Please... I don't want to be pushy in your own home, but... Just grant me this. I want to spend what little time I have left with you."

"Me too..." I muttered as the realization of what would be coming very shortly meant. We stalled for time the best we could. Even made it so Ember could remain with us for the night. But her departure was inevitable. The dragon lands needed their queen. And as we held each other, I felt the tears starting to build again. I did not want to let her go...

No one dared to interrupt us. Even Ember's subordinates never came knocking. Perhaps one of them peeked through the window to see us and decided it would be a bad idea to approach her. Although after what felt like too little time, there was a knock at the door. And instead of waiting for an answer, a familiar voice dripping with soul spoke up on the other side. "Special delivery! One little lady wants her mama and papa!"

"Novo?" I muttered while Ember too perked up at the sound of the amazing queen's voice. Fluttershy even entered the living room to answer the door while Ember and I approached to let her in. But when the door swung open... "Wait... Oh my god..."

Just... Novo had gone above and beyond in being a new mom to little Gladesong. She had my daughter strapped into a baby harness that was affixed to the base of her neck like a peytral. And Gladesong was all to happy to see us as she reached out and giggled at us. Novo gently preened the top of Gladesong's head while Sky Beak and Seaspray stood behind her as escorts. "This little princess had a wonderful time. She made friends with just about everyone up there and the ladies just couldn't get enough of her. Didn't they, sweet pea? You were the talk of the town aboard the Alabaster, weren't you?"

Gladesong babbled excitedly with her new mama bird preening her mane of chocolate brown and strawberry pink. Fluttershy reached up to our daughter and gave her nose a little nuzzle. "She does look very happy. Did you have any trouble getting her to sleep?"

"Not at all, honey. I kept this baby girl tucked under my wing the whole night. She does love a soft cushion of feathers." Novo replied while Gladesong looked right up at her. That beautiful queen placed a kiss upon her brow and beamed sweetly at her. "Now I just need to have a crown made for the newest princess in the family. Whatever you say goes, sweetie. You outrank even old Seaspray right here."

Sky Beak just laughed at Novo's flippant adoration while Seaspray could only stare aghast at his queen. "Wait, what?! But... But she..."

When Novo turned to face Seaspray, Gladesong looked right at him and just let out a verse of baby babble. All while smiling. Novo then smirked at her top guardsman and said, "You heard her, admiral. Hop to it."

It was getting hard to not laugh. The bewildered captain of the guard glanced down at the filly hanging off of Novo's neck and said, "But... But that wasn't even a real statement! It was all gibberish! That wasn't..."

"You heard your princess, admiral. Get to it or I'll arrange for extra paperwork duties for you as soon as we get home!" Novo spoke with a scowl on her beak. Just about everyone there burst into laughter while Seaspray scampered back down the path with an unsteady and confused gait. Novo then whispered to us all, "I say give him ten minutes to figure out he just got played."

As if on cue, Seaspray lifted his head and groaned loud enough for us to hear him from the bridge that spanned the brook ahead. "Oh, the indignity! Outranked by a toddler!"

"OK, make that twenty minutes..." Novo snickered while I could only facepalm at such antics. There is never a dull moment with that mama bird and her babies.

"Oh goodness me, just imagine the fun you'll have when you visit our place. You'll run old Seaspray ragged at this rate." Sky Beak chuckled while he too preened his granddaughter's mane. He then rubbed noses with Gladesong as she could only giggle at her fluffy grandfather. "Ocean is going to adore you, sweetheart. We need to make arrangements for a visit."

Ember had her arms crossed as we allowed the three of them into the cottage. She spoke with a smirk, "This kid will be very happy growing up, I'm sure of that."

"I hope so! She's always been a very happy filly." Fluttershy replied while Novo took a seat and lifted our daughter out of the harness. Fluttershy and I both took her into our hands while my wife then whispered, "Did you have a good time with your grandpa and Mama Novo? Were they good to you?"

The way Gladesong responded to that question was a little different than before. It was almost as if she was trying to talk. Novo and Sky Beak immediately drew closer. Even Smolder and Ocellus came running from the kitchen with the former saying, "Hey, that sounds different! Is she gonna talk?"

"Maybe... You got something to say, dear? You wanna tell us something?" I asked my daughter as she was cradled between her mother and I.

The tiny filly was encircled by the lot of us while she flexed her vocal chords. "Ba.... Ba... Baaaaa..."

"Is she...trying to sound like a lamb?" Ocellus asked curiously. She leaned forward, her false dragon face smiling excitedly. "Come on... You can do it. What do you wanna say?"

"Ba..." Gladesong groaned while looking up at our two feathery guests. Novo and Sky Beak did not blink once. And then... "Ba... Birb!"

Just... The looks those two were giving her. It was not quite a real word, but it was close enough to convey what she was trying to say. Novo then asked flatly, "I beg your pardon, honey?"

"Birb! Birb!" Gladesong chirped again, her tiny hoof pointing at the two hippogriffs before her. The two of them began to grin crookedly as if they could not decide if this was funny or adorable.

Novo was the first to speak. And she howled in joyous laughter before taking Gladesong into her hands and holding her high. "Ahahaha, so we are! You heard our princess! From this day forward, we are no longer birds! We are birbs! You got that? We are birbs!"

"Birb! Birb!" Gladesong continued to chant while we all snickered at this. All while she continued to reach out to her birb mama and birb grandpa.

"Oh, you sweet little thing. We still need to plan out the coronation ceremony for you." Novo giggled sweetly as she cradled our baby girl against her fluffy chest. Although she then noticed some of the stares she was getting. "What? What's with the look? This is MY baby girl as much as she is to this sweet little lady. That means she's my princess too!"

Fluttershy's smile started to get more and more crooked. As if she just could not take Novo seriously. "Your majesty, really... I know you love her, but Gladesong isn't really..."

"And you. You, little Miss Fluttershy." Novo then suddenly pointed at her and then to me. "This man is my king-in-waiting. And he's your man too. You know what that means? We're both queens here."

"Queen...Fluttershy... Oh...my goodness..." Fluttershy just about fainted at that decree. I had to catch her as she shakily sank to her haunches. Laughter filled the as I cradled my wife and queen in my arms. "Me? A queen? I don't know if I..."

"Don't overthink it, honey. Just know that we're on the same page here." Novo cooed before she scooted forward and scooped the two of us up against her in her glorious wing. "We're all family here, right?"

"Yeah... We are. Love you, Novo." I whispered to that beautiful queen as her beak touched my lips. And she made certain Gladesong could see it. Possibly to make sure our baby girl knew that she was just as much her mother as Fluttershy herself. I then whispered to Fluttershy before kissing her, "And I will always love you..."

"And I love you, my king." Fluttershy whispered back before giggling at how I recoiled from that unexpected use of words from her. Although we then noticed Gladesong let out quite a yawn. She was already getting tired from probably being run ragged with all the attention she had probably gotten that morning. "Uh oh... I think somepony needs a nap."

"Aww, I think you're right. Everyone aboard the Alabaster just wouldn't leave her alone. She had a good time, but the poor thing wore herself out. Lemme put this princess to bed for a little beauty sleep." Novo said as she stood up. But as she stepped past us with Gladesong cradled in one arm, I think she noticed our other guests staring at the empty baby harness on her chest. She smirked at us and said, "What? Mama goes nowhere without one of these tucked away in the closet. Never know when you might need one."

"Once a mother, always a mother. Right?" I asked as I found it very amusing of just how seriously Novo takes her identity as a mother. It really is just part of who she is.

"You got that right, baby. Now then, I'll be just a minute." Novo retorted smugly before disappearing into the nursery at the back of the living room. We could still hear her mumbling softly to Gladesong and even a few lullabies she started humming.

"That precious little thing really was the guest of honor up there last night. Everyone wanted to meet the new baby." Sky Beak said as he took a seat beside me. He draped his wing over Fluttershy and I before he whispered to us, "I think some of them were jealous over her being my granddaughter."

"Hey, they should be jealous. She's got the best granddad in the world. I should know because he's the best dad I could ever ask for." I replied with a bit of wit. Sky Beak snickered heartily as we savored this moment as a real family.

No sooner had Novo stepped back into the room did Seaspray suddenly burst into the living room while looking somewhat out of breath. "Forgive me...your majesty... I... I searched and just...could not find..."

"Oh, admiral. This is why you've kept your position for this long. You're way too much fun to mess with." Novo cackled while the rest of us also could not help getting a laugh at his expense. Seaspray's exasperated and desperate gaze was replaced by a very dry scowl as he processed the fact that he had been used as the butt of a joke.

"Ah, of course. How silly of me. I forgot that the fine print in taking this position required me to play the part of the court jester at times. My mistake! All hail the royal fool!" Seaspray balked while sounding more annoyed than genuinely upset. Although he quickly dusted himself off before stepping into our home entirely. And it turned out he had something in his grasp. "Although I did happen to find this left behind at the bow of the ship. I do believe this is yours, Dragon Lord."

"My spear!" Ember quickly took her iconic weapon in hand while being mindful of where she pointed it. But upon doing so, she realized exactly what this meant. Her eyes turned towards the suit of discarded armor in the corner. "Right... It's about time to go."

Novo noticed the somber tone in Ember's voice and once again stood beside her. She draped her wing over the young Dragon Lord and asked, "Did staying the night help? You think you can do this?"

"I must, Novo... My people are waiting for me." Ember said bitterly before letting out a long sigh. "But...I think I can do it this time. I know he'll be safe here. Just...let me get suited up and I'll be right outside."

"Oh, let me fetch your socks! They should be dry now." Fluttershy spoke up before trotting off to the laundry room. She returned barely a minute later with a pair of white socks tucked in her wing. "These are yours, right? They're the only pair I had in there."

"Yeah, those are mine. Thanks for taking care of... Wait a minute..." Ember retorted before she noticed something about her only piece of soft clothing. She lifted the pair to her face and inhaled sharply. "These...smell nice! Kind of flowery... How'd you do that?"

"Scented dryer sheets. Gets rid of static cling and makes everything smell better." Fluttershy replied with an amused smile on her lips.

"Huh... I still got a lot to learn about modern living." Ember slid her socks on before I helped her get her armor's components back on. As we did so, I felt that melancholy setting in again. Once her armor had been assembled, she would depart. After so many weeks with her, it sounded impossible. While everyone else began to step outside for a proper sendoff, Ember rested her hand over mine while I held her from behind. "I don't know how I'll ever go back to being without you... The moment everything changed, you were one of the few constants for me. It's not right... We shouldn't have to be apart."

"You're right... It's not..." I muttered while Ember set her helmet aside for a moment longer. She gazed up at me with such pain in those scarlet eyes. I think she knew what was going on in my head and quickly brought a hand to the side of my face. "Don't cry for me. You've shed enough tears already."

"I just...don't want to see you go..." I muttered while struggling to hold those tears back. Ember was just...too good. Too wonderful a person. To say goodbye now hurt most than others. I tried to cling to what little hope I had and asked, "You'll be back, right?"

"Of course I will, my little warrior poet. I know where to find you now." The Dragon Lord whispered with those fingers dragging down my face and to my chin. "Remember... I will pursue you to the ends of the earth if I have to. If you're not here when I show up next time, I will find you. You will not hide from me forever."

This almost made me laugh. It was as if she was daring me to make the act of locating me more difficult for her. Just to hammer this statement home further, she abrupt turned around and held me against her armored form with an unbreakable grasp. She smirked up at me and said, "You won't escape me."

"Why would I ever want to?" I replied with a bit of unease in my heart. And then...we both chuckled. Just laughed at how dearly we were longing for each other. Only then did Ember release me and placed her helmet upon her head. I followed her out of the cottage, her spear in hand. We headed down the earthen path and across the brook that flowed in front of the house before finding everyone waiting. Even Ember's twelve subordinates were being commendably patient and silent as they stood in the meadow before us. My eyes fell upon Novo with Sky Beak and Seaspray standing behind her. But they said nothing. I think they were allowing our dragon guests to depart first. I looked down at Ember and whispered, "I would've never made it without you."

"I will always be your shield. If anything ever happens, send word to the dragon lands. I'll be the first to come to your aid." Ember said firmly as she took hold of my hand. I brought myself down to one knee and held her as she held me. I heard Ember whisper wistfully, "I will be longing for you..."

"Same here... Be safe out there, Ember..." I muttered while withholding any other forms of affection. I did not want this goodbye to be any harder than it already was.

Once Ember released me, she turned to her left. "Smolder."

The little dragon lady did not refuse her summons. Smolder hurried up to the Dragon Lord. But all Ember did was rest her empty hand on Smolder's shoulder and whisper, "Watch over him for me."

A confident and knowingly smile spread across her lips. Smolder nodded and whispered equally quietly, "I will. He'll be in good hands while I'm around."

Ember smiled, but she could barely even bring herself to look at me. Anything to make leaving less painful. She went to her new friends one by one, holding each in an embrace with few words spoken. Except for Novo. Instead of trying to embrace the hippogriff queen, Ember bowed to her respectfully. Only for Novo to smirk and grab Ember for a big winged hug of her own. "No hugs for the queen, Ember? Oh no you don't. Gimme some cuddles!"

"Wha...?! Huh...?! Uh... Oh, all right." Ember snickered while the two monarchs embraced as friends. That was admittedly cute and helped give rid of the looming dread around us. Ember then glanced around at all of us and said, "It was...an honor getting to know all of you. I really hope this isn't the last time we meet..."

"It won't be. Safe travels, Ember." Novo replied while I could only reach out to Ember while managing to resist the urge to approach her. But then her scarlet eyes met mine. And she too reached out to me with one hand.

It was not meant to be. In what was likely a snap decision, Ember forced herself to take to the sky before her heart could make her reconsider her decision. She shot up into the air on those beautiful blue wings before soaring east with all four of her subordinates following. I watched for as long as I could, struggling to hold back tears as that form of blue and gold became increasingly distant. Until that dot in the sky disappeared. "I can't believe she's really gone..."

"For now. Don't cry, baby." Novo whispered as she snuck up behind me. She draped her wing over me before adding, "You know she'll be back. That little sparkplug would sooner die than give you up."

"Yeah... I know how a dragon's heart works now." I muttered with a glimmer of hope in my heart. Neither of us could say goodbye forever. It was just...a brief interlude between our next meeting.

The Alabaster was primed and ready for takeoff. We could not keep them waiting for too long. We all said our goodbyes, but I waited to go last. I embraced Sky Beak and whispered, "Love you, papa bird... Don't be a stranger."

"You know I'll see you again, my boy. And thank you...for giving me the granddaughter I never knew I wanted. Be good to her for me, all right?" He whispered back to me. It was so hard to let go. For just less than a day, it felt like we had a complete family under one roof.

"It was an honor serving with you, my good sir." Seaspray then spoke before he too held me in an embrace. And he whispered very quietly into my ear. "May we meet again soon, my liege. I shall guard your beloved with my life."

"Thank you... Thank you, admiral." I muttered as that choice of words did not faze me as much as I expected. But when I turned to Novo...

I did not even get the chance to get a word in. Novo grabbed me and pulled me in close before clamping her beak over my face. Her tongue invaded my mouth, caressing my own in an equally sudden invitation to dance. And I lost myself in that kiss. It had been too long since the last time. We embraced and cooed to each other in that cocoon of feathery wings. She sighed to me once the kiss ended and said, "Love you, baby... You be good to that baby girl. And to your first queen."

"I will, love... Thank you for always being there when I needed you." I whispered to her. With all goodbyes said, we watched as Novo was escorted back up to the Alabaster while the gangplank was retracted. The royal cruiser began to ascend with its propellers starting to buzz before it began to soar high and off to the west. It was finally going home. Although just when it disappeared over the horizon, I happened to notice Scootaloo watching from the path leading towards Ponyville. She must have gotten back just in time to watch from atop her scooter.

And just like that... Things have gone back to normal. Or I wish it did. As I sit here writing this, I feel such a powerful longing for those who left me behind today. It is going to take some time before I truly become accustomed to being back in Ponyville without those who made all the difference for me out on the battlefield.

I just need some time... I needed time to adapt to living in Ponyville during those first couple of weeks in the first place. I can do it again. Everything will be just fine... Things will go back to normal. I am all right... I am, right?