38.

“These two are so precious.” Rarity cooed. “I have two little dresses from my filly line. Wait here.” She trotted into the other room.

Silver and Paradox waited for Rarity. They stopped by early just as Rarity opened her shop. She was happy they came by as she always was. Paradox was grinning because he remembered when he was little he was a terror making Rarity fret over his behavior.

Rarity came out holding four dresses up with her magic. “These four are just divine.”

Silver’s looked at them wide eyed. “Oh Rarity… these are beautiful. They’d look like princesses if they wore these.”

Selene and Solana were both looking at their mother and Rarity then at the dresses hovering above them.

Paradox was getting bored as his wife and Rarity started talking about princesses and royalty and putting the dresses up against the girls. He smirked suddenly when he saw something behind a curtain he walked casually to the curtain.

“This one stands up to little fillies that may tug and pull on the fabric.” Rarity explained about the light pink dress. She noticed Paradox out of the corner of her eye wandering around the boutique.

“That would be lovely. Rarity perhaps we can get two the same? I think they’d look adorable dressed the same.” Silver asked as she reached in the carrier and picked Solana up.

“Sure darling, but never deny these sweeties their individuality.” Rarity smiled when she saw that Selene wanted out as well. “May I?” She asked.

“Of course.” Silver nodded as she watched Rarity pick Selene up.

“Oh she’s heavier than I thought. I always wanted to have a filly, but I was always so busy.” She hugged Selene. “You and your sister are so adorable.”

Paradox opened the curtain and grinned evilly. “I knew it…” He disappeared behind the curtain.

Silver suddenly looked around. “Wait. Where’s Doxy?”

Rarity looked around as well. “No worries darling, he probably discovered Spike’s horde room.”

“Horde room?” Silver asked.

Rarity nodded. “Oh yes, please come with me. I’ll show you.” They placed Selene and Solana in the carrier.

Rarity led Silver to the curtain and opened it. There was a hallway that slanted downward and a light was coming from a room down below. Silver heard Paradox laughing and also heard Spike talking. She looked at Rarity. “Spike had been here all this time?”

“Of course he’s here. He likes to relax in his horde room while I run my shop. A husband needs time to himself every so often.” She let the curtain go as she turned to Silver. “Would you like those dresses or something else?”

Paradox sat in the large chair. “So Spike… how many horde stashes to you have?” He asked as he picked up a gem and looked at it.

“Counting this one? Five.” Spike answered as he organized the gems by color. “Rarity let’s me keep this horde because she brings me new gems and it’s easier for her to just drop them off in here. The other four I have in Twilight’s castle.”

Paradox nodded. “So, why didn’t you and Rarity have a family?”

Spike’s wings drooped. “Not for lack of trying, she and I aren’t compatible in that aspect. I offered to just well, let her find a stallion instead of staying with me and she insists that we are meant to be and I love her.”

“That’s tough.” Paradox muttered. “Did you want to be a father?”

Spike blinked. “Well, actually. I’d rather not be. I’d hate to see my collection of comics get ruined. I hear babies get into everything.”

Paradox started to laugh. “Spoken like a true dragon.” He got up from the chair. “I hope Silver is now done, I’m going to see. Bye Spike. Talk to you later.”

“Bye. Tell Rarity I’ll be up in a few.”

“Alright.”

Silver smiled when she saw Paradox emerge from behind the curtain. “Where have you been?”

“Oh, just talking with Spike.” He grinned as he walked over to the carrier and Silver, he saw that Selene and Solana were in a dress similar to one another. He took in a deep breath and suddenly clutched his chest and stumbled back. “Oh no! Ah!”

Rarity and Silver blinked. “What?” They asked in a panic.

Paradox smiled. “They stole my heart again. These two girls making their father lose his heart every time he sees them.” He swallowed hard as he looked at them again. Selene and Solana looked at him and smiled sweetly as they behaved one another. They were in an exact same dress and looked like little angels. “Hello my princesses. You two look gorgeous.” He said as he reached in and pet each of their heads. “Daddy loves you.”

“What do you think?” Silver asked and suddenly tilted her head at him. “Doxy, are you crying?”

He stood up straight. “No. I’m fine just these two…” He rubbed his eyes. “How much do we owe you Rarity?”

She was smiling. “Your reaction is a great payment, but if you insist on paying. Six bits for each dress. Silver chose four dresses. ”

“We definitely insist on paying. Here.” Paradox placed a bag of bits on the table he didn’t count them out. “This should be enough and then some.”

Rarity gasped as she looked in the bag. “This is too…”

He put his paw up. “I don’t want to hear it. Take that please.”

“You better take it. No use arguing with him. Stubborn as his father.” Silver smiled as they left. “Thank you Rarity.”

“Thank you darlings.” Rarity said in shock as she looked at the hundred bits that Paradox and Silver paid her.

“The most generous pony deserves to be paid more than she asks for…” Paradox said to Silver as they walked down the street.

Silver nodded in agreement as she looked at the twins. “Oh. Doxy. They look so adorable.”

Paradox looked at them. “Oh. Yes. I agree. Silver, how am I going to keep the colts and stallions away from my babies when they’re older?”

Silver started to laugh. “You’re already worried about them as they get older? They’ll be fine Doxy. Remember you can be quite intimidating if you want to be.”