Our Little Clementine

by MaxBeezy


Delivery Day

Matt and Applejack stand at the front of Sweet Apple Acres, piling up apples in a wagon on this lovely Tuesday morning. It’s been three years to the day, when they watched their daughter get married to Slip Wing, the love of her life, and lives only a mile away from the Williams-Apple residence.

Slip Wing has been following in his father’s hoofsteps to become a journalist, with his current job being an assistant editor at the Ponyville Press, though he’s getting some attention from the Equestrian Sun Times, the very publication that Quill Pen worked for.

As for Clementine, she's been helping with the family business; working at Sweet Apple Acres with her Mother and Father, alongside their Uncle Big Mac. Business thrives just as it ever did, and Clementine had enjoyed every minute of it. She still spends her off hours to be with her friends, and to spend time with Slip Wing, who every once in a while comes by the farm to help out as well.

Things changed in the second year of Clementine and Slip Wing’s marriage. Granny Smith is coming up in old age, now. Her back legs have given out, regulating her to placing them on wheels to get around. Matt was more than happy to install a ramp on the porch of Sweet Apple Acres, but Applejack and Big Macintosh did it themselves. Granny Smith is still as sharp witted as ever, but the Apples know that there may be a day where she will pass on, but not today.

As for Clementine, it’s been nearly eleven months since a new development happened. She became pregnant a little over a year since she married Slip Wing. Clementine and Slip Wing had talked about having a foal, but only when the time was right. Once the both of them felt they were financially stable, they decided that it was the right time. It only took one try, which surprised the both of them.

When they told Matt and Applejack the news, Matt’s reaction was pleasant, welcoming, and without chairs being thrown around.

It wasn’t just Clementine that announced her pregnancy, but the very same week, Princess Allotrope announced that she was with foal as well. The two expectant mothers have taken the opportunity to throw foal showers for one another, as Slip Wing and Dawning Shield are kicked out of their respective homes to spend time with their friends, as the old tradition of no colts allowed was still very much in effect. It wasn’t doom and gloom for the expectant fathers, as they went on quite a few wacky adventures away from their celebrating wives, including having a drinking contest with Matt, only to have all three of them pass out at the same time.

Now, eleven months have passed since Clementine and Allotrope announced their pregnancies, and they are due any day now.

“Hey! Get ta work ya lazy bums!” Granny Smith yells from the porch with a megaphone. “Back in mah day, ah would have bucked half the orchard by now!”

“On it, Granny!” Applejack gives her grandmother a determined salute, as she and Matt head off to buck some more apple trees. She and Matt look at one another, smiling all the way, and trying not to burst out laughing at Granny Smith’s yelling. “Ah know what you’re thinkin’, Matt.”

“What?”

“Get off mah lawn!” Applejack puts on her best Granny Smith impersonation, prompting Matt to brust out laughing so hard, that Granny can hear it.

“Hey!” she yells in her megaphone again, “Knock that off, you two!”

“Okay!” Matt does his own salute, suppressing his laughter. He looks back to Applejack with a snicker. “That was dead on.”

“Ah know. I’ve been workin’ on it fer years.”

“LOOK OUT!” a familiar voice cries out, but not behind Matt and Applejack, but above them.

The two look up to see Slip Wing coming at them at an alarming speed. Matt ducks down quickly, taking Applejack with him, even though she was low enough that Slip Wing would have missed her regardless. Slip Wing zooms past them, rolling roughly on the ground. He quickly gets up, shaking the dirt off of his fur and feathers.

“Slip?” Applejack says with worry, “What’s goin’ on?”

“It’s Clementine! It’s happening!”

It doesn’t take any more clarification for Matt and Applejack to realize what is happening. Their eyes widen, and turn to one another. A mixture of happiness and fright fly across their faces, and Matt places a hand on her shoulder.

“I’ll get Mom.” Matt says.

“I’ll meet ya at the hospital!” Applejack watches Matt make a mad dash out of Sweet Apple Acres to head for their house. “Granny! Big Mac!” she cries out “Clementine’s givin’ birth!” Applejack and Slip Wing make their own sprint out of the farm, before Granny and a shocked Big Mac could fully comprehend the situation.

“Don’t sit there all slack jawed, ya youngin’!” Granny Smith smacks Big Macintosh on the foreleg, “Give me a push!”


It takes a couple minutes and a few ponies jumping out of the way, but Applejack and Slip Wing make it to Ponyville General, where they nearly smash the doors off of their hinges to get inside. Doctor Redheart comes in with very little time for such shenanigans.

“Slip Wing! I told you to try not to break the doors down! They’re very expensive!”

“I’m sorry, Doctor Redheart! Where’s Clementine?”

“She’s headed towards the delivery room. Hurry and put on your scrubs! Follow me!” Doctor Redheart takes Slip Wing and the two run into the halls, barely even acknowledging Applejack, who now paces around the room.

Suddenly, with a FLASH, Matt and his Mother come teleporting into the lobby, scaring Applejack enough to make her scream in terror, and smacking Matt across the face with a foreleg.

“Ow! Damn!”

“What was that for?” Matt’s Mother asks.

“Sorry, Mrs. Williams. Ah got spooked.” Applejack nuzzles Matt’s arm. “She’s in the delivery room. It’s happenin’ Matt!”

“You want me to get the others?” he asks, referring to their friends.

“No time. We have to stay here, just in case anythin’ happens.”

“You’re right. We stay here, no matter…” the doors behind them burst open, and Dawning Shield, pushing Allotrope on a wheelchair, come charging into the lobby, running over Matt in the process. “GAH!” Matt screams as he falls onto the floor and Allotrope’s chair rolls over him.

“Sorry, Mr. Williams!” Dawning Shield yells in genuine apologetics, but not sorry enough to stop moving. “Allotrope’s giving birth!” Dawning Shield yells with a sense of pride.

Applejack helps Matt up, who simply rubs off the hit and run like a minor annoyance. His time in Equestria has sure made him one of the most durable humans in existence. Matt barely registers what happened to him, with Dawning Shield’s news finally reaching him.

“What a minute. Did he just say that Allotrope is giving birth, too?”

“That’s mighty convenient.” Applejack smiles.

“Yeah.” Matt then looks back at the door, remembering that any minute now, Big Macintosh will be coming in with Granny Smith. He moves himself, along with Applejack and his Mother, away from the door. “I’d rather not stay here and get run over again.”


Slip Wing is hopping along the halls, attempting to get his scrubs on at the same time as running to the delivery room. His efforts are rewarded, but only after a few moments of bumping into walls and expensive medical equipment. Once he gets to the delivery room, he forcefully enters the door just as Allotrope and Dawning Shield zoom past him in the hall, narrowly missing each other, and unaware of the other's presence.

Slip Wing runs to Clementine’s side as she breathes heavily through her contractions. Her backlegs are propped up on the stirrups, and Doctor Redheart sits down to look at her progress, as nurses keep an eye on her vitals. Slip Wing places a caring hoof on her foreleg, hoping to guide her through the pain.

“I’m here, Clem.” Slip Wing gives her a kiss on the cheek. “Your Mom, Dad, and Grandma are here, too.”

“That’s great.” Clementine smiles through her pain. “The foal…it’s coming!”

“It is?! Did you get your shot?”

“No time for the shot.” Doctor Redheart says, looking down between Clementine’s legs. “She’s progressing quickly. The foal is coming sooner than expected.”

“What do you mean she can’t have the shot?!” Slip Wing raises his voice.

“Slip…” Clementine tries to calm him down.

“Can’t you see how much pain she’s in? Give her the shot!”

“I can’t! This foal is coming soon, and there’s no time to give her any sedatives!”

“Make the time!”

“Slip…please…”

“I’m not going to stand here, and watch my wife suffer!”

“SLIP WING!” Clementine screams, catching his attention immediately. “THE FOAL! IS! COMING! YOUR SCREAMING IS NOT HELPING!”

“Baby…”

“YA SHUT UP! YA DID THIS TO ME! YA SCREAM ONE MORE TIME, AND I’M GONNA STAND UP ON THESE STIRRUPS AND TELL EVERYONE HERE THAT YER PARENTS WERE NEVER MARRIED!!!”

The whole delivery room goes quiet. Even Doctor Redheart looks up to see the rage in Clementine’s eyes. Slip Wing’s mouth is agape at her outburst. Then again, such behavior is nothing new for him. During the second half of her pregnancy, Clementine was known to get a bit irritable and prone to massive mood swings. Still, hearing the normally sweet farmpony yell in such a way can silence any room, as it is doing right now.

“But…my parents were married…” Slip Wing says quietly.

“Oh…” Clementine suddenly gaps, seemingly forgetting about her pain. “Oh, I’m sorry, Slip. Ah don’t know what happened.” She brings him in closer. “I’ve been such a terror, haven’t ah?”

“No. Not really.” Slip Wing chuckles. “You might have scared me a couple times, but it’s what I signed up for.”

“Dang right, ya did.” she laughs, until… “Okay…ow…ow…the pain’s back.” She wraps a foreleg around Slip’s “The foal’s on it’s way. If there’s no shot, then yer gonna have to hold on to me and never let go.”

“Clem…when have I ever let go?” he says ever so softly.

“Okay, Clementine. I’m going to need you to push.” Doctor Redheart says. Clementine nods, signaling that she’s ready. “Okay? Three…two…push!”

Clementine pushes. The pain makes her scream in agony, but she endures. Slip Wing holds on to her tightly, hoping that his grasp will help her through it. The first push is done, and she breathes heavily. Doctor Redheart looks at her progress. Slip Wing glances over at her, seeing her nod in approval. Looks like it’s so far so good.

“Looking good, Clementine. Now, for the second push. Ready?”

“No.” Clementine’s voice strains “But I’ll do it.”

“Okay. Again, on three. One…two…push!”

Clementine screams out again, as she pushes with all she has. Slip Wing looks at Clementine with a simultaneous expression of fright and pride. He hopes that she will be done soon, but also admires her for her bravery. Even though she’s in pain, she is willing to keep going, no matter what. He wants to kiss her, but knows that she is preoccupied with other matters.

After the second push, Clementine stops. Her head collapses on the pillow, tears running down her face.

“I see the head, Clementine. Just one more push, and we’ll be set.”

“Slip…” Clementine looks at Slip Wing. She pants and sweats, but she smiles gently upon her husband. “I’m gonna be a Mommy.”

“Yes you are. The best Mommy.” Slip Wing whispers, tears forming from his eyes. “Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” she chuckles.

“Okay, Clementine. One more push. Three…two…”

Doctor Redheart doesn’t get to say push, as Clementine lets out one final scream, as she pushes with all her might and power. Slip Wing keeps on holding on, nuzzling her neck as she lets it all out. Clementine soon lets out a gasp, as if a huge weight has been removed from her. She stops pushing, taking the time to relax. Slip Wing looks at her and Doctor Redheart; back and forth, wondering what has happened.

Then…a cry. A foal’s cry.

“Congratulations, Mrs. Wing-Apple. It’s a colt.” Doctor Redheart says with a smile, as she wraps the foal in a blanket. She gives the colt to Clementine, and she takes him into her arms, as the foal cries in its first exposure to the world around him.

The colt is a brown color, with a dark mane like his mother, but is a pegasus like his father. Clementine gently rocks him, whispering to him as she does it.

“Hey there, little colt. It’s okay. Mommy’s here. Mommy’s here.”

The colt’s cries, which began loudly, start to calm down; going down softly into small whimpers. Then…nothing. The colt curls up as best as he can, resting his head on his mother’s chest, and burrowing into her fluff for warmth. The nurses clear the room, with only Doctor Redheart staying behind. She walks up to the happy couple, who are busy looking down on their bundle of joy.

“Clementine, Slip Wing, I’m going to have to take the foal for cleaning.” she says. Clementine holds onto the foal a bit tighter, hesitant in letting him go. “It’s okay. You’ll see him in a little bit. You need your rest.”

Clementine remains hesitant. After months of development, and all that pushing, she feels cheated to have the colt taken from her so soon after delivering it. “It’s okay, Clem.” Slip Wing says. Clementine looks up into her husband’s caring eyes. “I’ll stay with him every step of the way.”

“Ya promise?” she asks, tears running down her face.

“Cross my heart, hope to fly…” he smiles, so does she.

Slowly, Clementine gives the colt to Doctor Redheart, who gradually walks out of the room, motioning for Slip Wing to follow. Slip Wing kisses his wife on the forehead, and fluffs her pillow to make sure she’s comfortable. Sleep takes hold of Clementine, as the exhaustion of today has finally gotten to her. She closes her eyes, and drifts to sleep, as Slip Wing follows Doctor Redheart out of the room.

Slip Wing stays close to Doctor Redheart and his son, until they stop in front of the room that showcases the various newborn foals. There’s none inside to see, and a tinge of worry goes through Slip Wing, hoping the foal will be okay all alone.

“This is where you stay.” Doctor Redheart says, “We’ll clean him up, and let him rest for a while. Once Clementine awakens, we will bring him to her. Clementine will be brought to the recovery room.”

“Understood.” Slip Wing nods.

Doctor Redheart goes through the doors into the room. Slip Wing goes to the giant window, sees Doctor Redheart walk up to a couple of nurses, who begin to clean the foal up. His son doesn’t cry or fidget, but behave as if he’s being nursed and cared for, remaining in a deep sleep and undisturbed. After a few moments, he is placed in a blue crib, where he continues to sleep. Doctor Redheart signs the date in which the foal was born, but the name is blank. She looks at Slip Wing through the window, silently asking if a name has been chosen.

Slip Wing shakes his head. For months Clementine had picked a name out for the foal if it was a colt, but never disclosed what it would be. She wanted it to be a surprise, but assured that it was a good one. Doctor Redheart nods in understanding, putting the clipboard back down.

The new father looks upon his foal with proud eyes, and a feeling a weakness in his knees start to take hold. The weight of what has happened finally hits him. He’s not only a husband, but is now a father. Slip Wing sits down to settle his weak knees, but his proud smile remains. The colt shifts in his sleep, no doubt dreaming of something wonderful.


Matt and Applejack sit together in the waiting room. Also present are Shining Armor and Princess Cadance, along with the other members of royalty; Celestia, Luna, and Chrysalis. Matt’s Mother returns, holding three cups of coffee, keeping one for herself, and one for Luna, who is still more used to being fully awake at night, and is fighting not to fall asleep. The third goes to Granny Smith, who is also fighting the urge to nap, less like Luna's situation, and more because she's just old. Big Macintosh is at the vending machine, trying to get a bag of apple chips out, but his bit is stuck in the machine.

Slip Wing walks into the room. Matt and Applejack stand, and Slip Wing takes a couple steps back, surprised to see the others in the waiting room with them.

“Umm…hi?” Slip Wing says, confused.

“I take it you didn’t notice Dawning Shield come in.” Cadance says with a chuckle. “Allotrope is having her foal, today. She wanted it to be born in Ponyville, so to get away from any paparazzi.”

“Oh!” Slip Wing has the urge to turn back to look for them, but he knows that he must address some news. He turns back, going to Matt and Applejack. He looks at their nervous expressions, praying that everything is okay. “It’s a colt. A pegasus.” he tells them with a grin.

“A son?” Applejack gasps, tears forming in her eyes. “That’s wonderful! And Clementine? Is she alright?”

“She’s doing well. There were no complications. She’s resting for the time being.”

“That’s good.” Matt sighs in relief, happy a repeat of when Clementine was born didn’t occur. “Thank Celestia.”

“Hmmm?” Celestia’s ears perk, but them remembers that it’s just a figure of speech, before being disappointed that she wasn’t actually part of the conversation. “Oh, right.” Her disappointment is short lived, as Chrysalis pats her on the back to make her feel better.

“I’m going to bring Clementine some water. I just wanted to let you guys know that everything is alright.” Slip Wing says to Matt and Applejack. “I’ll come back when she’s ready to see you.”

“Alright.” Applejack can barely contain her happiness. She wraps her forelegs around Slip Wing, giving him a tight embrace. “Thank you so much, Slip.”

“For what?”

“For making our daughter so happy.”

“It’s no problem, Mrs. Apple.” Slip Wing chuckles. “Ack…” he notices her grip is getting tighter. He eyes Matt, who is watching with a smile. “Um…I’m being attacked.”

“That’s just the way she hugs, Slip. I thought you’ve gotten used to it, by now.”


Slip Wing walks the halls of the hospital, pushing a cart that has multiple cups that are filled with water, hoping that he won’t have to make many trips. He turns the corner, towards where the foal observation room is, where he sees a sight he wasn’t expecting.

Dawning Shield is looking into the room. Tears run down his face. Slip Wing approaches slowly, as not to disturb him. Dawning Shield hears the squeaking of the cart’s wheels, turning his head to see Slip Wing being the source of the noise.

“Slip…” Dawning Shield says quietly.

“Hey. I was bringing water to Clementine. You want some?”

“Clementine? She…had her foal, too?”

“Yeah.”

Suddenly, a mass of emotion overcomes Dawning Shield, as he goes to Slip Wing and gives him a big hug, crying as he does it. The hug is tight, but thankfully not as tight as the strong Applejack. Slip Wing hugs him back.

“We had a filly.” Dawning Shield says through his tears. “A daughter.”

“That’s amazing.” Slip Wing says. “Is she in the room, too?”

“Yeah.” Dawning Shield lets him go, going to the window. “Look. I think she’s next to your foal.”

Slip Wing goes to the window, and looks into the room. Inside the pink crib next to his son’s lays what looks at a distance to be a changeling, but with a normal looking horn, instead of the normally sharp looking horns of an average changeling.

“She’s a hybrid, like her mother.” Dawning Shield says. “We haven’t come up with a name, yet, but we will. What about you?”

“Clem chose a name, but she won’t tell me. How is Allotrope?”

“She’s wonderful. Allie was so scared before today. She…she told me that her mother died giving birth to her.” Dawning Shield says with a hint of pain in his voice. “That made me scared, too. I don’t know what I would have done if…”

“Hey…” Slip Wing puts a hoof on his friend’s shoulder. “It didn’t happen. There’s no need to dwell on it.”

“I know. I’m so happy that she’s okay. And our foal. She’s beautiful, Slip. Just like her mother.”

“Not only that, but she’s a princess, too. Better watch out. When she gets older, all the colts will be wanting to date her.”

“I think I’ll be taking a page from Clementine’s Father’s playbook, and start tossing chairs at them.”

The two have a good laugh, echoing through the halls. They calm after what seemed like many minutes of imagining what that kind of future would look like. The halls become quiet, and the two fathers look back into the observation room, seeing their foals sleep soundly.

“I can’t wait to be a dad.” says Dawning Shield.

“Me too.”


Slip Wing goes to the recovery room, where he finds Clementine sleeping soundly. He goes to her side, sitting down and resting his head on the side of the bed. The bed is comfortable, though he is sure that resting his head in such a state may put a cramp of his neck. Things don't come to pass, however, as he soon feels the gentle touch of a hoof on his mane. Slip Wing opens his eyes to see Clementine, looking weak, but in high spirits.

"Hey there, sleepyhead." she says.

"I just got here." he chuckles. "You should be sleeping."

"Ah had mah rest. Ah don't want to waste another second without our foal."

"Okay, I'll go get him." Slip Wing kisses her on the cheek, leaving the room.

When he goes, Clementine adjusts herself into a more comfortable position. She soon realizes that the nurses gave her some morphine during the transfer to the recovery room. While on some level, she's glad that she doesn't feel any soreness that comes with foal birth, she is finding it hard to sit up.

"Alright, Clem. Get a grip on yerself." Clementine quietly talks to herself. "Yer gonna see yer son, and ya gotta have a clear head. None of this woozy nonsense. Yer an Apple, and Apples are strong. Maybe a slight rest won't hurt nothin'."

Her eyes begin to close, but the moment is interrupted by Slip Wing, holding their son in his wings like a feathery crib. Clementine's eyes spring open in an instant, suddenly no longer feeling the urge to fall asleep. She almost impatiently reaches her forelegs out, silently demanding that their son is resting in her arms. Clementine doesn't have to wait much longer, as Slip Wing gently places the colt in her forelegs, and she cradles him softly. The colt shuffles a bit, and like how he was before, he buries his muzzle into her chest fluff for warmth.

"Our son's a sleepy little colt, isn't he?" Clementine chuckles. "Ya think he's slept enough in mah belly."

"Probably takes after me. You know how I was over the weekends during college. I could barely stay awake, no matter what you did."

"Oh, ah found mah ways." she giggles.

"Yeah, but afterwards, I fell right back to sleep." he chuckles alongside her. "I wonder what color eyes he's got."

"Only one way ta find out." Clementine says. She reaches down, and briefly opens their son's left eye, revealing a blue iris. "He's got blue eyes, just like his daddy." she smiles, letting their son's eye close to continue sleeping.

"Let's hope all he's taken from me is the wings and the eyes. I doubt you'd want two of me running around the house."

"Oh, hush you." she laughs. "Two silly ponies would be amazin'."

"Have you come up with a name, yet?"

Clementine's eyes turn sentimental, as she looks back down at their son. She had a name picked out for him for the longest time, but knew it was a fairly unconventional name in terms of ponies. In fact, it wasn't a name one would give to ponies at all. It's a human name, one that belonged to a relative that she misses dearly, just as much as her father.

"Johnathan" Clementine says. "Ah want to name him Johnathan."

"Johnathan? After your grandfather?"

"Yeah. He was a good guy. Ya never met him, but he was like an older version of Daddy; so funny and kind. Ah always felt it was a good name. Ya like it?"

"It's unexpected, that's for sure." Slip Wing says, but his initial look of surprise turns into a smile. "But, I like it. Johnathan Wing-Apple. I bet your Dad's going to like it, too."

"He better." Clementine chortles. "Ya like the name, Johnathan?" She asks the foal.

Johnathan opens his young eyes for the briefest of moments, letting out a small but squeaky yawn, before shutting his eyes again and resuming his nap. Clementine and Slip Wing take that as a yes, silently giggling at his reaction. The two will go on to tell those waiting for them that they can see the foal. Clementine will tell her father her choice of name, and they will also visit Dawning Shield and Allotrope's foal as well.

But not now. Now, they want to be alone. Their first moments as a family could use a little peace and quiet.