//------------------------------//
// Parents (4/24/2017) 
// Story: A Pony a Day 
// by OfTheIronwilled 
//------------------------------//

Rarity sighed, dropped the spoon, and picked up a rag. She shook her head wearily while wiping at the foal's mouth.

"Really, Pinkie Pie, must you eat like that in front of her? I'm trying to teach Marigold proper manners," she snorted.

Rainbow Dash scoffed at her, "Uh, Rarity? She's a baby. You really think she's going to know what you're talking about?"

"Well... no-- maybe! Perhaps, if you didn't have your elbows on the table--"

"Oh, um... R-Rarity, the, um... I think little Marigold is starting to get a little... creative."

"What are you talking about Fluttershy, she couldn't have-- wh-what?! But I-- I've been sitting here the whole time and-- aaaooooooooooh what is in my mane?!"

"Ahh look at that! Wow Goldie, I think that's the prettiest-- um-- goldfish?-- I've ever seen!"

"Please don't encourage her, Pinkie. Could you... just get this out of my hair?"

"Here, I got it. Yup. Just like Apple Bloom. Turn yout back for a second 'n she's makin' a mess. Didn't you help with Sweetie, Rarity? Figured you'd be used to this by now."

"Yes, but... well, it's been a while. I'd forgotten about how messy it all was."

"Snrk. H-Hey guys, speaking of a mess--"

"Oh my! T-Twilight, when did this happen!?"

Across the table, Twilight sighed into dusty parchment, her eyes marked with black bags and her mane messy. The book in front of her, titled How to Deal With Things When You've Accidentally Made a Baby (Specifically With Magic), was cracked open to page two-hundred. And it was covered in peas. So was Twilight's nose. And her front hooves. And her... everything...

"Gradually over the past twenty minutes. A while back you all blinked for too long and this happened."

...

Surprisingly, Twilight was the one to crack up first. Or maybe that was just her choking on the mashed peas. It was hard to tell. Either way, by the end of dinner, there were six tired-but-content ponies, a dragon giggling at Twilight's green coat, and a well-fed Marigold.

And really, thought Twilight with a smile, that was all that mattered.