In the time since discovering her pregnancy, Lotus and Saphirus worked together to plan their wedding. With Princess Twilight's help, they were able to get new invitations made and sent out, change the delivery date of the flowers, change a few things with the food, and talked with Rainbow Dash about the date to keep the skies clear. To make the planning process easier, Princess Twilight let the soon-to-be-newlyweds stay in the castle, giving them a room next to one of the several castle bathrooms. During the two days when Lotus' morning sickness was so bad she couldn't leave the bed, Saphirus would work on things when at home and at work.
Rarity brought Lotus' wedding dress and Saphirus' suit to the castle for the last fitting and possible alteration, to which, not much was needed. When with Applejack, Saphirus took over tasting food for the wedding since smells would sometimes set off the morning sickness. They were more than happy to hear Fluttershy's bird choir sing. And it took almost a full morning to get through party planning with Pinkie Pie. Everything was going well. The last thing to do was to have the wedding. But the days leading up to it were unexpectedly difficult. Lotus had gotten over her morning sickness enough to have the wedding but then other changes occurred. Lotus went through constant mood swings like the drop of a hat. She would be happy one second then upset or crying the next. She tried her hardest to rein herself in and keep it together, even talking with Princess Twilight who taught her the relaxing technique learned from Princess Cadence.
As they talked in the library, Lotus sighed in frustration. "I don't know if I can make it, Prin-"
"Just Twilight, please. We're friends." Twilight interrupted.
"O-Ok...Twilight. I don't know if I can make it. The morning sickness is one thing...but all these mood swings, I'm getting tired after half a day, I'm using the bathroom a lot more than normal, and my teats is so tender, even walking feels weird. Especially with my nippples as hard as one of Rarity's gems." She said, blushed after revealing that last part.
"I've been doing some reading, and all of this is natural. The next thing that should come is cravings. Although I think that might not be too much of a problem." Twilight smiled.
"Are you sure? Saphy and I do have enough food, but I eat twice my normal amount now. The cravings will have me cleaning out everything." She stamped her hoof on the ground. "Will it ever get better for me?"
"Eventually, yes." Twilight pulled out a book, opening it to the chapter she needed. "But it'll get worse before it gets better."
"How could it possibly get any worse?!" She huffed.
"Well...while the morning sickness and fatigue should go away, you'll get swollen ankles, stretch marks, a few aches and pains here and there..." Twilight listed off more symptoms before Lotus used her magic to close the book.
"Tw-Twilight...I was being sarcastic when I asked that question." She said, looking visibly shaken up.
"Oh..sorry." Twilight chuckled nervously.
"I don't get it! How can mares go through this? I mean I know it's a natural process and everything but it's all so much. My poor Saphy. He has to work twice as hard now." Lotus sighed and started sniffling. "This all happened so fast. Everything was going well too until this." She said, crying like a devastated child who lost their toy. Another mood swing. Twilight consoled her until it passed.
*****
The day before the wedding, Princess Cadence and Prince-Captain Shining Armor arrived in Ponyville. They made their way to Twilight's castle and graciously endured the excitement in the streets at their arrival. Upon arrival, Twilight and Cadence did their usual handshake before she hugged her brother and sister-in-law.
"It's so good of you to come." Twilight smiled. "And to officiate the wedding."
"Of course. Though it was a sudden request. What made you think of me to officiate the wedding?" Cadence asked.
"Well...it wasn't me who made the request," Twilight said.
"It...It was me...Y-Your Highness." Lotus said timidly, peaking around the corner.
Shining Armor was the first to look at her and smiled. "Hello there. You must be the lucky bride."
"Yes, I am." She said, staying where she was.
"Is something wrong? Why don't you come out?"
"Because I don't want to." Lotus suddenly snap, her mood changing on a quick turn. This startled Shining for a second and he turned to his sister.
"Uh...Twily...what-"
"Mood swings. Lotus is also expecting a foal." Twilight informed him.
"I'm so sorry. I really can't control it. Wish it would stop already." Lotus lightly kicked her hoof against the crystalline floor.
"Congratulations, you must be very excited and proud." Cadence smiled, but her smile faded when she saw a mixture of anger and sadness in Lotus' eyes. "What's the matter?"
"It wasn't supposed to happen like this. It feels too soon." Lotus started to pace a bit, giving them a full look at her. Lotus' mane and tail looked a bit unkempt and deflated, her eyes had bags under them like she hadn't slept for a few nights, and even with the slightly forming foal bump, she looked a little thin. "I mean, I'm happy to be getting married and I'm happy I'm going to be a mother. But so soon?!"
"Sweetie, are you scared?" Cadence asked, stopping Lotus in her tracks. "I'm right, aren't I?"
"Well...I...c-could be..." She mumbled to herself, poking her hoof at the floor. She stopped with Cadence came over.
"Twilight, I'm going to take her to the spa. She needs to relax before her big day and for the baby's sake."
"That's a great idea. And it'll help take her mind off things." Twilight smiled.
"But what about the wedding? There are still last minute things to do. The food...the seating...the weather...the venue...the-" Cadence tapped her hoof on Lotus' nose, making a little boop sound for comedic effect.
"No more worrying. Twilight is your Mare of Honor and one of the most organized ponies I know. Any last minute things that need doing, she's on them. And Shining can help out too." Cadence said, looking back at her husband.
"I'd be more than happy to. Anything to make the biggest day of any mare's life a happy one." Shining smiled.
"Now that that's settled, I'm taking you to the spa right now. A nice massage will do wonders for you." Cadence gently nudged Lotus towards the door.
"But what about Saphy?" She said.
"I'll let him know where you are so he doesn't worry," Twilight said, a few scrolls appearing around her and her brother.
"Everything's taken care of, so let's get moving." Cadence placed an arm around Lotus as they walked. While leaving the castle, Lotus heard Twilight and Shining Armor talking about whatever was on the scrolls.
*****
At the spa, Cadence and Lotus talked for their entire time there. Lotus told Cadence about how she and Saphirus met and how in love they were. To the Princess of Love, these were the best stories to ever hear. The two mares had the best treatment, as Cadence offered to pay for the whole thing. Having their hooves polished, their horns filed, mud baths, use of the steam room, and more. By the time they were finished, Lotus felt and looked better than she had in days. Once back at the castle, they went to the dining hall and were met with a wall of confetti. Twilight and her friends, prepared a little Bachelorette banquet for the bride/mother-to-be. Lotus enjoyed herself, even after hearing that Shining Armor, Spike, and Big Mac took Saphirus out for a small Bachelor party as well. When the festivities died down and everything was settled, Lotus had a good night's sleep. When dawn came, her big day would begin.