//------------------------------// // It's Time! // Story: A New Start // by Lotus Moon //------------------------------// With a month and a half left before the baby was to come, Saphirus spent all of his days off from work with Lotus. And even though she didn't like it, she consented to him pushing her around in a wheelchair when she didn't use magic to do it herself. They made their usual visits to Ponyville General to check on the baby and know what to do when it was time. Lotus and Saphirus didn't fight over what to name their child as they wrote down each name as a possibility once they knew the gender of the baby. Currently, they were in their living room with Lotus laying on the couch and Saphirus nuzzling her belly while talking to the baby. "...and you're going to make lots of friends in school. You're also going to have the best teacher, Miss Cherilee. She's everypony's favorite teacher in all of Ponyville. Then one day, when the time is right, you'll discover your special talent and get your Cutie Mark." He smiled. "You're going to be saying that last part a lot. Especially when they get to be the age where actually waiting to get their Cutie Mark will be frustrating." Lotus giggled. "Well, love, every filly and colt goes through that. It's to be expected." He stood up. "I'll get you some cake and tea." Her ears perked at the thought of a snack and Saphirus chuckled. He trotted off into the kitchen to get her snack. Happy that her appetite had settled from what it was before, he picked off a slice of strawberry shortcake and started brewing up a pot of tea. Lotus rubbed her stomach, smiling with a dreamy look in her eyes. She thought back on how far she and her husband have come. From their first meeting to the first time they made love. Even after that when they received the shocking news about her pregnancy. That may have been the first time she felt unsure of things for a moment. She had doubts about how good a mother she would be, in fact, those doubts did resurface from time to time. Looking down at her stomach, Lotus felt reassured that she'd be a fine mother to her foal. Not only that, she knew she and Saphirus would be wonderful parents no matter what life threw at them. "Mommy and daddy love you. And we'll always protect you." She whispered, earning a bit of movement from their foal. "You bet your flank we will," Saphirus said, snapping Lotus out of her thoughts. He walked over to her with a tray balanced on his head, no doubt holding her cake and tea. She could smell the soothing scent of Jasmine tea and it put her at ease. Using her magic, she levitated the contents of the tray over but didn't see any tea. "Sorry Lotty, the tea will be ready soon. I'll be back with it." "It's ok Saphy, take your time." She smiled and started eating. The first bite of cake was heavenly. She had cut back on things she ate, including cake. So having this treat now made her as happy as a filly getting rewarded for her good grades. "So yummy." It wasn't long after that she heard the squeal of the pot, signifying that the tea was ready, and moments later saw Saphirus return with the tray balanced on his head. "Your tea is ready." He smiled, continuing to enjoy a peaceful evening with Lotus. ***** When at work, Saphirus sometimes found it hard to focus. Even though there was time, he found himself worrying that Lotus would have their foal much earlier than anticipated. Nearly every day he would rush home to find her napping on the couch or recently returned home from a craving run. One time, he ran around Ponyville like a mad stallion till he found her at Sugar Cube Corner chatting with Mrs. Cake. With just one more month left to go, he had begun to settle down a bit but was also always on high alert just to be safe. But even in his absence, he knew she was in good hooves as Lotus was with Fluttershy and Applejack for the day. They were coming by with plans of a Critter Picnic. There was no chance of anything going wrong...right? He thought so until his walk home was interrupted by a soft, panicked voice calling his name. Looking around, Saphirus saw Fluttershy coming in for a landing. She panted and with a slightly frazzled look tried being as calm as she could manage. "Saphirus, thank goodness I found you." "What's the matter Fluttershy? Why do you look...well...more panicked than usual?" He asked. "W-We were at our picnic...and...and...everything was going well. But..." Fluttershy seemed to be sucking in more air than she could manage in order to speak. Saphirus poked her nose with his hoof, causing Fluttershy to stop speaking. 'Wow, I didn't think that would work on anypony other than Lotus. Thank you, Princess Cadence.' He thought, placing his hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. "Now Fluttershy, calmly tell me what's wrong." "It's Lotus! She...She's heading the hospital!" Fluttershy squeaked and Saphirus lost whatever sense of calm he had. "What?! Why?! What happened? Is she ok?" He questioned. "She said she felt some pain in her stomach, but then said they weren't too bad. But then she looked like she was in a lot of pain. AJ rushed her to Ponyville General while I searched for you." Fluttershy informed him before pushing off the ground. "Come on, we have to get there now." And without wasting any time, Saphirus and Fluttershy rushed to the hospital. Once they had arrived, Saphirus nearly demanded Lotus' room number then made a mad dash there. When he finally stopped to catch his breath, he realized he could be in time to support his wife or have missed everything. With a little encouragement from Fluttershy, he walked in and saw the orange farmpony standing next to the bed where Lotus lay. "Howdy, Sugar Cube. Glad you made it." Applejack said then complimented Fluttershy before they both made their way out of the room. Saphirus approached the bed and smiled softly. "How are you feeling?" "Ready for this to be over." Lotus sighed softly. She looked fairly exhausted as she rubbed her stomach. "This little one seems to be impatient." "I'm surprised. We still had one month left to go." He held her hoof. "But nevertheless, it's almost time. We'll finally get to meet our foal." "Yes, and then life will only get better." She smiled but suddenly let out a shriek that alerted Saphirus. "I think...it's time now...ahh!" Not wasting a moment, Saphirus quickly called for help before returning to Lotus' side as Doctor Horse and a few nurses rushed in. They begin prepping for the task ahead while Saphirus did his best to help Lotus as best he could. ***** After a few hours in labor, the cries of a newborn baby were heard. Doctor Horse congratulated the new parents while Nurse Red Heart handed Lotus their baby. Their baby was a unique foal. The baby was an ombre white earth pony filly with black hair. Her hooves blended down from white to baby pink, her muzzle and a diamond birthmark on her forehead had the same shade of pink. Upon opening her eyes, it was discovered they were a shade of gorgeous sapphire blue. "She's gorgeous." Saphirus smiled. "Yes...she is...our little Gradient Diamond." Lotus smiled, cradling their child. "Gradient Diamond? I like it." Saphirus smiled. He nuzzled his wife and child lovingly. "We're gonna take good care of her." Lotus nuzzled their baby and nodded in agreement. They were finally a family and were happy. Now I know how the Cakes felt with their twins came. Mrs. Cake was right. I wouldn't trade this moment for anything in all of Equestria. Saphirus thought happily.