//------------------------------// // CH4: Proposal (5 weeks pregnant) // Story: Our Daughter // by lillytheomegawolf //------------------------------// Soarin stood in line at his local bakery with a massive smile on his muzzle. Lunch time. One of the best times of the day. Especially after the morning he’d had. The best part of it was Spitfire thought he was having a lazy Saturday morning, sleeping in. Instead, he had been out getting important things done. It had been two weeks since his world had been turned upside down and it was still strange to think he was going to be a father. It felt good to be taking steps to somewhat correct his mistake. Standing here in the small line of ponies at his usual cloud bakery was a wonderful return to normalcy or at least a good attempt at it. It was a simple cloud building that overlocked much of Cloudsdale, two sides open to the public. In front of the kitchen there were three large clear cabinets, one a pie warmer and two housing units with all kinds of baked delights. All in all, it was enough to make the young stallion's mouth water. He licked his chops as the pegasus before him finished ordering and at last moved out of the way. The older, deep red stallion behind the counter smiled at him, “Howdy Soarin, the usual I take it?” Soarin nodded, “Yes please.” He paused as his confidence faltered andglanced behind himself to make sure that he was a line of one. “Say, you don’t happen to need an extra hoof around here do you?” “What, like offering a pegasus like you a job?” “Yea.” With a snort the red stallion pulled out an apple pie. “No, I see no need to offer one of my best customers free pie.” “Worth a shot I guess, I’m mostly after some job experience.” “Experience huh? why not apply as a janitor for the Cloudsdale arena or even the rainbow factory, that place is always after new blood.” “Yea, I guess I just wanted to try you first.” Soarin placed the required bits down on the countertop. The stallion behind the counter thought for a moment. “Well, I guess I could give you a trial run. If its experience you want and you really want to work here, I can talk to my wife and see if she will let you on board. I can’t promise you great pay though.” Soarin shrugged, “I don’t mind.” The big red pegasus spotted another customer enter the shop and scooped the payment off the counter. “How about I see you tomorrow at closing time.” “Thank you.” Soarin grinned. He grabbed his pie and doughnut and flew off. Much later that same day, two teenage pegasi touched down on a cloud that sat over cloudsdale. It was the perfect size for two, just as Soarin had requested. It was also in the perfect place to watch the sun go down over their home city at the end of lovely Saturday. The pair sat in silence for a few moments, content to watch the last of a peaceful day. ‘Is he going to do what I think he is?’ Spitfire wondered to herself. ‘This isn’t half bad.’ Celestia’s sun sank lower, as if the ruler herself was about to put a end to the day. The city in the clouds lit up with a slight golden sheen to it. The suns rays cut through the thinner clouds and lit them with the golden-orange brilliance of Celestia’s sunset. In the distance Canterlot sparkled too. Soarin grinned. It was time. He shuffled slightly as nerves hit his system with the force of slamming into clouds at high speed. He extended a wing and pulled his mare closer. Together. Moments like this, with the feeling of her warm coat pressed up against his, were truly something special. He wished Celestia would keep the sun around just a little bit longer so he could prolong the moment. He grinned as his mare snuggled into his side. This was perfect. ‘What did you come up here for?’ Great, his mind just had to kill the perfect moment. His inner thoughts were right though. He took a deep breath, for this had to be done before their princess decided to lower the sun. He stood. Spitfire cracked a half smile as she too stood, as if she were anticipating his next move. The young stallion positioned himself so that he had all the splendor of their home beyond behind him and knelt down in front of his mare. Out of his small pouch he withdrew an ornate hoof band, swirls of gold mixed with silver and bronze. It was a pegasus engagement band. “Spitfire, will you marry me?” “Yes! Yes!” Without hesitation, Spitfire tackled her lover so hard that her momentum carried them off into open sky. In an instant, they were in free fall and in his surprise Soarin fumbled with the band and it slipped out of his grasp. “No!” Spitfire pushed off from her disorientated wingmate and sped toward the falling hoof band. Not one to be beaten, Soarin righted himself and took off after her. He forced himself to go faster and faster till he passed his mare and snatched at the trinket. One swipe, it spiralled away from him through the air. ‘Darn it hooves!’ Spitfire sped past him as he lost momentum, and with a single effortless movement cupped the band with her wing. With a victorious grin at her lover, she slipped it onto her right forehoof and held it out for him to see. Soarin grinned, success! She was his to keep now! Spitfire reopened her wings and shot off into the skies again. Soarin hastened to follow. The pair realighted just in time to witness the sun dip below the horizon. The last rays flickered across the horizon then vanished as the moon slid out. Spitfire immediately turned to her wingmate and showed him her forehoof. “Kluz, how could you drop such a beautiful engagement band?” “You tackled me!” “What did you expect me to do?” “I dunno,” Soarin sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Not that, I guess I could have asked your dad for a bigger cloud.” “Ya think? Come, sit.” Spitfire plopped herself down and gazed out across the land as lights came on and stars came out. The light blue stallion sat beside his wingmare and once again laid a wing across her. She snuggled up to him and held out her right forehoof for him to see. “Thanks for the band. It looks amazing. Should I even ask how you got it so fast?” Soarin shrugged. “I looked around for the perfect engagement band, the one shop in Cloudsdale was too expensive so I went to Canterlot. It was even worse there and I even had a few ponies ask me what a colt my age was doing looking for such a thing.” He gave a short laugh, “those ponies are so snobby, it’s unreal. Anyway, I got back home still empty hoofed and my mother asked me what I was doing. I told her and she offered me the band my father gave her when they became promised to each other. I then went out for lunch and found a job at the best bakery in all of Cloudsdale. I’ll be meeting both owners tomorrow to figure out how best to make it work. Then I chatted to your dad for a moment, then found you.” A grin overcame his face at the thought of working at his top bakery. Spitfire cast him a look, “you told me you were sleeping in this morning.” “You said you wanted to be surprised. I had to set this all up somehow without you knowing.” “You could at least have told me you were thinking of getting a job. We could even both work for my dad. It would be better pay than that bakery.” Soarin scowled for a moment, he liked that bakery. “Your dad was too scary. I can’t work for a pony who threatened to throw me into his raw rainbow pools if I mess up.”   “He did what!?” “Don’t worry about it. I have a job, we have a future together and we have a foal to think about.” Soarin rested against his lover and let out a big breath as he relaxed. “Now your mine forever.” A cheeky grin crept over his face and he reached across her barrel and held her protectively with both wing and hoof. “This is mine. No one else can have. I also claim exclusive peeping rights.” Spitfire giggled, “wait until the family feast and the little ceremony pie boy. With your feather in my mane, then and only then you can claim ownership.” Soarin scoffed, “I got you pregnant! That’s like, supposed to be the last step in this whole getting married and starting a family thing. Don’t talk to me about order!” “Right.” Spitfire relaxed back into her lover and closed her eyes. “For the record, I think you popped the question well enough to warrant that yes.” “Thanks.” “You maybe could have done a bit better. But I’m not going to complain.” Spitfire smirked as she nestled deeper into his hold. “You really know how to make a stallion feel good don’t you?” “Of course.”   After what felt like a moment's cuddling, but really could have been half an hour or more, Soarin felt the temperature begin to drop. His tummy had also informed him it was dinner time. “Hey wingmare, wanna go out for dinner?” Spitfire smiled at his use of the term, “sounds good. What do you have in mind?” “See down there?” A light blue hoof pointed toward a village with a few lights, barely visible amid the dark of the night. “You wanna go there?” “Yea, Ponyville. Apparently, they have some really nice places to eat out. And it’s not Cloudsdale so the chances of somepony seeing you with that band on and recognising us is super low.” Spitfire shrugged, “sure, why not.” Soarin took flight and heard the rustle of feathers as he was joined in the sky by his wingmate. He tilted downward and made a slow easy spiral toward the town. The pair alighted on the outskirts of Ponyville beside a windmill. The road was quiet but they could see ponies further down the main road around what Soarin assumed was the town hall. “Let’s go this way.” Soarin motioned toward a spiral tower behind several houses. “Sure, it looks quiet enough that way.” The pair fell into silence as they wandered along. Spitfire made sure to stay on Soarin’s right, further away from the busier side of town. They continued on until they came to a decent sized pub on the edge of town, Hay and Clover. The squat building was painted a mix of greens and earthy browns, almost as though somepony had thrown hard cider over a field of clover and swirled the mix together haphazardly. The hanging sign depicted a bushel of hay with a single four-leaf clover overlaid. “This place looks good,” Soarin noted as he gazed inside. “More importantly, it’s quiet,” Spitfire added. As the couple entered, they noticed that the quiet looking pub actually had a busy bar where several ponies were drinking. They were hit with the scent of hard cider and Soarin turned to his wingmare. Spitfire shrugged and marched up to a spare spot on the side of the bar. She placed her forehooves up on the bar and leant forward to get a better look at the menu on the wall. “Does this place make good food?” The light purple pegasus barmare finished pouring a cider, passed it to the brown earth pony colt at the bar in front of her then sauntered over to the new arrivals. “Not from around here huh? Take a seat over there and I’ll bring you the menu. I can promise you’ll enjoy the food here.” Her eyes sparkled as they fell on the hoof band Spitfire wore. Spitfire was quick to remove her forehooves and made her way over to the table for two near the window. The barmare poured two drinks, placed them on a tray, slipped it onto her back then strode carefully over. “Engaged wingmates I see, congratulations on finding that somepony special at your age.” She turned to Soarin, “did you just pop the question?” “Yep.” Soarin grinned. “Well then, have a free drink, on the house.” With the assistance of her wings, she slid the two pints onto the table and grinned. The newly engaged wingmates could smell that it was a bit more than just regular cider they were presented with and Spitfire pushed her drink slightly away. “We’re a bit too young to be drinking the hard stuff,” Soarin replied. “Psh, take it. You’ve just become engaged, earth pony rules apply down here so have a drink. Trust me, this is the good stuff from Sweet Apple Acres.” “Earth ponies drink hard cider when they get engaged?” Spitfire asked tentatively. “Sure. Especially around here. I’ll be back with your menus.” The pegasus strode confidently off. Soarin lent toward his wingmare and shifted her drink closer toward himself as she reached for it. “No drinking for you.” “But I want to give it a try.” Spitfire protested. “No you don’t. I’ve read that alcohol can be bad for our foal if you drink while pregnant.” “Just a taste.” “No.” Spitfire relaxed back into her seat, her slight scowl the only ruin to Soarin’s otherwise happy evening. “Come on Soar,’ don’t you think you're overdoing it?” The crimson pegasus returned with two menus and set them down before the couple. “Alright, let me know when you want to order.” She wandered off back to the bar as another customer called for a refill. “Okay, thanks.” Spitfire opened her menu and skimmed through the contents. “Hey look at this,” Soarin turned the menu to face his wingmare and pointed at the item at the top of the second page. It read, ‘The Stallion. An extra plus sized, large pie for stallions who think they can eat enough to feed a small family. Your pick of apple, pear or pumpkin filling.’ “I want this,” Soarin confirmed. He took his first swing of the alcoholic cider and his eyes almost popped out. “Are you sure you can finish it?” Spitfire asked, a smile on her muzzle. “It sounds like a big pie.” “Sounds like a fun challenge.” Soarin grinned, he took another sip of his drink. “This cider is stronger than I thought it would be. But quite nice. What do you think you want to order.” “I might just get some hay fries and a clover burger.” Spitfire mused. “You looked kinda funny when you took that first sip. You sure it’s not too much for you?” “I’m fine.” Soarin took a bigger sip to prove his point, belched, then held up a hoof to motion that they were ready to order. “Hay fries, a clover burger and some water, thanks,” Spitfire slid her menu toward the waitress. “And I’ll have ‘The Stallion’ with apple filling,” Soarin added confidently. “Are you sure?” the waitress asked. “Of course,” Soarin confirmed. The pegasus pointed to a board behind the bar with a wing, “you see that? That sign lists all the ponies who have managed to finish ‘The Stallion’ by themselves in one sitting. If you manage to finish it by yourself, you get your name on that board.” “But it looks like there's only six ponies names on that board.” Soarin squinted as he checked. “Seven, but yea. Tough challenge. Are you sure you still want to try it solo? We can hold off on the burger for your wingmate.” “I’ll finish it, don’t you worry. I love my pies.” Soarin slid his copy of the menu toward their waitress. “Alrighty. Enjoy your drinks.” The waitress scooped up the menus and trotted off. Spitfire leaned toward her lover and locked eyes with him. “I don’t want to carry your fat arse home if you eat too much and can’t fly.” “I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” Soarin grinned his best charming grin, lent forward then kissed his beautiful mare on her nose. “Cheeky.” Soarin smiled back then took another big swing of the hard cider. “You know... this stuff isn’t bad.” Fifteen minutes later, the waitress returned with Spitfire’s food and company. Two earth ponies flanked her, both dressed for the kitchen. Soarin guessed they were the cooks. The older mint green earth pony carried on his back a tray with the biggest piping hot pie either young pegasus had ever seen. The steaming family sized pie was as wide as Soarin’s barrel and at least as tall as three regular large pies. Soarin’s mouth watered at the sight. Spitfire found herself wishing she had only ordered the chips for herself. There was no way her to-be husband could finish that. “I hear that somepony is crazy enough to attempt our legendary pie all by himself.” The deep bass tone of the mint green chef spoke up. “Yep. That’s me.” Soarin grinned. “Good luck son. I’ve seen stallions twice your size try this and fail.” The red earth pony chef assisted his companion in placing the monster pie in front of Soarin while the pegasus waitress gave Spitfire her food. Soarin’s gaze was locked on ‘The Stallion’ and he licked his lips in anticipation. “Alright. Enjoy.” “And I’ll be watching from the bar.” The barmare added, “just in case you do actually manage to finish it all by yourself. Just be warned, if I see your wingmare even look like she might be taking a bite, then your chance to be up on our honor board is gone.” “You got it.” Tired of waiting, Soarin plunged into his pie and began scoffing it down like he hadn’t eaten in days. “Hey Spit, this pie is amazing!” “You’re not going to finish that.” Spitfire challenged. “Watch me.” And for the next several minutes, Sptifire did exactly that. Soarin loved every moment of this challenge. Each divine bite led to an explosion of taste as the warm pie gradually but surely filed him up. Both young pegasi enjoyed their respective meals and all too soon, the fiery mare found herself spectator to her wingmate as he continued to eat his monster pie solo. He worked with obvious pleasure to make the pie and both ciders slowly vanish. Her light blue stallion’s eating slowed as he munched on the last quarter of the now destroyed pie. Spitfire felt like the two of them had begun to attract some serious attention. She glanced around the pub and saw that most of the patrons were watching and whispering. Spitfire discreetly moved her forehoof that bore the band off from the table and out of sight. With only a small portion left to go, Soarin pulled away and lent back in his chair. He closed his eyes and let out a satisfied groan. “You’re carrying me... Can’t ...move... uh... too full.” “Go young-un!” A middle aged deep orange earth pony stallion called out. “Finish it off!” an older mare from across the room added. Several other spectators called out a further mix of encouragement and caused Soarin to grin. A light blue forehoof drew circles around his tummy as if to try and lessen the feeling of fullness as he continued to lay back. The athlete felt as though if he ate any more food he would most surely explode. Spitfire rolled her eyes, she pushed her chair back and made her way around to her lover. She gently kissed his muzzle, “if you don’t finish that pie now, I won’t carry you home and you can sleep here.” “Aww come on Sunshine...” “You told me you could finish it. So, take your time and finish it. You’re nearly there.” She nudged his hoof off his tummy and took over with her own, bright yellow on plush, light blue. “Be the winner I know you are and get your name on the board.” Spitfire gently nuzzled the extra full stallion who had long since won her heart. He was silly to accept such a challenge and it would result in them requiring to sleep in Ponyville. However, since he had made it this far, she knew that if he had a few moments to recover he could win a place on the pub's wall of honour. Soarin leant into his lover and sighed with contentment. “You feel so nice... you know that?” Spitfire’s muzzle flushed at the public display of affection and she had to restrain herself to not recoil at the odd mix of alcohol and apple pie on his breath. She didn’t stop him though. Somehow, in this small town pub where no pony knew them, it simply felt nice. The attention of those around the couple slowly drifted as Soarin continued to take his time. As Spitfire began to wonder if she should prompt her lover to consider continuing before his meal went cold. She lurched as the relaxed mountain of stallion that had been leaning on her shifted. “Ready to watch your stallion win?” Soarin grinned. “Of course, pie boy.” Spitfire playfully nudged his shoulder. Without a further word Soarin leant down and slowly continued his meal. Cheers rang out across the pub as he gobbled up the last bits then collapsed into the crumbs, all that was left of the once massive, tasty pie. “Congratulations kiddo.” The barmare sauntered up and grinned at the light blue destroyer of pie. The earth pony chef with a red coat approached from the kitchen area, a grin upon his face. “What’s your name?” Spitfire chucked as her stallion groaned in response. “His name is Soarin and I think he's gonna to explode,” chucked Spitfire as she slowly rubbed her lover’s back. “As long as he doesn’t explode everywhere in here, I’ll happily put his name up on our board of honour.” Several chuckles followed the chef's words as ponies turned back to their previous conversations and once more gave the couple their own space. The barmare grinned as she carefully slid the tray out from under the collapsed stallion’s face. “Boy, the way he can pack it away, you’re gonna have a heck of a time cooking for your soon to be husband, aren't you?” Fiery yellow cheeks darkened. “I’m ...not much of a cook.” “Oh. Well if you ever want to learn a few things, I could teach you. Trust me, your guy is gonna love it if you cook for him. I would know.” The light purple pegasus smiled confidently. “Thanks. I’ll have to keep that in mind if I’m ever in town again.” Spitfire replied. “Cool. Let me know if you need anymore drinks or anything.” With a swish of her tail she turned and strode off. Spitfire turned her attention to her loved one. “How are you feeling?” “Amazing. Full. This pie tasted almost as good as you do.” Soarin leant back into his chair and grinned suggestively at his wingmare. Spitfire’s already warm muzzle heated further and she facehoofed in embarrassment as she slowly stood. “Yeah, real nice compliment to share in a restaurant, pie boy. I’m going to go and pay. Then I’m going to drag you out of here and find someplace to stay.” A rather unstallion like giggle escaped the young stallion, “hey, I can pay.” Soarin ungainly stumbled out of his chair and stretched. “Oooh... still too full... Carry me?” Spitfire scoffed and rolled her eyes but stayed by her lover’s side and assisted him as they made their way toward the bar to pay. As the bright yellow mare was almost finished dishing out the bits required for payment she felt Soarin lean heavily on her side. He pressed himself toward the bar and grinned up at the waitress. “That cider was pretty good! Where you get it from?” “Apple family secret recipe hard cider. Glad you enjoyed it.” “Yea, it was great!” Spitfire counted out the last of the bits and turned to leave. Soarin stumbled a bit at the sudden movement but was quick to follow. “Slow down, I’m still too full to move properly!” Spitfire turned to face her future husband. “You sure it's not because your drunk too?” She nudged open the door and waited patiently for her scowling stallion to follow. After a further moment of silence between the two, Soarin staggered outside. “You don’t have to be rude you know... It was only two drinks. And I did eat a lot...” “And how do you know your not a featherweight? I can smell what you’ve been drinking from here.” He was only a step away, but that was not the point. Soarin did his best at a sad face, he pouted, lip out and wings limp as he stood a mere step away from the love of his life. “Uuugh, come here you.” Yellow met light blue as the young mare pulled her wingmate close into a hug. “I’m not angry at you. I just think you could have stopped after one drink.” Warm fuzzies erupted in the night as the pair fell into silence outside the Hay and Clover. “Uhh... why did I do that...?” Soarin moaned as he relaxed into his lovers hold. “Because your eyes are bigger than both our tummies put together and because you’re silly.” Spitfire paused for a moment to gaze lovingly into the pair of emerald green eyes that gazed up at her in the moonlight. “But your my silly young stallion and I love you with all my heart.” “Awww.. thanks. I love you two Sunshine.” Soarin unleashed a massive sigh of contentment as he slowly nuzzled his way under Spitfire’s chin. “You know... If I hadn't eaten so much, I was going to find us a cloud and show off my cloud shaping skills by making us a place to stay for the night.” Spitfire scoffed. “You, make us a house for the night?” “Yeah, I got many hidden talents. Just you wait and see.” “Oh really?” Spitfire smiled mischievously. “Like stuffing yourself with the biggest pie known to pony kind?” “Exactly!” Soarin grinned with pride. “But you know... other stuff too.” “Come on fatty, I guess I'll try my hoof at cloud shaping.” Soarin staggered slightly as Spitfire withdrew. It must have been from the sudden lack of contact, yea. He wasn't drunk. No way. A short time later, Soarin sat at the edge of ponyville where town met farmland. Waiting for Spitfire sucked! ‘Why didn’t she let me help!’ Soarin complained to himself. Sure he might be a little bit unsteady and slower than usual, but so what? He should be up there showing off his skills, not down here waiting like some standard earth pony. He caught a hint of movement in the night and his wings fluttered with excitement. “Sunshine!?” A blast of cold air bufferted the colt as his lover hastily alighted next to him. “Keep it down. I thought I told you, you’ve had too much to drink.” “Have not.” “This isn't an argument Soran, shut up. I have something to show you.” Soarin grumbled something under his breath till his golden mare moved closer. “Do I need to carry you up, or do these things still work?” “Hey, I told you I’m not drunks.” “Right. Keep up then.” With that, Spitfire took off. With a slight wobble in his usually perfect flying form, Soarin took off after his lover and kept pace not far behind her. The pair flew in silence for only a few moments before Soarin beheld the most uggly cloud structure he had ever clapped eyes on. The pudgy, hastialy thrown together blob floated in place like a reject from the cloud factory. It looked like three whispy clouds had been rammed togeher and hollowed out. The hoofwork of the mare who sculpted it was easily spottable along the joins between the trio of clouds and the middle looked like a cloud that had its insides kicked out. “Hey, don’t look at it like that.” Spitfire's defensive tone broke the peaceful silence of the night. “Even with a drink or two, I can do better than that.” Soarin giggled as he landed unsteadily at the entrance to the two pony bubble of space. “Here, you just do this...” He trailed off as his hooves went into action. He easily slipped into the actions of reforming and smoothing out their sleeping space. Soarin worked as fast as he could, mindful of the happy tingle in his brain that was sure to impair his work if he lost his concentration. “There!” Proud of his quick fix, Soarin turned with a wide smile to face his mare. “Pretty good huh?” “I must say, I'm surprised.” Spitfire conceded as she landed gracefully next to him. Spitfire pressed a quick kiss to her lover’s muzzle then tackled him into the soft floor of the cloud den. A few giggles erupted into the night as they playfully wrestled for a few moments in their new bed. Cuddles soon took over and bright fiery yellow mixed with light blue as the two came together as one. For two young lovers, all was right in Equestria this night.