//------------------------------// // CH10: Growing Bundle of Joy (10 weeks pregnant) // Story: Our Daughter // by lillytheomegawolf //------------------------------// “Good morning ...oh wife of mine...” Soarin grinned as he stretched. “Woah...” The sunny pegasus scrunched up her muzzle. “Watch where you aim that morning breath, husband.” At the final word Spitfire couldn’t help but smile herself. “Not even married for a day and already telling me what to do?” “Pie boy, I’ve been telling you what to do since we were foals...” “Okay, so maybe you have. But that we’re married there’s gotta be some perks for me, right?” Spitfire stretched and unleashed a giant yawn. “Well, the stallion is supposed to be head of the family. But I dunno... I feel like you’re my support, not my head.” Soarin flexed his wings, enjoying the sight of his wife (heh, wife) as she continued to stretch. “But what if, being the husband grants me more brainy things and puts me in charge?” “Then you better put those new brains to use rather than waste them thinking about your next meal and flying.” The young stallion scoffed, “of course I can do that. Just you watch, I’ll show you.” He struck what he thought was a cool pose. Laughter erupted and quickly felled the yellow pegasus, “oh my sides!” Soarin pouted. “Okay, I wasn’t being serious but you don’t have to rub it in.” With several rapid deep breaths Spitfire relaxed. “I’m sorry, but you just looked so funny like that.” “I had hoped for handsome.” “I think you look cute,” Spitfire offered cheekily. “Really helpful Sunshine.” “Does my little cutie-wootie want another cuddle before we fly home?” Spitfire asked as she made a silly baby face. Soarin did his best pout, “no.” Spitfire did a double take then smiled slyly, “what? Afraid you’ll melt under my affection? You always like your morning cuddles...” 
 “No, I mean... ugh. I meant no to flying home right after cuddles. How about we have our cuddle then go get breakfast in Ponyville. We have one day left for the weekend and I figure yea... Breakfast?” “But I thought we were tight on money.” “We are... but my boss slipped me a little extra yesterday and my parents gave us three hundred bits to help too.” The young mare wasn’t sure if she heard the last part right. “Wait... three hundred? As in bits?” “Yea. My dad was all like, take it, we’ve been saving and want you to-” A yellow hoof silenced the blue colt. “Cuddles, bath, then we go find someplace nice to eat.” Spitfire drew her lover in close, “I just gotta make sure this husband is the same pony he was before we married.” “Oh yea?” Soarin grinned as he playfully swiped his wife’s hooves from under her. They landed sideways onto the soft cloud and rolled around for a few moments giggling and play fighting before they came to rest in each other's hooves. “You’re lucky it’s a big cloud,” Spitfire noted quietly as her gaze trailed off the edge. They were so close to falling off their manes hung half off the side of the cloud. “Some idiot nearly made us fall off our cloud.” Soarin scoffed, “dunno who that might be. He sounds terrible. You better cuddle up with me for safety.” Blue wings encased the precious yellow mare and Soarin wriggled them further toward the center of the cloud once more. Spitfire grinned to herself. Yep, it felt wonderful to be married to her pie-boy. “Hey, Scootaloo!” Just down the road from the Ponyville schoolhouse, the CMC turned to greet the grey colt as he hurried out the school gate to catch up to them. “Hi, Rumble.” The orange pegasus filly replied. “Ready for your lessons?”
 A cheeky grin sprouted across Sweetie Belle’s muzzle. “You mean you wanna try help me fly today?” “Well, yea... unless you have something else planned with your friends.” Rumble nervously replied. “Nope, she doesn’t,” Sweetie Belle was quick to reply. “Great!” Two young pegasi came to a stop at the top of one of the hills in the farmland. Behind them lay the Apple family farm. In front, the hill sloped off steeply into a green field that continued on for some way till it disappeared into more hills and the Everfree forest. The orange pegasus at Rumble’s side shot him an inquisitive look. “This is where my brother took me when I learned how to fly.” “You mean he didn’t just throw you off a cloud and expect you to fly?” Scootaloo asked incredulously. “What, no way!” Rumble shot his companion a cautious look, “wait... Did Rainbow Dash do that to you?” “Nope,” Scootaloo grinned cheekily. “I just thought it might be funny if that’s how your brother taught you to fly.” Rumble shook his head, a slight grin upon his lips. “You have some crazy ideas Scootaloo, I see why Rainbow Dash likes you so much. She must be awesome to have as a sister figure.” “Yea...” Scootaloo wondered for a moment if she should tell her friend there was more to it now? But were they close enough to share such things? Hardly anypony knew Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were even together. “Hey... uh...” Scootaloo sat upon the soft grass and gazed up at the skies above. “Can I tell you a secret?” “Sure? What’s up?” Rumble sat attentively by her side, gazing hopefully at the pretty young filly. “Y-you promise you won’t tell anypony? It’s kinda a secret.” “I promise.” The filly cast her companion a quick guarded look. “I Pinkie promise,” Rumble added as he did the motions taught by the party master herself. Scootaloo returned her gaze to the skies and after a few quiet moments she spoke up; “what if I told you Rainbow Dash is now my foster mom?” A grin ripped across the colt’s muzzle, “then I would tell you that sounds super cool!” “Really?” The orange filly turned her gaze to Rumble in surprise. “Yea, it sure is!” Rumble nodded so fast, one could almost imagine his head flying off. Scootaloo giggled at the display. “Well, she and Fluttershy and now officially my moms.” “That’s even cooler! Wait, you mean two friends can look after you like that? What if Rainbow Dash or fluttershy get a coltfriend?” The youngster cocked his head to the side. Scootaloo scuffed the ground with a hoof, she may as well break the news to him now... “Well... uh, you see... that’s kinda not really a problem.” “Why? What do you mean?” Was this guy really that innocent and naive? Scootaloo suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. “I mean... they are kinda... together. They just don’t want everypony to know yet, but they still want to look after me as if I was their own.” “Oh...” A light blush covered the colt’s muzzle, “sorry, I didn’t realise they were together like Lyra and Bon Bon are...” Scootaloo giggled softly, “yea. I didn’t even know Rainbow Dash knew what romance was.” “Tell me about it...” Rumble joined in the laughter. The pair fell into silence. It slowly turned awkward as neither knew how to continue the conversation properly. “So...” Rumble fluttered his wings and cleared his throat. “Wanna try and fly? That is kinda why I bought you out here.” Scootaloo brightened up, “yep!” “Cool. Alright... Uh... watch me first, then we will try together.” “Okay.” With that, the young colt stood, stretched confidently and strutted a few paces forward. “Wings out.” His small wings extended. “Then you can either do a running take off, or a hovering start.” With a light buzzing, he began to hover a few hooves up off the ground. “Cool. But how?” Scootaloo stood as her companion landed with a thoughtful expression upon his muzzle. “I flap my wings a whole heap when I’m on my scooter. The best I seem to do is boost my jumps.” “Okay,” Rumble replied thoughtfully. He approached his fellow pegasus and eyed her wings. A slight blush covered his muzzle when he caught Scootloo watching him inquisitively. He coughed awkwardly, “uh... yea. So your wings look okay to me. Just try to take off into a hover, like I did! Like this!” His wings fluttered to life and he gently lifted off the hillside. Scootloo grinned at his ease and began to frantically flap her own wings. Faster and faster they flapped, frantic for something, anything! She lifted onto her back hooves, straining to help herself take off somehow. Her hind feet finally began to lift off but suddenly she crashed down onto the hilltop. With heavy panting, the filly rose onto her forehooves. “Can’t do it...” A thoughtful scowl etched itself across the young colt’s muzzle. “Yes, you can.” He landed and carefully approached. “Was that you standing on your hind legs there or your wings?” “I think that was just me, standing taller trying to sorta take off or something... yea,” Scootloo admitted bashfully. “Hey,” Rumble tenderly reached out and lifted the orange muzzle in front of him so they could once again meet eyes. “I know you can do it. In fact, I’m sure you even hovered a little before your wings gave out.” “Okay.” A grey hoof rose then hesitated. “Uh... you uh, don’t mind me touching your wings and stuff do you?” “Uh, no.” “Cool.” With his grey muzzle colouring, Rumble carefully ran his right hoof along the orange feathers. ‘What am I looking for...?’ His hoof lingered at her tips as his mind wandered off. A soft clearing of somefilly’s throat brought the colt back down to Equestria and his muzzle heated up even more. “Sorry about that. I was just wondering...” “What? Do you think you know what’s wrong with me?” “Wrong with you?” Rumble scoffed. “No way, there’s nothing at all wrong with your wings. Although your feathers could maybe do with a bit more attention.” “Yea... I know. Kinda hard to do that some days at the orphanage.” “Mmmmm...” The thoughtful colt moved from her left wing to her right and once again began examining every inch. Scootaloo began to itch as the light grey hoof felt around her feathers and she fought back a giggle as tingly sensations ran down her wing, hitting her spine in pleasurable bursts. With a drawn-out sigh Rumble sat back, his attention riveted upon the wing he had relinquished. “I don’t know. Your wings are like, totally perfect, besides needing a preen. Give me a flap.” The filly briskly worked her wings. “A slower flap. Like... super slow.” Unsure of what he was trying to achieve, Scootaloo nonetheless obeyed with a very slow motion of her wings. Rumble cocked his head to the side. “Again.” Feeling like a beast on display, Scootaloo worked her wings. “A bit faster?” Orange wings beat faster and faster till a grey hoof rose to indicate stop. “I think that maybe, just maaaaybe you could work on your coordination. It feels just a feather off.” “Oh? You can tell?” “Flap both wings exactly at the same time,” Rumble instructed his gaze intense upon his companion’s feathers. Two orange wings rose then fell. Rumble scrunched up his muzzle in thought, “I think your left wing is slightly slower on the down beat.” “What am I supposed to do?” “Well,” Rumble positioned himself by his companion’s side and rose his wings to sit level. “I don’t know if there's any proper training, there probably is- I’ll-I’ll check it out for you! But for now, how about we try a few things?” “I’m ok with trying,” Scootaloo confirmed, ready and waiting. “Copy me.” Grey wings sprung out then settled out horizontal from his sides, as though ready for a glide. Orange wings brushed against grey feathers as Scootaloo rose to stand and copy him. With a slightly flushed muzzle, Rumble took a step away to separate their wings. He coughed softly, “er, sorry about that.” “I-it’s fine!” Scootaloo blurted back. “Let’s just give this a go.” “Right! Of course.” Rumble faced the steep side of the hill. “We are gonna run and jump then see how far we can glide. Just keep your wings out and level. Try not to flap them or do anything fancy. Okay?” “Yea, sure.” Scootaloo nodded, awaiting her companion’s next move. The pair fell into silence as they waited. Waited. “Uh... Rumble? You okay?” “Of course, I’m just waiting for a bigger gust.” “Oh, right.” “It’s fine,” Rumble did his best to smile encouragingly. Scootaloo was sure she felt his eyes linger longer than necessary but by the time she returned her gaze to him he snapped forward as though caught with his hoof in the cookie jar. “Alright, I think this should be okay.” The young colt took one step back then rushed off the edge of the hill. With his wings outstretched, he caught the gust and was blown higher. Scootaloo rushed to copy and fought against the feeling inside that told her to flap her wings. As the gust caught her she fought to keep her wings level. She noticed her companion banking slightly and carefully angled her wings too. A grin erupted across her muzzle as another light breeze caught them both and carried them further out across the field. “I’m flying!” “Yea, sorta!” Rumble shouted back. As the wind lessened Scootloo tried to compensate with a light flap. She dipped lower then fell into the soft grass with an ‘oof!’ Rumble neatly landed nearby then rushed over to help the filly up. “I think you did pretty good for our first try.” “Yea, I don’t think I’ve ever flown that far before!” Scootaloo responded excitedly. “That was super cool!” “Just wait till we figure out how to get your wings to keep in time, then I’m sure we’ll have you flying like Rainbow Dash in no time.” Rumble sauntered over and offered a hoof. Scootaloo accepted the offering and stood with gusto. All the exciting energy led to her bumping muzzles with the good looking young colt. She hastily withdrew, blushed lightly. “Sorry.” “It’s fine!” Rumble replied a little too fast. “Let’s just kinda, try that again?” “Of course.” Scootaloo hurried on ahead, back up to the top of the hill they had been standing on. With Celestia’s fading sun lighting up the world in golden hues, two young pegasi touched down in front of Fluttershy’s cottage. “So, this is your new home then?” Rumble mused aloud. Scootaloo nodded eagerly, “yea. Isn’t it cool!?” “Yea. Guess I should be going now though.” “Yea...” The young grey colt turned and began trotting down the path. “Hey, Rumble!” The colt in question turned, Scootaloo grinned back. “Thanks, I had fun today.” “Yea, so did I,” Rumble responded, then flicked out his wings. The sound of the cottages front door opening drew both youngsters attention. “Hello, Scootaloo. And Rumble too! Would you like to come in?” Fluttershy offered. “Uh... no thanks. I gotta get home to my brother.” “Okay, be safe and thank you for returning Scootaloo home,” Fluttershy replied softly. “It was no problem. Seya Scoots!” With that, the youngster took off. “Scoots?” Dash chuckled as she emerged by her fillyfriend’s side. Scootaloo flushed red. A sly grin crept across Dash’s face. “Never heard anypony call you that.” “Neither did I, okay?” “Somepony found an admirer?” Dash’s grin grew wider. Scootaloo hurried up and gave her mothers a hug. “Just pretend you didn’t hear him call me that okay?” “I think it’s sweet.” Fluttershy cooed as she drew her two in for a warm hug. “Just be sensible and don’t rush into anything.” “Yea, yea. It’s not like I like him that way anyway.” Scootaloo hurried inside and plonked herself on the comfy chair in the corner. “Fluttershy thought you might like him,” Dash remarked and was quick to be poked in the ribs by a yellow foreleg. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of kiddo, it’s just life and stuff. Anyway, how was flying with Rumble?” At the mention of flying, Scootaloo brightened up. “Awesome! N-not that your flying isn’t super cool or anything, it’s just different being taught by somepony my own age.” “Hey, I get it. I kinda taught Fluttershy here.” Dash dragged her fillyfriend over to the couch and relaxed, side by side. “Really?” Scootaloo perked up. Fluttershy nodded, “she was the only pony who refused to give up on me. My parents knew I was a late bloomer, like you. But Dash kept insisting I could fly. She made us do all kinds of things until I started to fly. It was rather sweet.” A yellow wing pulled the blue mare in for a light hug. Scootaloo did her best gag at the sight of her mothers being sappy. Yet she also felt encouraged, that somepony her own age who she got along well with and who miiiiight like-like her was teaching her to fly. If it worked for Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, hopefully, it would work for her. “Thanks, I think that makes me feel better.” “And if you ever need some extra help or advice you know where to look, right?” Dash offered. “Of course. I think I wanna try a few more times with Rumble first.” “Alright. Well, dinner is almost ready. Please set the table while I finish.” “Okay.” Scootaloo hurried off to do as she was told while her new parents did their thing. In a small cloud house in Clousdale, two pegasi, now nearly two months wed were soon to settle down to a nice dinner together. It was going to be romantic and sweet. Just them two... “Do I smell burning?” Soarin popped his head into the kitchen of their small cloud house. “I got this!” Spitfire yelled back as she frantically dropped the carrot onto the salad on the bench and threw open the oven door. The telltale smell of burning food intensified as a small wisp of smoke escaped.  “Uhh... you sure?” Soarin cautiously entered the room. “I got this, now shove off,” Spitfire growled as she pulled their overly crispy veggie pizza out of the oven. A small cloud of smoke followed blackened pizza’s progress. Soarin cringed. It was ...edible. He had burned worse and eaten it of course. It was sweet that his wife was trying so hard. But she maybe wasn’t the best cook. Not that it stopped her trying nor could he could say it to her face, especially when she was like this. Spitfire scowled, “the salad is fine, don’t give me that face.” “The pizza looks okay too...” Soarin cautiously replied. “No, it’s not,” Spitfire growled then shoved the overly crispy pizza into the bin. The young stallion half leapt forward then caught himself. “Nooo pizza....”  “Get over it.” Spitfire huffed as she turned away.  Soarin stepped forward and gently reached out. He pulled his wife in for a hug. He licked her cheek then allowed her to burrow into the blue safety of his chin. After a few moments of cuddling, she began to relax. “It’s okay Spitty. I would have eaten that.” “But it’s burned... Me- I can’t feed you that.” Spitfire squeezed her eyes shut as she fought back a torrent of tears that suddenly threatened to break loose. Soarin felt a wet patch on his neck and realized his wife was crying. Why did mares have to get so emotional when they were pregnant? ...Well... I did this to her. We chose this... The young stallion set his jaw as he quickly came up with a response. “You know I’ve done worse and I promised to eat your cooking.” “But I want to cook for you... Properly. Not give you burned offerings like that!” Spitfire withdrew, fire in her tearful eyes. “So what if we go out to dinner?” “We can’t just keep eating out!” Spitfire exclaimed. “We have a honeymoon to save for! I need to disappear soon and I am getting fatter.” A yellow hoof motioned to a now ever so slight baby bump that you could spot if you were looking closely for such a protrusion. Soarin sighed then stepped forward and placed himself right in front of his wife. She was being silly. If he didn't pay special attention, there was no bump. She wasn't anywhere near fat! “Spitfire. You. Are. Not. Fat. You hear me.” “But I am getting fat! I feel big already!” Yellow wings flared and the blue stallion took a step back from the dangerous looking young mare. “No your not.” “Yes I am. And it’s all thanks to you, stupid colt!” Fed up with the words coming out of his wife’s mouth, Soarin hurried forth and captured her in a hug. He winced as a hoof shoved his tummy. “Stupid. Stupid. Dumb-” “Spitfire. Please.” Soarin gasped as another hoof impacted with his gut.  “What!?” The fiery young pegasus threw her husband off. “Calm down. Please stop fighting me.” “Fine. Eat your burned pizza. I’m going to lie down.” Spitfire shoved her way past the cornflower blue colt and disappeared from the room. Soarin sighed. Was it something I said? Or just the pregnancy hormones? Little one... You had better be something... What to do? What can I do? He scratched his head as he looked around the kitchen. He spotted the mostly prepared salad and a thought came to mind. He shot the doorway a careful glance. Yes, Spitfire was certainly gone, but she would still be hungry. Time to experiment and see if it was possible to save the situation. Spitfire lay curled up on the bed in their small room. Tears wet her cheeks as she let the torrent of emotions consume her. How did she let a pizza burn while making a salad? Was it thinking about their future? Their foal? A yeow hoof beat at the soft bedding. Stupid! Dumb! Idiot! Looser! The light puffy pillow turned to wisps of vapour under the angry young mare’s assault. With a cry she rolled over and curled up in a winged ball. She wanted off this crazy ride! Why did Soarin have to go and get me pregnant? It’s not fair! That colt is supposed to come and comfort me! What are you even doing? “How could anything be more important than me?”As her hoof once again stuck out at their bed she realised she may have spoken the last line out loud. Oh, what did it matter? That pie brain probably didn’t even hear. More tears escaped the fiery mare as she rolled around. After a small eternity of letting the overflow run wild, Spitfire felt herself begin to calm down. With a shaky breath she rolled onto her back and began to gently stroke her lower tummy with her forehooves. “Little one... what are you doing to me?” She chuckled to herself. “This is crazy you know. I’m talking to you and you’re not even born yet. Lucky Soarin isn’t here. He might think I’m crazy.” “I don’t think you’re crazy.” A soft voice from the doorway spoke up.  The bright yellow pegasus jolted and sat bolt upright. “Soarin!?” “I think you’re beautiful.” The young stallion in the doorway bore a kind smile upon his big mug as he stepped closer. “I also think you’re smart, driven and amazing. I also think it's cute that our foal is already being spoken to by mom. You might be a bit hot headed sometimes, but you're still amazing.” Spitfire rolled her eyes. Her husband chuckled to himself as he slid onto the bed. “Seeing what you did to our bed, I’m glad you didn’t choose to take it out on me.” The young mare glanced down at her hoofwork and cringed. The once pristine and comfy cloud was littered with holes and their pillow was nowhere to be seen. As regret plunged her heart low into the sea of despair a light blue hoof pulled her chin up to gaze into keen green eyes. “Looking up here sweetie. I’ll fix it later, don’t worry.” “You sure?” “Yep.” Soarin pulled his wife in and everything else fell away. Spitfire relaxed and sighed as she felt herself pulled down on top of her husband who lay on the damaged cloud bed. As long as she closed her eyes, she could pretend that everything was okay. He was here. The strong, constant beating of his heart drew her in and she shifted a little to place her ear on his upper left chest where she could most loudly hear the beating. With each beat her mind let go of the little things she had done. The burned food, the harsh words, the bed... all that fled her mind as the slow powerful beats of her husband’s heart filled her. Soarin lay on his back with his wings relaxed outward from his sides. On top of him lay a peaceful yet tired looking angel that he dared not disturb. He slowly began to stroke the mane of the mare who was listening to his heart. He knew Spitfire enjoyed placing her head on his chest like that to listen to the slow beating of his heart and there was no way he would deny her wish. Yet he did also kinda have something ready downstairs that he hoped would also lift her spirits further. Hopefully. A few more moments of cuddles wouldn’t hurt. He closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of lifting his Spitty up then down with each breath. After a while, Soarin cracked open his eyes. “Sunshine?” Spitfire hummed softly but kept her ear pressed to the light blue chest. Soarin grinned, she looked so cute when she used him for support. It made him feel important... valued. Soarin could feel his insides glow warm and fuzzy. A few more moments maybe? Bloodshot eyes cracked open as the young mare shifted to look at her husband. “Yes?” “Uh... I did kinda set something up downstairs if you wanna check it out.” “You finished off dinner?” “Sorta? I experimented. You know what I’m like.” “You didn’t burn the kitchen down did you?” “I didn’t touch anything that requires heating.” “No pies? I’m shocked.” “We could go out for pie.” Soarin grinned up at his wife. Spitfire scoffed. “Not with me looking like this.” “I can help with that.” Soarin lent up and licked her cheek, eliciting a small giggle from his lover. “Oh yes, very helpful.” “See?” Soarin’s smile continued to grow. “I was being sarcastic.” “Awww...” The blue colt pouted. Spitfire poked her tongue out at her companion. “Now who’s being touchy?” “Who me? Always when we are alone...” Soarin’s smile became predatory as he ran a hoof down his wife’s side and tickled her cutie mark with a wing. Spitfire unfurled her own wings to defend herself from the feathered attack. As she towered over her husband on their bed she quickly found her legs knocked out from under her. She landed heavily on the cloud bed on her side and lightly stuck out. Giggles broke out from the couple as they play fought. After a few moments of wiggling their hooves and free wing at each other, they relaxed with big grins. “Did you notice I could have made you land on me, but I didn’t want you to hit your tummy, so made you land sideways on the bed next to me?” Soarin asked, hopeful. “Now that you mention it, yes.” “Gotta be a good dad and care for my wife and growing baby you know,” Soarin extolled proudly. Spitfire smiled slyly. “Aren’t you the hero?” The smile upon the young stallion’s muzzle soured.  “But seriously. Thank you for being considerate of my... condition.” “Anything for my Sunshine. Anyway... dinner?” “Lead on.” The pair extracted themselves from the bed and Soarin offered his wife a hoof up. She accepted it with a smile and followed him down the stairs. Soarin was quick to step aside once he made it into the room and grinned expectantly at his lover. “You-” Spitfire paused in the doorway to their small part dining part living room. “You really made us dinner?” Indeed it appeared that something of the sort had happened. For in front of the couple, the table for two had been set and the salad sat between the two plates, with added ingredients and colours to what had been a green salad. The young stallion shot his lover a sheepish look, “well... more sorta finished off what you were doing. Although I like to think my time at the bakery helped.” “I’m still impressed. You never cook.” “Say that once you try it.” Soarin challenged as he took his seat. “I just kinda threw stuff in to try bulk up your salad.” “So... what exactly did you put into my salad?” “Try it.” Spitfire obliged her husband, taking a portion of the food and trying it. “It- it’s good. Weird. But good.” The cornflower blue pegasus took one mouthful and scrunched up his face. “Too much bell pepper and too much of that other thing too...” “Hey, whatever you did, it’s working for me,” Spitfire replied as she took another mouthful. “Our little one seems to have weird tastes,” Soarin noted. “She doesn’t have weird tastes, I get cravings.” “Right. Isn’t that kinda the same thing?” “No. And just because you got lucky this time making us a weird salad doesn’t mean you can try experimenting on me again.” “What if you burn the pizza again?” Spitfire shot her husband a look. “Mention that again and you’ll wear it.” “Yes, boss.” Soarin poked his tongue out only to be pelted in the face with loose greens. He caressed his nose, “rough... gotta hit me right in the sniffer there, don’t you?” “That I do. A girls gotta know how to aim. Gotta defend myself.” “In case of what?” “Cheeky stallions.” “Mmmm... How terrible.” Soarin agreed softly as he took another bite of his salad, careful to select bits that looked more palatable. The conversation fell into a lull as the pair continued to eat in contented quiet. Then, just as she finished her own meal, Spitfire sighed. “Soarin, is this really a good idea?” “What?” “Us going through with... it?” “Well we’re married, aren’t we? It’s been working out okay so far.” “Yes. But you're a stallion. I’m not far out from starting to show. And I know you and my parents have already noticed something change. I’m changing, my body is changing. Soon I’m gonna get really fat. Then everypony who sees me pregnant will know I’m about to become a teenage mother. You won’t get that.” The challenging tone to the young mare’s voice killed the relaxed tone the couple had shared. A blue hoof massaged its owner's forehead for a few moments. “Spitty...” A sigh followed then silence for a few moments. “I really don’t know what to say to that. I take full responsibility for my part in getting you knocked up. But I love you. I’m your husband and best friend and I’m not gonna just leave you for anything.” “I know. But so few ponies know for certain that we are together. What if they start to gossip? What will that do to my chances of getting into the Wonderbolts, huh?” “You will knock them dead. Nothing stops you.” “Well, what if something does?” Spitfire challenged. “What if I don’t make it into the Wonderbolts because of something silly like being a teenage mother or some medical complication?” “Pfft- won’t happen.” “But what if it does? Soarin, I might be all confident and stuff out there, but I’m also feeling scared. What... what if I don’t make it?” Her last words were quiet as she trailed off with her question. Silence hung over the table until Soarin shifted and made his way over to sit beside his wife. “You know what I will do if you don’t make it?” A blue wing settled on yellow fur. “What?” “Well, you are my dream. I’ll stick with you, hay, we could even go pick up our foal from the orphanage and raise him or her.” “But the Wonderbolts. Your dream.” “Our dream.” Soarin was quick to cut in with his reminder. He followed up with a light kiss to the pretty yellow muzzle. “Would you really give up your dream to be a Wonderbolt for me?” Spitfire asked as she levelled her gaze at the green eyes that stared back at her. “Anything for you. We hung out as foals because we both wanted to be awesome Wonderbolts when we grew up. We’re nearly there. But if something stops us... I’ll pick you over the Wonderbolts even if it means I don’t make it.” “What if I asked you to make it big for me?” “Sure. Although....” A cheeky grin crept onto the light blue muzzle as he trailed off. Spitfire gave her stallion a cautious look. “Although what?” “I really can’t picture you as a stay at home mom.” “Bonehead.” Spitfire chuckled as she lightly nudged him. “Neither can I, Pie Boy. Neither can I...” The light yellow mare snuggled up closer, nestling in under the strong blue chin of her love. She sighed softly, “I hope I don’t have to give up on our dreams because of our mistake.” “Neither do I Spitty.” Soarin agreed softly. “But you know what?” “What?” “I’ll fight for you every step of the way.”