//------------------------------// // Happy Birthday // Story: Parenthood // by BubblePuff //------------------------------// Nightwing awoke from his slumber and hopped out of bed. He was super excited because today was his birthday! Nightwing dashed down the stairs and into the kitchen where Lyra and Bon Bon were already waiting for him.  “There’s the birthday boy!” Bon Bon said with a smile. She reached down and gave him a big hug. “Happy birthday sweetie.”  “Thanks Mama Bon Bon.” Nightwing said. He sat at the table next to Lyra who was reading the newspaper. She put it down and turned to Nightwing.  “So Nightwing, how does it feel to be seven years old?” She asked.  “I feel closer to being a Wonderbolt Mama Lyra.” Nightwing said with a smile and a flutter of his wings.  Lyra let out a little chuckle. “Well, don’t go and grow up too fast. There are still many great things about being a colt.”  “Yes, like having a special birthday breakfast.” Bon Bon said. She then placed a huge stack of pancakes in front of Nightwing. The pancakes were topped with syrup, fresh strawberries, and whipped cream.  Nightwing took a big bite of the pancakes. He chewed slowly and savored the taste. Once Nightwing was finished Bon Bon patted him on the head and took his empty plate away.  “Are you excited about your party this afternoon?” Bon Bon asked as she cleaned the dishes.  “You bet! All of my friends are going to be there.” Nightwing said with a big smile.  “Well then, you should hurry up and get to school.” Said Lyra. “The sooner your school day is over, the sooner you can have your party.”  Nightwing grabbed his Backpack. Bon Bon then kissed him goodbye while Lyra walked him to school.  While at school Nightwing waited impatiently for the day to end. He kept looking up at the clock, but everytime he did it seemed to be moving slower and slower. “Ugh! How much longer until school is over?” Nightwing thought to himself. “I want to get to my birthday party!” After what felt like an eternity, the school bell finally rang. Nightwing headed out of the school where he met up with Pumpkin and Pound Cake.  “Hey Nightwing, are you ready for your birthday party?” Pound Cake asked.  “You bet I am!” Nightwing replied. “Cheese Sandwich and Pinkie Pie are putting the party together. I can’t wait to see what they have planned!”  “Yeah! Aunt Pinkie always throws the best parties.” Pumpkin Cake said.   Bon Bon and Lyra waited for Nightwing outside of the school. They then walked with him and the Cake twins to the park where the party was being held.  Every foal from Nightwing’s class was there. Cheese Sandwich had brought along his party tank, and Pinkie Pie had baked a massive triple layer chocolate cake. The bottom layer was dark chocolate, the middle layer was milk chocolate, and the top layer was white chocolate with the whole thing covered with fudge frosting.  There were clowns, balloons, games, a bouncy castle, a ferris wheel, and tons of food. The whole party was capped off with a massive banner that read HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIGHTWING.  Nightwing could not believe what an amazing job Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich had done. Nightwing wasted no time in enjoying the party. He jumped around inside the bouncy castle and played all of the games, such as whack the pinata and pin the tail on the hydra.   Nightwing ate as much of the food as he could, but he still saved room for the birthday cake. He rode the ferris wheel and even enjoyed a show put on by the great and powerful Trixie.  “Are you having a fun time?” Bon Bon asked.  “You bet I am Mama Bon Bon!” Nightwing replied as he smiled and flapped his wings.  “That’s great to hear, sweetie.” Lyra said. “Now come on, it’s time to blow out the candles on your birthday cake.”  Lyra and Bon Bon walked with Nightwing over to the birthday cake. Seven candles had been lit atop it. Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich made an announcement to the party goers.  “Alright fillies and colts!” Cheese Sandwich announced. “It’s time for the birthday colt to blow out the candles and make his birthday wish!”  “And to get Nightwing ready, let’s all sing the birthday song!” Pinkie Pie said. She then led every pony in singing happy birthday. Once the song was finished, Nightwing took a big breath and blew out all of the candles. Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich fired off their party cannon and party tank respectively.   Lyra and Bon Bon both approached Nightwing as he began to eat the first slice of cake. “So, what did you wish for?” Lyra asked.  “Now Lyra.” Bon Bon said. “You know that if Nightwing tells any pony about his wish it won’t come true.”  Not that Nightwing needed to tell any pony what his wish was. All of his friends and family knew that he wanted to be a wonderbolt.  Nightwing received many gifts for his birthday, including a Neightendo gamecolt, a skateboard, and power pony action figures.  It was getting late and every pony was preparing to leave. Pound and Pumpkin approached Nightwing to thank him for the party. “We had a really great time!” Pound Cake said.  “Yeah, but I have one more gift to give you.” Pumpkin said.  “Oh? What is it?” Asked Nightwing.  Pumpkin then leaned in and kissed Nightwing on the cheek. She backed away and giggled as Nightwing stood there and blushed.  Suddenly, Nightwing’s backside began to glow. A symbol then appeared, taking the shape of a star with a pair of bat wings.  “Nightwing, you got your cutie mark!” Bon Bon said.  Lyra bent over and gave Nightwing a big hug. “I am so proud of you!”  Every pony gathered around Nightwing. “Yay! Now we get to throw Nightwing another party!” Pinkie Pie cheered.   As Nightwing admired his cutie mark, he couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss that Pumpkin had given him. “Does this mean that Pumpkin likes me?” Nightwing thought to himself. He had known Pumpkin since they were foals, but he had always thought of her as a friend. Were they more than that?