With the dark of night over Cloudsdale, one young stallion stood outside the residence of Tempest Wind and Stormy Flare. The young stallion knocked on the door. He proceeded to wait restlessly, shifting from side to side and glancing up and down the street.
The door cracked open and Tempest Wind peered out. "What do you want? Wait- Soarin?"
"Yeah."
"What in Tartarus are you doing here at this hour? And where's my baby girl?"
"Spitfire is at home, with the rest of the flight crew."
"Home? You mean the home you built?"
Soarin sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, surprised but nervous. "You heard about that?"
"Sure did. Now, what did you come here, past bedtime knocking on an old stallion's door?"
"Spitfire would like to see her mother."
"She would, aye...?"
Soarin nodded.
"Do I get to come too?"
The younger stallion shrugged. "Sure."
Tempest measured the younger stallion's noncommittal attitude. "Well, get in here. I'll wrangle Stormy."
Soarin wandered into the family home. He passed a series of family pictures with a young cute Spitfire and into the living room. As the older stallion headed up the stairs to the right, Soarin wandered to his left and took a seat on one of two large couches. With only one light on in the room, the tidy space felt surreal to the young pegasus. He felt as though it had been forever since the last time he had set foot in this house. Lost in his own thoughts, Soarin failed to notice the passage of time until two pegasi entered the room.
Soarin rose. Time to return to Spitfire.
Spitfire sat, half asleep, at the central dining table in her home. Just as her head was about to rest on the table she heard muffled talking from outside. The heavily pregnant mare perked up. A hopeful smile slipped out and she rushed to the door. Yellow hooves speedily opened the door to reveal a surprised Soarin with his right forehoof outstretched. The stallion grinned at his wife.
Spitfire beheld her parents. Her longing erupted from within and she hurried to embrace her parents. Stormy Flare tenderly hugged her daughter, delighted to be reunited with such a special pony. Tempest Wind had liquid pride escape his eyes as he too enjoyed the moment. The deep orange stallion wrapped his wings around both wife and daughter in a loving winged hug.
Soarin stood awkwardly off to the side of the trio. He watched the happy family reunion, content to let his mare enjoy the moment. A dark yellow wing stretched out and snagged the young stallion into the group hug.
"Don't worry Soarin. We haven't forgotten about you. You are, after all, our son now." Stormy Flare winked at the surprised blue stallion.
"Right. Thank you."
"Spitfire, can we maybe touch..." Stormy Flare trailed off as her hoof rose halfway to touch the baby bump.
Spitfire nodded. "Of course, Mom."
Stormy Flare carefully reached out and caressed her daughter's foal bump. A look of wonder filled the older mare as her hoof moved slowly around.
"Can I?" Temptest Wind tentatively asked.
Spitfire reached out and placed her father's right hoof next to Stormy's. Happy tears escaped Tempest as he tenderly followed his wife's movements. The dark yellow and orange forehooves gently felt around the top of the baby bump. The older couple shared delighted looks with each little shift from within.
Spitfire chuckled. "Feels like she's waking up in there. I think she knows two very important ponies are here.
"I bet she does, yes." Stormy Flare agreed. “And I look forward to meeting our surprise grandfoal.”
Two couples walked down the spiral staircase then settled onto the two couches positioned along the back wall. The corners of both comfortable two pony couches had been shoved out from the wall a bit so that those seated could easily share in conversation.
Tempest Wind settled down beside his wife, eyeing his daughter. "Nice place you got here. Thank you for showing us around."
"You're most welcome. It's been a great home." Soarin grinned as he slipped a wing across his wife's back.
Spitfire nuzzled under her tired husband's chin and relaxed.
"How far along are you now?" Stormy Flare asked. "Last time I saw you, it was hard to notice you were in foal."
"But now you're..." Tempest Wind trailed off, a warning glance from his wife killing any potential comments.
"About ten months and two weeks. I really just want this over with now." Spitfire complained as she lightly rubbed her foal bump. "How did you do it...?"
"Well, you weren't easy..." Stormy Flare gazed out the window, her gaze taking on a faraway look. "The last few weeks waiting is a killer, that's for sure. You surprised us by coming into the world a week early. I suspect your foal will follow her mother's hoofsteps."
Spitfire nodded thoughtfully.
"Has Soarin taken good care of you all this time?" Tempest Wind spoke up, eyeing the young stallion with a hard gaze.
"Yes. He has been amazing. Although we are out of funds." Spitfire's admittance was met by dead silence.
Soarin cast an annoyed look at his spouse. "Spitty."
The fiery mare met Soarin's gaze. "What? We are."
"I thought you said-"
"Well, I changed my mind now. Okay?"
"Okay, okay..." Soarin sagged, defeated.
"So, you've asked us here because you need some bits..." Tempest Wind settled back, not impressed at all by the news.
"No. Because I wanted to see my mother and this is the closest to home we've been in months." Spitfire retorted.
Tempest huffed, "oh, so you don't care about me anymore?"
"I didn't mean that, dad."
"Really? Soarin showed up at our door asking for Stormy and my own daughter-"
"Dad." Spitfire sat up. The young mare firmly pushed away from her husband. "I do I still love you. But you didn't give birth to me. There are some things only another female pegasus would know. So once we are done here, I want to talk to mom alone."
Stormy Flare chucked and gave her husband a shove. "Stop overreacting."
Tempest Wind shot his wife a look. "Whatever."
"Oh and Mom?” Spitfire cast her best appealing look at her parents. “Would you look after our foal while Soarin and I attend the school flight exams in three weeks?"
"For how long?"
Spitfire twiddled her forehooves as she cuddled back up to her husband. "Uh... until we find a place they can go to? I also kinda don't wanna hand over a newborn..."
"You're not thinking of keeping the foal, are you?" Stormy Flare asked.
Spitfire and Soarin shared a glance. "Well, mom... you see... Uh..."
Tempest Wind settled forward his hard gaze locked on his daughter. "Stormy Flare and I cannot raise a foal. There would be serious questions raised about where they came from. And if... And I stress IF you make it into the Wonderbolts, I highly doubt you will be in a position to raise your foal either. And do not even consider trying to raise her in secret as every part of a Wonderbolt's life gets examined and scrutinized like no other pony besides maybe Celestia herself." The elder stallion paused to eye the young couple. His gaze finally settled on Soarin and disdain flashed across the old stallion's face. "Besides, what life can two broke pegasi with sky high dreams hope to live if keep your baby?"
The young couple shared a defeated look.
Spitfire began to fidget. "I... I know. But now that our foal is so close, I’m really not sure I can give them up."
Tempest Wind sighed. “Soarin.”
“Yes?” The young stallion inquired.
“Can you fly with me. I think Spitfire and her mother need a moment.”
“Okay.?” Soarin cast an inquisitive look at his mare.
Spitfire nodded. “Go.”
Soarin placed a quick, loving kiss on his mare’s snout then slipped out of the seat and followed his elder outside.
As the front door closed behind the two stallions, Spitfire’s gaze fell to her forehooves.
Stormy Flare allowed the awkward moment to linger until Spitfire finally look at her. “You're probably better off asking Soarin's parents to help. Although I think they will also agree that you should not wait too long. I know from experience how a baby can change your whole life. And you were planned.”
Spitfire slumped into her seat. “So you say I can’t hold onto her... at all?”
Stormy Flare nodded sternly. “It’s too early for you both to become parents. Besides... You promised us that you would not keep your baby. It is because of your promise I did not recommend you abort your pregnancy.”
Spitfire’s eyes grew wide and she lightly clutched at her foal bump. “No... I- I couldn't imagine doing that.”
“Mmm..." The elder mare murmured in agreement. "That baby is a product of the love you both share. But it does not excuse what you have done.”
“But... I can’t to just leave a newborn foal at some place and hope for the best. Besides, Soarin and I love each other. What is so wrong about that?”
Stormy Flare sighed, “I expect my daughter to keep the promises she makes. Especially ones of life changing importance such as a foal.” Momentary silence fell as Spitfire contemplated her mothers’ words.
After waiting a few moments, the elder mare continued softly; “Ponyville orphanage is a good place. They have taken care of at least one extremely young earth pony. Your other option is Canterlot’s home for foals. Although I would not look at Canterlot for the care of your baby, if I were you. They can be ...less kind to young pegasi than many other places. If you wish to hide her further abroad, there is of course Las Pegasus or Filly Delphia as two other good options for a young pegasus.”
Spitfire straightened, surprised by such information. “You investigated orphanages?”
Stormy Flare nodded. “Technically, homes for foals. But yes. There are none in Cloudsdale. But I think Ponyville could offer your child a good start in life.”
Spitfire hurried to her mother and gave her a hug. “Thank you mom.”
As the elder pegasus held her daughter, she softened. A smile slid out, glad that her girl had accepted her wisdom. “Now... was there something else you wished to ask me, mare to mare?”
Spitfire shrugged as she settled back. “Kind of, yeah... um... what’s giving birth like and can I do anything to make it easier... you know, when the time comes?”
Stormy Flare settled back. A proud smile broth forth as she took a moment to consider her daughter’s inquiry. “Young lady... I am glad you asked. Because, as your mother, it would be a privilege to help you...”
“Hey girls, hows it going?”
On the balcony of their clubhouse, the CMC glanced up from their game. Smiles lit their faces as they beheld the speedy pegasus hovering before them.
“Rainbow Dash, you’re here!” Scootaloo eagerly leapt up.
Said mare smirked as she continued to hover. “Yeah, practice finished early. And I did promise to be here for your scan.”
Scootaloo’s eyes widened as she realised just how soon she was due for examination.
Nervousness flickered across Dash’s face. “I hope you don’t mind... but Spitfire and Soarin were coming to town and wondered if they could swing by and support my cool adopted daughter too.”
Orange wings stood up straight in surprise. “Really?”
Sweetie and Apple Bloom shared a shocked glance. Sweetie Belle tilted her head, “but why would they want to do that? They don’t know Scootaloo... do they?”
After a moment’s frantic thought Rainbow Dash cracked a grin. “Well, they know how cool I am. And I may have mentioned how awesome you are too, Scootaloo. So... would you like to hang out with them?”
“Of course! That would be amazing.” After a moments euphoria, the young filly’s wings fell, “but what if they find out why I’m getting the scan and don’t like me?”
Rainbow Dash scoffed. She swooped down and alighted before the clubhouse. “Trust me. There’s no way they won’t love you.”
“Y-you’re sure?”
The blue mare nodded. “Of course.”
“Look!” Sweetie Belle cried out, her forehoof outstretched toward the horizon. “I think that’s them now!”
“I think you’re right.” Apple Bloom softly murmured.
“Woah...” Scootaloo admired the flashy swirls of the incoming pegasi.
With a final flick the two Wonderbolts alighted before the club house. Spitfire smiled warmly, her gaze quickly finding the special orange filly. “Hello.”
“Ohmygosh! It really is you!” Scootaloo gushed as she raced down the steps to greet the two legendary ponies.
Dash smirked at the display, knowing who her adopted daughter really was fawning over. “I think she’s okay with you two coming along.”
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Spitfire. “Are you sure?”
Scootaloo shrugged. “I mean, I never thought you two would want to do something like that for a filly you don’t know.”
A warm smile crept across Spitfire’s face as she beheld her daughter. “Rainbow Dash spoke highly of her adopted daughter and you do seem like a cool filly.”
Scootaloo grinned up at her heroes’ heroes. They were by extension, ponies that she too held in high esteem.
Although Rainbow Dash was the best. Scootaloo was sure nothing would change that. “Since we have a little time before I gotta go for my scan... could you two maybe show me a few of your coolest moves?”
Spitfire coolly eyed her daughter, wings twitching. “How about I do you one better. Want to fly with us?”
“Yea! Spitfire and I could carry you while we showcase a few cool moves.” Soarin added quickly, keenly aware that his wife was barely holding onto her cool, calm demeanor.
“Really? Awesome!” Scootaloo leapt for joy, eager to be in the sky.
Eight days after the nighttime visit of Spitfire’s parents, the traveling troupe of teenagers found themselves in Ponyville. To many, this stop off was a chance to enjoy a quick break. The end of the school year was drawing close and both Spitfire and Fire Streak’s parents had flown into town for the weekend.
Celestia’s sun had long since set and many ponies had settled down for the night. As it was a thursday, few adults were out and about seeking late night fun. Spitfire and Soarin lay snuggled up together on a lone cloud overlooking Ponyville. They were currently floating over the east orchard lake with the town hall center on the horizon before them. Behind them, some way off deeper into farmland hovered their own cloud home. Yet despite the proximity of their home, the couple continued lie, content on the small cloud they shared.
Ten o’clock passed peacefully under the pale light of Luna’s moon.
As more lights winked out below, the highly pregnant Spitfire gave her husband’s wing a brief glance as it shifted over stomach.
Soarin grinned like a love drunk colt as he gazed as his wife with adoration. “You know...”
Spitfire cast a cool look at her husband. “Hmmm?”
“It’s amazing.”
“What is?”
“You.”
Spitfire scoffed. Suddenly her midsection no longer felt comfortable. With an aggravated sigh, she shifted around to try and find another position to snuggle her husband.
“No really.” Soarin raised his wing and waited for his mare to find another good position.
Spitfire settled down again and critically side eyed her spouse.
Soarin grinned back and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. “Being here with you... with a new life on the way and your parents nearby just in case. I mean, even though we’ve made some mistakes-”
Spitfire snorted as a light blue wing settled over her again. “Some? I’m still surprised school is still giving us the chance at tryouts in a month.”
Soarin nodded in agreement. “True. But your dad seems to have come around and my parents are okay to look after our son-”
“Daughter.”
Soarin sat up straighter and posed smugly. “I’m the one who determined our filly’s gender.”
Spitfire playfully pushed against her husband’s side. “Yeah. But she isn’t growing inside you now, is she? So how are you supposed to know?”
The young stallion winked cheekily. “Just you wait Spitty.”
The heavily pregnant mare rolled her eyes. “Oh I’m waiting... Waiting to see our daughter. To fly fast again. ...To feel like I’m not carrying around a packed saddlebag at all times. You know... Oh wait. You don’t.” Spitfire playfully poked her tongue out at her husband.
Soarin nodded solemnly “True. True. But I have been there supporting my precious pony as best I can.”
The young mare relaxed. A slow sigh escaped. “Yeah. We make a pretty good team.”
“Agreed.”
The couple shared a loving kiss then settled back down to enjoy the night view over the town.
Time wandered peacefully on and the cool of the night settled on Soarin. He gave a light shiver. “Wanna head back and see what your parents are up to?” The young stallion glanced at his wife and noticed she was staring off into the distance. “Spitty?”
Panic settled upon Spitfire. “Uh oh.”
“What?”
Spitfire rounded on her concerned spouse. “The baby’s coming.”
Soarin’s wings shot up in panic, “what? Now?!”
“For real this time. Quick get me to the hospital then find my mother!”
“Right!” Soarin scrambled frantically to his feet then wrapped his shaking hooves around his wife.
Spitfire shoved her partner away. “You’ll drop me if you keep shaking like that! Calm down, you’re not the one about to give birth here!”
Soarin gawped at his mare as he withdrew. He stood there frozen. Desperate to help but unable to calm himself.
Yellow forehooves clutched at her lower foal bump. Spitfire rolled sideways with a groan. “Stop panicking and hurry up! I don’t want to give birth up here!”
Soarin cast a quick glance at how near to the edge his mare’s rear was. Trying to quickly toughen up, the young stallion took a deep breath. With eyes still wide and frightened, Soarin picked his wife up and sped off to Ponyville hospital.
Just past midnight a new life was born. A tiny orange filly came into the world kicking and screaming. The whole ordeal was a haze of pain for the young mother, Spitfire. Soarin didn’t fare much better as his support led to getting his forehooves almost squeezed off. As their daughter finally came into the world, the attending nurse was quick to present the messy orange foal to her parents. Spitfire cooed softly as she accepted the most precious tiny creature she had ever laid eyes on. Both parents wore huge smiles as they beheld their daughter. Opposite Soarin’s side of the bed, Stormy Flare settled down, resting against the side of the hospital bed. She was clearly tired but absolutely delighted.
Soarin hummed softly as he nuzzled his daughter with the very tip of his nose. The filly gave a loud cry and clumsily reached for the young stallion. At his daughter’s touch, Soarin looked so overwhelmed he might faint. His wings quivered and a huge dopey grin lit up his muzzle.
“My baby... You’re perfect.” Spitfire whispered as she continued to admire her precious foal.
“Welcome to the world little one.” Soarin reverently murmured as he ever so carefully caressed his daughter.
Spitfire glanced up at her mother, “thanks for your help, mom.”
Stormy Flare drew close and placed a kiss on her daughter’s head. “Don’t mention it. It’s a privilege to support my little girl.” Tears of joy leaked down the elder mare’s cheeks. “My baby girl is all grown up... Oh, I must get your father.”
The dark yellow mare wiped at her face as she turned and hurried from the room.
Spitfire watched her mother go. As the door closed the couple returned their gaze to their little girl.
“She’s amazing Soarin. Just look at her cute little wings...”
“And teeny tiny hooves...” Soarin gleefully added as he daintily touched his little filly again.
The newborn gave another little cry but settled as her orange hoof rested on her fathers far larger one.
“You think she looks like a Blaze or a Scoots?” Soarin murmured, fixated upon his daughter.
Before the young mare could answer, Stormy Flare and Tempest Wind entered the room. The elder stallion collapsed against his wife, eyes wide. “That’s- Thats my granddaughter?”
Spitfire smiled like the sun. “Yes dad.”
Aided by his wife, Tempest approached and admired the messy new born. He glanced at Soarin’s forehooves. A smirk crept out as his gaze lingered. “Looks like Spitfire squeezed as hard as Stormy did.”
“Yeah, but worth it. Just look at her...” Soarin briefly eyed the older stallion before his gaze drifted back to his daughter.
Tempest Wind grinned as he reverently approached the bed. “Agreed. So... she got a name yet? Or we still tossing up ideas?”
The young couple shared a glance. In the silence their unspoken communion was clear. Spitfire nodded, “yes dad. I think Soarin and I have found the perfect name for her.”
“So... what have you two called her?” Stormy Flare asked impatiently.
Spitfire tore her gaze from her supportive spouse to admire her foal. “Scootaloo.”
“Yeah,” Soarin agreed softly.
“Quite a name.” Stormy Flare softly mused.
“For quite the filly.” Tempest concluded.