//------------------------------//
// New Life, Old Troubles 
// Story: Geoverse Part Three: To Live Is Human 
// by GeodesicDragon 
//------------------------------//

	"So much for not coming back." The voice of the doctor drew the attention of Twilight and I to the door of the hospital room we were in. "When you were discharged, Geo, didn't I tell you to be careful?" The smile on his face betrayed his stern demeanour.

"Actually, Doctor Haywick, you didn't tell me that." I smiled and pointed at Twilight, who was sitting on the bed. "Besides, it's not me who needs your expertise this time; it's her."

Haywick looked at Twilight, who grinned sheepishly. "Well then," he said. "What seems to be the problem?"

"I'm pregnant," Twilight replied giddily. "I've known for about a month now, and... well... we want to know if I'm carrying a hybrid."

Haywick's smile vanished, replaced by a slight frown. "As you wish," he replied. "Although I must point out that the possibility of a hybrid being born without magical interference is extremely low." The top of his horn lit up and he gently placed it on Twilight's stomach, concentrated for a moment, then looked up. "You're not carrying a hybrid." He said at last, to which Twilight and I both let out a sigh of relief. "Would you like to know what you're carrying instead, or would you rather leave it as a surprise?"

"We'll leave it for now," I replied.

"All right then," Haywick said. "If there's nothing else, I shall return to my rounds and leave you two alone." He went towards the door, stopping just short. "Oh, and congratulations."

He walked out the room and closed the door, leaving Twilight and I to ourselves. I sat down next to her, making sure to put my arm gently around her, and we both smiled.

"That's a huge load off my mind, Twi," I said. "If it – our son – isn't a hybrid, I'm guessing he'll be a unicorn."

"Yes, she will be a unicorn." Twilight stuck her tongue out at me, then got off the bed. "Come on, let's go and tell everypony we're expecting a normal foal. I'm sure they'll love the news."

"John will," I replied. "I know that for a fact."

"Why?" Twilight raised an eyebrow at me.

I paused for a moment, then chuckled sheepishly. "Well, it's just... he kinda bet me fifty bits the kid wouldn't be a hybrid." I shrugged. "I guess he knew something I didn't, for a change.

Twilight rolled her eyes and giggled as she walked out the room. I rubbed the back of my head and followed her.


***


"So, if you're not expecting a hybrid, what are you expecting?" Rarity asked. "A unicorn or an Earth pony?"

"The foal will no doubt be a unicorn," I replied. "But we don't know whether it'll be a colt or a filly; it's more surprising that way."

Pinkie Pie squealed in delight. "Who cares what they're expecting?!" she cried. "I'll have a new foal to play with! Ooh, I can arrange a play date with Pound and Pumpkin! It'll be so much fun!"

I laughed at Pinkie's enthusiasm. "I've seen how you are with Pound and Pumpkin," I told her. "You'll make a great auntie."

Pinkie's smile grew wider and she squealed again before bounding around the room, much to the amusement of her friends.


***


The time ticked by slowly as my friends and I enjoyed ourselves. To add to the celebration of Twilight and I's bundle of joy, Ace and Pinkie finally realised they loved each other; I had seen the signs for months, so it was good to see them together at last.

"I knew it!" I yelled, as Pinkie nuzzled Ace's chest after smothering him in kisses. "I knew this was going to happen!"

There was a knock at the door, and I opened to find Twilight's parents and brother standing on the doorstep.

"Hello, Night Light, Velvet." I bumped Shining Armour's forehoof with my fist. "What's up, brother-in-law?"

"Hi, Geo," Shining Armour replied. "We heard the news, of course, and we're here to celebrate." A goofy grin appeared on his face. "I still can't that I'm gonna be an uncle; I was sure that I'd be the first of Twiley and I to provide our folks with grandkids."

I chuckled. "Sorry we beat you to it, mate, but maybe you can try and get your own back by drinking me under the table?" I folded my arms. "'Try' being the key word, of course."

Shining grinned. "You're on."

I grinned back and stood aside to let them all in, Velvet pushing past the two stallions to get in first. "Twilight, your family's here!"

"Mum, Dad, Shiny!" she came over and embraced her family in a group hug; I laughed at how some of my mannerisms had rubbed off on her, since she didn't say 'Mom' like she normally would.

"Hey, Twiley." Shining gave his sister a hug. "Pinkie Pie invited us." He thought for a moment. "Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Cadence couldn't be here due to being on royal business. However, she asked to pass on her congratulations as well."

"We're going to be grandparents!" Night Light said. "You've made your mother and I prouder than ever, Twilight."

Twilight blushed. "Thanks, dad," she said.

"I always knew you were the right one for our Twilight, Geo," Velvet said. "I trust you'll take care of her, and your foal?"

"Of course I will, Velvet," I replied. "I will take care of my beautiful wife and our darling child, no matter what may come."

Velvet smiled, and both parents went to join the party. Shining Armour stayed behind and waited until they were out of earshot before he addressed me in a hushed tone.

"I understand there were more humans here recently?" he said.

My eyes widened. "How did you know that?" I asked.

"Doctor Sorou captured a Diamond Dog near town the other day, so I ordered regular patrols near town," he replied. "One of those patrols happened to see the humans."

"I can assure you, Shining, that they mean no harm," I replied. "In fact, they should be in the process of leaving."

"Yes, my guardsponies did say that they were packing up," Shining said. "But the question is, why were they here to begin with?"

I told Shining everything about why the military was in Equestria, although I neglected to tell him what I'd learnt about John being a spy because I wasn't sure how he'd react.

"Okay," he said once I'd finished. "If you say they're leaving, then I believe you. However, I will continue sending patrols to check on them until we're absolutely certain that they've all gone."

I nodded. "Of course," I replied. "Now come on, let's enjoy the party." I raised my voice. "John, get the cider; I'm going to show little Shiny here how a true stallion handles his liquor!"

Shining rolled his eyes and went over to the drinks table; before I could follow him, there was another another knock at the door. I cursed under my breath and opened it, only to get a face full of white and dark blue, at which I looked up to see Celestia and Luna looking down at me with huge grins on their faces.

"Ahh, Princesses!" I said loudly, the music and chatter stopping as all eyes turned to the door. "What brings you here?"

"Why, the party, of course," Luna replied. "Twilight Sparkle is a good friend of ours, so it would be rude of us not to join her in celebrating her good news. That, and we were invited."

I smiled. "Pinkie Pie?" I asked, to which they nodded. "Of course." I stood aside. "Well then, by all means, please come in."

As both Princesses entered the room, everyone present bowed. It wasn't long before Luna was strutting her stuff on the dance floor, while Celestia was talking to Twilight and I.

"Captain Armour told me that more humans were discovered in the Everfree Forest," she said. "Tell me, what has become of them?"

"They should be gone by now," I replied. "They wanted to talk to me about a few things, such as how I knew Ace, and what I had to do with his research into inter-dimensional travel."

"Nothing else?" Celestia replied.

"That's all," I said. "They should be gone by now, in fact; Shining Armour said he'd send another patrol out, so we'll see."

Celestia smiled. "Well then," she said. "As long as that's dealt with, I have nothing to worry about... other than Twilight here."

Twilight hugged her mentor tightly.

"You let me worry about Twilight," I said, stroking her mane.

"Have you thought about names yet?" Celestia enquired.

Twilight and I exchanged a glance. "Not yet, Princess Celestia," Twilight replied. "It's still a little bit early for that."

"I understand," Celestia replied. "If either of you need any help at all, then you know where to find me. And don't forget that I'm not the only one; you have a multitude of friends and family who, I'm sure, would be more than happy to offer their assistance."

With a final nod from us, Celestia joined Luna on the dance floor.


***


Hours later, the party had ended and everyone had gone home. Twilight and I sat on the library's balcony, watching as Luna's moon made its gradual ascent into the sky. A shooting star streaked across the sky, and I felt Twilight tense up. I looked at her to see that she was crossing her hooves, had her eyes shut tight, and was mouthing something incomprehensible under her breath.

"Making a wish?" I asked her, to which she nodded. "What was it?"

"If I tell you, it won't come true," she replied.

I chuckled and kissed her softly, turning to watch the star making its way across the sky; I crossed my fingers, closed my eyes, and made a wish of my own. "I wish to be a good father."

I felt something poke me, and I opened my eyes to find that Twilight had jabbed me in the side with a hoof. "You'll be a great dad," she said. "What have I told you about doubting yourself?"

As I looked into her eyes, I saw them glistening in the moonlight. I held her close and smiled. "Not to do it," I replied. "But you have agree that a little bit of extra strength wouldn't hurt, right?"

Twilight smiled back and we sat in silence. And at that moment in time, I couldn't have wished for anything better.


***


The two Royal Guards entered the clearing and looked around; other than the portal humming away in the centre, the area appeared to show no signs of having been occupied.

"Looks like the humans have left," said one. "And look, they were even nice enough to clean up the mess they made."

"That was good of them," the other replied. "Come on, let's report back to Captain Shining Armour and give him the good news."

As the guards turned and walked back towards Ponyville, neither of them heard a voice on the breeze, full of contempt and anger.

"Pony bastards..."