//------------------------------//
// Chapter 5: Rearranging 
// Story: Zestar Apple Flambe 
// by Zyxx 
//------------------------------//


Zestar Apple Flambé
Chapter 5: Rearranging

Twilight woke up to the sunlight streaming through her window. She felt… better. Not well, yet; images of what she learned in Canterlot still spilled through her mind and nearly made her shudder, but certainly better than she’d felt yesterday. Spike was still asleep, curled against her, and she spent a long moment seriously considering just going back to sleep, warm and secure and comfortable. Her conscience wouldn’t let her, though. There was just too much to do today.
“Hey sleepyhead,” she said, gently shaking the dragon. “Don’t you have some farm chores to do?” 
Spike started awake, saw the angle of the sunbeams and realized that he was late. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to fall asleep in your bed.” he said, getting up hurriedly.
“Don’t apologize,” she said gently. “It was nice. I can’t remember the last time you played pillow for me. Guess you’re somepony else’s pillow now, huh?” Twilight winked, and Spike blushed.
“It’s not… quite the same.”
“I know it’s not, silly.” Twilight got up and made a valiant effort to pat Spike on the head, but he was a little too tall for that now and she settled for a nudge on the shoulder.  “It’s still kind of strange for me, knowing that you and Apple Bloom have that kind of relationship. I guess part of me still thought of you as a baby dragon.” 
“Really? You really think this is a baby dragon?” Spike stretched himself out to his full height, nearly a head taller than Twilight. 
“No matter how big you get, you’ll always be that same little dragon to me. My number-one assistant.”
Spike had to swallow a lump in his throat. “To tell you the truth, part of me still thinks of me as a baby dragon.” He lowered his head and clasped his hands, looking at them worriedly. “Twilight… do you think I’m in over my head with this? I mean, are me and Apple Bloom too young? Did we make a mistake?”
“Yes, you did. There’s no point in worrying about that now. Even I can’t lecture you hard enough to turn back time.”  Twilight nudged Spike again, getting a tiny smile at her joke. “As for being too young, well, it’s not about age, it’s about maturity. You’ll probably have to do some quick growing up, but if you’re willing to do that, and I know you are, then we’re all going to help and support you. And a good start would be not being late for your chores.”
Spike startled, looked at the sunbeams again, and dashed out the door. Five seconds later, he ran back inside, gave Twilight a hug and a “Thanks”, and sped down the road towards the farm. 
Twilight once again felt the siren’s call of her bed, but settled for enjoying a leisurely breakfast before setting off toward Zecora’s.
***
“Twilight, my dear, it is most good to see you here,” said Zecora as she opened her door for the unicorn. “You often send Spike, and while that is fine, I enjoy chatting with your beautiful mind.”
Twilight rubbed her mane with a hoof. “Sorry I haven’t been around. I’ve been pretty busy with, you know, experiments and stuff.” She opened her saddlebag and pulled out the recipe for Apple Bloom’s supplement potions. “I’d love to chat, but I’ve got some business first. Over the next six or seven months I’m going to need a steady supply of this.” Twilight passed the scroll to her zebra friend, who carefully examined it like a chef inspecting a new recipe, trying to estimate its intended result.
“This is not a tricky chore, but I must ask, what is it for? This potion has little magic that I can tell, and drinking too much could make a pony unwell.”
“It’s… experimental,” said Twilight, mostly truthfully.
Zecora raised an eyebrow.  “An experiment to achieve what end? Seven months is a long time, my friend. ”
“Have you heard about Apple Bloom?”  To Twilight’s mild surprise, Zecora shook her head. Apparently nopony had gotten around to informing her. “She’s… well, she’s pregnant.”
“So her potions did not succeed? This is distressing news indeed. But of what use is this recipe? There is something you’re not telling me.” There was no accusation in Zecora’s voice, only concern. 
“Wait a second, you knew she was making fertility suppressants?  You knew she was active?”  
“I know all the herbs I have in store, and what all of them are for,” Zecora said nonchalantly.  “Once I saw certain things were gone, guessing why did not take long.” 
“And you didn’t say anything to her?”
Zecora smiled knowingly. “We zebras are not so different from you, and I was once a young mare too.  She was already taking care, so I pretended I was not aware. If strength of will is not enough, is it not better to use that stuff?”
Twilight couldn’t really argue with that.  “So do you know who the father is?”
“I admit I have a guess or two, but I would like to hear the truth from you.”
Twilight hesitated. Zecora had always been a good mentor to Apple Bloom, and Twilight knew she might have valuable insight. Still, the circle of secrecy was getting too large; every pony (or zebra) who knew was another potential leak. Scenes of Apple Bloom being harassed, hounded by reporters and the media and judgmental townsfolk flashed through the unicorn’s mind. But Apple Bloom would probably want her friend to know, and Zecora really didn’t deserve to be lied to.
"Zecora, please understand that this has to stay a secret for as long as possible. It could make Apple Bloom's life very difficult if the wrong ponies found out who the father is. Her health is fragile right now and she doesn’t need more stress."
“I, spill a secret? Do not be absurd. For Apple Bloom’s sake, I will gladly give my word.”
"She's carrying Spike's baby."
Zecora’s brow furrowed in confusion. Twilight couldn’t blame her, it must be an awful lot to absorb.
"I do not understand, are things so different in your land? Where I am from this would be cause for glee, to have a half-dragon in the family."
Now it was Twilight’s turn to be confused. “This has happened where you’re from?”
“Not since many years ago, but there are stories that all zebras know. Of equine fathers and dragon mothers, there came creatures like no others. Some were heroes, kind and brave, some were villains most depraved. Their stories are many though their numbers were few; if you have time I will tell them to you.”
Twilight settled on one of Zecora’s cushions. This would certainly be worth hearing.
***
As gross as they were, Twilight’s potions rapidly restored Apple Bloom’s strength, and in a few days Nurse Redheart declared her well enough to be discharged from the hospital, with conditions.
“Be very careful,” the nurse told her. “You might feel better, but it’s going to take time for your body to regain everything it’s lost. Try to get fresh air and light exercise every day, but absolutely no heavy lifting or farm work under any circumstances. If you start to feel bad or strange or even if you just think something’s wrong but don’t know what it is, I want you to come back to the hospital right away. You are still a little on the young side for foalbearing, which could create complications on its own, so I want you to come in regularly for checkups even if you feel  fine.”
Apple Bloom couldn’t remember ever being so glad to see familiar old Sweet Apple Acres. The walk back from the hospital wasn’t terribly long, but she found herself feeling a bit fatigued and was eager to rest in her own bed again. Spike opened the door for her as she entered the house, and she immediately noticed a few cardboard boxes stacked just inside.
“What’re those boxes?” she asked.
“Oh, that’s some of my stuff. I’m moving in.”
“Oh..” Apple Bloom felt her stomach swim a little bit. Spike, actually moving in, actually living with her…  it was sudden and exciting and a little bit scary.
“Are you okay?” he said, seeing her balance waver slightly. 
“I’m fine. Just a little surprised is all. It feels like everything’s happening so fast.” 
“I kind of thought so too, but it really makes more sense than me having to run back and forth from the library every day.”  Spike gave her a little push to help her up the stairs, which she didn’t really need, but he was trying; she appreciated that.
“And Big Mac is really okay with this?” 
“Twilight had a talk with him. He wants me to sleep in the guest room until we’re officially married, though.” 
Apple Bloom rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Oh, come on. It’s not like it makes any difference now.”
“Yeah, I know, but it’s just a little while, right? It’s worth keeping him happy.” Spike gave her a quick kiss and helped her into bed. “We’ve got plenty of time. All the time we could want.”
***
The next morning at breakfast, Applejack asked Apple Bloom, “You started thinkin’ about your weddin’ plans yet?”
“A little,” her sister replied. “I wrote to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo while I was in the hospital, and I’m just waitin’ to hear back from ‘em about when they can come. They gotta be my bridesmaids.”
Applejack swallowed a mouthful of pancake.  “Remember to keep it small. I know you’ve always had your heart set on a traditional Apple weddin’, but it just ain’t a smart move right now.”
“No, you’re right,” said the youngest Apple, rather glumly. She remembered some of her cousins’ weddings, nearly a week of celebrating and feasting with relatives from all over Equestria, all coming to meet and inspect and welcome the newest member of the clan.  She’d always expected her wedding to be like that.
“It’s a family reunion, really. Goes on for days.” explained Big Macintosh, seeing that Spike didn’t quite understand. 
“It’d be too much excitement for an expectin’ mare, and there’d be no way to keep it secret after. Plus we got some relatives who might not be too keen on adding a dragon to the family,” chimed in Applejack. “Just a couple, mind. I think most will be okay once the surprise wears off.”
“Well, what if we just had a little ceremony for right now, and a big one later once the baby’s born and everypony’s used to the idea?” said Spike, hoping to perk up his fiancée.

Applejack nodded. “Maybe. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. AB, if you need a little help, Pinkie Pie really wanted to be part of the planning, though I don’t blame ya if you don’t want your weddin’ to be her kind of party.”
“What a goes on at an earth pony wedding, anyway?” asked Spike. “I’ve only ever been to unicorn and royal ones.”
“Well, it ain’t so fancy as all that,” said Applejack. “Really, the ceremony itself is kept pretty short n’ simple. The reception, though – that’s where stuff really happens. That’s where the friends and family who ain’t had a chance yet meet you. I guess at the little ceremony there won’t be anypony like that, but if we have a big one, you’re in for a LOT of dancin’.  And there’s a special dinner arrangement. ‘Somethin’ sweet, somethin’ sour, a bitter herb, a pretty flower.’ It’s an old earth pony tradition. You gotta eat all of it, even the sour and bitter stuff, like a marriage.”
“But it’s your weddin’ too,” added Apple Bloom. “Is there something you’d really like?”
“Er… not really. Honestly I never really thought about it until recently.”
“Boys” muttered Applejack, rolling her eyes. “Don’t dragons have any wedding traditions?” 
“As far as I know, they don’t usually have weddings at all,” explained Spike. “I’m not really sure, but I don’t think they’re really into ceremony and stuff like that.”  He shrugged. “I’m happy with whatever you decide to do, Apple Bloom.”
Big Macintosh nodded, looked out the window and stood up.
“You think on that, AB. We’d better get to work, there’s a storm a-comin’. Spike, go get the big shovels.””


***In Manehattan: ***

“Onstage in twenty, Miss Belle. Here’s a new letter for you.” 
Sweetie Belle sat and let Powder Puff get to work on everything behind her head, while Sweetie tended to the blush and false eyelashes and everything else needed to shine on stage. It had become so automatic for her that she’d made a ritual of it: while prepping for a show, Sweetie would read a letter from home, a new one if she had it, an old one if not. It calmed her nerves to hear from those who still knew her as just regular Sweetie Belle, not some “rising star of the musical world”; to remember that no matter how tonight’s show went, she had a family and friends who loved her. She knew the letter was from Apple Bloom even before she opened it:  the Apples kept their stationary in the cellar, so their letters always had a faint scent like old cider. 
Dear Sweetie Belle,
I’m sorry I haven’t been able to write to you for a while; a lot of things have happened over the past couple of weeks.  It looks like I won’t be able to join you for the Northwest portion of your tour. I really appreciate the offer, but something’s come up here and I’m not going to be able to leave for… well, for a long time. 
When can you make it back to Ponyville? It’s urgent: I’m going to be getting married soon, and the wedding just wouldn’t be perfect without you and Scootaloo as my bridesmaids.
I know it’s short notice and you’re probably confused, but I promise I will explain everything when we talk face-to-face.
Love,
Apple Bloom
Sweetie Belle reread the letter several times, the false eyelash she’d been applying forgotten. 
“Sweetie? Is something wrong?” asked Powder Puff.
“Cancel the show,” Sweetie said flatly.
“What? We can’t do that, it’s a full house.”
“LOOK!” Sweetie shoved the letter under Puff’s nose, getting a light spray of white dust on it. “I just found out my friend’s about to get married! How am I supposed to focus on the show at a time like this?”
“It’s called being a professional, Sweetie,” said Powder, calmly but firmly. “The show must go on. Your friend’s not going anywhere, and we’re only in Manehattan for a few more days, can’t you at least finish out this city?”
“But… oh, fine,” grumbled Sweetie. “But it’s not MY fault if I can’t hit the high notes tonight.”

***Somewhere near Baltimare***

“Here’s today’s deliveries. Oh, and a letter for you, Scootaloo.” The postmaster hefted the bag of packages onto Scootaloo’s scooter and passed her the envelope.
“Hey, one for me? Awesome!” Scootaloo said as she secured the parcels. She had long ago gotten the hang of flying, but her speed and skill on the vehicle made her perfect for a difficult and essential role: high-speed non-flying delivery, what was sometimes called the Earth Pony Express. On any given day, some portion of Equestria’s skies would be too dangerous to fly; it was an inconvenient but unavoidable part of maintaining a stable weather system. The mail still had to go through, though, and it was up to a special team of earth ponies, and the occasional oddball like Scootaloo, to make sure it happened. Scootaloo didn’t want to be a mailmare forever, but (as she often reminded herself) even Rainbow Dash was a weather-pony before becoming a Wonderbolt. Scootaloo didn’t think she really wanted to be a Wonderbolt herself, but this was a good way to earn some bits and hone her skills while she figured out a way to make the best use of her talent. Besides, sometimes it was pretty fun. As she described it: “My job is dodging hail, catching gales, and riding tornados to deliver your mails.” 
Finished with the parcels, she turned to her own letter. She recognized Apple Bloom’s mouthwriting as soon as she opened the envelope:
Dear Scootaloo,
How are things going? I hope they’re not still making you go through tornado territory; that sounded like the worst.
When are you getting back to Ponyville? I know you said you’ve got a lot on your plate, but I really, really need to talk to you about something. See, I’m going to be getting married soon, and I really need to know when you can make it, because I want you and Sweetie Belle as my bridesmaids.
I know you’re probably upset with me for not telling you about this sooner, and if you’re still reading, I promise I’ll explain everything when we meet up.
Hope to see you soon,
Love,  
Apple Bloom
The next thing anypony knew, Scootaloo was gone, out the door in a blur of buzzing wings and hot rubber.
***
“Comin’, I’m comin’!” Apple Bloom called, hurrying to make it to the door. She opened it to a sudden pink blur that nearly bowled her over, barely stopping itself in the nick of time.
“I heard! I heard!” shouted Pinkie Pie. “I wanted to throw you a welcome-home party but Applejack said not to get you too excited but I don’t know how you could be any less excited than me and I’m sooooo excited! A dragon and a pony, I mean, that’s got to be a first EVER! We have to celebrate! Which shower do you want first?”
“Shower?”
“Baby or bridal? Or both at once?  Oooh, a baby-ridal shower!”
“Pinkie, I dunno about all that. We’re tryin’ to keep it a secret, right?” Apple Bloom was feeling much better, but she wasn’t sure she could handle one of Pinkie’s all-out parties.
“I thought of that! It’s a MYSTERY party with a baby-shower theme!” The pink pony seemed inordinately proud of herself for the idea. Apple Bloom was less impressed.
“I’m pretty sure nopony’s gonna fall for that.”
Pinkie deflated slightly. “Aww, but I got this funny mask all ready.” She produced an oversized baby bonnet attached to a giant pacifier with a mouthguard wide enough to cover her entire face, aside from two eyeholes, and Apple Bloom couldn’t help but snort with laughter. “See, I knew you’d like it!” Pinkie began to stot around the room, all four hooves leaving the ground at once. “You two make such adorrrrable couple! Ooh, will the baby have slit eyes? Claws or hooves? Will she get a cutie mark? I wish it didn’t take so long for baby ponies to be born!”
Apple Bloom nodded. “You an’ me both. Why anypony’d go through this more than once I got no idea.”
“Are you having trouble? Something I can help with?” asked Pinkie eagerly, coming to a halt. 
“Nah, I don’t think so. But those potions I have to drink are about the nastiest things ever, and I’ve started getting these, I dunno, hot flashes.”
“Hot flashes?” Pinkie tilted her head.
“Every now and then I just feel really hot, but I feel like I’m not hot enough and I wanna lay in the sun and eat chili or something. Twilight says the baby probably wants to be warmer, something about dragons breathing fire on their eggs.”
Pinkie nodded sagely. “Ponies get all kinds of cravings. My mom used to mash up tomatoes and pickles in ice cream and let it melt before eating it.”
“Ew!” Apple Bloom made a face. “That still sounds better than Twilight’s potions, though.”
“Do you think it would help if you mixed them with ice cream or pickles?” the pink pony suggested cheerfully.
Apple Bloom shuddered. “No, Pinkie, I don’t think it would. Besides, I don’t know exactly how these potions work; that might mess them up.”
“Oh, okay. Well, we can still serve whatever spicy stuff you want at the wedding dinner; I’ve got all kinds of hot sauces if you want to do a taste test. And we need to work on a guest list, and decorations, and invitations!”
“I just want a little ceremony, nothin’ too fancy. I thought we might use the barn like we normally do, just hang some ribbons and stuff. We ain’t invitin’ that many folks, right? So there’s no need for invitations.”
“But this is such a big day!” protested Pinkie. “Shouldn’t we pull out all the stops?”
“We’re hopin’ to get a proper Apple Family weddin’ together after the baby’s born.  We’ll pull out all the stops then.”
“Ooh!” Pinkie’s eyes widened. “That does sound super! But even if we don’t send out invitations, we still need to know how many ponies to expect. Do you know who’s coming?”
“Well… um, I guess just the ponies who already know about me an’ Spike, and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, of course. So that’s Sis and Big Mac, Twilight and Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Rar- Do you think Rarity would come?”
“Why wouldn’t she?” asked Pinkie in a tone of genuine bewilderment.
“Well, I kinda got the idea she wasn’t real happy about me an’ Spike bein’ together.”
Pinkie carelessly waved a hoof. “Rarity’s just being a sillyhead. She’ll come around, she always does.”
Apple Bloom had her doubts about that, but decided not to argue the point. She would extend the invitation, whether the unicorn accepted or not was out of her hooves. “What about Zecora? I wonder if she’s ever been to a pony wedding before…”
***

“Twilight, I’m so glad you wanted to talk.” Rarity said as she tentatively stuck her head through the library door. “Er, begging pardon, but Spike isn’t around, is he?”
“No, he’s helping at Sweet Apple Acres most of the time now. We’ve actually started to move some of his things there. We’ll probably be having the wedding pretty soon, just to make it official, but he may as well go ahead and move in so he doesn’t have to run back and forth all the time.”
Rarity’s frown showed that she wasn’t entirely fond of that idea, but she said “Well, I suppose that’s sensible, if not exactly customary.” 
“He told me that you provided the gems for Apple Bloom. I really can’t thank you enough.”
Rarity sighed. “I may not agree with what he and Apple Bloom have done, but I could not live with myself if she had… perished, when I could have stopped it by giving away a few gems.  I’m not a monster.” 
“I know you’re not. Everypony else does too.” Twilight wasn’t sure to what to make of Rarity’s emphasis on ‘not’, and Rarity didn’t feel like explaining it to her: repeating her conversation with Spike was too painful. 
“It seems like everypony else has been avoiding me since the other night, except for Pinkie of course.  Fluttershy made our weekly meetup but I could tell she was uncomfortable, always changing the subject.” If anything, that was what Rarity actually felt the guiltiest about. Poor Fluttershy seemed to be taking their difference of opinion personally.
“Well, yes, that’s kind of what I wanted to talk to you about. When I spoke to Rainbow Dash earlier today she was still really upset, so I thought I’d better hear your side.”  Twilight had actually been rather surprised at the level of Dash’s outrage. She suspected that there was something personal going on there that she didn’t know about yet. 
Rarity nodded, glad to avoid the subject of her exchange with Spike. “I appreciate that, Twilight. I was hoping that you might understand, you’ve had more contact with high society than any of them.”
“You know I was always more concerned with my studies than society. Still, I really want to understand what happened to get everypony so upset.”
Rarity recounted the events of the night she had learned about Apple Bloom’s pregnancy, generally matching Rainbow Dash’s description, though with some rather more flowery language.
“I thought I made my feelings on the subject quite clear. I simply do not believe it is correct for a dragon and a pony to…  to mate, and I have serious concerns that the inevitable social reaction will cause serious harm to the ponies involved and those associated with them. “
“I get that, and I understand that you’re concerned about your reputation,” Twilight said diplomatically. “I know you’ve been working hard for years and years to establish your business and standing and you’re scared to see that hard work threatened.”
“Honestly, you have no idea how serious this kind of thing can be. Rosey Quartz, the famous sculptor? Her sister married a donkey, and now poor Rosey hasn’t been in an exhibition for over a year. I’ve hardly seen mane nor tail of Jet Set or Upper Crust since it came out that Jet’s brother’s closest friend has a certain taste for griffons. The news of this kind of thing, it just causes ripples and there’s no way to escape it.” Rarity’s tail began to swish in agitation. The thought of being the target of such scorn was nearly too much to bear. 
“I see why you’re worried about what they think,” Twilight said.  “But I’m still trying to figure out why you seem so personally hung up about it.” 
“Ponies should be with ponies. It’s tradition, and it’s nature.” Rarity said simply.
“Nowadays different pony types get married all the time. That used to be considered just outrageous, right?”
“Oh, but that’s not the same thing at all,” Rarity protested with a shake of her head.  “We’re all still ponies, aren’t we? We just have different accessories. Take away wings and horns and we’d all be earth ponies.”
“Actually, there are several significant differences in internal anatomy as well.” Twilight’s eyes wandered, looking for a biology book to illustrate her point. “Pegasi have much lighter bones, and the unicorn nervous system is – ”
“You’re missing the point, Twilight. There’s a line in these things,” said Rarity, hastily cutting Twilight off before she could get into full lecture mode.
“Is there?” Twilight started to pace back and forth, feeling her frustration rising. “Look at it this way: if Spike were a pony, but exactly the same in every other way, would you have a problem?”
Rarity shook her head again, her mane a cascade of violet. “But he isn’t. He just isn’t, and no amount of wishing on his part will change that.” The white unicorn sighed. “I can’t help but feel partially responsible, you know. I should never have allowed him to entertain that silly crush he had on me for all those years. I thought it was a phase he was going through, and that he would invest his attractions in a dragon eventually. Perhaps if I had quashed it sooner we wouldn’t be in this mess.”
“All he’s ever known is ponies,” retorted Twilight. “I don’t think that would change just because you snubbed him.”
“That doesn’t exactly make me feel better.”
“It’s not supposed to,” Twilight said icily, feeling her frustration nearly at its limit. “It’s just a fact. Spike and Apple Bloom didn’t plan for this to happen, but it did and we all have to deal with it.”
“But that’s not fair! Can’t you see how that’s not fair? I didn’t do anything, I wasn’t involved, but that’s not going to matter and everything I’ve worked for is going to fall to pieces!” Rarity was on the verge of tears.  “I’ll be shunned because of something my friend’s family did, they already know how close we are, and I can’t… everything I’ve worked for…”
Twilight stamped her hoof, finally boiling over. “You’re not the only one being inconvenienced! Do you think I’m not upset with them?  Do you think any of us won’t have to change our plans? Spike’s moving in with the Apples and I’ll have to find a new assistant! Do you have any idea how weird that is for me? And just think about the Apples’ business! Even if they keep all their customers, Apple Bloom can’t work in her condition and Spike’s doing his best, but there’s just no way he can replace her, she’s been doing farm work all her life and he’s never done it before.
“But you know what? I don’t feel half as sorry for them as I do for their foal, because she’s going to have to deal with ponies who have your attitude all her life, ponies who will treat her like she’s unnatural and wrong,  and all she’ll have done was be born.  THAT’S not fair.”
Rarity stared; nopony, least of all Twilight, had ever spoken to her that way before.  It took a great deal of willpower for her to keep herself from bursting into tears. As a long moment of silence fell between them, Twilight’s irritation was soon replaced with horror.
“Rarity, I am so sorry, I shouldn’t have gone off on you like that. My research in Canterlot was very draining and I’m not feeling like myself. No, I shouldn’t make excuses: it was still wrong and I’m sorry.” 
“How could you even think that of me? I may not agree with her parents’ choices but I would never mistreat a foal because of how it was born.”  Rarity said, almost whispering.
“I know you wouldn’t mean to, but foals notice.”
“But is it wrong for me to want to look out for me, since nopony else is going to?”
Now it was Twilight’s turn to look shocked. “Rarity, how could you think that? Even the worst does happen, and you never get another society customer again – ” (a sudden gasping sob from Rarity made Twilight regret that choice of words) “ – Sorry. What I mean is, no matter what happens, we’ll still support you. You’re our friend and we love you.” Twilight gave her a hug, which Rarity returned, a bit awkwardly. “Even Applejack and Rainbow Dash.”
“I don’t know if I can ever really be comfortable with this,” Rarity whispered after a moment. “I’m going to need time. But… I’ll try. Even if I still think… nevermind. I’ll try to keep it to myself. Is that fair?”
Twilight made a little smile, though Rarity couldn’t see it. “That’s fair.”
**
Apple Bloom was sitting in her room, reading a magazine Pinkie had given her on the subject of tasteful and affordable wedding decorations, when an urgent knock came at her door and a very familiar voice shouted “Open up!” Her heart leapt as she dropped her magazine and ran to the door, and there stood her two closest fillyhood friends.
“Scootaloo! Sweetie Belle!”
“You – stupid – blockhead!” shouted the pegasus, squeezing past Sweetie Belle and into Apple Bloom’s room, getting right up in her face. “I’d smack you if you weren’t pregnant!”
“But then you wouldn’t want to smack her for anything,” said Sweetie Belle, stepping inside a bit more delicately. Scootaloo frowned and bopped the unicorn on the head with a hoof.  “Ow!”
“You aren’t pregnant.” The pegasus turned to Apple Bloom.  “You have a lot of explaining to do.”
“How’d you find out?” asked Apple Bloom with some concern. She’d very deliberately avoided mentioning her condition in her letters. 
“Oh, I don’t know, one of your friends suddenly says she’s getting married when she wasn’t even thinking about it before, what was I supposed to think?” Scootaloo snarled. “My route was going to take me near here next week anyway, but then I caught up with Rainbow Dash after a Wonderbolts show, and she mentioned it because she thought I already knew. She thought that our friend would bother telling us about little things like getting pregnant!” Unlike some pegasi, Scootaloo  didn’t usually hover while speaking, but at this moment she couldn’t stop her wings from vibrating so quickly that they lifted her a few inches off the floor. “There was no way I was letting that slide for another few days.”
“She came and got me first, right before my next-to-last show in Manehattan.” said Sweetie Belle. “My manager was sooo angry, she thought it was a crazed fan breaking in.” Sweetie Belle couldn’t help but snicker at that. She and her manager didn’t always see eye-to-eye. “Scoots drove us back on her scooter, and I am NEVER riding with her through a hailstorm again!” This was said with a glare at the pegasus, who shrugged as if to say “Your loss.”
“I’m sorry for not goin’ into more detail in the letter.  I just didn’t want somepony else to read over your shoulder or somethin’ and… Please don’t be angry, I’ll explain everything.” Apple Bloom bit her lip.
“We’re not really mad at you,” said Sweetie Belle gently, patting her yellow friend.
“I kind of am,” interrupted Scootaloo, earning another glare from Sweetie.
“We just want to know what happened.”
“You mean WHO happened!” Scootaloo corrected, with a slight, mischievous grin. 
Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes. “Well, yes. And we were worried about you, of course, because apparently Rainbow Dash said something about you being in the hospital.” The white pony turned to Scootaloo to continue the story.
“When she figured out I didn’t know what she was talking about, she said I should ask you myself. She made it sound pretty serious, though,” said Scootaloo. 
“We got it all sorted out, don’t worry. Just a little problem with the baby. ” said Apple Bloom, mostly truthfully. No sense in worrying her friends about an issue that was hopefully solved.
“It didn’t sound like just a little problem. From the way Dash was talking –” 
“ANYway, about ‘who happened’”  Sweetie Belle interrupted, sensing that Apple Bloom might not want to continue on this topic. “Was this somepony you knew before, or did he just catch you at a bad time, or –”
“Was it Snips? PLEASE tell me it wasn’t Snips” begged Scootaloo suddenly. 
“Shh! Dummy! What if it was?” hissed Sweetie Belle frantically.
“Why in the world would you guess him?” asked Apple Bloom, rather amazed.
“No reason,” said Scootaloo hastily. “On the way here we were trying to guess who it might be.”
“No, it weren’t Snips or Snails or anypony else from our class.” Apple Bloom pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows, prompting her friends to ask further questions.
“Somepony older, then? Ooh, or somepony younger?” asked Sweetie Belle.
Scootaloo’s eyes lit up. “Wait, wasn’t Pipsqueak crushing on you for the longest time?” 
“Eww, you! That’s TOO much younger.” Sweetie Belle made a face of mock horror and shoved Scootaloo playfully.
“Naw, he’s over me,” said Apple Bloom lightly. That had been a rather awkward period for her, and she was glad he’d moved on.  “Actually, I overheard his mom say she saw him and Dinky kissing the other day.”
“Oh, finally.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes in relief. “I was afraid somepony was gonna have to dig up the old love poison to get those two together. But no changing the subject! Is it somepony new in town?”
“Not exactly.  Keep going,” Apple Bloom said, smiling. This was sort of fun. Both of her friends seemed to have forgotten any irritation with her and were caught up in trying to guess her mate’s identity.
“I can’t believe y’all ain’t guessed it yet. I hung out with him all the time. I even mentioned him in my letters.”
Scootaloo turned to Sweetie Belle. “Do you remember her going out with a stallion?”
“Not unless...” Sweetie’s eyes went wide. “You can’t mean… Spike? Is that even possible?”
“Well, if it ain’t, I don’t know where this came from.” Apple Bloom turned to show her side a bit more prominently. Now that she was getting proper nutrition, her pregnancy was becoming clearer by the day.
“That’s amazing,” breathed Scootaloo. “I had no idea.”
Sweetie’s face was pure concern “Who else knows about this? Does my sister know?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure she does. I get the feelin’ she didn’t take the news too well.” In the past couple of days, Apple Bloom had noticed how Spike’s mouth formed a hard, tense line and Applejack changed the subject whenever Rarity’s name came up, and she hadn’t really wanted to ask for more details.
“Oh geez.” Sweetie Belle rubbed her forehead with a hoof. “I’m really sorry about that. My family, especially my sister, has kind of a thing about ponies hooking up with non-ponies.”
“Really?” Scootaloo looked confused. “Your folks always seemed pretty nice to me.”
“Well, yeah, but put the subject on mules and they get kinda touchy. I think one of our great-great-granduncles married a donkey and it caused the family some grief, or something like that. Rarity’s the worst, though. She’s so obsessed with what ‘high society’ thinks she’d probably swear she’s never even met a mule.”
“But you don’t have a problem, right?” asked Scootaloo, eyebrows raised.
Sweetie Belle shrugged. “That stuff with my granduncle is ancient history. I’m a performer; I see weird relationships all the time.  I just didn’t think Spike could… you know.”
“Neither did we. If we had I woulda been more careful,” said Apple Bloom. At least she hoped she would’ve had that presence of mind, not that it mattered now.
“That’s not quite what I – oh, never mind,” said Sweetie Belle, her eyes darting back and forth nervously. “I guess the big question is, are you happy being with him? Are you okay going through with the whole ‘marriage’ thing with him?”
“Yeah, I am. This is just a lot sooner than I thought it would be.”
“What matters is if he treats you well and you’re happy being with him,” said Sweetie Belle, her eyes carefully examining Apple Bloom’s for a sign or regret or hesitation.
“Absolutely.” Scootaloo nodded emphatically and leaned in close to Apple Bloom’s face. “Now tell us exactly what happened between you two. I wanna know EVERYTHING.”
***
After Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle had left to make lodging arrangments, Fluttershy showed up.
“Hi, Apple Bloom. Are you feeling okay today?” 
“I’m fine, Fluttershy.” The pregnant yellow mare squirmed uncomfortably. True to her word, Fluttershy had started coming by the farm on most days, sometimes several times a day, flying back and forth to her cottage to tend to her animals. Apple Bloom didn’t mind the extra help with the little house chores, but she did begin to notice that Fluttershy took every chance she could to touch her belly, usually getting rather closer than necessary to ask questions or give her things.
“Can I get you anything? Are you hungry?” asked the yellow pegasus eagerly.
“No, really, I’m fine. You don’t have to keep checking on me.” Apple Bloom tried to keep her tone light, but Fluttershy looked horrified.
“Oh, am I bothering you? I’m making you uncomfortable, aren’t I? I’ll go-“
“No, no! You can stay!” Apple Bloom said hurriedly, before Fluttershy could run for the door. “I’m sorry if I snapped. It’s just that… you seem awful interested in this baby thing.”
Fluttershy nodded enthusiastically. “Oh, I’m very interested! I’ve wondered what it feels like for a while now.”
“It feels like I’m carryin’ a bucket of hot coal in my belly that burns up everythin’ I eat.” 
“Oh. But I’m sure it will be worth it once the baby is born, right?” the pegasus asked hopefully.
“Well, they say that.” Apple Bloom shrugged. “I’m stuck with it anyhow. What’re so interested for, anyway? You plannin’ on havin’ some?” Fluttershy looked at the ground and shuffled her hooves nervously, and Apple Bloom realized that her joke had hit close to home.  The thought of Fluttershy having any interest in such a thing was strange to her. She’d always imagined the yellow pegasus as being disconnected from such common matters. Fluttershy was like a dreamy fairy stepsister: kind enough, but with different priorities from normal ponies. “Are you thinkin’ about havin’ foals?”
Fluttershy blushed, pink showing from under her coat. “Er… well, sort of. My animal friends are like my children, but I wonder sometimes what it would be like to have some real children of my own…” she trailed off, looking wistful.
“I’ve never seen you with any stallions.”
Fluttershy visibly shrank from the thought. “Eek, no, no. I don’t… I don’t know how to do all that. Dating and all.”
“Ain’t you ever had a special somepony?” asked Apple Bloom. Fluttershy shook her head sadly.  “Ain’t you ever been in heat?” Apple Bloom tried and failed to not think about a young Fluttershy just starting her seasons, wild with urges she hadn’t mastered, seeking relief from anyone or anything able to give it.  
“Well, yes, but it’s never bothered me that much. I just keep myself busy until it goes away.”
Apple Bloom stared at her in disbelief. Her own seasons had been impossible to ignore: burning, aching, clawing need twisting in her gut. Fluttershy had either incredible willpower or very weak seasons.
“So you’ve never had… never been?” Fluttershy shook her head again. She looked slightly miserable.
“One day, maybe. One day” she whispered. 
Apple Bloom couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. “I know it’s not the same, but do you want to help me with this little one, when she comes? Think of it as practice for when you get your own.”
Fluttershy smiled, though her eyes still glimmered sadly. “I would like that very much.”
“Good, I’m sure I’m gonna need the help. But you’ll find him for sure, your perfect stallion, and you’ll have some beautiful foals. In the meantime, wanna help me think of some good names? I was thinking Almata if it’s a filly, but I’m having trouble coming up with a good colt’s name.”
“Well,” said Fluttershy, settling down, “I’ve always been fond of Ribston Pippin apples, and the name is fun to say…”

***
“Whew! All right, that should be it,” Twilight said, gently lowering the last box of Spike’s possessions. Applejack nudged the box into place beside several others like it, alongside one of the guest room walls.
“Good thing too, I’m starved. Let’s go get some grub,” said Applejack, heading for the kitchen where her siblings, as well as Spike, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, were all preparing their plates.
“Spike, I can get my own plate, honestly,” came Apple Bloom’s slightly exasperated voice from the dining room.
“Oh, let him help.” Sweetie Belle’s voice floated in. “He’s just trying to be nice.”
Applejack paused at the dining room door to let Twilight past, then realized that the unicorn hadn’t followed her. Going back to the guest room, she saw that her friend was magically shifting the heavy boxes around, changing their positions along the wall and restacking them. 
“No, no, the old toys are too fragile, they shouldn’t have anything on top of them. But the box is too heavy, none of these can support it. Could I put it on the books? No, I can’t do that. What if I put the outfits-“
“Er… Twi, what’re you doin?”
Twilight jumped; she’d been too absorbed in her reorganization to hear Applejack coming. “Oh, I just saw that these boxes were kind of out of order, shouldn’t the biggest one be on the bottom here? It’ll just take me a second to get them right.” Twilight’s voice was tense and high, and Applejack recognized that gleam in her eyes that meant something was about to give.
“Twi, they’re fine. C’mon, everypony’s waitin’.”
“Okay, okay, let me just-“ Twilight’s concentration wavered, and the box she was levitating suddenly dumped over, spilling a motley collection of knickknacks on the floor. “Oh my gosh, AJ, I’m so sorry!”
“Calm down, calm down, it’s no big deal.” Applejack turned and called out the door, “Y’all go ahead an’ eat.  We’ll just be a second.” She gently shut the door. “Sugarcube, what’s really botherin’ you? Is it Spike movin’ out?  I know it’s a hardship on ya, and if you don’t think you can handle it right now, I’ll understand.”
“I’ll be fine, Applejack. You need his help more than I do right now. Owlowiscious can pick up some of the slack, and I’ve been thinking about auditioning some of the local foals to be my new assistants. I think Dinky Doo could do a good job with a little training, or maybe Pumpkin Cake.  But I’ll still miss having Spike around, helping, getting underhoof…” Twilight swallowed a lump in her throat. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t get getting so worked up. It’s not like this is… goodbye or anything.”
Applejack put a foreleg over Twilight’s shoulder. “Movin’ his stuff makes it seem real, don’t it?” Twilight nodded, unsure if she could answer without the lump breaking loose. “I know what ya mean. When Ma an’ Pa passed, it didn’t really feel like they were gone until we had to move their things.”
“I didn’t mean to bring up something like that for you,” said Twilight guiltily.
The earth pony shook her head. “Don’t worry about that. What I meant was, it taught me that change ain’t ever easy, even when you know it’s gotta be done.  I found out a secret for makin’ it a little easier, though, an’ it’s to remember the stuff that won’t change. You an’ Spike are still family, right? Forever an’ ever?” Twilight nodded again. “Then there ya go. You’ll still see him all the time, an’ when winter rolls around we won’t need quite so much of his time, so he can come help you out if’n he wants to. 
Twilight blinked the tears out of her eyes and swallowed again, calming herself. Of course, she realized. Of course many things were changing, for better or for worse, but that didn’t mean that everything was. Some things couldn’t be changed that easily. 
“You good?” asked Applejack after a few moments.
“Yeah, I’m good. Thanks, AJ.” 
“Any time. Now c’mon, I’m starvin’!” Applejack opened the door, and this time Twilight lead her out, head held high and feeling better than she had in days, comforted by the warmth of her friends.

(Author’s Note: I do plan to elaborate on Zecora’s story, but rhyming all the time is really hard and this took long enough to get out as it is. Sorry! Next chapter in the works!)