Forbidden Fruit
By NocturneD
A lot has happened within the year after my little stunt. Back then before my marriage I was happy. Was loved by all, glamorous, envied as well but the life of a princess was something we all wanted. The commoners wishing they could be in my shoes. But I loved them as much as they loved me. But things turned sour after my fairy tale marriage went south, the ponies that loved me suddenly turned on me. Not liking me anymore, hissing at me, calling me a tart. *Sigh* I locked myself away inside the castle.
Not wanting to deal with all of that anymore. My dear aunt Celestia proposed to me to take over the library in Ponyville while Twilight Sparkle said she quit but really was trying to find herself. Though what would tear my aunt's feelings into pieces, Spike was torn in between the two on who he should go with. To Twilight but spend the remaining time with Shining Armor, who slept with his crush? Or with my aunt? And continue being an aid to her side. Not only did family split, but friends were split as well. Relationships broken. New ones made. As much as I wanted to choke Rarity out for breaking the last pillar of my marriage, she was not what I expected her to be after that. Shining Armor was discharged and wanted to go to college to further his career in teaching. Twilight also wanted to give the college a try. Rarity, just wanted to open her new store. I could have crushed her dreams right then and there, but who would listen to me? And I remembered... I'm not a heartless monster that devours your hopes and dreams, even if I tricked Shining Armor into a relationship with me before. That's where our story sort of went sour. But my heart ached then, slowly no more.
So I went to Ponyville with Spike. Hoping to start a new life and it had a rocky start where I was tasked to manage the town library. And it was just pure dead. No pony ever came by to stop in except for Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy to check up on me. Darlings. So much boredom was tied to this place. How could Twilight stand being here all the time? So I fixed up the place according to the town budget and put in some additions and hoped it would attract more ponies. Little by little it did. Until the Cutie Mark Crusaders came in and asked for help on an assignment. I helped them with a story idea and they performed it at their school. It received a lot of praise despite us having to edit the content to a family friendly level. They did not win. But inside, they feel like winners to me. And thanks to them, they kept coming by the library whenever they could. Then other kids followed. Then parents... Then finally the library was in full swing and actually felt like a real library.
And that's when another turning point in my life happened. I was going to be a mother. An actual mother. The emotions running through me. Happiness, love, proud, fear, shock. I worried about my future. What every pony would think? Let alone what would aunt Celestia think? Twilight? Big Mac? Shining Armor? Apple Jack? I was really worried. I had a couple of ideas of who the father might be. Both sides have their plus, but also their negatives. If the father is Big Mac, the good. He would be an excellent father, plus he is really good with kids, a very hard worker, a gentle colt. But the bad would be the press again and some stories might pop up saying the baby was conceived from an affair. Very well know that if that is the case. I would have to consider a new place to live, Big Mac said if the baby was his then we are more than accepted into the family. But if it's not his, he is willing to help and let me go on and make my own decisions. He would wish me a happy life time if I decided to go back to Canterlot and would respect my decision. Though when I look into his big eyes, I knew he was sad inside.
Now if the baby was Shining Armor's, more likely he will catch wind of this and want to crawl back to me, but that is debatable as I'm not sure what his relationship with Rarity is now. To my shock I learned that he had a daughter this entire time and did anything to get her back. From fighting the courts to taking a leap of faith of risking to taking up the sword again. What happened to the mother... I really don't find comfort in telling you. I will say... Changelings struck again in random towns and it was unfortunate. Shining Armor risked forming his own militia to fight the Changelings. Tired of the claims that the royal guard was only protecting Canterlot. He took an oath a long time ago and vowed to protect Equestria. And that's what he did only to lose something he wanted for so long. Random changeling attacks were on all the news channels. We all lived in fear back home. I was even told to go back home for protection. But I just couldn't leave. I made so many new friends here. As it even saddened me when I heard the news, so during random drills the town would be plagued with I was the one to throw up a barrier around a good stretch of Ponyville. Time after time it became a habit, but this was to protect my new home. While during the drills I would often look out into the distance, I had a pretty good view from the position I had to sit in instructed by the mayor. I would look out to see all of Ponyville, not every town had a unicorn that was talented in throwing up barriers. But still, I worried about other towns. I looked back at all the ponies sitting in town hall, waiting for the drill to be over. Some of them even freaked out from time to time but was handled quickly.
To hear the news that the militia solved the potential changeling problem in our area sent relief to every pony here. From the news I heard, Shining Armor was among the militia to combat those monsters and he had quite a team going for him. He had many of his friends by his side especially his former lieutenant Ghendi and squad, even his sister Twilight and to my surprise Rainbow Dash and Rarity. But when he got what he was looking for, I saw him on the news station holding a little filly with wings and a horn. Happily claiming it was his daughter and he was willing to finally retire. Then I watched as the reporter asked him about the mother of the child, he just frowned and turned away, the old me would have ran after him if I was there. No answer, but was later revealed her relations to the elements of harmony. Rain... was Rainbow Dash's older half sister... To even know that, the mother was even Rainbow Dash's half sister. It sent a huge deep shrill of regret through my soul. I was expecting the family to hate me, rip me apart when I visited but. To my surprise, they kept it straight and honored Rain. Rainbow Dash, I just said I was sorry for her loss. She kept quiet. And I left her alone to her thoughts. I signed the guest book and left.
Days later she came to the library. Dash wanted to talk in private. Poor pony. Lost a big sister she wanted to be like one day, maybe more than that. I gave her the time. I had no idea what she wanted. But to give her a lending ear. I will do it for her. I lead her to my bedroom as Spike kept himself busy downstairs maintaining the library.
"Uh... hey." Dash told me. I could forgive her because this was an emotional time for her. "Look. I know this past year. Things were not so great for you and others."
"Yes." I nodded, "Was not an easy mountain to climb."
She frowned but kept her cool. "I just want to say sorry..."
I blinked. "Sorry for what?"
Her eyes wandered, her face said she was guilty of something. "About that night when you came to Ponyville to party. I... I..." She rubbed the back of her head. "I was the one that took the pictures and submitted them to the magazine."
I remained perfectly still. Not very surprised either. Rainbow Dash was so distant since that night. But it took a toll on her. I could shove her onto her back and choke the life out of her. Or she could do the same thing to me as I was the one who stole her sister's fiance and made her raise a child alone.
"Yes... I... had my hunch." I answered. I sighed. "But... why?"
She heaved slowly. "Because you did something to my sister a long time ago." Rubbing her face clean, "Rain and Shining Armor were happy together until they met you. They were going to get married and have a happy life after they were done with college."
I knew I could never fix what I done. I wanted Shining Armor for myself back then. I loved everything about him back then. "I'm sorry. I know I can tell you that a million times and can understand if you never want to forgive me but..."
"Princess." She interrupted me, tears streaming down her face. "I did not even want to go to your wedding." I continued to listen, as much as it hurt me. "I hated you... I loathed you... I despised you for what you did. I could have said something but I kept missing the chance."
I had that coming. She did hate me this entire time. But she never called me out on anything. How much it was hurting her on the inside with all the fliers and all the hype of my wedding. But she did not say anything. She just sucked it up and went along with it.
"But... I'm the element of loyalty but I wanted to see you and Shining Armor miserable." She sniffed sadly. "But I kept to myself and helped my sister with her baby." She sniffed again, "I love Sprite."
Urge to slap. Rising. But I stopped myself, remembering what Io taught me saying that magic is supposed to be handled responsible and in my case, I abused it for my own self gain. Instead. My little rage, turned into regret. I robbed another mare's hopes and dreams. Now... She was no more. Leaving behind a daughter, a very beautiful creature but did not come without her own problems. Sprite was born with a slight mutation of being an alicorn in name only, from what they think as the horn was digging into her brain. After the divorce, Shining Armor tried to persuade Rain to let him help but with pride she refused a couple of times. Finally, he offered to pay for everything. Using his money he got from the divorce, his baby girl was healthy again. I can't say I met Sprite before but I have seen pictures. Just seeing her, tied a knot in my stomach. She could have had a mom and dad together from the start. But now, she only had a dad. Rainbow Dash went on to explain that she was allowed visitation rights upon agreement and was Rain's last request.
I listened and listened. Rainbow Dash poured her heart into her explanation. Why she did it. It was pretty elaborate but still hurt. I told her that even if she felt proud of what she did back then, is going to come back to haunt her one day. I wanted to explode on her but... I did not. I put all that behind me. My life was shaping for the better. I was not stuck in the library as much as I thought as the mayor let me help organize events and charities. Like when the Sugar Cube Corner burnt down after a certain pink pony forgot to turn off the oven, I was the first one to bring mention of a charity. In end end, the Cakes were happy for my kindness as they raised more than enough money to rebuild. I organized benefit dinners for the girl scouts and helped raise money for the school house. I felt more and more as part of the community, the ponies never snapped at me anymore. They greeted me with warm hellos. I was treated like a regular pony though the princess status they worry about sometimes. All in all, I did what my aunt Celestia wanted. I earned the trust of the ponies back. Not easily but I earned it.
At the end of the day. Rainbow Dash said the weight of the world was off of her shoulders. As much as it irked me still to know that she was the one who took the photos, she was true to her word as being the element of loyalty. Moving back to Cloudsdale and dropping in more often to talk about books. Until eventually, it was water under a bridge. Still she would visit her niece from time to time as promised. Even brought Sprite to the library where I could finally meet her. A curious child, so shy. But adorable. Rainbow Dash took Sprite into a corner, sat down in a rocking chair and started reading a Daring Do book. Admiring, what was left of their cherished relationship as aunt and niece. But seeing this... I wished there was something more. Who knows. Maybe Shining could see the potential in Rainbow Dash if he wants to keep his relationship with Rarity at a professional level. Just some wishful thinking. As much as I hated Rarity back then, she surprised me with an interview she had on television about her shop. It was done rather professionally to talk about her store but still the hard questions were asked on why she had relations with Shining Armor and what her thoughts about me were. About me... She did not go out and rage... She just... wished me the very best. Almost like she was saying sorry though the TV and wishing me happiness. Still, things were a bit in the gray. Pinkie Pie in order of a big thanks, gave me the biggest baby shower on this side of Equestria. Every pony was there to wish me happiness. Heck, even Twilight and Rarity came. And yes, I did keep my guard up for Rarity, while she did help ruin my marriage, I later learned something about her, but I will keep that under wraps for now.
That was a little over a year ago... Sure the relationships back then were not as great but new ones formed. Such as mine with Macintosh. He was everything a mare could want in a stallion. He is sweet, kind, good with kids. A hard worker. Cares about working. Takes me out to eat. Enjoys every second being with me. Works around the house. He is a big sweet heart and set up all the baby stuff.
So... you're probably asking. Did he pop the question?
*Sigh*
No... As promised he wants to know if the baby is his or not before he does anything. It hurts I admit, but he wanted to play it safe. Within this past year... I was slowly falling for him. He was happy though. As well as my aunt Celestia who... I will admit let out the loudest squeal when she heard I was pregnant when I came to visit. She wanted updates all the time. I only chuckled and gave her some of the ultrasound pictures. I was given congratulations all around from the family. Even from my cousin Vega who grew up to be a fine young alicorn. Just a bit of warning girls, tell him no as soon as he comes towards you. He's a ladies man... Even news reached my grandma Io that I have not talked to in years. But once news reached the Sparkle family, it got a bit confusing. I would not say that Shining Armor came crawling back, he did ask if it was his. I just replied... I don't know and left it at that. Went off on my merry way with Big Macintosh and the rest of the Apple family around Canterlot. I made my decision. And he was walking right beside me... That big lovable teddy bear.
So where are we at now you ask?
Well... I'll give you a little hint...
"Okay princess I want you to give me another big push." The doctor said to me. My legs spread out before her.
"HUAAAAAAGGHHHHH!"
I gritted my teeth, pain surging through my lower torso and tears coming down my cheeks. I grunted then let out a huge piercing scream. I had Big Mac holding my hoof, giving me encouraging words. Then on the other side was... Twilight. Yes an eye opener for sure but for her being her. Is showing that she is slowly forgiving me and wants to make amends. She wiped my forehead clean from all of my sweat and tears. Little part of me thinks that she is hoping the baby is her brother's but is willing to accept if its not. She is just glad she can finally help her favorite foal sitter in her time of need. And what made me happy... She finally went back to my aunt and asked to be her student again. With no hesitation my aunt welcomed her back. I wailed and cried as I pushed and pushed. I was worried since my body was more on the small petite side I was going to have to have the doctors cut the baby out of me.
I turned to Big Mac and grunted, "I SWEAR I'M GOING TO TEAR YOUR BALLS OFF AFTER THIS OVER!"
He just gulped and nodded.
After what seemed like hours...
I finally heard the cry of a new pony...
My baby...
"Congratulations princess its a boy and its a unicorn." The doctor smiled. For the results I did not care. Twilight gasped in happiness as she heard the news, Big Mac did not care what it was, he just loved looking at his potential son. He was happy either way. The nurse cleaned off my son and in a fluffy blue blanket. I was holding my baby. I looked him over. He was a unicorn alright. Blue hair... But red fur. My baby wailed as I held him. Wither the father is Big Mac or Shining Armor... I did not care anymore. I had my world right here... Twilight was happy for me, still she was curious. Macintosh put his arm around me, looking down at the baby as well. Smiling. I knew he did not care about the question. Just how beautiful a new life is.
The more he cried. I cried for happiness. Closely putting my baby's face next to mine.
All the emotional pain I suffered a little over a year ago... Was gone now.
Was it all worth it? Trudging though all that?
Looking down at my son... Slowly opening the little green eyes of his. I smiled down at him, introducing myself.
I'd say so... He was gorgeous.
May the years watch over of you my baby.
Now... To come up with a name...