Aegis stood forlornly by the graveside. “And this... this is Mom... I wish you’d have really gotten to meet her, dear.” Aegis nuzzled his tiny white foal, burbling to herself in her carrier and sighed. He trod toward Fireball’s parent’s grave, reflecting on the events that had led him to this day.
“Doctor... Doctor, we have a problem here!” The nurse stepped out of the way and towards Aegis. ”Sir, I need you to follow me now.”
“What? No, what’s wrong? What’s happening?” Aegis looked frantically from the nurse to Doctor Sedgeby, eyes begging for answers.
“We don’t know yet, sir, but we need you to leave so we can find out. Now, please, this way...” urged the nurse.
“What about my daughter?” Aegis managed to ask as he watched a second nurse enter the room from another door set in the opposite side, pushing a cradle on a cart. This new nurse took the tiny foal, who began crying at the interruption of her first meal, and placed the newborn in the basket, wheeling her away.
“She’s being taken for measurements, and will soon be in the viewing area. Now please sir, we need you to leave. If I have to, I will get an orderly.”
Aegis snorted. No mere orderly could begin to move him if he didn’t want to be moved, but given the circumstances, he allowed himself to be shepherded out of the room, though he left his heart behind in doing so. Until his newborn had made it to the viewing room, all he could do was wait... and worry.
The office was orderly, though whether because of the effort of the one it belonged to or due to disuse was the stuff of office gossip. The armored pegasus seated behind the large, wooden desk let the rumors slide, preferring to focus on completing the paperwork so he could spend his time where it mattered.
A clatter of hooves on wood caught his attention and he looked up to see a pegasus Guard standing in the doorway, breathing hard. “Yes?”
“A... letter for you... from Hawaii, sir.” The pegasus pulled the envelope from under his armor, setting it gently on the desk.
Cloudhammer took it curiously, carefully opening it. His eyes flicked back and forth as they read:
Urgent: From: Aegis, via Twin Rivers Hospital
To: Cloudhammer, Royal Palace, Canterlot
Regarding: Foalbirth, Early; Notification of Family
Congratulations on your first grandfoal! The newborn will soon be viewable in Twin Rivers’ maternity ward. The sender requests notification be sent to his sisters, if at all possible!
Best regards: The Staff of Twin Rivers and The Rapid Post Pony Express! We keep our Worlds Connected!
Cloudhammer’s eyes widened. Grabbing two pieces of paper, he scribbled a quick note on each one. “You, take these letters. One goes to the Canterlot Opera Company, to a Miss Aria. This one goes to Snaffleton, to one Alamode. I want those two ponies in Hawaii yesterday.”
The pegasus blinked, starting to open his mouth, but chose to keep his mouth shut and salute. Cloudhammer returned the salute absently as he surged to his hooves, scribbling a third note as he did. Trotting out the door after the guard, he left the note with his secretary. “Cancel all my meetings.”
“But sir-” she finished reading the note and swallowed. “Of course sir, right away.”
Cloudhammer didn’t even hear her, already halfway down the hall, his destination the Beacon Stone and, beyond that, Hawaii.
Aegis had grown into a full-powered despair as more and more doctors entered the room. None of the few who had left had given him even the tiniest morsel of news. He closed his eyes, worry tearing away at him like nothing had ever had before.
His armor protected him from external forces, but what force could help that which armor was useless against? Only one came to mind.
And so, kneeling with his eyes closed, Aegis prayed.
“Dear Princess Celestia, Dear Princess Luna, I... I don’t know if you’re the goddesses everypony claims you to be, or just... really powerful alicorns... I don’t have the fancy words or phrases, and I know I’ve never really revered you, save bowing to ya like any other monarch, but... but please. Please, if you can hear me, if you have that kinda power... I’ll do anything, absolutely anything, just please, help my Fireball. Not for my sake. I could never be so greedy, so selfish, but please, for our little foal. She’ll need her mother far more than she’ll ever need me, and if it takes my life to do so, I will sacrifice it in a second to save hers. If it takes my end, I beg you, again, help my Fireball. I don’t...I don’t know what else to say... I don’t... by the Summerlands, help!”
Aegis felt a hoof on his shoulder, and, startled, leapt up from where he’d knelt.
Cloudhammer smiled at Aegis. “They heard you, son. I’m sure of it.”
“Cloudhammer... um, Pops... I... I guess you got the message, huh?” Aegis wiped at his face. “There’s... There’s something wrong with Fireball. They wouldn’t let me stay, and nopony’s told me anything yet...” Aegis let out a deep, rattling sigh.
“Pops, I’m scared. Africa, Saint Louis, not once did it even cross my mind, but here, now, I don’t... I...”
Cloudhammer nodded. “Well, time like this, there’s nothing that we can do except wait and hope. It’s out of our hooves.” He sat down on one the cushions set along the wall with a sigh.
“I hate it. I hate being unable to do anything. It’s... I wish they’d tell me something.” Aegis buried his head in his hooves. “I’m... glad you could make it.”
Cloudhammer hesitated, then looked over at his son. “I’m glad too. Nopony should have to sit through this kind of wait alone.”
“Thanks. I dunno what I’ll do if-”
“Mr. Aegis?” interrupted the nurse who’d taken the filly for her measurements. “Your filly has been moved to the viewing room.”
Aegis looked over to Cloudhammer, suddenly excited... and torn as well. “I want to see her, Pops, but I can’t leave here... can I?” Aegis rested a hoof on the side of his head. “I don’t know what to do.”
Cloudhammer couldn’t help himself and put a hoof on Aegis’ shoulder. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you either... son. But sitting around doing nothing doesn’t appeal to me. If the doctors need you, they can find us.”
“Yeah... yeah, you’re right...” Aegis looked to the nurse. “Lead the way, ma’am.” Aegis fell into step behind the nurse, Cloudhammer close behind, as they were led not-so-far away to a large glass window offering a view to a dozen cribs, half of which were occupied. It took no time at all to locate Aegis and Fireball’s undersize, but full of life, little filly.
“There, Cloudhammer... just... just look at her.” Aegis beamed with pride, pointing at the shock of wild, bright orange mane, framing a white face that was screaming her lungs out. “And... she’s a pegasus.”
Cloudhammer just stared, a curious mix of happiness and depression on his face. “She’s... a very pretty daughter, son.” He sat down again, just staring at the vocal little bundle. “I’m... I’m a grandpa...” he mumbled softly.
“We’ve spoken, before, about her name...” Aegis started, “and depending on her look, her pattern, we had settled on several different options to choose from. And... I think we’ll be going with Peony Sky.”
“That’s... a wonderful name.” He peered closer, blinking a few times. “Can’t believe it took me this long to see it, but she has Chrysanthemum’s coat...”
“She does. That’s why we chose Peony. They’ve a similar blossom to some chrysanthemums. Her mane’s a bit like Fireball’s father’s, but made me think of the dawn. Fireball wanted it to be ‘Sky,’ though, so we’ll use that.”
Cloudhammer smiled softly. “Morning Sun forced me to agree with her choice for Star Dancer’s name.” He looked at Aegis. “I know that I missed out on raising you... but I’d like to at least try to be involved in my granddaughter’s life...” He seemed to be running out of words to say, and finally just sat there in silence.
“Of... Of course, Cloudhammer, I’ll not have it any other way,” Aegis smiled. “And don’t beat yourself up about, well, y’know.”
Once more, a nurse found them. “Doctor Sedgeby would like a word with you, Mr. Aegis.”
“Thank Celestia. Keep an eye on Peony, would you, Pops?” Aegis wasted no further time, leaving the nurse and Cloudhammer standing where they were as he strode, nearly running back to the birthroom waiting area. Doctor Sedgeby was waiting for him.
“Ah, just the stallion I was looking for-” Sedgeby began, but was immediately accosted by Aegis.
“How is she, please, please tell me!” Aegis begged, hooves firmly planted on each of the doctor’s shoulders.
“Calm yourself, Mister Aegis. As you know, there was a complication with your mate and that resulted in your foal coming early. If this were a fully-equipped human hospital, I could tell you more specifics, but-”
“Doctor, please just...just cut to the chase!”
“Magic doesn’t need the details, Aegis. Your Fireball is going to be fine.” Doctor Sedgeby smiled as Aegis collapsed, sobbing in relief. “She’s going to need bed rest, at least a week’s worth, but she’ll be just fine.”