//------------------------------// // XX: The very first day // Story: The Flutterheart Diaries // by lilinuyasha //------------------------------// 6-4-13 We finally had the baby today. *** “Alright, Fluttershy, I need you to push!” said Nurse Redheart, helping her along. Screams of pain and agony filled the room as Fluttershy attempted to force the newborn colt out. “I see the head. Keep pushing!” “What she said!” Trey exclaimed, trying to feel less useless. Fluttershy clenched her teeth, pushing once again, the worst almost over. Nurse Redheart grabbed ahold of the newborn colt, gently pulling as Fluttershy did her best to ease things along. Eventually, the colt was squeezed out, and Nurse Redheart’s assistant wrapped him up in a towel, cutting the umbilical cord. She carried him off elsewhere, leaving Trey confused. Were they supposed to take babies out like that? Fluttershy just brought him into this world...now they were taking him out? “Uh...” he began, confused. “Don’t worry. We’ll bring him out to you in a few minutes.” said Nurse Redheart, smiling. “In the meantime, think of a name for your brand new baby colt!” she added, leaving the room. Fluttershy panted on the bed, half smiling, half out of it. Trey kissed her on the forehead. “You did it.” he said, smiling. Fluttershy glanced over his direction, managing to speak between breaths. “We...yeah...yay...” Trey smiled. “You don’t have to talk.” he said, kissing her. Fluttershy nodded, her panting slowly returning to normal breathing. “And here he is!” said Nurse Redheart, carrying in the newborn colt, wrapped in blankets. She brought him over to Fluttershy, placing him in her caring, loving arms. Fluttershy looked down at the newborn colt, which had his mother’s coat and his father’s mane. She nuzzled his nose with hers, as he yawned, his eyes shut tight. “So, what will his name be?” “Uh...” said Trey, thinking. His name...or a different one? “Interesting choice of a name.” said Nurse Redheart, joking. Trey, panicking, shouted out the first thing on his mind. “ANACRUSIS!” he blurted, almost yelling. Nurse Redheart gave him a strange glance, a small smile coming across her face. “Anacrusis it is.” she said. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” she said, smiling at them, closing the door on her way out. Trey trotted over to Fluttershy, looking at Anacrusis, his newborn son. “Do you want to hold him?” she asked, smiling at Trey. Trey nodded, extending his arms to hold him. Trey planted his rump on the floor, cradling Anacrusis, who’d managed to wiggle his arms out of the blanket. He opened his eyes at Trey, revealing a beautiful set of red eyes, much like his father’s. Trey couldn’t help but smile and nuzzle Anacrusis’ nose with his, small tears of happiness forming in his eyes. “Alrighty! I’m going to place him in the nursery.” said Nurse Redheart, gently taking him from Trey before he realized what was happening. “He’ll be ready for you to take home later today.” “But...” started Trey, his tears of happiness changing to tears of sadness as he watched him get carried away from him. *** I say “we.” even though it was really Flutterheart that had him, but still. It was a team effort. Her doing all the work and me providing all the emotional support. Which, I must say, I did a pretty good job of. I decided to name him Anacrusis, after myself. Of course, he’ll most likely stick by that name, since “Quatro” seems like an odd nickname. I guess Trey seems like an odd one, too. The first time I held him, everything seemed right with the world. Any doubt or negativity seemed to dissipate as I held him. His warmth radiated from the blanket, onto my arms. I know it seems trivial, but when he opened his eyes at me, I saw...myself, really. He has my color eyes, my mane, and...I was happy...I’ve never been so happy in anything related to myself, but just seeing him made me more than ecstatic. But, of course, as soon as I was getting happy, he got wisked away from me for a little bit. I was sad, but we got to take him home soon enough. Of course, he was tired, so he had to lay down for a nap...I just wanted to hold him. I know it sounds strange, but...I just wanted to hold him forever. It’s almost as if he’s a testament to everything I’ve overcome in life. He’s the result of my life decisions, and, well...it turned out to be beautiful. Beautifully, Trey *** Anacrusis’ cries resounded about the cottage, waking Trey and Fluttershy up from a relatively peaceful sleep. Fluttershy groggily attempted to get out of bed, still aching from giving birth. “I’ll get it.” said Trey, hurriedly jumping out of bed, dashing off at the speed of a tortoise towards Anacrusis’ room. “Shh...it’s ok...everything’s alright.” said Trey, picking Anacrusis up, whose crying almost immediately ceased. Trey grabbed a bottle from nearby and put it in Anacrusis’ mouth, rocking him back and forth. Anacrusis gently sucked on the bottle, awkwardly grabbing it with his hooves while looking up at Trey. “You know...you’re one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.” began Trey, talking to both himself and Anacrusis. “I know I may not be the most amazing pony out there. I may not have the coolest job. But I can honestly say that I have the best son out there.” he said, nuzzling Anacrusis. “One of these days you’re going to grow up big and strong, just like your old man. You’ll have a bunch of friends, be popular in school...” Trey continued on as Fluttershy stood outside the door, listening in, a sense of wonder filling her heart and mind. Where did all these thoughts come from? “...everything about you is perfect, really.” he continued, nearly rambling. “You have my eyes...your mother’s coat...my mane...and yet, you’re completely unique. You’re amazing, Anacrusis. Bandmaster Anacrusis the fourth. I gave you my name...I just hope I’m amazing enough for you to do it justice. I love you...” he continued. Trey gently rocked him back and forth for a bit longer before setting him back in the crib, fully asleep. Trey smiled to himself, trotting out of the door to see Fluttershy standing there, smiling. Trey lowered his head in embarrassment. “I guess you heard that, huh...” Fluttershy took a hoof to his chin, bringing it up to her level before quickly kissing him, embracing him in the envelopes of passion. “You’re going to be a good father, Trey.” Trey smiled. “I sure hope so.” 6-5-13 Got to hold Anacrusis again last night. Or early morning. Whichever it actually was. Once again, my woes and worries went away just experiencing the joy of holding your offspring. I’m not sure why it’s so..so...happy. Not sure why it brings me so much joy just to sit there and look into his face. Maybe I’m looking towards the future, which I hope is as bright as his smile. God has good things planned for him, I’m sure. Until then, I just need to be the best damn father I can be, much like my dad and his dad. I just hope I do things right. I should probably drop by Twilight’s to borrow some books on parenting and whatnot. Just for extra assurance. Fluttershy’s doing her best to assure me that I’ll make a great parent. I believe her. I really do. But I want to seal the deal, so to speak. First born son. Gotta get everything right. Fretting, Trey 6-7-13 Well Anacrusis looks like he’s going to be some sort of marathon runner. Today, whilst trotting about, he attempted to sprint in the house. Of course, I was taking care of some work, watching him. Before I knew it, he sprinted and tripped under himself, crash landing against one of the cabinets. Of course he cried. But the worst part was that he started bleeding a little. Anacrusis and his first boo-boo. Flutterheart and I quickly took care of it, and Flutterheart sat on the couch, rocking him until he settled down. In other news, I’m starting to think that Anacrusis may be a bit of a dependant child, as well. He always hangs around one of us (Excusing watching him always as a good parent). And sometimes, he’ll simply just snuggle against one of us until we pick him up and hold him. Sometimes he cries in the night simply because he wants one of us to hold him. I honestly can’t decide if I find this more adorable or heartwarming. Yes, foals need lots of attention regardless, but just the fact that he always puts himself in a position to get that attention is just plain awesome. Makes me wonder what kind of colt he’s going to grow up to be. He’s (hopefully) getting all the love and care he needs to be a colt of outstanding moral quality. I guess all we have left to do is keep it up. Keeping it up, Trey