On the outskirts of Ponyville, one can find a few homes. One particular home stands out in more ways than one. Its size labels it as one of the largest houses in town, though currently only a single married couple live there. The couple itself also makes the home notable, much more so than anything else. Inside their bedroom, the two lay next to each other, the smaller form cuddled up against the slightly larger one.
The navy-blue changeling giggles quietly, tenderly nuzzling his cheek. "...thank you for the memorable day...I just hope it worked..." She puts a hoof on her lower stomach area, her smile faltering slightly. "...this means so much to us..."
The green unicorn stallion next to her gently puts his hoof over her own. "Love, I don't see a way what we did wouldn't have worked. I'm sure in a month or so, you'll have that same glow around you that Ditzy does every time we see her and her bun in the oven. Besides, if it didn't take, we can always try again."
"...I suppose you're right." The nymph looks up at him, winking playfully. "Either way, we'll both be happy...and, with some luck, our family will grow..."
"Yeah..." He chuckles as he nuzzles his wife. "Of course... now comes the part where I get to help you through the next step."
She blinks, confusion clear on her face. "...and...what would that be?"
He rubs her slightly blue-tinted chitin underneath her hoof. "The actual pregnancy of course."
She gives a small squeak, blushing brightly. "...o-oh...that sounds lovely..."
He kisses her cheek. "Don't worry Gel, I'll be with you every step of the way."
***
Two and a half-months later, the results of their actions that day can be heard clearly from one of the downstairs bathrooms.
Gel coughs, wiping her mouth with a nearby towel. She turns to look at her stallion as he holds her mane, breathing heavily. "...when you said that...I didn't think you meant it literally..."
He just smiles at her. "Like I said love, beside you every step of the way. Is more coming?"
She sits there a moment before shaking her head. "I-I don't think so...s-still, could you please...bring me some saltines?"
He nods, taking a small band from the counter next to the sink and binding her mane in a ponytail to keep it mostly out of her way. He pauses at the door. "Do you want anything with them, or is the little one not craving anything right now?"
She blushes softly, turning to look at him. "...applesauce and roses, please..."
"There it is..." He shakes his head with an amused smile. "Saltines, applesauce, and roses, coming right up. I'll bring it to you in the living room if you're out by the time I get back." He exits the bathroom and heads to the kitchen to prepare the lastest odd meal. Honestly, he's been more amused by her cravings than annoyed, it's only when she craves something they don't have that it gets troublesome. Still, they've gotten pretty good at stocking things the little one seems to prefer.
She simply smiles and shakes her head, gently placing a hoof over her belly. "...your daddy is really sweet...I hope that you'll turn out to be like him..." She closes her eyes for a few seconds before she feels the bile rising in her throat once more. "Ulp..."
Rhino arrives back in the living room a few minutes to find Gel lying on the couch, which had been moved closer to the currently crackling fireplace for the winter months, with a soft blanket over her belly. He takes a moment to appreciate the scene as the firelight frames her visage while she looks lovingly at her stomach. He remarks as he moves closer, bringing the coffee table with him. "You really do have that glow, you know." He sets her tray of food and a glass of juice on the table within her reach.
She smirks playfully at him as she pulls the tray slightly closer. "Not sure if serious or just flattering." She sticks her tongue out at him before starting to much on a few saltines. "Either way, thank you..."
He chuckles as he points to the blanket. "Any more room under there? I can pay for my spot in warm fluff if need be."
She giggles, pulling the blanket away from the back of the couch. "Be glad I accept that as payment. You also have the option to pay in belly rubs."
The stallion slides in between his wife and the back of the couch, naturally shifting so that she fits against his chest as he lays on his side. He gently curls a foreleg around her and strokes her stomach as she eats. He chuckles as he thinks of something. "Do you suppose we could get the little one to enjoy snuggling on the couch as much as we do?"
She sighs happily, nodding quietly. "...I think so...I think she'll also enjoy spending time with her daddy and mommy..."
He sneaks one of the rose petals from her plate. "Oh? Figured out the gender already?"
She shakes her head, giving him a coy smile. "...no...just a feeling I have..." She sees him take some of her food and opens her mouth, as if asking him to feed it to her.
He places the petal on her tongue. "Any feelings on... well, I would say species but honestly I'm not quite sure how to refer to her. Let's just go with: horn, wings, none, or both?"
She swallows before answering. "Yes." She takes a spoonful of applesauce and eats it. Delicious!
Rhino nods. Yeah, I'm glad Manila got us onto the list of 'family and friends' with the Apple family so we can get this special applesauce. Still not sure what's different aside from the fact that it takes them longer to make it, but it just has a little more savory flavor to it. He replays what she said in his head before looking at her curiously. "Wait, what do you mean 'yes'?"
She squirms slightly, trying to figure out how to word it. "...it's a little strange, to be honest...sometimes I sense she has a horn...sometimes I feel she has wings...other times, I don't think she has either...it's really confusing..."
He rubs her belly again. "Don't worry too much about it, love." He chuckles. "Besides, I'm sure you'll be the first to know if she has a horn when she's on her way out."
She frowns at this, giving him a sharp glare. "That's not funny, love."
His chuckle turns into a sheepish laugh. "Sorry, you know my jokes are hit-and-miss..."
"Yes, but they rarely miss." She sighs and shakes her head, rolling over onto her side. "You're lucky I love you."
He stokes the fire with a quick bit of magic before settling deeper onto the couch while embracing her. He kisses her neck as he responds. "I know I am."
She coos softly, turning to look at him over her shoulder. "...if I weren't restricted from transforming, I'd ask you to groom my wings as penance..." She smirks, narrowing her eyes at him. "...instead, I'll settle on having you feed me some more food."
He scoops a bit of applesauce onto a saltine and floats it over to her."Of course, princess." He sticks his tongue out teasingly.
She blushes, winking playfully at him. "Love the nickname, by the way. Have I told you that, yet?" She opens her mouth, lolling her tongue out for him to put it on.
He sets it in her mouth before responding. "I just thought you deserved the title for going through this, though you might end up giving it to the little one once she arrives."
She giggles, chewing her food slowly. Maybe...but if I'm a princess, does that make you my knight? She swallows and nuzzles him gently, purring quietly.
He nuzzles back, humming in his chest. I do recall taking on that title for you in various situations...
"You're not just my knight, though." She pulls away, smiling warmly. "You're my prince...and well-deserving of both titles, too, given...well, you know..."
His expression falls a bit as he averts his eyes. "I... prefer not to think about that incident... Well," he brightens up a bit, "except for the friends we made from it, of course."
Gel gently nudges him, giggling quietly. "They're really great, aren't they?" She lays there for a moment, enjoying his warmth, before grudgingly getting up, rubbing her eye with a hoof. "We should probably start getting ready..."
He tries to pull her back down onto the couch, a bit sluggish from enjoying the warmth. "Where are you going? I thought it was snuggle time."
She grabs his hoof in her teeth, pulling on him. We're having guests over. You're helping me straighten this place up! She lets go of him, panting softly before quirking an eyebrow at him. "You're really going to let your pregnant wife set everything up all by herself?"
He quickly gets up, a little flustered. "No no no, nothing like that! I just forgot that was today..." He starts pushing her a little towards the couch. "Here, why don't you relax and just tell me what needs to be done before the others arrive?"
She shakes her head, smiling up at him. "I'm not completely helpless, love." She turns to her food and quickly finishes it, leaving a single rose petal that she floats over to him. "I want to do this with you."
He looks at the petal a moment before grabbing and eating it. "Ok... remind who all is coming again? I know Luster, Flick, and their respective someponies are, but did Ditzy agree or are she and her husband spending the day together?"
Gel rolls her eyes, putting a hoof to her chin and pretending to think. "I seem to recall her sending a letter back saying they'd be here, no matter what. Something about her being able to spend time with her friends as well as her love?" She moves towards the doorway, pausing to look back at him. "Oh, Manila and Mac are coming, too. Applejack insisted."
He exhales and shakes his head. "You know, it never occurred to me that when we built a big house, it would mean we would be playing host so much to our friends. In hindsight though, it seems like it should have been obvious..."
She smiles playfully at him, flicking her tail slightly. "Rhino, are you nervous?"
He shakes his head. "No, it's not that. Although, it does bring to mind a question: Does this mean we're going to be the daycare parents? The parents whose friends all send their kids home after school with theirs so that they can stay at our house until they come to pick them up?"
She taps her chin, thinking a bit. "...I suppose that's possible..." She giggles, motioning to the backyard. "Good thing we have that veritable playground outside, just in case."
"True, it works for both foals and pets. Speaking of which..." He looks back in the living room where three forms can be seen snoozing in front of the fire. "I'm fairly certain those three have enjoyed the fireplace more than we have."
She nods, noticing how their pets are cuddling close to each other. "I think everyone enjoys a nice warm fireplace." She smiles knowingly at two of them, whose muzzles are mere inches apart. She turns towards him and nods towards the kitchen. "Come on, let's leave them be. We have to prepare, and let them rest." She winks at him. "You know how much Luster and Flick enjoy playing with them."
"Yes, even if they can't ever seem to separate Specter and Selena now. I never thought a cat and squirrel could get along so well." They head into the kitchen as he continues chatting. "Speaking of Luster though, when do you think she and Tavi are going to finally settle down in a home instead of traveling?"
Gel simply shrugs. "I suppose when they're out of a job. So likely never." She pulls out a large number of red and white roses, arranging them neatly in a fancy ceramic vase. She pauses to inspect it, a hoof on her chin. "...it looks fine to me, but, knowing Flick..." She sigh and takes it in her magic, heading towards the foyer. "You should probably start cooking. I'll get to work on decorations and setting the food out."
He nods as starts rummaging in the fridge and pantry at the same time. He raises his voice so she can hear him as he calls to her. "I'm thinking of whipping up a mushroom bisque, what do you think?"
She calls back to him. "I think that sounds-" Her voice is cut off my a loud crash, followed by a shrill shriek of terror from Gel.
Rhino immediately stops what he is doing and teleports to the entry room, protectively placing himself in front of Gel as he tries to assess what happened.
One of the windows next to the door has been shattered and shards of glass litter the floor around a roughly head-sized rock.
She trembles behind him, a hoof placed on her chest to calm her hammering heart. "W-what was t-that about?"
Rhino doesn't say anything as her ears try to hear anything outside other than the wind rushing through the now-broken window. He does this for a solid minute before sighing and closing the shutters to prevent any more snow from coming in. He gingerly grabs Gel and looks over every inch of her. "Are you hurt? Any glass any where? Did the rock hit you?"
She shakes her head. "N-no, I-I'm fine. J-just...startled..."
He sighs in relief and hugs her, eyes closed. "Good... at least you're safe..."
She hugs him back tenderly, glancing at the stone. She blinks, squinting before letting go of him and walking forward, stopping right in front of it. "...there's something...engraved in this..." She reads it to herself before her eyes widen in fear. She slowly backs away, tears running down her face. "...n-no...t-that's not true..." Her hindleg slips, making her sit on the ground. She doesn't notice this, so lost she is in her despair.
Recognizing one of her mood swings, Rhino looks at the stone to see what set her off. The engraving reads simply 'You do not deserve your lover'. His ears fold down sadly as he looks at the stone, before his mouth sets in a frown and he crushes it to dust with a strong burst of magic. He turns to his wife and takes her in his forelegs again, rubbing her back as he whispers to her. "You know that's not true... it's just that anti-changeling group again..."
"I-I know." She hugs him tightly, trying to control her sobs. I'm just so upset...that someone was so filled with hate that they did this. She sniffles, trying to dry the wet chitin on her cheeks with a hoof. I just thought...they'd given up...it'd been months since their last attempt...
Me too, love... me too... His horn lights up as he sweeps all the glass shards to just under the window. We'll have to be extra careful... at least they stick to words in public so they aren't arrested, so we don't have to worry about rocks most places... He nuzzles her neck comfortingly.
...that makes me feel a little better... She looks up at him, smiling softly. "...thanks, love..." She leans in and gently nuzzles his cheek, purring softly. "...sorry about these mood swings...I know they must be a hassle for you..."
"It's just a part of life, love. One learns to see past them." He gently slides her onto his back. "Come on, let's go down to the basement and see if I have a repair spell anywhere."
She nods, curling up against his back. "Okay..."
A small silver form, almost unseeable amid the white snow, narrows its eyes at the closed window, knowing her message had been received. It smiles grimly at the shudder she hoped passed through it's recipient.
***
Thankfully, time passes quickly after that, and soon friends arrive, bringing with them food and a joyful atmosphere.
Gel walks up to a couple of their friends, smiling kindly at them. As she had expected, the larger of the two, a goldenrod drone, is shuffling the roses about in their vase, frowning in concentration. He doesn't even notice her as she approaches. The nymph clears her throat, gesturing to them. "Is everything to your liking?" She glances at the other changeling. "...within reason?"
Silk Tease, the yellow pegasus with the drone, elbows him to try and get him out of the vase, before turning to Gel apologetically. "Everything is lovely, hon, you know how he is." She looks around the dining room with a discerning eye, spotting the lace-edged tablecloth. "I'm glad you're getting use out of the tablecloth I made for you, any complaints about it?"
She shakes her head. "Not at all. It's really quite lovely."
The other changeling finally finishes and turns to look at his friend, grinning widely. "Hey, if it isn't Mother Nexus!" He chuckles at the blush this brings across the nymph's face. "So, Hearts and Hooves Day. Love the set up you and Doc provided. Excellent flow." He glances at the mare next to him, leaning over and whispering into her ear, smiling all the while.
Silk's face whips around to him, her purple mane swaying to hide her blush for a moment as she pushes him playfully. "Hey, we only got married a month ago, mister!" She giggles as she slides up next to him afterwards. "But since you bring it up..." She lets the sentence hang to taunt him.
He grins, gently nipping the tip of her ear. "You know you'll like it." His wing extends and strokes her feathers tenderly, but he simply leans down and gives her a chaste kiss on the cheek. He does smirk a little afterwards, though. "Besides, you know I can drive you wild with just my hoof." He winks before heading over to the table with the drinks.
Gel turns to her best friend, confused. "...what did he mean by that? Haven't you...you know?" She blushes brightly, unable to actually say the word at the moment.
Silk just laughs at the shy nymph. "Shame on you, asking for my personal details like that." Her tails swishes. "But, well, yes, though only twice, everything else is pretty much experimenting to just before that point. My point is though, I can't get pregnant right now, I have to help see you through yours!" She casts a sideways glance at her husband. "Maybe when you’re close to being due, though..."
The navy changeling sheepishly nods. "E-either way, I would like to see what your firstborn looks like." She glances around discretely before leaning in. "Between you and me, newborn changelings are really small. I think you'll be glad to know that." She winks teasingly at her.
The pegasus giggles. "Thanks, that actually does give me a bit of comfort." She glances over to Rhino, who is chatting with Manila, the earth pony mare of the same coat color as her name. "How's he been doing with all the side effects of you growing a little one?"
She taps her chin, thinking a bit. "At first it was rough...but we've been adapting to them quite well." She glances around, curious. "...have you seen Luster? I swore I saw her walk in, but now I can't find her..."
Silk looks around. "Now that you mention it... Octavia seems to have vanished too..."
Before the nymph can reply, the drone walks back over. "I saw them sneaking into that door behind the stairs. Probably wanted some 'alone time', if you catch my drift." He waggles his eyebrows comically, a purposely-silly smile on his lips.
Rhino, who had been walking back over, managed to hear this announcement. "Really? Already? I guess I should be happy they at least chose an out of the way spot."
Gel quietly nods before turning to her stallion, worried. "...you cleaned up after this morning...r-right?"
He looks at her curiously. "What? My notes? You know there's always some level of mess on my desk, and I don't really see them snooping into them. Even if they did, I'm fairly certain Luster would be the only one to understand them, and only a bit less than half of them at that rate."
She whines softly, poking at the floor with a hoof. "I-I guess that's true...still, I can't help but worry..."
"In that case, it looks like i have no choice but to distract you." He gets behind her and starts pushing her towards the pair of guests he was just speaking to. "Hey look, it's Manila and Mac, the ponies responsible for getting us that applesauce you like, why don't you chat with them?"
She squeaks, shyly waving at them. "H-hi?"
Manila, easily the more talkative half of the couple, giggles as she gives Gel a light hug, careful of her stomach. "Hey you! Enjoying the first snowy Hearts and Hooves Day in a few years?"
She nods, slowly calming down. "Y-yes, I am." She looks from one to the other, curious. "How about you two? Any plans for this evening?"
Big Mac nods. "Eeyup."
Manila is the one to expand on that. "Mac told me he had something special planned for tonight, but he's being all secretive again and won't give me any details!" She looks at him and narrows her eyes.
He simply looks back with a knowing smile. "Nope."
The mare huffs, but giggles a moment later.
Gel smiles, feeling the love radiating from the ponies in front of her. "I'm sure it'll be a night to remember." She winks at her coworker before turning to the farmer. "I know this may seem odd, but how are the puppies doing? You know, with the cold weather and all..." She nervously laughs, averting her gaze.
As Manila has a light blush, Mac adjusts his typical sprig of wheat in his mouth to answer. "Well, they don't object to coming back in the warm house nowadays, but that pack all seems to love playing in the snow just as much as any other youngin. Winona joins 'em most of the time, but then there are times she just stays on the porch to keep an eye on 'em."
Rhino raises his own question. "Are they still ending up sleeping in Apple Bloom's bed every night?"
Mac chuckles in his deep voice. "Eeyup, makes for a good picture if you catch 'em before they wake up."
The nymph holds a hoof to her chest, smiling softly. "Aww...that's so cute!" She giggles, playfully bumping Rhino's side. "I've taken a couple of him with the pets in the morning. They were adorable with how they snuggle up against him."
The green stallion scuffs a hoof against the ground. "I'm just snuggable... I don't know why, I just am..."
The changeling takes this opportunity to hug him, gently kissing his cheek. "I wouldn't have it any other way, love." She nuzzles him lovingly, a soft purr escaping her lips.
Manila coos as she watches. "Aww..." She turns to the red stallion next to her and leans on him, kissing his cheek. "Do you think we look that cute when we do things like that?"
One can barely see and increase in the amount of red in Big Mac's face as he smiles and kisses her back.
Gel peeks open an eye, smirking slyly. "I think you definitely have the potential for it. That looks cute, already."
Big Mac just blushes harder as he tilts his head to hide his eyes behind his short mane.
Manila just giggles and hugs him tightly, her tail swishing happily behind her.
The nymph simply smiles at this. She notices a spot of gray in the corner of her eye, a small smile coming to her lips. "Please excuse me, I have a couple more guests to chat with." She winks at the couple as she walks away. "You two keep being adorable together."
Rhino follows as Gel heads to the last of their guests, a brown earth pony with an hourglass cutie mark and the bubbly grey mailmare, her stomach explaining quite well why she seems so happy these days.
She smiles as she reaches the couple. "Hello, Ditzy, Turner!" She looks at little further down, giggling softly. "And hello to you, little one." She turns to the mare, curious. "So, you told me you'd reveal your foal's gender today." She sticks her tongue out playfully. "Ready to spill the beans yet?"
The golden-eyed mare giggles as she rubs her stomach. "She's a filly... my own little filly..." she goes quiet as she pats her belly. "Just a few more months and she'll be here."
Gel squees in excitement, hugging her happily. "That's wonderful! Oh, our daughters could play together!" She giggles jubilantly, turning to her stallion. "Oh, won't that be great?"
He nods. "I'm sure they'll be the best of friends. Some of the strongest bonds are those formed during childhood."
She nods before turning to the brown pony. "What about you, Turner? You've been quiet this whole time..."
The stallion in question smiles warmly. "I'm happy, don't get me wrong. This is exciting for me as well, but it's also a little overwhelming."
Rhino raises an eyebrow. "I can't say I'm surprised by that, but what's got you worried?"
He shrugs slightly. "I guess I'm just concerned about whether or not I'll be a good dad." He waves a hoof dismissively. "It's just a minor issue, though."
Rhino pats the other stallion on the shoulder. "Hey, if you're worried about whether you'll be a good dad, you're already on your way." His own smile turns nervous. "At least you know when to expect yours, we've got about a five month difference between when pupae and foals are born, so ours could come at any time in that window."
Turner flinches slightly. "I'm not sure I'd be able to handle that. My condolences." He looks over to where their wives are chatting, smiling warmly. "Still, it's nice that they have something to bond over, right?"
"Yeah..." Rhino watches as Ditzy lets Gel feel her stomach, the nymph giggling the whole time. "As long as they're happy."