//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: A father // Story: Applebloom Is Pregnant // by Nesfex //------------------------------// The sun had finally came out telling everypony it was time to start the day. Some ponies wake up just as the land is illuminated, while others sleep for a couple more hours. In the case of the Apple Family they usually let the youngest sleep as much as she needs to, unless her presence is necessary, after all she was still a filly in their eyes. As the light of the sun touched the little pony’s bed she started to open her eyes. But it was not the sun that woke her up, it was an aroma filling the whole place. The scent smelled like something she remembered, something she misses, and yet she didn’t know she misses It can’t be she thought as she jumped from her bed and ran down the stairs finding the origin of the aroma right in the kitchen. Apple Bloom walked slowly towards her sister who was brewing something on a huge pot. Applejack turned and noticed her sister behind her “Howdy, sis. ‘Morning” “‘Morning… is that?” “Eyup! 3 gallons of my famous Zap Apple Cider” The filly’s eyes opened wide as her mouth watered. She could almost feel the delicious taste of the cider in her mouth, but then she asked “Wait, what are we celebrating?” “Nothing at all. I just thought about doing something nice for ya” “Why?” She asked further “You are my little sister, and I love ya. I just want to do something you like to show ya that” A small tear appeared on Apple Bloom’s eyes, she ran to her sister and hugged saying “I love ya too, sis” She felt the warm body of her sister and how tight she was hugging her. The little pony felt something she often takes for granted: she felt secure. Most ponies just go on with their lives on a routine, doing something over and over knowing that if they stick on their usual activities nothing will go wrong. However, being wrapped in Applejack’s arms made her feel that nothing is going to harm her, not while she was around. Should I tell her now? The idea came into her mind Maybe not, this is nice She dismissed her initial idea and decided to enjoy the rest of the day and confess herself later. Suddenly both BigMac and Granny Smith came in and saw the two ponies hugging “Awww isn’t that the sweetest thing. Where did I leave my camera?” Said Granny Smith “You le -” “It was a rhetorical question, Big Mac” She interrupted him. The sisters broke their hugged and soon after the kitchen timer started to ring drawing everypony’s attention into it “Cider’s done! Take your cups!” Applejack hurried to the huge pot of cider and turned the flames off, while the rest of the family approached the cabinet cups on the wall. Each cup had the initials of each member written on it G.S, B.M, A.J, and A.B. Applejack served them their drinks and each of them sat on the table to enjoy the drink. The cider tasted like no other. AJ’s recipe make it so the drink will have a bitter-sweet taste, it start up a strong and bitter but as you keep drinking the apple juice covers it up and make it really sweet. Its better when you sip some of it and let it some time in your mouth, is like if your taste buds find their soulmate. The family enjoyed deeply their drinks, it wasn’t very often they made that kind of cider. Usually when it’s zap apple season every single apple is sold, but this time Applejack took the ones they have been saving for this non special occasion. After all of them finished their drinks, it was time to start working. Because of the the great way to begin the day, no one felt lazy or half asleep. They had their chores arranged, Granny was going to sort apples for orders they have, BigMac was in charge of the heavy duty as cleaning up the land and making room for the crops, Applejack was going to, as usual, buck apple trees, as for Apple Bloom her job was to collect apples and take the basket to the barn. The time passed as usual, they did their jobs with a smile on their faces, even if each of them stick to their job. Hours went by and lunch time arrived. Applejack gave a sign to her sister, meaning it was time for them to leave the farm and attend their appointment. Pinkie Pie and her friends were going to gather at the Sugar Cube Corner, and every one of their friends will be there. Just another celebration without something needed to celebrate for, but it was fun for them to just be away from the routine. They walked into the place just the rest of the gang arrived. “Hello, hello. Come in every one! Got a table reserve for you only, and another one for the little ones” Greeted Pinkie Pie wearing an apron. The Cutie Mark Crusaders separated from the group and went to the table reserved for them. “Hey Apple Bloom… How are you feeling?” Asked Scootaloo “Good… I think” Sweetie Belle joined the conversation “Got any nauseas? Fatigue? Unusual Craving?” “Sweetie Belle! Stop asking stuff like th-” “Hello C.M.C.s! Hello… Apple Bloom” Spike entered the place and went straight to where the fillies were. “Hi Spike!” The three of them answered in unison. He sat right next to Apple Bloom and gave her a wink, the others noticed this but acted as if they didn’t know anything of what was going on between them. Pinkie came with her favorite dessert: the Pinkie’s Magnum Souffle, a special souffle she bakes when she feels particularly sad. The smell of chocolate and cinnamon was so sweet they couldn’t resist and ate it in a matter of minutes. The table with Pinkie Pie and her friends was full of laughs and talks between the ponies. But the table with the little ones was completely quiet. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo couldn’t stop staring at Apple Bloom and Spike and tried not to say something that would make things more awkward that implied their knowledge of the baby, but that meant they didn’t know what to say leading to silence. While Apple Bloom thought of ways to confess to the dragon, and Spike not knowing what was going on. “Err… So… Nice weather today, right?” Said Spike. The fillies just nodded their heads. “So… You slept well last night?” He asked again. “Like a baby” Sweetie Belle answered. As soon as she noticed what she said she covered her mouth. The dragon had enough and he was starting to get angry “Okay, what is going on?!” “What do you mean?” Replied Scootaloo “You’ve been weird the whole time. Just staring at me, and saying nothing. Are you guys mad at me? Do I got something on my face” Before anyone could answer, Apple Bloom took the lead “Spike, we need to talk. But not here, can you go to the tree house after this?” Spike looked at the other two ponies and noticed a bit of concern and worry on their eyes, whatever it was it must be something important “S-sure. I’ll be there” They tried starting a conversation trying to forget about their appointment, but every try ended quickly. After a couple of hours the reunion was over and everypony headed back to their places, but Spike was nowhere to be found He’s probably going to the tree house now Apple Bloom thought, but then Applejack came along “Hey sis, ready to go?” “Actually, I got something to do with the crusaders. Is it okay if I go home later?” She gently asked. “Alright, but don’t return late again. Okay?” Said Applejack as she gave her back and walked back home. With the sun in it’s way to set Apple Bloom walked to the treehouse, she suddenly felt butterflies in her stomach. She started doubting if it was a good idea, but it was something she had to. She saw the clubhouse and the idea of fleeing came to mind, but she quickly forgot about it, she knew this was her responsibility. She walked in the house and noticed Spike sat on a chair right in front of the door, he looked impatient and at the same time very worried “Hey Spike” Apple Bloom greeted “Hey, can you tell me what’s going on now?” He was straight to the point. She closed the door behind her and walked near him “You see, Remember that thing we did the other night?” The dragon blushed as he remembered the time he spent with Apple Bloom “Yeah, that was a good night” “Well… Ah” She thought once she was alone with Spike things would be easier, but it wasn’t. She was once again shaking and dizzy. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and spoke without giving a second thought “Spike, Ah’m pregnant” The dragon couldn’t believe it, maybe he didn’t hear her correctly “Come again?” “Ah’m pregnant Spike… We are going to be parents” Suddenly Spike’s heart began to pump faster than ever before, the room seemed to be shrinking down, and his mind went completely blank “N… No. you can’t be. This is a joke, right?! You are lying!” “Spike, Ah’m being so sincere right now. Ah’m positive, we are gonna have a baby” Spike started to breath faster and heavier, he looked away and put his claws on his face, as if he could wake up from a bad dream. His hands moved uncontrollably around his head “No. No. NO. NO! You can’t be, we can’t be. I didn’t know this would happen. We- We can’t have it. I can’t do this, what am I going to do?!” He walk back and forward across the room, but there was an idea he didn’t spoke out loud I have to runaway. I can’t let Twilight find out, and I can’t take care of the baby He thought. But then, to wake him up from his state, he felt something on his arm. It was Apple Bloom’s hoof, it was softly touching him drawing his attention. The little filly’s eyes were full of tears “Spike, Ah’m scared. Ah don’t know what to do, Ah don’t even have a cutie mark and Ah’m gonna be a mommy. This is just too much for me, Ah can’t do it alone. Ah need you” The dragon’s heart melted and his eyes soon started to let tears shed. His heart was still pumping like crazy, but his head started to clear up letting him think straight “You are right, Bloom. It’s my baby too, huh?...” He looked to the window and remember his alicorn friend waiting for him at the library. A shiver crossed his spine Sorry Twilight He thought while he put his right hand on the filly’s shoulder “Okay, I think if we are together we can make it work” “So you are not running away” Asked Apple Bloom between sobs. “Ofcourse not, I’ll never do that” How did she know I was thinking about it?! He wondered. A smile appeared on the filly’s face and she jumped towards him, putting her arms around him “Thank you” She said. Suddenly a knock was heard from outside of the door breaking the moment, followed by somepony calling with a familiar voice“Hey! Can we come in now?” Spike walked to the door and opened it, letting Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle inside “Sorry, we needed to be sure if everything was okay” Said Scootaloo Sweetie Belle started jumping around the place and hugged her earthpony friend “We are going to be aunts! We are going to be aunts!” Then she turned back looking at Spike and gave him a strong slap to his face “How dare you do this to her?!” She turned again and rubbed Apple Bloom’s belly “Oh, you are going to be the beautiest pony around, I’m sure” Once again she turned and gave him another slap “Don’t you think about consequences?!” Like a whipping top she turned and saw her friend again “We will always be there for you” But before she could turned and slap the dragon again, she was stopped by Apple Bloom “Ah think he got the idea” “Now, what?” Asked the pegasus “Well, Spike is going to take the father’s role. Duh!” Said Sweetie Belle The dragon looked down and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment “What exactly does a father do? I only have Twilight, so I don’t know what is it like to have a father” “Seriously?” Asked the unicorn. She looked at the rest of her friends and noticed they also were looking down “Oh, right. Sorry” She then clear her throat and began her explanation “For my family, my dad is the one who goes to work and brings money to the house. He also is the one who repair stuff and protect us from the big bad monster that comes from the darkness at night. My mom cleans the house, makes food, do the laundry, read us stories, and a ton other things.” Apple Bloom put her hoof beneath her chin and thought for a moment “Well, everypony always say taking care of babies is expensive… Spike, do you have any gems left?” “Sorry, I ate the last one a couple of days ago” He replied “I remember you and my sister collected jewels” Sweetie Belle added. “Yeah, we went to the gems field and I dug them up… Wait, you want me to go to the gems field for jewels?!” “You are the father, is your duty!” Said Scootaloo. Spike didn’t like the idea, but he agreed to help earlier “Okay, but what will you do meanwhile?” “Well, Ah’ don’t know anything about babies. Maybe we should ask somepony about the things we need and other stuff” Apple Bloom Answered. She was taking her responsibility serious. “Okay, first thing in the morning I’ll go to the gems field… For you” Said the dragon “Oh no!” Scootaloo broke the moment “The sun is setting down!” She jumped out side of the clubhouse waving her hoof “See you tomorrow!” She was then followed by Sweetie Belle who did the exact thing. Spike and Apple Bloom stayed outside of the house and looked at each other in the eyes. They could see themselves in the reflection of the other’s eyes and they could only think of the baby. But Apple Bloom remembered she told her sister she wouldn’t be late outside “So… See you tomorrow?” “Sure, Bloom” He replied. And they left the place knowing that tomorrow they will start a life they never have imagined before.