//------------------------------// // Interlude: Baby steps. // Story: The Second Year; Gravidity // by TwilightsmyMare //------------------------------// That first night I was filled with relief, worry, love and some panic too. After the nurse and doctor checked in on us we settled down to sleep, they were nice enough to let me stay so there I slept sitting in the chair leaning across the bed Starswirl nestled up against Twilight between the two of us. I was exhausted but my mind kept playing tricks on me. Fragmented dreams woke me up with a start worrying me and causing me to look over Starswirl concerned about her and feeling a bit foolish when she was fine. I sank back to sleep only to have the process repeat several times, the third time I had finished scanning Starswirl when I heard a sigh looking over I found Twilight smiling at me. "I know you’re worried my love, but you need your sleep too..." She whispered. "Sorry, just my mind playing tricks, she’s fine, beautiful, so perfect..." I choked back a sob as she reached out caressing the side of my face. "I love you so much, rest... We're going to need it I think." She giggled. "I think your right, love you..." We kissed softly drifting back off together sleeping soundly until we were awoken by a tiny cry. We both blinked clearing our heads looking down at Starswirl who had uttered only the one cry and now stared up at us again. "Morning baby..." I whispered caressing the side of her face with a finger. "Morning love." I leaned over to kiss Twi causing Starswirl to squeal again. Twilight smiled rolling over slightly. "She's hungry I think." I lifted her gently over to Twi's teats and she instinctively latched on suckling hungrily. I held her steadily as Twilight and I smiled to one another. "Scootaloo is going to be very surprised." "Definitely... But I think a little threatened too." "You think so...?" "Yes, both of us and everyone else will be paying a lot of attention to Starswirl, she's going to get jealous for certain." "Yeah, I can see that... How did you know that?" "Oh psychology books, parenting books, you know me." "I sure do..." I leaned over to kiss her again careful not to disturb our hungry little Starswirl. "So what can we do to make sure she doesn't feel left out?" "Not much unfortunately, just keep paying attention to her try to involve her in everything we do with Starswirl and anything else. Hopefully she and Rainbow Dash bonded on their trip. She won't be cooing over the foal too much so that might help too. I hope as they grow together they'll bond..." "I know they will love, Starswirl is going to look up to her big sister and not just because she’s flying out of her reach..." I chuckled. "Oh you... Oop, looks like she's done." Twilight levitated a small towel to place over my shoulder in case of spit up and I gently cradled her patting her back until she let out a tiny burp. The nurse had delivered some cloth diapers late last night and it was time for a change, we got her cleaned up putting a new diaper on her. She was still wide awake so we watched and played with her touching and tickling her letting her reach up with her little hooves to touch our faces as she tried to figure us out. I only cried a few times... But at least I wasn't alone in that, as the day passed several of the nurses stopped by bringing breakfast and to see / coo over the new foal. They had a nursery in the hospital for new foals to rest in and for the ones that needed more supervision but we really had no wish to be separated from Starswirl, maybe in fifteen years or so... July first at two minutes after three am, female, nineteen pounds seven ounces (which would be a lot for a human baby but still very low for pony at least a Earth one). Starswirl Grace Sparkle (her middle name came from my grandmother may she rest in peace), the most beautiful, perfect little filly the world had ever seen... Well okay that might not have been printed on her birth certificate but it should have been in my opinion. The doctor was quite pleased at Starswirls health and Twilights as well, she was still sore but she could and did manage to get up and move around a bit. He was comfortable with us going home that evening if we wished and as nice as the staff was here we were eager to get home and let everyone know the joyous news, that is of word of mouth hadn't spread through the whole town already! Midafternoon and we were all ready, Starswirl bundled up and we said our goodbyes thanking the hospital staff for everything. We had all the supplies we would need at home, diapers, food (though she would just need milk for the first while.) And plenty of books to look up anything we might need to know and I was pretty sure that was going to be a lot! Starswirl was levitated by Twilights chest as I pulled them through town and if word of mouth hadn’t been passed before it sure was now! We stopped quite a few times showing off our bundle of joy, she was quite calm staring out at everyone and everything wide eyed squealing occasionally if only to get our attention wanting a quick nuzzle or a kiss she was a bit wary of 'new' visitors but it seemed she had decided the two beings she met the first time she opened her eyes were ok. We made it home eventually and I half expected Pinkie to be waiting for us with balloons and streamers all over but it was quiet, I opened the door and stuck my head in first I knew Pinkie means well and loves foals but she could be pretty loud too and in her excitement I didn't want her to startle or scare Starswirl. But nothing... I guess word hadn’t reached them yet, no rush. I scooped up Twi before she could enter Starswirl nestled against her chest as I carried them across the threshold. "Silly..." She grinned. Twilight was a bit tired so I placed her gently on the couch holding Starswirl in my arms while I showed her, her new home... Her home forever, the beautiful crib Mac had made, our bed, her sisters room, then back to the main library stopping to visit Mom for a moment. Then the kitchen where I got Twi a glass of water, down to our study in the basement then the washroom and finally back to the living room settling down by Twi. "Gave her the ten bit tour did you?" She giggled. "Twenty five at least love." I chuckled. Just then came a light tap on the door. "Come in." Fluttershy popped her head in smiling. "Oh my... Oh my..." She trotted over looking down at Starswirl. "She's beautiful, can... Can I hold her?" "Of course Fluttershy." I got up giving her my spot on the couch putting Starswirl in her forelegs admittedly she looked very natural holding a foal given her caring and kind nature I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised. "Where did you hear about her Fluttershy?" Twilight asked. "Oh, the marketplace is abuzz with gossip about it. I was just doing some shopping when I overheard and I had to rush right over to see if it was true! And I'm so glad I did..." She cooed nuzzling Starswirl gently not surprisingly Starswirl seemed to like Fluttershy immediately. "She’s so precious; she looks just like you Twilight... Oh... She does have your eyes though Rick." She smiled embarrassed. "You’re a natural mother Fluttershy, your foals will be so happy." "I... I'd like to but... It'll probably never happen..." "Fluttershy! Don't talk like that, you could... Well..." "It's ok Twilight... I'm fine on my own..." She whispered as her eyes darkened. Starswirl could apparently sense Fluttershys sadness her own eyes getting teary as she began to sob. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Don't cry Star, I'm ok really! Please don't cry!" Fluttershy wiped her own tears away smiling widely, between her, Twilights and I's reassuring smiles she calmed back down quickly. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make her cry." "That’s ok Shy; she could tell you were sad and just like us she didn't want you to be... Hmm... Star eh?" "Oh! I didn't mean to be insulting, it just slipped out! I was just trying to make her feel better!" "No, Fluttershy I wasn't saying I didn't like it, I do. Star... I love Starswirl but sometimes it’s a bit of a mouthful, it’s a nice nickname don't you think? Shy? Twi?" I asked with a grin. "Humph, you’re lucky your name is too short to need a nickname..." She smiled and nudged me. "But your right, it does seem to fit nicely." "I'm so glad you both like it..." "My little Star and my little Angel... Fitting." I chuckled. "Oh yes, the girls and Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash will be home tonight right?" "Yes, it will be a big surprise for all of them..." "It certainly was for us!" I laughed. "Oh... By the way Fluttershy, have you and Trixie... Talked? Through letters I mean... It's not really my business..." "No, it's ok. You both should know we’ve sent a few letters back and forth. She's back on tour with Sapphire Shores... I'm still mad but... I think I'll get over it." "That’s great Fluttershy!" "I guess... I can forgive her but... I won't... I can't forget. I don't want to seem difficult but I just can't... When you’re in love you should be able to trust your special somepony... Someone, with anything! She's lost my trust and I can't see how she'd ever get it back..." "That’s fair enough; no one’s going to force you to be with someone who's not right for you. You'll find someone again I know it, anyone who gets to know you will see how special a mare you are." She blushed and smiled tickling Star. "Thank you Rick, both of you for supporting me. And thank you for not hating me Twilight..." She whispered. "Fluttershy... Don't you worry about it... But, if you try to seduce my husband again..." She glared at Fluttershy a second before bursting into laughter hugging her tightly. "Kidding!" We all laughed as there came a sudden and rapid taptaptaptaptap at the door, Twilight sighed with a smile. "Come in Pinkie." She poked her pink head in and spied Star right away, she seemed torn between screaming, crying and leaping into the air. All combined she simply wobbled into the room trembling excitedly. "To quote Fluttershy... Yay..." She whispered trying very hard it was clear not to startle Starswirl. "Aww... Come here Pinkie, say hello to Starswirl." She crept forward looking down at Star in Fluttershys embrace. "She's so... So... Just a moment..." She galloped off down the stairs to the basement closing the door behind her. "Woo Hoo! She's so cute! This is going to be great!" She carried on a few minutes more before coming back up smiling sheepishly at our grins. "Sorry... It's just so exciting! I can't wait for the others to see her! I can't wait to play with her! I can foal sit right? Please! I'm responsible really! Ask the Cakes!" "We'll see Pinkie, I'm pretty sure it could be arranged... Tonight when the others get back Rick and I have something very important to ask you though..." "What is it Twilight...?" "Well duh, they want to ask us to throw a party for Starswirls birth! And I can tell you now the answer will definitely be... YES!" "Pinkie... Shh..." "Oh...! Sorry Rick! Sorry Twilight, sorry Starswirl you adorable little ball of fur you..." She giggled. Star didn't seem very disturbed though more then happy to cuddle against Fluttershy while trying to figure out this new bright and boisterous pony. We visited a bit but both Fluttershy and Pinkie had things to do and had to go before too long but both promised to return later in the evening so we could have everyone here at once. We did a little housekeeping and got snacks and beverages ready for tonight Star either suspended from my chest in her harness or on Twi's back watching everything wide eyed waving her little hooves around with adorable smiles and baby talk. Almost suppertime and Star was taking a nap when the door suddenly burst open. "Mom! Dad! I'm hooome!" Twilight glanced upstairs her ears twitching but then turned right back to Scootaloo with a smile. "I'm so glad your home honey, come and sit we want to hear all about it. Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Applejack aren't with you?" "No they went home to freshen up they said they'd stop by later to chat..." "That’s good Angel; I hope you had a good time?" "I sure did! I've got so much to tell you!" "Well let me get us all drinks and we'll hear all about it and after we have a bit of a surprise for you too..." "A surprise?! What is it?" "It wouldn't be much of a surprise if we told you honey... Sit and let’s hear about your trip..." We sat and listened to Scootaloo, I would have thought she might have noticed Twilights lack of belly but maybe she was just too excited. She told us how the first night they camped Dash told scary stories and even though she tried to be brave they gave her bad nightmares, she didn't want Dash or anyone else to think she was afraid though so she hid her fear even though she didn't get much sleep and the next night was even worse! Even though she had been through a hard time I was so proud of her for telling us everything, things she would keep hidden from others... In her nightmare she thought she had seen and talked to Luna which was very possible and I made a mental note to thank Luna for looking out for her I knew she looked out for everyone in the dreamscape but still. Even with Luna’s advice when she woke up she was afraid and panicked running away from the campsite she was afraid of the Headless horse and when she was flying trying to get away she nicked a tree hurting her wing and catapulting her over a ravine! She managed to grab the edge but couldn't hold on! But just when she was about to fall Rainbow Dash swooped down and saved her...! "After that I broke down and told Dash everything and... She understood! She wasn't mad, disappointed or anything! She was willing to be my mentor, teach me! Even hang out sometimes... It was so great!" "Just what we hoped would happen honey..." "Yup! Ok, where’s my surprise?!" "Okay, close your eyes Angel..." She squeezed her eyes shut and I went upstairs and gently gathered up my sleepy foal bringing her down and kneeling in front of Scootaloo. "Okay open them slowly..." She opened them blinking several times confused then looking back and forth between Twilight and I. "Is that..." Twilight kissed her cheek with a smile. "Your baby sister, Starswirl... Or Star if you like." "But... But... When...?" "Just the other day Angel, I'm so sorry you missed it but she really wanted to be born." "She's so tiny... Is she ok?" "You bet honey, healthy as can be. It won't be too long before she'll be up on her own four hooves..." "Wow... Can... Can I hold her?" "Sure Angel, just lean back..." I put Star in her forehooves staying close in case she was heavier then she thought but smiling at my two girls together. "She's so soft..." She smiled nuzzling her gently. Star yawned opening her eyes and staring quizzically at this new pony, so much smaller then the others. She reached out patting her face with her forehooves as Scootaloo looked to us for advice on what to do. "She's just saying hi honey..." "Hi Star... I... I'm your big sister Scootaloo..." "Gah!" Star squealed happily. "She... She likes me...?" She whispered her eyes moist. "Of course she does." I smiled squeezing them both gently. "So... What’s gonna happen?" "Nothing honey, nothing changes. Okay... That’s not true, she's going to need lots of care and attention and everyone is going to be making a big deal about her... But even through everything that’s going to happen it won't change anything..." "We're going to love you and Star so much, I know you’re going to be best friends someday but before then when she grows up a bit she’s going to annoy you and I have no doubt your going to do the same to her but that’s all a part of being family. You'll fight and make up, get mad and love one another but through it all you'll learn what makes one another tick, understand each other. You see?" "I guess... I... I'll look out for her, that’s what big sisters do right?" "That’s my filly..." We spend a little more time letting the two of them get to know one another before Star needed to be fed which Scootaloo tried to look aloof from but a little envious perhaps remembering long ago with her mother... Then a quick diaper change before everyone showed up which she definitely wanted no part of. Dash was the first to arrive. "Hey guys, heya Squirt want to get a few laps in before everyone gets here?" "You bet Rainbow Dash!" She raced outside as Dash smiled to us with a wink before joining her. "I guess Dash isn't as clueless as I thought..." I chuckled. "Oh she can be pretty astute when she tries." The others soon arrived, clearly the news had reached them all as they each came excited and eager to see Star. For her part Star was amazingly calm she got a little fussy here and there being passed to and coo'd over by pony after pony she'd get tired and want to come back to me or Twi. But after a few quiet minutes of cuddling and reassurance she was ready to mingle some more, everyone loved her of course even Dash held her a little bit her tough mare image melted away looking down at the tiny foal. Sweetie Belle and Applebloom bombarded us with questions which we answered as well as we could everyone else joining in eager to know the details. By the time we were done answering questions it was getting late, Star was asleep nestled on Twilights back while the Crusaders were all flopped down together trying to stay awake but slowly failing. "Well, we know its getting late but we had a reason beyond you meeting Starswirl for wanting you all to come tonight." Twilight began. "Oh? Whatcha need?" "It's not what we need... It's what we want to... Offer?" "Whatever do you mean Rick?" "Well Rarity, all of you. I... We, you've been so good to us... And without you, I might have never even met Twilight..." "What?! That’s crazy; of course you would have met Twilight!" "Pinkie, I mean when she came here the first time what if she hadn't met you, if you hadn't befriended her and she left again later..." "Oh I know what you mean Rick, silly. I mean you would have met her no matter where she was! Look at you two; you belong together no matter when no matter how it would have happened." "Pinkie..." I smiled giving her a big hug. "Thanks, I'd like to think your right..." "You've made such a huge impact in my life... Now our lives, we love you all and we could never choose between you. We want you all to be godmothers to Starswirl!" "Godmothers...?" The five of them looked at us for a moment before breaking into smiles. "Yes!" "Um... Just what does a godmother do?" Pinkie scratched her head looking confused. "Like play with her or take care of her? I mean I would do that already, I want to do that! Or like feed her? I mean I have the equipment I guess but... Ooh! I could drink loads of chocolate milk and then maybe..." "Pinkie! That’s not what they mean, a godparent is responsible for taking care of the foal in case anything happens to the parents but really that’s a small part of it. It's more like their inviting us to be a part of their family, to look after and look out for Starswirl... And Scootaloo too, you understand?" Rarity explained. "You bet! I can still drink all the chocolate milk though right?" Rarity sighed shaking her head then turning to us. "I would be honoured." "Me too!" "I would love to... If you’re sure..." "Yeah I guess I could look out for Star while me an the Squirt are together." "Shucks Twi an Rick it’s nothin we wouldn't do even if we weren't godparents, but thank ya for askin." We all embraced a little teary before everyone had to head on home. I'm glad they agreed. Never in doubt love. One to go, think we can contact her tonight in the dream? Worth a try. We tucked Scootaloo in then cleaned up a bit before heading up to bed. I gently lifted Star into her comfy bed for her first nights sleep at home tucked her in with a kiss from Twilight and I before getting undressed and about to get in bed when we heard a sudden cry. "Wah!" Just the one though I hurried over to find her staring up at me her forehooves held up. "I picked her up walking her around a bit until she started getting sleepy again and I laid her back down with another kiss but as soon as I headed to our bed again she cried out. She didn't appear to be hungry and she didn't need to be changed... "Bring her over here." I put her down beside her mother and by the time I laid down beside then she was already snuggled up with Twi, she was so adorable I couldn't help but smile. Then and every time I saw her, I reached over to rub her soft chest her little forehooves closing around my wrist again as she dropped off to sleep. "She'll be fine here between us." "You bet, sleep tight love, baby." "Love you and love you." She nuzzled Star gently then we kissed softly and we drifted off. I awoke to a strange but somewhat familiar feeling lying on a soft bed opening my eyes to a star filled sky. "Luna!" I sat up and looked around not surprised to find Twilight laying beside me but very surprised to find Star there as well! Awake... Well asleep but aware here gazing up at the sky with her big eyes. "Luna! So good to see you." I rolled back over just in time to see Luna soar down with a smile. "I felt a new soul join the dreaming, not an uncommon occurrence but this time..." She blushed kneeling down as I moved aside so she could be face to face with Star. "She's beautiful... Hello Starswirl Sparkle, I'm your godmother Luna... That is if you still want me to be...?" "Of course we do Luna!" She lifted Star putting her in Luna’s forehooves, Luna seemed even more at unease then I had the first time I held her almost shaking. I rubbed her back comfortingly adjusting her forehooves slightly. "Don't worry." Star looked up at this new face so much bigger then the others but that didn't seem to put her off at all as she smiled reaching up to touch Luna’s nose. She smiled down at the tiny foal tears flowing. "I... I've seen so many foals grow up and pass on again and again but this... I've never been so... Close, connected... Thank you, thank you both! And you too Starswirl." She nuzzled her softly passing her back to me with a smile. "I'm so glad I met you both, even if someone else had saved me from the nightmare I had become I still pray I would have met the two of you..." "Oh!" I passed Star to Twi taking one of Luna’s forehooves and kissing it gently. "Thank you for looking out for Scootaloo, all of us really." She blushed. "What? Oh it was nothing really! Just some advice, I didn't want to leave her distressed as she was." "Still thank you Luna." She smiled and shook her head. "You saved me from myself Twilight Sparkle, and you Rick. Reminding me of pain of my past and then showing me I didn't need to dwell on it. Two friends, sleep well my friends I have my responsibilities but I hope to see you soon. I am certain your parents will wish to meet their new grandchild." "I've written them already and we plan to go as soon as possible but somehow I doubt their going to wait..." Twilight grinned. "I have no doubt." Luna giggled. "Until we meet again." She kissed Star softly with a smile lifting off as we faded back into our own dreams... Six godmothers... Maybe it'll be enough to keep her out of trouble... Probably not... Well, baby steps…