//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: The Path to Parenthood // by FictionFreek //------------------------------// Inside of their bedroom, Illusion had begun to stir in bed, the light shining through the curtains grabbing his attention. With a grunt Illusion turned his back to the light and reached out to grab hold of something. But to his dismay there was nothing to hold on to but the cold empty air of the other side of the bed. “Huh?” with confusion Illusion opened his eyes only to see that Claire was missing from the other side of the bed. At first, Illusion thought that she might still be going through morning sickness, so he turned his head towards the bathroom. But when he did he saw that the door was open and the lights were off. With no other place for her to have gone, it was clear to Illusion that Claire was no longer in the room. Tossing the sheets to the side Illusion climbed off of bed and began to make his way towards the door. And that is when he noticed that something else was missing. Beside the door placed on the ground was his own saddle bag. Right beside it should have been another, the one that belonged to Claire, but it was gone. “She took her bag too?” a sense of worry began to grow over Illusion, Claire had not only left without a word, but she took her saddle bag with her. Illusion looked around the room once more for a sign of a note, anything that would give him some indication on where she had gone, but he found nothing. A sudden uneasy feeling rushed over Illusion, Claire was not one to just disappear like that. Quickly Illusion made for his door, with any luck one of the guards would know when Claire left and where she could have gone. As Illusion walked through the door, he was greeted by a rather odd sight. A batpony guard still standing by his door, his head hanging down as he snored while somehow still standing up straight. “Wonder why he’s still here?” Illusion knew that by now any and all batpony guards would have switched shifts with the day guards. So it made him wonder who this guard was still standing in his post. Carefully, so to not freak him out, Illusion tapped the guards shoulder to stir him a little. “Huh!” snorted the guard as his head shot up. He blinked a few times as he looked around, eventually his eyes stopped when he spotted Illusion standing beside him. “Oh, good morning prince Illusion.” He said rubbing his eye. “Likewise,” said Illusion “by any would you know where Claire has gone?” he asked. This guard had been standing by their door the whole night, so if anyone had the information Illusion was looking for, it would be him. “Actually, she left me a message to be given to you the moment you awake.” Illusion arched a brow, he didn’t know what the massage could be, but he prepared himself for it. “Go on…” he said. “She said that there is something she had to do, and that she had to do it alone.” The guard relayed Claire’s message using the same emphasis Claire had used on the last word. Illusion fell silent with confusion, unsure of the meaning of Claire’s message. “Thank you,” the guard bowed his head for a moment before walking away, having delivered the massage he could now end his shift. As the guard walked away, Illusion looked out the window of the hall. He played Claire’s message in his mind several times, trying to find some understanding to what it said. “Where have you gone, Claire…?” Illusion thought to himself. “Oh, one last thing, sir.” Turning his head, Illusion saw that the guard had returned. “Everypony in the guard has heard of the news of Claire’s pregnancy, and I’d like to extend a congratulations.” “I appreciate that,” Illusion said with a smile, again the guard bowed and walked away, leaving Illusion to his thoughts. Illusion wanted to return to wonder where Claire had gone, but instead, he found himself thinking of what the guard had said. “Everypony in the guard has heard the news…” As Illusion replayed that sentence in his head, he found himself focusing on one particular word. “Everypony…?” Claire had been pregnant for just over a week now, enough time for the news to spread through the castle. Even her niece and nephew were sent notification of it, but still, something seemed to be missing. He tried to figure out what that could have been, but he could only draw a blank. “Maybe I should ask mom for some help.” Illusion said to himself as he made his way down the hall. But he only took a few steps before he came to a full stop, turning his head to look out the window, Illusion looked towards the sky. “Mom…” Claire had long since removed her gaze from the window of the chariot, taking her seat in the middle, her eyes locked on the floor. The anxiety she felt in her stomach grew worse, so much so that she couldn’t tell if it was because she was still suffering from morning sickness, or if it was something else. “Don’t try to fool yourself…” Claire said with a sigh as she wrapped her forearms around her stomach. “You know exactly why…” Claire’s ride went on for several minutes longer before she began to feel the chariot drop in altitude. No sooner did she feel the wheels land softly on the ground, if it was one thing she was glad for, it was the guard’s ability to make a trip as comfortable as possible for the passengers they carry. Soon the chariot came to a complete halt, but Claire remained where she sat, unable to avert her eyes from the floor. There was a knock on the door “Lady Clarity?” said one of the guards, a hint of concern in her voice. “We have arrived at your destination, you are free to exit the chariot.” Claire still didn’t move, she took in a breath before responding. “I’ll be out in a moment.” “Yes ma'am,” the guard responded which was followed by the sounds of hooves stepping away from the door. Alone once again, Claire tried her hardest to regain her composure, but it was no easy task. With every second that passed Claire found it harder to bring herself to step outside, the trembling in her stomach refusing to stop. Claire has had many fears in her life, some of which he was able to overcome. But there was one that seemed to grow worse as the years went by, a certain place that served as a constant painful reminder, and it was right outside. “Maybe…maybe I could try another day.” Claire thought to herself, she was just about to call out for one of the guards when. “Come tell me.” Just then the trembling stopped and Claire looked up from the floor, “What was I thinking?” she said to herself. “I can’t just keep putting this off, I made a promise.” She continued as she stood up from her seat. She took a few steps until she reached the door, looking at the knob she took in a deep breath and reach out for it. “And I intend to keep it.” Opening the door Claire took her first steps outside, her claws making contact with the soft grass. For a moment she found a small level of enjoyment out of it, it had been a long time since she felt the soft ground of Ponyville soil. But the moment passed quickly as Claire remember the reason why she asked to be taken here. Claire walked up to the front of the chariot where the two guard who brought her there stood in wait. Both heard her coming and turned around to give Claire their fully attention “I’d like to thank you both for bringing me here.” She said with a warm smile. “Happy to be of service,” said one of the guards. “Now if you could both just wait here for a little while, there’s something I need to take care of.” She said, both guards giving her a salute in response. Thanking them again Claire pressed forward, in the distance seeing a cobblestone path. As she grew closer Claire began to feel her anxiety build up again, only this time is wasn’t as bad. She wasn’t going to let it stop her, not when she was so close now. As she traverse the cobblestone path she could see a large gate in front of her. Claire stopped in her tracks and stared at the open doors of the gate, taking a moment to let it sink in. “I can do this, I can.” Claire said as she took another deep breath before bring herself to continue forward toward her goal. As she walked through the open gate, Claire could see the metallic sign that was attached to the top of it. One that read: Ponyville Cemetery Back at castle, Illusion stood at the balcony of one of the towers with a perplexed look on his face. His gaze was locked on the town in the horizon, Ponyville; he knew that Claire was there and he had an idea as to why. But what he didn’t know, was what he should do with that information. Claire had resolved to do something on her own, and Illusion wanted to respect that, but on the other hoof he also wanted to be there for her. If Claire had in fact set out to do what he thought she was, then he knew that it would be difficult for her. So he had a choice to make, go against his wife’s wishes and stand by her when she goes through with it, or await for her return, and comfort her then. The problem was that Illusion had something against both options. He wanted to be there for Claire, but he didn’t want it to be at the expense of her own resolve. “There has to be another option…” Illusion said out loud, more to himself than anyone else. “Bit for your thoughts?” Illusion blinked when he heard another voice, tuning his head straight up he saw somepony staring back down at him. It was Nirda who had taken a seat on the top of the tower, a slight amused look on her face. “Oh, hey Nidra.” He said turning his head back down. Nidra raised an eyebrow as he lips pouted slightly. “And a nice cold morning to you too.” She said sarcastically as she flew down landing next to her cousin. Illusions ears pinned to the sides of his head as he let out a small sigh. “Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind right now.” “About what?” “Claire is in Ponyville.” Said Illusion as she looked over to Nira. The latter simple looked back at him and motioned her hoof for him to continue. “She left sometime during the night, left me a message saying that there was something she had to do.” He added. “So what’s the problem?” asked Nidra. “The problem is that I think it’s going to be hard for her, and I want to be there for her.” To Nidra the answer seemed clear. “So go after her.” She said. “But she wants to do it alone.” Said Illusion, to which Nidra gave another obvious answer. “Then don’t go.” “But I want to be there.” By this point Nidra began to grow a little annoyed. “Oh for goodness sakes, why do ponies try to complicate this? If one pony wants to be with another one then why not just be with them?” said Nirda enticing a small laugh out of Illusion. “Hello pot I’m kettle.” He mumbled to himself, but Nidra heard him. “What’s what supposed to mean!?” she growled. “Oh nothing.” Illusion said with a small giggle. The two went into a short silence after that, only for it to be broken when Illusion let out another sigh. “Tell me something; what can you do when you’re face with two doors, but you can’t open either of them?” she asked. Nirda stared at Illusion as she mulled over the question, she didn’t quite understand the meaning of the question, and as such her answer was blunt. “Tear down the wall in between them?” she said with a shrug. Illusion placed his paw on his face, he wasn’t really sure what kind of answer he should have expected from Nidra. But after a few seconds he began to think about her answer. “If you can’t open a door, make your own…?” he thought to himself. It seemed so simple, but at the same time, there was something greater to it. “That’s it!” he yelled slamming his hoof into his paw in realization. “Nidra!” shouted as he grabbed on to his cousins shoulders “You’re a genius!” he added as he shook her repeatedly. When the shaking stopped Nidra’s eyes spun around in her head in dizziness. “Great…why is that now?” she asked hoping that the world around her would stop spinning soon. Just then Illusion let go of her and she flopped down on the floor. “No time to explain, I have to go!” he said before disappearing in a flash of light. “Glad I could help…” Nidra groaned extending one hoof into the air. “I’m sorry I haven’t visited in a while, things have been busy with my shop. Lot of ponies out there always looking to buy jewelry crafted by a princess…Actually, that’s not true. Don’t get me wrong, business is still good, but that doesn’t excuse me not coming to see you more often. I guess the truth is that I still have a hard time accepting this, that it’s all some bad dream. But I guess we have to wake up sometime.” “But now I’m here, and I have something important to tell you.” Claire had finally arrived to her destination. Within the cemetery’s center stood a large tomb, one crafted in fine marble, one built to house six specific ponies during their final rest. And today Claire had come to see one of those six so that she could fulfill her promise. In front of Claire was a marked grave with three clean cut diamonds edged into it. And just below that was engraved: ‘Here lies Rarity, Element of Harmony, and a wonderful wife and mother, she shall remain in our hearts forever.’ “You once told me something years ago that I didn’t understand.” Claire continued as she spoke to her mother’s grave. “That there was a decision that I couldn’t make with my mind, but with my heart.” Claire paused, her eyes beginning to water as spoke. “But now I understand, I understand full well and I know that you were right, you were always right.” By now the tears had begun to stream down Claire’s cheeks. “So now I’m going to tell you something that I should have told you weeks ago.” Claire wiped the tears from her eyes with her foreleg and put on a proud smile. “I’m pregnant mom, I’m going to be a mother.” She said. Of course her words were met with silence, not to say that she was expecting a response, but at the same time she wished that she did. Clenching her jaw, Claire’s lip quivered as the tears continued to run freely. “It’s as amazing as you said it was, minus the morning sickness.” Claire said chocking out a small laugh. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world, the feeling of knowing that there’s a life inside of me.” Claire paused again as she tried to keep her sobs under control, but her high running emotions was too much. “I just…I just wish I could have realized this earlier, so that you could have still been around when I found out. So I could see the look in your eyes when I told you, so that I could hold you during one of the happiest moments of my life. But I didn’t, I didn’t and I’m so sorry!” she said letting it all out. After all was said Claire simply sat down with one claw over her eyes in an attempt to stop them, but it was no use. Just then Claire felt something warm wrap around her, letting out a gasp she opened her eyes and looked behind her. Looking back at her was Illusion, a sympathetic frown on his face as he saw his crying wife. “W-what are you doing here, I-I said.” Before Claire could finish her lips were covered by Illusions paw as he quietly shushed her. “You said you had to do this alone, and you did.” He said as he nuzzled her cheek “Now that it’s done, you don’t have to deal with this alone, not anymore.” Claire closed her eyes tightly as Illusions nuzzled her. And as a new stream of tears were released she wrapped her arms around him and pulled Illusion closer as she cried into his chest. “Do you think she heard me?” asked Claire. “I’m sure she did.” Said Illusion as he rubbed Claire’s back gently. “And I’m sure she’s smiling down on you right now, as proud as a mother could be.” With one last sniffle Claire removed her face from Illusions chest, the tears having finally come to an end. “Thanks Illusion.” She said with a smile. “I needed to hear that.” Illusion looked back at Claire and gave her a smile before pulling her back in for a hug. “I’ll always be there when you need me.” He told her. “I know you will,” she said. The two sat there for a while in total silence, both enjoying the others company. “So, are you ready to head home?” Illusion asked her. “Can we just sit here for a little while longer?” Claire asked looking back up into Illusions eyes. Illusion simple smiled back as her as he nuzzled her cheek. “Of course, I’ll sit here with you for as long as you want.”