King Draco covered his daughter's eyes with his claws as he guided her down the hall. Ember already suspected what was coming, and so she went along without a single complaint. Over the past week, she'd had visits from nearly everypony and dragon she knew. King Shadow came to visit with his family and Peck. The Elements and the alicorn sisters, of course, along with Flare, her uncle, Nimash, and even Princess Cadance.
She and Draco's cousin were somewhat friends. She was sure they would be much more close if they actually had time to speak. Her father and Shining Armor had met, unfortunately. Shining Armor held a silent hatred to the dragons because of the war of the Old Kingdoms. Dragons against ponies. Rumor had it that her father and Princess Celestia fought for three straight days, during Luna's absence. Thousands of Solars died, including the Captain of the Royal Guard at the time. Celestia was able to subdue him long enough to fight off an entire carrier escort, which included hundreds of carrier dragons. Shining Armor held onto the old hatred, but she couldn't blame him for that.
But none of that mattered to her. She kept her mind free of any thoughts aside from those that kept up her curiosity about what a baby shower looked like. Was it like a birthday? With balloons and cake and such? It wasn't like she hadn't had cravings (which included lots of gems and sweets and… ice cream, apparently).
"Are we almost there?" Ember asked. Her father chuckled softly, turning them down a different hall.
"You sound eager," King Draco laughed. She flicked his arm with her tail, earning a light chuckle from her father once more. "Yes, Ember. We're near the ball room."
The exited the main castle building and walked across the castle grounds to reach the ball house. Once inside, her father moved his claws away from her face, revealing complete darkness to her. She could make out figures with her keen eyes, but not much more. The light flashed on, and several cannons fired, peppering her with confetti and streamers.
"Congratulations!"
Ember laughed as she pulled some of the streamers off, then found herself being hugged by Flare, Pinkie, and her uncle. The others waited for Pinkie to let go before they greeted her with their own embraces.
"Told you I'd have everything ready!" Pinkie laughed. "Do you like it?"
Ember nodded with a genuine smile. "I love it, Pinkie. Thank you so much… all of you." They embraced her once more.
"You're family to us, Ember," Celestia smiled. "We're all here for you."
"Yeah!" Rainbow chuckled. "Were you surprised to see us all?"
"A bit," Ember chuckled. "But I'm glad you all came."
"Alright, everypony, let the pregnant mare-er, dragoness breathe," Applejack said. "Now that yer here, we can start the party!"
"I got it!" Pinkie pulled a cannon close and jumped inside, reaching out with her hoof to light the fuse and launch herself behind a set of turntables. "Let's party!"
Pinkie started up the music and jumped over to her friends to start dancing. Celestia and Luna joined them, along with Cadence and Shining Armor. Flare laughed as she brought Ember out to the dance floor, dancing along with the others at a more relaxed pace to enjoy with her friend. King Draco and her uncle, Ace, simply sat and watched their little dragoness dance. Pinkie wanted no pony, or dragon, to miss out, and so she pulled Celestia and Luna to the side, whispered into their ears, then laughed as they nodded.
The dragon brothers were surprised as to how vigorously they were pulled from their seats, looking to Pinkie as she pulled them to the dance floor. She twirled them both around, getting them nice and dizzy to get them to stumble to their dance partners. Celestia laughed as King Draco bumped into her, and Ace's eyes widened as Luna smiled playfully at him. Pinkie smiled innocently at them, then laughed as she watched the rulers dance together.
Ember and Flare couldn't help but laugh as they watched her father dance with the solar princess. It was nice to see, especially since they had nearly killed each other long ago. Ember winked at her uncle, who was trying to keep up with the younger alicorn sister. It was heartwarming to see her family loosen up. Everypony switched partners, Ember going over to Shadow, then Rainbow, and Cadance to dance with them.
But in her condition, she was tired long before anypony else. Flare and Twilight went to go sit down with her and chat, the others doing the same after a bit more dancing. Rarity went on about all sorts of dress ideas, especially since she wanted to make one that complimented Ember's beautiful assortment of colors. Rainbow and Applejack talked about the child being lucky to have Draco, and Fluttershy was just glad she was starting a family. Twilight spoke to her about what it would mean for her family, while Pinkie rambled about being like an aunt to the hatchling.
"It's time for presents!" Pinkie announced, blowing a horn ceremoniously as she pulled a cart full of ribboned boxes.
Ember laughed nervously as she watched everypony take their present from the cart and line up in front of her. Pinkie was first, of course, and she quietly bounced in place as Ember opened the box. A spray of confetti hit her in the face, and she laughed as she pulled out a dragon doll. Ember noticed it looked like her, and she thanked Pinkie cordially. But for some reason, Pinkie took the box and went to the back of the line.
Paying it no mind, she received all of her other gifts just as gladly. Rainbow had bought a Wonderbolts rattle for the baby, Rarity had knitted a beautiful blanket, which suited either gender in case of anything. Fluttershy's present was an entire set of ceramic plates and utensils for the baby. She explained that they were enchanted to withstand heat, and Ember thanked her with a hug. Applejack gave a bow that could be put in a filly's mane or on a colt's chest. She promised to buy a color that would match the hatchling's colors, but Ember insisted it was fine.
Twilight was next, and she presented Ember with a number of story books, about both pony legends and dragon legends. Ember hugged her as well, then separated as she took her friend Flare's box. When the lid was pushed aside, the dragoness laughed loudly while Flare smiled brightly.
"What's so funny?" Pinkie laughed, looking into the box. "Ooh! What's that?"
"It's a small joke among our kind," Ember chuckled, holding up the piece of cloth with six designs drawn onto it. "Whichever piece my child's tail ends up on on their first morning after birth, will be their fate."
"Oooooh, like a fortune!" Rainbow laughed.
"And we dragons don't believe in that," Ember said, playfully scolding her friend. "But we do it anyways to give our children a laugh."
Ember held the cloth as Celestia stepped forward. The dragoness smiled softly with a raised brow when there was no box, but Celestia's horn lit and a small flash of magic caused a slip of paper to appear. She gave it to Ember, and waited for her to read it.
"This is a set of coordinates… yes?" Ember asked, a bit confused.
"I'm assuming my sister has given you the location of our private island," Luna chuckled. "It is an enchanted island, unseen from the air or sea. The only way to reach it, is through a special teleportation spell my sister and I created."
"Whenever you or Draco want to spend time together, we'd be happy to take care of the little one while you two have fun," Celestia smiled. "But that isn't my present for the hatchling."
Celestia's horn lit brighter this time, and a small, white box lowered into Ember's claw. She carefully opened it, gasping at what she saw. A golden necklace, the chain feeling as though it glowed while the small trinket it held brightly shone.
"The chain is made from pure sunlight, welded by ancient unicorn jewelry makers," Celestia explained, holding up the locket. "When the time comes, hold this with both claws, and say your child's name. They will be the only one able to open this locket. The light will give them comfort, no matter the circumstance."
It was a remarkable gift, and Ember let a tear fall as she hugged the princess. "Thank you, Celestia… thank you."
"You're family, Ember. Remember that," she nodded softly. "Luna?"
The lunar princess' horn lit up a moment after her name was called. The doors opened as a group of lights entered, flickering quickly as the swirled together. In a bright flash of white, the lights combined to make a symbol in the shape of a crescent moon.
"I would like to give this for your child," Luna said. "It is made of the stars in the sky. Whenever your child holds this, their courage will never falter. This amulet shall protect them from darker forces, from spells to monsters and everything of the like."
Everypony could feel the raw emotion in the star crafted insignia. Ember held it, surprised as to how light it was, then watched Cadance step forward. Cadance's horn lit like her aunts' horns, shining brightly as she summoned her gift. A red, ruby-like heart the size of an acorn floated in front of Ember, and she grabbed it slowly.
"It's made of pure emotion," Cadance giggled. "When your foal falls in love, if they give this to their loved one, they'll be together with an unbreakable bond."
It sounded like a wonderful gift, and Ember was sure it took time to make such a powerful trinket. When they were done, it was Pinkie that stood in front of her once more. "I wanted to save the best best BEST for last!" She exclaimed, smiling with excitement. "This is my present for you!"
Ember reached into the open box, feeling the bottom slide back and forth. It felt… it felt awfully like… a picture frame? When she pulled it up, she felt her body stiffen.
It was a picture… a picture of her and Draco hugging… the day he decided he had to leave… only it was painted. "How… how did you get this?"
"I painted it, silly!" Pinkie giggled. "I have photographic memory, so it was easy to remember!"
Rainbow rose a brow. "You have photographic memory?" She questioned.
"Beats me," Pinkie laughed with a shrug. "Do you like it?"
Ember felt her eyes welling up with tears as she looked at the painting of her lover… the one she hadn't seen in nearly two years. She felt a set of hooves hug her, followed by the scales of her father, and then the rest as well. She sobbed lightly, holding the picture close as she smiled and recalled everything about the man of her dreams. His smile, his laugh… his love for her… her love for him.
"I'll take that as a yes," Pinkie smiled, wiping a tear from Ember's eye. "Aww, I didn't wanna see you cry."
"It's fine, Pinkie," Ember chuckled throatily, wiping her tears away. "I love it… it's wonderful."
"It was your dad's idea, actually," Pinkie smiled.
King Draco knelt in front of his daughter, and she chuckled as she threw her arms around him, crying happily and holding him close. "I know it's hard," he whispered in her ear, "and I know you're strong. But I want you to remember what you're being strong for."
Ember sighed shakily. "Thank you, father… thank you."
The ponies smiled softly as Ember regained her composure and looked to them. "This is all amazing… thank you."
"Don't thank us yet! The party isn't even over!" Pinkie smiled. "Round two, everypony!"