//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 // Story: The Path to Parenthood // by FictionFreek //------------------------------// A few weeks passed since the incident involving Claire building a nest in her sleep; since that night, thankfully, nothing abnormal has happened. It was a relief to Illusion, the thought that what happened that night might have been a one-time event. But even with that there was still the small voice in the back of his head that feared that it would occur again. Luckily he wouldn’t have to worry about it happening when he wasn’t around. And this was all thanks to the teams that he had asked of from his aunt and mother. Just as he had instructed, two teams, one for day and night respectably did as they were asked of. They kept a close eye on Claire, be it in the castle or out in the streets, insuring that nothing would happen to her. Illusion still regretted going behind Claire’s back in this regard, he knew from her past that she wasn’t too fond of those around her being overprotective. But at least now he can rest easier and focus on his work when he knows someone is there to protect her if the need be. He promised himself that he would tell her after the foal was born, but for now he would just prefer that she stay in the dark about it. This was she can live her life normally without having to know that she’s being followed at all hours of the day. But at least today he wouldn’t have to leave it to the teams, and he could spend it with her. After learning of Claire’s pregnancy Illusion found a desire to be near her a much as possible. Not just for the part of him that wants to protect her, but for the part of him who wants to be by her side every step of the way. To be able to see her as she develops, and so see their child grow inside her with each passing day. And more often than not, spending the day with her will result in some hilarities. “Need help with that?” Illusion had heard that some mares will often take up a hobby during their pregnancy. But of all the things Illusion could picture Claire ever kicking up, knitting would have to be last on the list. While Claire may be skilled in many things, it would seem that working a yarn might be her match. Through a series of trial and error, Illusion watched as Claire somehow managed to tangle herself in a web of yarn. “H-hold on, I think I’ve got it” Claire said as she struggled to untangle the yarn from around her body. “Maybe you should have tried using your magic rather than your claws?” while Claire’s claws gave her an edge in terms of dexterity, they weren’t quite constructed for delicate work. “It’s more personal if made by hoof- er-claws.” Claire said as she continued in vein to free herself. Eventually she let out a defeated sigh and put her arms down. “Okay, screw it.” She said as her horn began to glow, and before Illusion could question what she was going to do Claire opened her mouth and let out a short breath of fire. The yarn quickly caught blaze and burned around her she was finally free from her prison. “And that is why the room is fireproof.” Illusion said with a chuckle. Claire simple stuck her tongue out playfully as she reached for a new ball of yarn. With a sigh she picked up her knitting sticks and tried a new once again. “But seriously Claire, why the sudden interest in knitting?” Claire fell silent as she halted her knitting. Illusion stared at Claire as she looked down at her hooves. Her mood which had seemed bright until now suddenly went south. Claire closed her eyes and slowly lowered her sticks to the floor, letting out a sigh she looked up towards the ceiling. “You know, when I was still a foal my parents took a lot of pictures of me. In a lot of them you can see me wearing little socks, a hat, even chewing on a blanket.” She said letting out a small laugh at the last part. “All of them she made with her own hooves, not once did she ever buy something from a clothing store. She used to tell me, ‘You can find the best crafters, request only the highest of quality materials, and pay top bit. But no matter what there is one thing they will never be able to sew, knit, or mold into their creations.” Claire paused for a moment, taking a moment to fight back what Illusion could only assume was a lump in her throat. “A mothers love…” The room fell silent again, Illusion frozen in place as he tried to figure out what to say. But what could he say to something like that, what could he contribute? All he could do was lay there in silence as he watched Claire try again. “Mom tried to teach me how to sew, a few time actually, but I could never really pick it up.” Said Claire “I’m not looking to make the best quilt this side of Equestria, but I just want to make something, something I can be proud of. Something I can look back on and know in my heart that it’s one of a kind.” Illusion bit his bottom lip, he could understand Claire’s desires, but there was nothing he could do to help her. He’d never really tried to make anything that wasn’t just created with magic, but there was only one other pony her knew who could. “You know what, keep going at it, I know you’ll get it.” Said Illusion as he got up from the ground. “I’m going to get you some more yarn, okay?” “Okay.” Said Claire, her focus fully on to the sticks between her claws. Without another word Illusion left the room, a smile spread across his lips. “Oh Tartarus!” Claire hissed, again her attempt to knit something she could be proud of resulted in a botched anomaly. By now she had given up on trying to save and reuse the yarn, instead she tossed it over onto the pile with the others. Looking over to her basket Claire saw that there was one ball remaining. And with Illusion yet to return with more she would have to make do with that one until he did. “Alright, this time for sure!” she said as she held the final ball of yarn in her hooves. Setting it down close to her she found the end piece of the string and began to work it around her knitting sticks. With unyielding focus Claire continued to loop the string, praying that it retain the shape she had pictured in her mind. With each twist and twirl she could feel her hopes rising, feeling that finally all the trial and error was going to be worth it. But that didn’t last long, before she knew it the loops and knots were coming undone, and try as she might she just couldn’t fix it. But she wasn’t going to give up, she wanted to do this, she had to do this. Eventually her determination turned into anger as she let out an annoyed huff, tossing the yarn to the ground. Putting her stick down Claire let out a sigh as she ran her hooves through her mane. She knew trying to teach herself to knit would be challenging, but with everything she’d tried she had expected to make at least some progress. Instead she was no better than when she first tried this, “But what else can I do, if I don’t practice I won’t get better…” laying her head on a pillow Claire let out a small sigh, she couldn’t continue practicing until Illusion returned with more yarn. As she waited she wondered just what she would choose to be the first piece of clothing she’d make for her child. Sock were the first thing her mother made for her, but she was told her claws tore through them. She didn’t want to risk it being destroyed, so it had to be something that would last for years, a scarf perhaps. “Yeah, that sound good,” she could picture it now, she’d make it big so it can be wrapped around her child to keep it warm. As he or she grows older the scar will never be outgrown, still usable even when her child is fully grown. “It’ll be perfect,” with her mind settled all that was left was to wait for Illusion to return with more yarn. Knock knock knock “Perfect timing,” Claire said as she raised her head form her pillow “It’s open Lu!” she called out. The knob to the door turned and it was quickly opened, however it wasn’t Illusion who stepped through. “Good evening, Claire,” standing at the door was Celestia, her usual warm smile spread across her face. “Oh, hello mother,” said Claire surprised to see Celestia enter her room. “What brings you here?” she asked. “Illusion tells me you’re having some difficulties,” she said as she stepped in closer. Soon Celestia noticed the large pile of ruined yarn on the floor. “And I see it hold true,” using her magic Celestia picked up the pile, pulling it towards her. “Oh no, it’s actually my masterpiece,” said Claire “I call it, ‘belongs in trash’” Celestia couldn’t help but chuckle at the amount of sarcasm she heard in Claire’s voice. “I will admit, it isn’t the easiest of tasks, takes a while to learn.” She said. “Wait, do you know how to knit?” asked Claire. “Among other things,” said Celestia “Believe me Claire, you don’t get to be as old as I without picking up a few hobbies.” Celestia’s horn began to glow brighter, as did the magic around the tangled yarn. Slowly but surely the string began to move, steadily unraveling itself with each passing second. Claire watched in total amazement as the disheveled tangle or yarn was returned to the original balls they were before she began. “Whoa, you’ve got to teach me that.” Said Claire. Celesita smiled as she placed the balls of yarn into the basket. She then took a few steps closer to Claire, and knelled so that she was lying beside her. “I can teach you that and more, Claire,” said Celestia, her magic reaching for one of the ball of yarn, slowly moving it towards Claire. “If you’ll allow it.” Claire was taken back from the offer, looking down at the yarn as though it were some lie. “I truly think of you as my daughter, and I know that you see me as a mother. But I also know that you and I won’t have the same bond that you had with your real mother.” Said Celestia “And I don’t blame you, Rarity was a wonderful mother, and a dear friend.” Extending a wing Celestia wrapped it around Claire. “But I also know that she left us, you, too early. Before you could require her wisdom the most. I know I can replace her, but I want you to know that I am here for you, and I always will be.” Claire looked up at Celestia, that smile, her smile, it was always so warming, so motherly. One that said she could always come to her with any problem. Again she looked down at the yarn in her hooves, as though she had been looking at them for the first time. With her magic she picked up her stick once again, and looked up. “Do you know how to knit a scarf?” with her eyes closed in glee, Celestia nodded, and from her long flowing mane she pulled out her own pair of knitting sticks. “I’m afraid I have no experience with claws,” she said as she looped another yarn to her sticks. “But if you follow my lead, I’m sure you’ll pick it up quickly.” Time flew by as minutes turned into hours, but Claire hadn’t noticed. All she could see was what was held in her hooves. All she could feel was the pride in her chest for what she had finally managed to accomplish. She had tried so hard before only to be met with failure, and yet with the help of Celestia, she’d finally accomplished it. Finally it was complete, a long scarf made of blue and red yarn. And alternating zigzag pattern that melded perfectly with one another, it surly was something Claire could be proud of. “You’ve done wonderfully,” said Celestia as she stared down at Claire’s master piece. “But I must admit, I think you made it too long,” she said with a chuckle. Claire laughed as well as she extended the scarf. “Yeah you’re probably right,” said Claire “Even if the foal grows up I doubt it’ll be able to grow into this.” Using her magic Claire levitated the scarf off the ground, stretching it as far as it would allow. “But I think there is somepony who this would be perfect for.” To Celestia’s surprise the scarf began to move, and gently it tied itself around her neck. She looked down at it in silence before looking over to Claire. This time it was her turn to give out the warm, loving smile. “But…I thought.” “I thought about what you said,” said Claire “You’re right, you’re not her, but that doesn’t make you any less of a mother to me. And maybe the bond you and I have won’t be the same as I had with her. But in the end, that doesn’t mean that it won’t have the same value to me.” As Celestia listened, a single tear streamed down her cheek. “You are my mother, and as a daughter I wanted to give you something that would prove it. And soon, you’ll get to hold your grandfoal in your arms.” She couldn’t help herself any longer, with more joy than before Celestia wrapped her arm around Claire and pulled her in for hug. Truly she loved this mare, she loved her daughter.