Rarity woke with a yawn, stretching her hooves out as she removed her sleeping mask from her eyes. The morning sun, shining through her window.
"Ah, such a beautiful day." She said, as she slid out of her bed and headed toward her bathroom. The first step towards a splendid day was to make one look stunning and clean.
Carefully folding and placing her night gown into a carefully folded and piled set of dirty clothes that would need to be washed later, Rarity took a brief moment to examine herself in her mirror. Her body was still as well shaped and pristine as it had ever been, a fact she was very proud of as she got older. True she was not yet in her middle ages, it was none the less a blessing to see that all her work to care for herself continued to pay off.
Turning on the hot water, Rarity took her usual hour of cleansing, washing and drying. Once she was dried, it was time to pick something to wear.
'Hmmm. I have to meet with the girls at Twilight's for breakfast. Oh, perhaps this will do; and of course I will need a sunhat to keep my skin from being burnt.' Rarity thought, as she selected a dress and hat. But of course, she first had to put on her undergarments.
And it was there that Rarity received a most strange sensation.
"Mmm, ow." Rarity groaned, as she had started to tighten her bra around her breasts. Removing the fabric, she carefully placed her hooves against her breasts and gently pressed against him, and squeezed them.
Once more they felt sore and tender.
"Hmm, how odd." Rarity wondered, confused on why her chest should feel so sore.
'Hmmm, could it have been Hoity Toity?' Rarity wondered, recalling the previous night before with one the famed Fashion Critic. The stallion could often be a little rough when they were intimate. Though it could have been that night with Fleur and Fancy Pants; the two could be rather deviant behind closed doors which had surprised her.
Hmmm, well it was a mystery for later. Rarity ignored the soreness of her breasts, as she could not go out without a bra on. And it was not so severe that she could not ignore it.
Once she was fully dressed, Rarity made her way toward Twilight's castle. The thought of time spent with her friends giving a smile on her face, and making her forget the strange soreness in her chest.
It was probably nothing.
Rarity smiled as she sat down at the table with Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. It was good to have some quality girl time with her friends, just the six of them. It seemed that they had less time to see each other as their career paths took greater amounts of her time
Rainbow Dash was going to more and more shows as a Wonderbolt, sometimes even traveling for months across Equestria. And she herself was often busy with meetings, business advertisement parties. Twilight was often busy as she got herself settled into her royal stance as a princess.
Sure they had spa days, but it was often difficult to schedule one for all of them. So having a day where they could all meet and talk with each other was always a pleasure to be appreciated more then anything.
"...and bam!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she told them about one of the shows she had performed at, "We burst through the clouds and a sonic rainboom explodes behind us even as we come to a stop at the landing path. That part was kinda not in the original flight pattern, but it was a totally awesome addition."
"Awww, I wish we could have seen it. Seeing you do a Sonic Rainboom is always so much fun." Pinkie complained.
Rarity nodded, "Indeed. You should really try to get us some tickets to your next show sometime Rainbow Dash."
Dash smiled, "Sure. It isn't easy. Spitfire doesn't like us playing favorites with parents or friends; even if she does always try to have her mother in the audience to watch her. But don't tell her I told you that." Dash chuckled.
"Waffles are here."
The girls turned, and saw Spike come in, pushing a tray that was lined with plates filled with waffles.
"Thanks Spike. This look delicious." Twilight said.
"Oh hello Spikey Wikey." Rarity said, pinching Spike's cheek as he passed.
"Ah, h-hello Rarity." Spike stammered, though he looked a little embarrassed by Rarity's cheek pinching. Rarity soon released his cheek and Spike quickly got to setting the table.
Rarity smiled sadly a bit as the pre-teen dragon set the table. She had known about his crush on her for awhile, since he had been a baby dragon. At first she had simply accepted it, expecting him to eventually move on as he got older as she believed it was nothing more then a childhood crush that so many young children got. But over time, when she saw that Spike's crush wouldn't just go away, and a talk with Twilight, Rarity had decided that it was best to let the little dragon know the truth.
She liked Spike. She really did. He was always so dependable and willing to help. But she just did not hold any romantic feelings for him as he would hope. Suffice the say, though Spike tried to cover it up with a tough guy front, he had been hurt with that revelation. For almost a week after, he had stayed in is room.
Twilight had assured her that Spike just needed space and time to think. Eventually he did come out of his room, and seemed his usual chipper self. He even came over and offered to help Rarity, as simply a friend, to find any gems.
With their usual deal of getting to keep the ones she didn't want to snack on later.
Rarity was glad to see that her friendship with the little drake was still intact, and she knew that eventually that he would find somepony or somedragon or whoever, that he would feel just as strongly for, if not more, as he had once for her.
The girls all thanked Spike, as they soon set to work setting waffles onto their plates. Rarity herself used her magic to place a number of waffles onto her plate, and breathed in the delightful aroma.
Or she would have, if the sudden smell of the waffles up close set her stomach into a flipping mess and she shot a hoof over her mouth and bolt out of the room.
The girls and Spike all watched in surprise, as the sound of retching could be heard.
"Blaaagh!" Rarity retched again, her head held over one of the many castle bathroom toilet bowls. She was glad to have found one close by where the dining room was. It would have been improper to empty her stomach onto freshly cleaned castle crystal floor.
Rarity groaned as she lifted her head, using a towel to wipe at her mouth. What on earth could have caused her to such an act? All she was doing was about to enjoy some waffles.
Waffles. The sheer thought of them brought back the memory of that suddenly repugnant smell, and Rarity soon threw up again into the toilet.
Rarity groaned again, holding her stomach, even as she heard a knock on the door.
"Rarity," It was Twilight, "Are you okay in there?"
"Just fine darling." Rarity answered, as her stomach finally seemed to calm down and she lifted herself up and proceeded to wash her face and rinse her mouth out.
Using her magic to help straighten her mane out and a last swashing of water through her mouth to get the taste of stomach acid out of her mouth.
Finally, once she was sure she was presentable, she flushed the toilet seven times, then left the bathroom to see all her friends waiting for her. All of them looking at her worried.
"Are you okay Sugarcube?" Applejack asked.
"I'm just fine Applejack." Rarity said, "Now anyway."
"Are you sure? You sounded like you were throwing up your whole stomach in there." Dash asked, looking skeptical.
Rarity blushed, "Oh, well. Perhaps I am simply coming down with a slight stomach bug."
"You should really see a doctor Rarity. Just to make sure it isn't anything serious. I've read about a number of horrible disease that have stomach nausea as a symptom." Twilight added.
"Now Twilight, I'm sure it is nothing more then a slight bug that will go away within a week. I must have caught it when I was out of town. Goodness knows travel can expose a pony to any sort of illnesses, especially when one is around numerous ponies at once." Rarity said, trying to ease her friends.
"Still," Rarity added, "Perhaps I should see a physician. Just to be sure."
"That would probably be best." Twilight said with a nod.
"Buuuut," Pinkie said, "First let's eat. A little food should help you beat that nasty bug."
Pinkie then rushed to the front of her friends, and offered a plate of a single waffle up to Rarity.
Rarity looked at the waffle with horror, and her hooves went over her mouth and she rushed back into the bathroom.
"Bllllaaaaaaaaargh!" The sound of her retching once again coming from within the bathroom.
Pinkie blinked, before she downed the waffle instead, "Hmmm. Maybe she likes French Toast instead."
Rarity sighed as she sat on the doctors table, waiting for the doctor to return.
When she had arrived at Ponyville General, she had been glad that her stomach had finally settled down. Though she had taken the long way around, avoiding Sugarcube Corner and other bakery style shops in town. While she suspected that she just had a slight bug, she had to worry that other forms of baked goods besides waffles might cause her to sicken up.
After some tests, and telling the doctor of her symptoms, she had only to wait for the results.
'I'm sure it's nothing. This will probably be just a little bug and Rainbow Dash will no doubt find a way to make a joke about it.' Rarity thought.
"Miss Rarity, we got the results of your test back." The doctor, a mare named Healing Hooves, said as she entered with a check board with some papers on it.
"Oh? What were the results?" Rarity asked.
"Well, we have figured out why you were throwing up. Congratulations!" The mare said, offering her hoof out with a smile.
"What?" Rarity blinked in surprise.
"You're pregnant." Healing Hooves said.
Rarity stared at the doctor for a moment, her eyes dilating as the realization of her words dawned on the Fashionista.
"WHAT!?" Rarity shouted, and it echoed all the way outside the hospital and making ponies stop and look in its direction.
Rarity sat on a bench in the park, beside her a list the doctor had given her to help her with her prenatal care, and some suggestions for her. Rarity could only ignore it though, as the news of her condition weighed on her mind. Subconsciously, her hooves moved over her stomach and though she was suppose to be only a few weeks into her pregnancy, she thought she could feel the baby that developed inside her.
'A baby. A foal. I'm going to be a mother?' Rarity thought, feeling shocked by the notion.
How could this happen? Well...well she guessed she knew how it happened. But she had always been careful, not letting any stallion even come near her when she had been in heat. She thought that would be enough.
But apparently it wasn't. As the doctor had told her.
"While most mares are unable to become pregnant unless they mate while in heat, it is possible for some mares to become pregnant through sex, even when they are not in heat." The doctor had told her, "In a way you are kinda lucky. It only happens to one in four thousand mares."
Rarity sighed, and placed her hooves to her face.
She had so much she had to do. Plans to make. She had to tell her parents. Her mother and father would no doubt be glad, they had always hoped for grandfoals. And Sweetie Belle would be ecstatic to be an aunt.
But what about the father? WHO was the father? Rarity felt like some sort of scarlet mare now. True she had only ever lain with stallions that were part of her herd once she had joined it with the invitation of Fleur De Lis, somehow it simply felt unlady like to have a child and not know who the father was.
'I...I guess I will have to tell them.' Rarity thought.
Well, she was suppose to go to Canterlot in a week and meet them. The herd she was in was not a largely formal one, but a collection of like minded ponies in the fashion and upper crust society. In fact, to be part of it had been somewhat of a prize for it was not a large herd due to its strict entry requirements. Only her budding friendship with Fancy Pants and Fleur and her business dealings with Sapphire Shores and Hoity Toity had made it possible.
Well, at least all of this meant that the conversation for their monthly herd get together would be....interesting.
Rarity once again found herself gently stroking her hooves on her belly. And while she still had some worries and thoughts on this. She could not help but smile.
This was her baby that was growing in her.
'Oh with a mother like me, he or she is sure to be good looking. And will certainly have a love of fashion. Oh, and I need to give him or her a noble sounding name. One that will truly reflect their spirit.' Rarity thought, ideas already rolling through her head on names and classes to sign her child up for to be sure it received a proper upper standing education.
Oh and the baby would need a good outfit line. OH! She could use this to inspire a whole line of youngster fashion lines. Why should only adults get to dress up with style?
All the thoughts had Rarity in excited mood.....
...at least until she suddenly felt like emptying her guts again.
In the week that followed, leading up to her trip to Canterlot, Rarity had broken the news to her friends and family.
Her mother and father had been, predictably, excited. Her father going on about showing all his hoofball moves to his future grandchild. And her mother making suggestions on what to eat and drink, such as making the offering of all natural almond milk. Sweetie was of course excited, and had had her hoof on Rarity's stomach the entire visit to her parent's home; despite Rarity telling her that the baby was not developed enough yet to be felt.
Her friends were also excited. Twilight had drawn up a number of lists for her to follow, and had even supplied her with a number of prenatal and child care books. Dash was nonchalant about it, though every so often she would worry whenever she so much as hugged Rarity as if hugging her too hard would threaten the baby. AJ was perhaps the most normal, giving her well wishes. Fluttershy also managed to keep her excitement in check, giving her congratulations. It was Pinkie who was the worst. She had practically jumped around the walls, and was quickly planning her a baby shower, first ultrasound party, first one minute year old party, and a Congratulations on Becoming a Mother party all in one.
Of course other soon leaned the news. Ponies in town would give her congratulations, but the most surprising was Castus.
"I understand congratulations are in order." He had said, when he had stopped in for some new clothes he paid for.
"Yes," Rarity sighed, "Everypony in town has said such. Frankly, I am starting to grow a little tired of it."
"A new life entering this world is always a glorious thing. Besides, knowing you this baby is probably going to become the number one owner of every fashion line in all of Equestria when they grow up." Castus said with a laugh.
Rarity chuckled, "Oh well I highly doubt that. All of the world would certainly be enough."
Castus laughed, "Well, you certainly aim big."
"Ambition is an important trait in a business mare as myself." Rarity said, with pride.
Castus chuckled, as Rarity brought out the suit he had ordered.
"I must say, it is not every day I design formal wear for a foreign dignitary. Shall I expect a fine review in any fashion related material in the Empire?" Rartiy asked, fluttering her eyebrows.
Castus laughed, "Rartiy. As far as the Empire goes, you could write the first fashion catalogue. We haven't exactly gone that far yet. We are still securing our borders."
Rarity thought on that, "Hmmm. Well that might be a good idea. Goodness knows I have seen what passes for clothes for you humans in the Empire. It is hard enough having that fine boy, Valen yes, to stay still for a measuring."
Castus smirked and went behind a screen to change into his new clothes. When he stepped out, Rarity had to admit that he did look quiet handsome.
'Hmm. I can see why Fluttershy fell for him. When he dresses like that he certainly has a certain air about him.' She thought with a smile.
"Thanks Rarity. I needed a new suit to wear during Council meetings. Hopefully this shuts that beak of that annoying griffon." Castus said as he admired himself.
"So, how much do I owe you?" Castus asked.
"Oh darling, think nothing of it. I certainly get enough clients that I can offer my friends a few dress our suit every so often." Rarity said, waving her hoof.
Castus frowned, "Now come on Rarity. I need to pay you something. If you keep giving me free stuff like this I'm going to be in debt to you for the rest of my life."
Rarity smirked, "Well, it pays to have a powerful human mage that owes you a favor or two under your sleeve."
Castus smirked, "haha. Very funny. But come on."
Rarity sighed, "Oh very well. I suppose I can sell it to you at half price."
"Fine," Castus said, "Half price. Though that still means I owe you half a favor."
Rarity smirked, "So it does. Well don't you fret dear," Rarity patted his cheek, "I'll have you repay me those favors in time. A little public appearances here. Perhaps a little help in setting up a new shop or two. I still would like to pick your brain on Old Valhruan fashions. I am sure I can start a completely original line in new Retro Antiquarian line."
The nervous smile on Castus face, had been enough to make Rarity laugh.
But now, the true task came as she sat at a table with her herd mates, Prim Headline. Hoity Toity. Fancy Pants. Sapphire Shores. Fleur and even Photo Finish.
Normally, Rarity would listen intently on the conversation, but today her mind was too focused on what she had to say.
"Rarity..."
Did she take it slowly? Or did she announce it out right?
"Rartiy!"
"Huh!?" Rarity looked around, and realized that everypony was looking at her with concerned looks.
"Is there something wrong Rarity?" Fancy Pants asked.
"Wrong?" Rarity said, "N-no. No, why would anything be wrong?"
"Vell, you do seem a bit distracted." Photo pointed out, lowering her glasses.
"Yes, and you haven't talked all day. Are you sure you're okay?" Fleur asksed.
"Perhaps she is feeling stressed. Goodness knows she has certainly moved up in the Fashion world, with three new store openings in the last month." Hoity Toity said.
Sapphire brushed her mane back, "Oh, well Rarity if that's what's troubling you then look no further. Sapphire Shores knows just what you need. I could use a friend during my trip to the East and I bet you could find all sorts of new ideas there. And they have some of the best hot springs you can imagine. They will simply take all your worries away."
"Perhaps," Prim Headline spoke up, "We should let her tell us herself?"
All eyes now focused on Rarity, and Rarity gulped and took a shaky sip of her tea.
"Well...uh," Rarity stuttered, before taking a breath and saying quickly, "I'm pregnant!"
Rarity placed her hooves to her mouth, before clearing her throat and setting them on the table and looked around.
Everypony looked at her in surprise, and Hoity Toity and Photo Finish had their glasses off. Fancy Pants' jaw hung open, before Fleur closed it.
"Oh vondful news!" Photo Finish then decreed and she got up from her chair and wrapped Rarity in a hug, "Darling, vhy did you not tell us sooner?"
"Well," Rarity said, a bit surprised, "I was not sure how to go about announcing it. To be truthful I was a little worried."
"Oh nonsense Rarity, Sapphire said with a wave of her hoof, "This is fantastic news. You shouldn't be worried about telling us."
"Indeed." Prim said with a nod.
"Oh this will be so exciting!" Fleur declared, clapping her hooves, "Have you thought of any names yet? Oh I wonder if it will be a colt of a filly."
"Um, but who is the father?" Hoity asked.
"Well, it would have to either be you or Fancy Pants, Toity." Sapphire said, as if it was obvious.
"Indeed, unless Rarity has found another stallion that she has been keeping secret from us, and all to herself." Prim Headline said, giving a playful smirk.
"Oh, like you never did that Prim." Fleur said, looking at the mature mare.
"Well," Rarity interrupted, "I don't really know yet. I suppose we will need to wait till the foal is born."
"But how did you even get pregnant?" Photo asked, "You alvays said that you weren't ready yet to be a mother."
"Well, it seems that I'm one of a hooffull of mares that can get pregnant even when I'm not in heat." Rarity said.
"Oh, I have a friend who is like that." Fleur said, "Its suppose to be incredibly rare for a mare to do."
"Well," Fancy Pants declared with a clap of his hooves, "I say we all go out and celebrate. I dare say, it will certainly be delightful to see a youngster among us."
"Oh we should go to that new restaurant in town. It looks so delightful." Fleur added in, even as she hugged Rarity.
"Uh, just as long as they don't serve waffles." Rarity said hesitantly.
"Hmmm, my mother had a similar symptom only it was pancakes." Sapphire said, "but she always said that a cup of warm ginger tea always helped her out."
"Ginger?" Prim said shocked, "Oh don't be silly. The best cure for pregnancy nausea is a cup of warm milk."
"Pfft, yeah maybe from the stone age darling." Sapphire teased Prim Headline.
Rarity smiled, and felt rather silly that she had been so worried before. Knowing that her herd mates would be so supportive made her feel that she could face the rest of this pregnancy.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!" Rarity shouted, as she squeezed her hooves.
"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!" Hoity Toity and Fancy Pants both screamed, as they held Rarity's hoof.
"AHHH I can't do this I'm gonna die!!!" Rarity shouted again.
"Just keep pushing Rarity. We're almost done." The doctor said, even as Rarity screamed as another spike of pain hit her.
"AGH! One of you did this to me! I'll kill you both!" Rarity screamed, grabbing the two stallions by their necks and strangling them before tossing them away and grabbing the rails of her bed as she pushed harder.
Hoity and Fancy both laided on the ground, their eyes spinning.
"One more push. Push! Push!"
Rarity screamed one last explosive scream, before slumping against her pillow.
There was a momentary silence, before a small cry was heard. And then followed by a second cry.
In the waiting room, a strange mix of waiting visitors sat.
All the members of Rarity's herd sat waiting, watching the clock. Rartiys parents and sister both waited as well, with their father pacing back and forth.
And all of her friends, waited as well. Rainbow Dash read a Daring Do book and Applejack busied herself with knitting. Pinkie Pie was practically bouncing in her seat. Twilight sat with Fluttershy and Castus, who had a hand on each mare's shoulder.
"So," Dash said as she and other ponies sat in the waiting room as they waited for the news, "Think Rarity killed Hoity and Fancy?"
"Hmmm, probably." Prim, "My own mother almost threw my father threw the wall during her childbirth. But she is an earth pony."
"Oh, I wonder what the baby will look like." Fleur smiled excitedly as she clapped her hooves.
"Oh, I hope Rarity gets through it okay." Fluttershy said, worried.
"Don't worry. Rarity might be all prim and proper, but she is one tough cookie." AJ said, assuring her worried friend.
"We just have to wait. And hope." Castus said, as he watched the door.
Finally, the doors opened and a nurse showed up, causing everyone to stand.
"This way please." The nurse said, leading them all to Rarity's room.
There Rarity laid in her bed, and in her hooves she held two wrapped bundles. Beside her, their hooves wrapped in bandages and kept straight with splints. As well as a neck brace each, stood Hoity and Fancy Pants.
"Hey, she didn't kill them after all." Dash chuckled.
"Oh Rarity." Rarity's mother said, pushing through the rest to rush to her daughter with a smile; and to see her grandkids.
"Hello mother. Everyone, I want you to meet my sons. Onyx and Comberbund."
Rarity moved her hooves to show the swaddled form of two pony colts, their horns and faces the only thing not covered and sleeping soundly.
"Awww." Everyone went.
Rarity smiled and kissed both the boys heads, "Welcome to the world. My little gems."