A/N: This part is partially inspired by Bride of Discord, and partially inspired by The Frog Princess by E.D Baker (My favorite book series by far!)
***
Maria and Discord's jaws dropped. Their child was a filly?
"Do you mean filly as in girl, or pony?" Maria asked carefully.
"Both," Doc answered.
"How?!" Discord asked. He looked at Maria. "Have you been cheating on me?!"
"No!" she snapped. "You know I would never do such a thing!"
"Then how do you explain this?"
"First off, you need to calm down," Maria instructed. "Second, it might be because I spent a year as a pony myself. Ever think of that, Discord?"
He stopped, thinking about it. "I guess that would make sense," he kissed Maria on the forehead, and she relaxed. "I'm sorry for accusing you of such things."
"You shouldn't jump to conclusions so quickly," she sighed. "But I forgive you."
Doc cleared his throat. "Maria, you said you were a pony for a year?"
She nodded. "I used a transformation spell that allowed me to change my appearance, and I stayed as a pony for about a year,"
"Then it would make sense that the transformation effected the child. There's no doubt that if you decide to have more offspring, they'll all be ponies. As for this one, she doesn't seem to be displaying any marks of a unicorn or pegasus, so it's safe to assume that she's and earth pony."
Discord and Maria nodded. Doc filled them in on what to expect from Maria's pregnancy, including the morning sickness and odd cravings. As they were checking out, he insisted that they returned in a few weeks or so to check on the unborn filly's progress. Finally, after they had returned home, Discord disappeared into his old room, leaving Maria alone with her thoughts. She decided to go visit her friends in Ponyville and tell them the good news.
***
"Pregnant?" Twilight repeated.
"You're what?!" Rarity shrieked.
"Congratulations!" Fluttershy said.
"Say what now?" Rainbow Dash gasped.
"Congrats, sugar cube!" Apple Jack said.
"Can I plan the baby shower?!" Pinkie Pie asked.
The ponies and female draconequus had gathered for a picnic in the meadow. After Maria had told her friends of her pregnancy, they all reacted at the same time. The sheer volume was enough to give Maria a slight headache. Still, she laughed it off and went into further detail.
"Yes, I'm pregnant. I went to the hospital earlier and they confirmed it," Maria explained. "Though it seems that the transformation spell I used while living here had affected the child,"
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"I'm having a filly,"
Every pony went quiet.
"Yeah, that's what our reactions were. That and Discord thought I had cheated on him," she continued.
"Is it a pegasus?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Or a unicorn?" Rarity added.
"Or an earth pony?" Apple Jack asked.
"The doctor said that she's gonna be an earth pony." Maria answered.
"Can I please plan the baby shower?" Pinkie asked, bouncing around with excitement.
Maria smiled. "Sure you can, Pinkie Pie," she said. Pinkie cheered and raced off. She turned to the remaining ponies. "Did she mean now?"
"It seems so," Twilight chuckled.
***
Meanwhile, Discord was having a heated argument with his image.
"You got her pregnant?" the mirror roared.
"She is my wife, you know," Discord said. "Besides, what does it matter?"
"We didn't discuss anything about a child!" Mirror Discord spat. "It was just Maria. Now there's going to be a filly running about!"
"And what's wrong with that?" Discord countered.
"Your child is a filly, the being you despise the most. How could you be happy about this?"
"Watch it, buster. That's my daughter you're talking about!"
"Listen to you! That creature is not your daughter -- how could it be? How could such a weak being be your offspring?"
"Stop it right now. I don't care if my daughter's a pony. She's mine, and there's nothing you can do about it!" Discord growled at his image. Mirror Discord just smirked, crossing his arms.
"You really believe that I'm the only one with the problem? I am you. Your thoughts are my thoughts. We both know that you loathe ponies, and that you're revolted by the fact that your wife is going to bear a filly for a child. Can't you see how you're lying to yourself?"
"You're wrong," Discord spat. "I might dislike ponies, but that filly is my daughter. I will do anything and everything to make sure she's safe,"
"You're weak. Ever since you've married that woman, your chaotic side has almost vanished. King of Chaos? I don't think so,"
Discord glared at his reflection. He grabbed the mirror and threw it down without second thoughts. The glass broke into a million pieces, getting rid of his reflection. His rage was far from diminished however. He tore the entire room apart swiftly.
When he was calm enough to make clear thoughts, he sat on the edge of his bed. The silence was unnerving, but in his opinion, it was better than listen to his reflection speak so wrongly about his wife and unborn child.
It was true that Discord despised ponies, but he came to tolerate them when he married Maria. Now, his child would be a pony, and while it was also true that he was unsure of how he felt about this fact, he was relieved that his daughter wouldn't be a draconequus. At least she wouln't have to face the judging eyes of others. She'd be able to fit in.
That in itself was a miracle.
***
Later in the afternoon, Maria returned home to find Discord sleeping on the couch in the living room. His eyes were shut and his breathing was relaxed, nostrils flaring with every breath. His cheek rested on his hand, which leaned on the side of the sofa. She smiled, sitting beside him. Instantly, he was awake, draping his arm around Maria and pulling her close. She nuzzled her head in his neck, sighing softly. He kissed her forehead.
They sat there for a while, not saying anything, just enjoying each other's company.
Discord perked slightly as he noticed a new magic air around Maria. He straightened, much to her disappointment, and tried to find the source.
"What are you doing?" she asked as he brought his face closer to her abdomen. He didn't answer, pressing a hand against her stomach, and her cheeks flushed a light pink.
"I...I think I can feel her magic," he said almost silently. Maria stared at him.
"Magic? But she's an earth pony."
He shushed her, murmuring something. Maria shrieked as something jumped inside of her. She giggled afterwards, the funny feeling in her stomach tickling her. "What's going on?" she laughed.
"I don't really know," he admitted. "It's weird, I've never been able to feel her magic before,"
"Maybe she wants to be noticed?" Maria suggested.
He shrugged. "I don't know. I can feel her, but I can't hear her,"
Maria perked this time. While Discord tried to concentrate on their daughter's magic auras, she closed her eyes and began listening for her child. Just barely, she could hear the steady pattern of her baby's heartbeat. With a little more concentration, she could feel the magic air around her. It was pretty clear now that the child had inherited her parent's magic powers.
After a few minutes of deep concentration, she could hear a tiny voice. It was difficult to make out at first.
"Mommy?"
Maria's eyes shot open and she flinched. Discord looked upon her with worry. "What's wrong?" he asked quickly.
"I can hear her," she said quietly, a smile stretching across her face. Her voice grew louder with her excitement. "I can hear her!"
"What's she saying?" he asked.
Maria closed her eyes and concentrated again. 'Can you hear me, dear?'
"Mommy? Is that you?"
Maria felt excitement, love, and joy fill her chest all at once, and she struggled to breathe, let alone concentrate. 'Yes. I'm here.'
Discord watched his wife. She seemed to be in heavy concentration. Her breathing was peaceful and precise, her eyes shut tightly, and her lips twitching. It seemed that it was only through her that he'd be able to hear the unborn filly. That being said, he closed his eyes as well and crept his way into Maria's mind, just as he usually did when he wanted to see what she was thinking.
At first it was silent. Disappointment hit him as he thought that he wouldn't be able to hear his daughter's voice.
'Daddy?' the voice addressed him. His chest swelled with love as he heard his daughter's voice.
'Yes, my Princess of Chaos. I am here,' he thought. There was no denying it now. No matter what his daughter was, he would love her unconditionally, just as he loved his wife.
And he'd do anything to keep the two of them safe.