Spooky Scary (updated because everyone makes mistakes)
Knocking sounds from the front awaking Spike from his quick snooze. He jumps to his feet and runs down stairs more excited than anything. He reaches the door and yanks it open, "Welcome ba."
He stops his words to see that it's only Fluttershy and Applejack again. Spike shrinks back a little.
"Sorry thought you would be Twilight..." Spike confesses rubbing the back of his head.
"It's alright Spike." Fluttershy replies sincerity in her voice and a gentle smile on her face.
The smile lightens Spike's heart as always and he welcome them into his home, "So what you guys come for?"
"Just here to check up on ya big guy!" Applejack says taking a seat at the study table, "After all raising a child by yourself can be tiring."
"You have no idea... Usually it would be fine to raise a dragon born child, but her magic output..." Spike says shaking his head, "But that's not why you guys are here. Want some to drink? Eat?"
"I could go for some tea." Fluttershy chimes.
"Nothin fer me. Just got away from the family meal." Applejack says patting her stomach while leaning her back against the table.
"Ah! I wish I could eat as good as you Applejack!" Spike says laughing, "Been trying my hardest to get used to my new dragon diet."
"Well I'm sure you'll get the hand of it eventually. So you thought up what ya gonna dress your little one as yet?" Applejack asks raising one of her eyebrows.
"Not really... I've been waiting on Twilight so she can give me some type of idea.. as well as make whatever we give her flame retardant." Spike says going to the kitchen, "At least I don't have to worry about the tree burning down though!"
"What's that?" Fluttershy asks taking her seat beside Applejack.
"Well for starters, I've finally gotten her to stop spewing flames everywhere. She watches me and learns very quickly. I'm sure she gets it from her mother!"
"Well no offense Spike, but you aren't the sharpest tool in the tool shed." Applejack comments making Fluttershy snicker.
"Hey! I'm smart! I read all day anyway! Just you guys wait and see..." Spike grumbles back causing the two to laugh more.
Spike sits enjoying his small lunch of a sapphire sandwich with tea while Fluttershy enjoys her honey brimmed tea. Fluttershy has to give to Spike when it comes down to making food. The one time Spike didn't cook and Twilight did. Well, that's the whole reason Twilight learned the fire resistance spell.
Currently their topic of conversation lays on the mother right now.
"Have you seen her today?" Applejack asks concern on her face.
"No, I try not to bother her a lot. Though yesterday she said she would be getting out today..." Spike says setting his tea down and circling it's content with his pointer claw.
"Well don't worry yourself so much." Fluttershy reassures patting him on the back, to the best of her abilities, and leaning against him, "She doesn't want you to worry so much. With you taking care of both of your child."
"You're right you're right..." Spike says nodding his head, "But its just been so long since..."
"Since what sugarcube?" Applejack ask her ears perking up a bit.
"I... I miss holding her..." Spike says chocking up a bit.
"Aw. Spike..." Fluttershy utters out, "It'll be okay. We're all here for you."
"I know. And thank you. I'm pretty sure I would've lost it eventually when she... she..." Spike jumps at the sound of breaking glass, looks down, and sees he had broken his own glass of tea, "Oh Celestia I am so sorry."
"It's alright big guy." Applejack quickly says, "We brought up some unpleasant memories and we shouldn't have."
Spike keep quiet while staring at his hand. Fluttershy holds onto Spike as Applejack cleans up the glass and dumping it away, "Now don't you start dwellin' on the past. The past is the past and that's that."
Spike nods his head, "Yea. The past will always be in my memories. I got to go forward to make new ones right? That's what Pinkie said. She said she does all the parties and keeps spirits high so they, and she, can make more memories. Even if some of them aren't so happy."
"That's right." Fluttershy soothingly says, "And we believe you deserve all the happiness you can muster. That's why we brought along a little friend."
"A friend?"
"Yea. Since Rarity is out of town with that Halloween contest with Sweetie Belle we decided to contact somebody that could help us out." Fluttershy says flying over to the door and opening it.
Spike eyes go wide before he stands and points towards the mare that walks in the room revealing herself than the none other notorious, villainous, most powerful and great teal unicorn, and magician. Trixie.
"Trixie? What are you doing here? I thought you said."
"Trixie knows what She said! Now Trixie regrets it and wants to make amends..." Trixie says looking away from Spike's accusing finger.
"You know Twilight doesn't hate you still." Spike reassures sitting back down, "I might just a bit, but than I would get scolded by her. And I would rather that not happen."
"Right." Trixie says nodding her head, "Well seeing as you wish to dress your child up for Nightmare Night Trixie decided that she would use her knowledge of spells and crafting to help you make the greatest costume there is!"
"Thanks Trixie." Spike says getting up, "So I'm guessing you guys are here to also give a lending hoof?"
"You know it partner!" Applejack says Standing up, "If she gets to much to handle I can't help get her into it!"
"Hmmm. Thanks for offering the help, but I don't think you should uh get physical with her. Unless you like having your fur on fire."
Applejack's expression turns for excitement to a look of concern than a half cocked smile, "Heh guess I'd like to keep my coat. She's too hot to handle?"
Spike snorts, "You have no idea. But first, lets get the costume made so we can at least know what we'll be working with."
"Right. Now Trixie ask of you to get her measurement." Trixie says going over to the table and using her magic to levitate a wagon of materials into the room through the open door way, "Now I may not have some really fancy things, but at least she'll look good if we do it right!"
"Alright." Spike says, "I'll be right back than!"
Everypony watches their hard work walk around using her claws to crawl around before them breathing out fire from her wide dragon like muzzle. She oodles up at the three ponies and dragon above her. She speaks baby words as she continue to crawl around dressed as a young Star-swirl the Bearded. Spike claws his claws together hoping Twilight will like what they've done with their little foal.
"Trixie thinks we have done a fine job!" Trixie announces nodding her head in approval at the others who return it.
Spike picks up his bundle of joy and looks out the window. The sun is already starting to fall down and the decorations outside are already looking beautifully scary. Well, as the mayor would like to put it.
"Shall we show Twilight?" Fluttershy asks looking at Spike expectantly.
"You know it!" Spike says opening the door and making his way out into the beginning night, "Though you guys don't have to come with me. You can get dressed and ready for the nightmare night events tonight if you want."
"No! Trixie cannot wait to see the look on Twilight's face when she sees my idea in person!" Trixie boasts like her usual self.
"You mean our idea." Spike says shaking his head as well as nodding his head in greeting to some of the ponies that say hello to him.
"Yes. That is what Trixie meant..." Trixie says coughing making Applejack chuckle.
Lately with the downing of the first birth between dragon and pony, the ponies have been kind of distance a bit. The ones who still chat with Spike and company are still great in number. Just some of the looks ponies give him and his child are... unsettling. He plays it no mind some days. He's glad that he has friends like Fluttershy, Applejack, and Trixie. They keep a smile on his face even during his sadder moments of crying while cradling his child and remembering the disapproving faces of those around him.
Than again. He knows he has to be strong for Twilight. Just like how Twilight is being strong for him. Plus he looks towards Applejack for the sense of when to be strong and when not to be strong. Sure he's learned a lot during all of their taxing events over the past months, but it means nothing if he can't hold on to it.
"You good Spike?" Applejack asks coming up to his side seeing tears falling down his face.
"Uh. Yea. Sorry. Just got to thinking you know..." Spike says looking away from Applejack and towards their approaching destination.
"Remember. Don't be too hard on yourself okay? After all we didn't know none of this would happen." Applejack says nuzzling his side in a comforting way.
"I... I know. I don't blame anypony. Or dragon in that case. It's just... I don't know. No. I won't think about it. Let's go see Twilight." Spike says trying to change the subject.
"Right!" Applejack says marching beside Spike.
Spike laughs as Rainbow flies around chasing after Luna. It's always funny watching Rainbow and Luna play pranks on each other while the festivities are playing on. He takes a sip of his "Slime Punch" and looks behind him to see the little ones playing nicely in their pinned off area so the adults can play a bit. After all, it's a party for them as well as the adults.
"Be careful Derpy!" Spike calls out as the mare hops on to the barrel and shoves her head in sending up a splash of water, "I swear. She takes that game more seriously than Applejack..."
"What was that!" Applejack, who's dressed as a scare crow, shouts from her stand glaring daggers at Spike.
Spike simply laughs and waves her off.
As he stands there with the punch in his claw and really wonders about how far he's come from just almost a year ago. He chuckles to himself realizing how much a year ago is. To him it almost feels like the days have truly flown by. It's a wonder all on its own. Another sip confirms the reality of everything.
In his honest opinion.
He wouldn't have it any other way.