Life Goes On...
The Pie family was celebrating Heartswarming Eve with the whole family, and many other friends. Peanut Butter Jelly Sandwich, Pinkie Pie's oldest son, was here with his marefriend, Mirage, the draconequus-pony hybrid of Discord and Fluttershy. Mirage’s younger brother, Phantom, was nervously trying to make conversation with Crystal Clarity, Spike and Rarity’s daughter, while a pregnant Fluttershy smiled at the interaction. Discord was nowhere to be seen, possibly lying in wait to scare some poor fillies. Cheesecake, the second oldest, was trying to get as close to Golden Delicious, Applejack’s and Caramel’s son, as possible, and Golden Delicious seemed awfully uncomfortable. Applejack sat in the corner, softly talking to Rainbow Dash about something. Twilight Sparkle was in the corner lecturing her daughter Starburst, after she had slapped Prism Bolt, Rainbow Dash’s and Soarin’s son, for flirting with her. Red Velvet Cupcake was trying in vain to catch the attention of Turquoise Blitz, Rarity’s son, while her twin brother, Chocolate Fudge Cupcake, rolled his eyes at her. Nightlight Jr.and Icy Storm, along with the triplets, Pumpkin Pie, Blueberry Pie, and Cherry Pie, and Amethyst, Rarity’s youngest daughter, sat on the rug while Princess Flurry Heart, and her coltfriend Pound Cake, told them a story. Pumpkin Cake, however, was in the kitchen trying to make a very fussy Cheesy Danish eat some dinner. The little baby filly was screaming her head off, which only added to the noise in the living room.
The doorbell rang, and Twilight yelled, "I'll get it!" over the ruckus that was the party. She smiled when she saw who was at the door. "Mrs. Pie, Marble, Limestone, and Maud! We're so glad you could make it!"
"Well, we couldn't just celebrate Heartswarming without the whole family present," she said, matter-of-factually. "My, is it loud in here."
"It took quite a while to convince Limestone to come, though," Maud said in her usual monotone.
"Mhm," Marble agreed.
Limestone snorted. "Well, how am I supposed to know nothing will happen to Holder's boulder?"
Twilight shook her head slightly, then turned to Maud. "Where's Mud Briar?"
"He decided to celebrate with his own family, and took the children with him. I don't mind. I haven't seen Pinkie Pie in a long time." Maud searched to room. "Where is she?"
"Oh, probably in the bathroom. Come on, Cheesecake really wanted to see her 'cool aunt'," Twilight said, giggling.
Cheese Sandwich watched the scene with a warmth in his heart. Heartswarming was his favorite holiday, mainly because on this day he had proposed to his wife, Pinkie Pie. It was also a day of great celebration, for obvious reasons. He could remember back when he was a colt, when he couldn't wait to open his presents, and often sneaked a peek at them much earlier than he was supposed to. The day brought back many memories, and Cheese chuckled to himself at the thought. One thing was missing from the scene, though. Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be seen.
Cheese walked through the entire house, looking in every room. Last he’d seen her, she was headed to the bathroom, but she had never returned. After checking every room (and there were a lot to check in with the amount of children they had), he sighed and turned the doorknob to the last room, their bedroom. The lights were off, and the curtain was drawn, so he could just barely see a figure sitting in the center of the room.
“Sweetheart?” Cheese said carefully. “Are you… alright?”
He opened the door all the way, letting in more light into the room. Pinkie sniffled, but didn’t turn around.
“Hey, honey,” she whispered.
Cheese could see that something was very wrong. Her hair, instead of its usual bright curly pink, was dark and straight. She seemed to radiate sorrow, somehow. Cheese had only ever seen her like this once, at her father’s funeral.
“Sweetie?” he said again. “Talk to me, please.”
She finally turned, and Cheese’s eyes filled with tears, for where there was supposed to be a slight bump of pregnancy, was instead a flat stomach.
Tears rolled down Pinkie’s cheeks like small waterfalls. “I lost him,” she whimpered, her body racking with each sob. She rocked back and forth. “He’s gone. Our little Marmalade is gone.”
Cheese felt himself deflate, quite literally, as his mane became long straight brown strands. He slowly walked over to the broken mare, trying his best to comfort her while simultaneously trying not to cry himself. This was going to be their ninth child, and now he was gone. Dead. Before he was even born.
The party continued on in the living room. Cheese couldn’t even think about partying right now. His wife needed him. They had just lost a child. Their child.
But he knew they must move on. If his parents’ deaths taught him anything, it was that life goes on, no matter what, and you need to make the most of it.
“Hon?” he whispered.
“Yes?” she said through sniffles.
“Are you… feeling okay enough to… continue the party? In the other room?” He tried to meet her eye, but she kept averting his gaze. “Look, there are ponies out there who need you. They need the happy, bubbly, ever-so-optimistic you. And I can tell you, firsthoof, that life goes on. No matter how bad things seem, it will get better. I promise.” He suddenly hugged her, emitting a gasp from her muzzle. “I promise.”
She hugged him back, tightly, then pulled away to kiss him on the cheek. “You’re right. Life goes on. And it is Heartswarming Eve, after all. It deserves some recognition.” Every so slightly, her mane started to reinflate.
When the pair came back into the living room, it was as if nothing had happened. The guests cheered when they noticed that Pinkie was back, then continued doing whatever they were doing. Pinkie smiled slightly. She was still broken on the inside for the time being, but she knew, no matter what, that life goes on.
Life goes on.
The end.