New ponies aren't know for their respect for privacy. Especially when you're a newborn princess who's mothers live on a local apple orchard, as it turns out.
It took about two years of collaboration between Princess Cadence and Twilight to create the spell, the first of it's kind: A spell to allow two mares to bear a child together. And Twilight, obviously, was the first in line to test it.
But reporters aren't known for their respect of privacy, much less for a newborn princess. Between news ponies using increasingly invasive methods to get the smallest scraps of information, a baby with too much buck to her, and packed working schedules, Twilight and Applejack have an uphill battle to protect their new daughter- And their sanity.
Chapter 1: Names, Visitors, and a Very Cute Filly.
It had been a long seventeen hours for Twilight, who was wide awake despite it being four in the morning. Though she wanted to drop asleep for roughly twenty years.
But, that wasn’t important right now. Right now, her eyes were focused on the tiny bundle the doctor held in front of her. Twilight's iron grip on her wife’s hoof tightened as the doctor’s eyebrows knitted together.
“Doc?” Applejack asked from her side, confusion and worry clear in her voice. “Is there somethin’ wrong?” His eyes jumped up at the mothers, a hint of panic in them. “What’s wrong with our baby?” She demanded, her body tensing.
Twilight was almost hanging onto her now, her eyes glistening and her chest hammering as she looked up at him. The doctor hesitated, before setting the blanketed heap onto Twilight’s chest. She immediately pulled it closer, letting Applejack lean over her to get a better look. They were a soft purple, even lighter than Twilight's own coat until it was a pastel. Their hair was golden, with ribbons of purple flowing through it. They opened their eyes -a beautiful shade of indigo- and cooed at their mothers, wiggling a hoof at them. Tears pricked Twilight’s eyes as she cradled them, looking up at the doctor who still held a troubled expression.
“I don’t understand.” she gulped, forcing her voice not to crack. “They look okay...”
“She looks okay.” Applejack added, taking a peek under the baby’s blanket. She tried to grab her mothers hoof, bringing a smile to her face when she began suckling on it.
The doctor shuffled on his hooves. “I, well, that is… You have a perfectly healthy filly Princess Twilight, Applejack. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
Applejack frowned. “What are bothered about, then?”
He sucked in a breath. “Well, I was just… she’s an earth pony.”
Twilight looked down, mostly on reflex. He wasn’t wrong; there was nary a horn or wing on the little bundle of joy.
Applejack narrowed her eyes at him. “And what’s the problem with that, exactly?”
“Nothing! I was only surprised is all, I know everyone was expecting an alicorn-” he sputtered, moving to the door. “If you’re ready for your friends, they’ve practically been banging down the door for the past hour. I’ll go get them!” He slipped into the hall before either of them could say anything, leaving Twilight to shake her head.
“Really, the nerve of some ponies… You know he’ll be bragging about being the one to deliver the newest princess.”
Applejack smiled, giving her a peck on the cheek as she huffed. “Well, I’m gonna be braggin’ about being the mama of the cutest thing on four legs, so I suppose I can’t judge to harshly.” Her smile only widened as Twilight swatted at her. “Should I distract the girls for a bit, or are ya ready to take visitors?”
“You can say Rainbow Dash, it’s okay.” Applejack smirked at that. “But they can come in, I won’t keep them waiting-”
“Ya will if you need to rest-”
“Well, I don’t. So it’s a mute point.”
Applejack was about to object, but she was interrupted by a raspy voice bursting into the room. “Twilight! How’s-” Fluttershy was right behind her it seemed, given how quickly she had been able to cover Rainbow Dash’s mouth.
“Dashie, we need to be quiet.” She hushed, pointing towards the baby. Rainbow offered a sheepish grin in response. Flutters gave Pinkie Pie a somewhat pointed look when she began to bounce in after them, who took the hint and planted her hooves on the ground. That didn’t shake her enthusiasm, though.
She squealed, squirming herself right up against the bed. “She’s such a cutie!”
“...we never told ya if it was a boy or a girl.”
“Well, my Pinkie Sense said she’d be a filly silly!”
“Darling, didn’t your Pinkie Sense say that Sugar Rush would be a boy? It’s not… reliable, on that front I’m afraid.” Rarity had strolled in next, likely going slower to avoid being trampled by the other three.
“Eeyup.” Big mac agreed, coming in with Sugar Belle by his side. Along with a squirming pink filly on his back, no more than three. Maybe four.
“Well, she was right this time. We’ve got ourselves a little filly.” Applejack let her chest puff out just a bit, a mighty grin across her face. Twilight tilted the baby in question towards her friends, who immediately packed themselves together to be as close as possible to her and the baby.
“Oh, she is just the sweetest thing!” Rarity cooed. “Aren’t you? Oh, I already have some of the cutest outfit ideas for you! Maybe I can shake enough of your mother’s influences to get you to take care of those golden locks of yours.” The filly smiled and giggled at her, having no idea what she was saying but liking her vanilla perfume.
“Well, we can’t have that. I’ll have to mud wrestle with her at least twice a week, compensate for your meddlin’." Rarity huffed at Applejack, and the smirk she wore.
“That all sounds great.” Rainbow dash butted in, hovering just overhead looking like it didn’t sound particularly great. “But what are you two gonna name the squirt?”
Twilight and Applejack shared a look, the former worrying her lip.
“You two haven't decided on a name yet?” Sugar Belle asked incredulously.
“We wanted to wait until she was born to decide on anything.” Twilight admitted. “But I suppose it wouldn’t have hurt to throw some ideas around.”
“Well, what better time then now then!” Fluttershy piped up. “She’s surrounded by her family, we can all help!”
Rarity glanced around the room with a sigh. “Barring the Crusaders, Spike, Smolder, Shining Armour, Cadence and Flurry anyway. They send their condolences that they couldn’t make the delivery by the way, but everyone will be here by noon.”
“Apparently Smolder was having a fit over being late, too.” Rainbow said with a click of her tongue. “So, uh, maybe don’t mention they missed getting to name the little fella.”
“Noted. Okay, y’all. What’ve we got?”
“She’s pink!” Pinkie Pie chirped.
“I think she’s lavender, actually.” Rarity countered, looking over the filly. “Hmm… I suppose there’s always family names?”
“She doesn’t really strike me as an “Apple”. And she doesn’t have much Twilight to her, either.” Applejack hummed, letting her eyes close.
“Well, what about Sparkle? She’s plenty pink enough to get away with that.” Rainbow suggested.
“Lavender”
“Fine. She has plenty enough Lavender to get away with that.” Rarity narrowed her eyes at her. “Besides that, you could name her after things made of apples! Pie, cobbler, jam, cider-”
“We are NOT naming our daughter after alcohol.” Applejack cut in.
“Hey, I’m just spit-balling! I listed like, a bunch of other things! Besides, cider is the best thing on that list!”
“Rainbow Dash-”
“Hold on, Jackie.” Twilight’s eyes hadn’t left their daughter the entire time they were choosing names, deep in thought as she simply took her in. The next part came slowly. “I think she might be onto something.”
Applejack stared at her, taking a deep breath and placing her head in her hoof. “Twi. I know you’re tired, but cider really isn’t-
“Sparkling Cider.” Twilight interrupted, seemingly not hearing a word of what she’d said. “That’s a soda. It can be pink-
"Lavender"
“-and It’s certainly gold, like her mane. Plus, it mixes both our family names.” She continued, looking to her wife. “And… It just feels right.”
Applejack cast a skeptical glance first to Twilight, then towards their daughter. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, her brows knitted together, before finally she closed her eyes in thought.
“I… Don’t have any better ideas.” She admitted. “And you are right, that’s technically naming her after a soda.”
“A soda she will, of course, absolutely hate.” Sugar Belle added, which got a laugh out of the room.
“Well… Okay then. Sparkling Cider it is.”
“Whoohoo! Ooh, now I can finish the banners for her “Happy being born” party!” Pinkie exclaimed, already starting to bounce back into the hallway.
“Oh dear.” Fluttershy mumbled, flying after her along with Rainbow Dash. Another round of chuckles went through the room.
Sugar Rush, upset with her lot of not being the center of attention, began to kick and squirm her way off of her father’s back. Sugar Belle levitated her up and off. “Oh Rush, I can’t believe we forgot about you!” She gently set her at the edge of the bed, still holding her in her magic.
Rush leaned over Twilight as much as her mother’s grip allowed, now focused on the mysterious bundle of blankets she was holding. “Was’sat?” She asked, trying to reach out to it.
“That’s you’re new cousin.” Belle smiled. “You can meet her” -She glanced at Twilight for confirmation, who nodded back- “But you must be quiet, and gentle. She’s a very small thing right now, and very sensitive.”
Sugar Belle dispelled her magic, and Rush wiggled a bit further up the bed. Twilight showed her the baby -though, she kept her in a noticeably firm grip. Sparkling Cider stared at her cousin, who in turn stared back.
She looked up at Twilight after a long pause. “Where’d she come from?” Twilight looked to her parents for… whatever their PG version of events were going to be.
“Your aunt Twilight has had her growing in her belly for the last few months, remember? Gave her a safe place to get a bit bigger until she could come on out.” Big Mac told her plainly.
“Oh.” Sugar Rush continued to staring at the baby for a good, long while. Maybe she was having her first taste of contemplation, over this new life in front of her. Or maybe she was just wondering how she was supposed to kick-box with this thing, it was so small. It was anyone’s guess really.
“How did it get in her bel-”
Fluttershy crept into the room right before Rush could leave her parents sputtering, who were glad for the interruption for all of about 5 seconds.
“Um, Twilight? I think news of you going into labor got out, and, um… there’s a lot of reporters outside.”
The Elements of Harmony had faced down many a deadly threat. From Tirek, Chrysalis, King Sombra and Nightmare Moon, they had time and time again throw themselves into moral peril to protect their home.
It had been collectively decided about seven months ago that newsponies were by far the most annoying threat they’d ever dealt with. A few late night talks in bed had lead Twilight and Applejack to conclude that it was because they weren’t allowed to friendship laser them away. An unfortunate situation since that meant they were relatively free to, for instance, crowd around outside the hospital trying to get a photo of the new baby.
It wasn’t long before Twilight and Sparkling were released on a clean bill of health. Rainbow Dash was already waiting for them in the lobby, pacing in front of the door and glaring out at the reporters.
“Simmer down, Rainbow. “Applejack murmured, already seeing the ruffling of the pegasi’s wings. “We knew this might happen, we have plan B. Big Mac?”
“Eeyup.” He nodded, and bent down a bit. Twilight climbed onto his back with minimal assistance from Applejack, and let Sugar romp take a seat in front of her. The rest of the group make a circle around them, creating a moving barrier between the reporters and the baby.
“OK y’all, lets get ‘em back home. Sooner the better.” Applejack started to walk, leading the group. The others followed suit as Twilight turned Sparkling snugly into her chest, blocking her face. Already newsponies were testing the new defense system, practically leaping in front of them.
“Has Equestria gained a prince, or princess-”
“Mrs. Applejack, if you would-’
“Has a name been decided on yet-”
“What time was the-”
“When will princess Twilight take ques-”
“When she’s good an’ ready to take yer questions, she’ll take em.” Applejack growled, swatting at a camera just a bit too far into her personal space. “Now get, before I start bulldozin’ ponies.”
Applejack was by no means a short mare, in fact she easily towered over most ponies. So that threat alone got rid of about half of them, a few more with a well placed glare. As she marched the group out of town and it became increasingly obvious that nobody was going to be annoyed out of secrets, the newsponies began to drop off one by-
“Oh for Pete's sake, will you vultures give it up already?” Big Mac gave a small huff at them. “It’s a filly. That enough for ya?”
Applejack’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks. “Big Mac-!”
But the damage had already been done. The reporters went into a frenzy, climbing and shouting over each other. Fluttershy was knocked into Big Mac, and Sparkling shrieked as it jostled her. Rainbow was suddenly breaking from the group and screaming at the newsponies, her face red and words barely intelligible. Applejack took the distraction to grab Big Mac by the ear and yanking, Motioning with her eyes back home. He took the hint, and began to gallop with her to the farmhouse.
“Lamb’s SAKES Big Mac!” Applejack yelled as they ducked inside the house. “You know how these newponies have been, you can’t-”
“All I told them was that she was a filly, Applejack. I’m sorry, but I thought that if they got some scrap to bring back to their bosses they’d leave. How was I supposed to know they’d go manic?”
“How about the fact that they’ve been doing that for EIGHT months, or was that not enough time for you to-”
“APPLEJACK, this isn’t calming the baby down.” Twilight interrupted, struggling to wiggle her way off of Big Mac. Applejack shot him a pointed “This conversation isn’t over” look, before taking the still wailing Sparkling while Big Mac bent down and let Twilight climb off him.
“Hey, no need to cry.” Applejack hushed, rocking Sparkling in her hooves. “You’re ok now, you’re home. They can’t get you here.” But Sparkling wasn’t convinced it seemed, because she kept crying.
Big Mac at least had the decency to look sheepish as he scooted towards his niece, scooping his hooves under his sister’s and helping her rock the baby. Sugar Rush, at least, had liked the extra support under her when she was a baby. Twilight took Applejack’s other side and leaned into her, rolling her head to the side and watching. She frowned as Sparkling refused to settle, even if she had traded her previous screaming fit for sniffling.
Applejack’s head jerked up in a grimace as she heard the floors start creaking from above in a slow wobble towards the stairs. Apparently, Sugar had decided to let her great granny know the baby was home. “Granny, you should be in bed. I told ya we’d bring the baby to you. “
“Nonsense, I ain’t gonna wait around all stuffed in my room, hopin’ ya’ll won’t forget poor old Granny upstairs.”
“Granny Smith-”
“A mare need sunlight, Applejack, and she damn well needs to see her newest great grandbaby.” The hoofsteps had come dangerously close to the stairs, and Big Mac moved to help her down. Celestia knew she’d already made up her mind on coming downstairs, and they’d rather her at least do it with some help.
Granny was soon cozied into her rocking chair, the grin of a child who’d gotten away with stealing cookies on her face. “Well, let me see ‘em.” She held out her hooves, making a “Gimme” gesture.
Applejack hesitated. “She’s kinda fussy right now, she got spooked on the way here. “Maybe we should wait until-”
“Applejack, I may be seventy two but I’ll still come over there and hog tie ya if you don’t let me hold my grandkid.” She broke into a grin. “Unless you’ve got a good reason, of course, but a bit of fussing ain’t one of them. She gets it from this side of the family after all.” Applejack just sighed, shifting Sparkling into one arm and gently passing her to Granny.
“Well, ain’t you the prettiest thing.” She cooed at the still crying filly, who opened her eyes. “Well that got your attention. Or are you just a curious little thing, had to know who this new crazy old mare is?” She began to rock the chair back and forth. “Well, I’m you’re great granny, lucky you. And you’re gonna have plenty o’ yarns spun to ya, because I have a backlog and you seem perfectly fine with sitting here and listenin’. Ain’t that right?” Sparkling gave a little gurgle in what was probably agreement.
“See now, Sugar Rush wouldn’t. She’s been wigglin’ around since she figured out how, which was when she was 'bout an hour old. That’s why I told em, I said, name that little spunkball Sugar Rush. Give ponies a warnin’!”
Twilight smiled at the duo, and Sugar wiggling around Granny’s hooves for attention. The door suddenly knocked behind her, and she’d be lying if she said her heart didn’t skip a beat when it swung open. But it was just Sugar Belle and Rarity.
“Fluttershy and Pinkie are still convincing Rainbow not to commit a homicide. They told us to go ahead.” Rarity said, answering the unasked question as they came in.
Applejack cringed a bit. “And I thought I was more riled up about them leeches than anypony.”
“One of them pushed Fluttershy, the poor dear. I think that’s what actually did it.”
“Ah.” Rainbow hadn’t exactly been the pony most overly concerned about the reporters these last few months, but her being mad that one of her wives got scuffed? That was Dashie. “I’m sure she’ll make her way over so she can whine ‘bout it soon enough.” She took a spot on the couch, next to where Twilight had climbed up. Twilight instinctively started to lean into her.
Suger Belle glanced at her husband, hold up a hoof and mouthing “Three, two, one.-” She smirked as Rainbow Dash swung the door open, earning a chuckle from Big Mac.
“I suppose that’s you’re version of keeping things quiet, so thank you Rainbow Dash.” Twilight stuck her tongue out when Rainbow glared at her.
“Hey, I was just telling those reporters off for stalking your kid. Have some respect!” The mood suddenly dipped, everypony freezing up a bit. “...What?”
Fluttershy inched in behind Dash, glancing around the room. “It’s not really stalking, is it? I-It’s a bit invasive, sure. But they’re just excited… right?”
“Of course, silly filly.” Pinkie Pie chimed in, bouncing past them both. “Who wouldn’t be? They’re just getting caught up in the moment, everypony does it!”
“Pinkie’s right.” Rarity nodded. “Let’s not put such a strong label on it, this’ll pass in due time. You just need to let the dust settle.”
Rainbow Dash closed her eyes, her brows knitting together and her hoof tapping against the ground. “I don’t know, Rares. Those tabloid ponies can be… determined.”
“It’ll be fine, Rainbow Dash. Besides, a little extra attention never hurt anypony.”
Twilight had missed the sour expression Rainbow had given, butting in before Rainbow could. “Well, we’ll need to make sure the attention doesn’t go to her head. We don’t want another Rainbow Dash on our hooves.” She giggled
Dash suddenly took a deep breath, stomping towards the door.
“Dashie, honey, where are you going?” Fluttershy gasped as Rainbow suddenly took flight.
“Home. I’ll make dinner.”
“It’s eight AM, Dashie.”
“Then I’ll make breakfast.” Rainbow jerked herself away from Fluttershy’s outreached hoof, only offering a “See ya.” before taking off.
“Oh dear… Pinkie, I think she’s upset about something. We should go after her.”
Applejack shakes her head. “She’s probably just mad that somepony other than her’s gonna be in the newspaper for the next few weeks. She’s fine. You should stay, the Crusaders ought to be here before long. I’ll make ya some tea.”
Fluttershy inches her way out the door, flaring her wings and looking back. “I still want to be sure. Pinkie, you can stay if you want.”
“No can do, I’m coming with you!” Pinkie bounds out ahead of her, already rushing ahead. “Gotta make sure Dashie isn’t feeling like a grumpy grump, and she said there’d be breakfast!”
Rarity made her way to the door as Fluttershy hurried to catch up. “I’m afraid I need to take off as well, orders don’t wait on a delivery I’m afraid. Besides,” She nods towards Twilight, who was slowly nodding of on Applejack’s shoulder. “I think she could use some rest. The baby too, actually. Being born is a lot of work I’d imagine.”
Applejack nudged Twilight. “She’s right, Twi. Don’t try to argue me on that one, it won’t end well.”
Twilight gave a soft laugh. “No, I won’t. I feel like dropping dead for the next week, I need to sleep. Even I’ll admit that.”
A round of chuckles went through the room, and Applejack gathered up her daughter and wife and helped them to their rooms- a bedroom for the latter, and for the former a nursery that had been fussed over relentlessly for months. They’d settled on a pastel blue for the neutrality of it, since Twilight had wanted the baby’s gender to be a surprise. Soft quilts, overstuffed animals, colorful toys, even a music box that Fluttershy and Rarity had apparently spent months making from scratch- They hadn’t been spared anything at the baby shower, thus the nursery had been spared no shelf space.
Applejack set Sparkling down in her crib, rocking it back and forth a bit as her eyes fluttered shut. “You sleep now, sugarcube.” She chuckled. “You’re aunt’s will be by soon, and, well… you’ll see.”
