When Pinkie Pie discovers she's pregnant with her firstborn child of her and Cheese Sandwich, she runs into a cascade of emotions. Elation. Delight. The occasional upset stomach one runs into with such a development. But when the reality of things sinks in, Pinkie comes to realize there's no amount of party planning that prepares you for this. What do you do when you've been handed a newborn life to care for? How do you handle this change?

Written as an entry into the My Little Pony Renaissance Contest. Pre-read by Speculore! Cover art by SambaNeko

Marble Pie: The quietest of the Pie siblings. Really, that's all anypony can attribute to the mare, and she knows it. After overhearing some choice words from her family, Marble decides it's time to do something about it. It's time to go out and find her strength, to be strong for her family. Pinkie and Maud both succeeded when they left the farm, so why can't she?

A journey to Ponyville brings her to a literal legend of strength, the Pillar Rockhoof himself. Marble knows that through his teachings, she's sure she can become strong, strong enough to do...well. She's sure he can help her figure that out too! They'll all see! Limestone, Igneous, Maud and Pinkie; they'll all see Marble can become somepony great! What Marble isn't prepared for, though, is the truth Rockhoof helps her to unearth about herself. And what it truly means to be strong.

Pre-read by Sockpuppet and Raleigh! An entry for the May 2021 Original Pairings contest! Artwork by Flusanix!

Featured 5-18-2021, same day! You're far too kind to me, thank you!
Edit 6-3-2021: 2nd Place in May 2021 Original Pairings!

Bright Mac held himself as the cornerstone of his family: husband to his beautiful Pear Butter, father to a colt and stallion who he both adores and cherishes dearly. He works hard in the fields to make the best living he can for his family, to give them the opportunity to live a life without worry of work or success or lost dreams. Of course, he imagined Applejack would someday discover the world beyond the apple fields.

One night, as he tucks AJ into bed, the little filly asks if she can come with him to the fields. He sees no reason to deny her, and welcomes the idea of giving her a peek into the work of his own two hooves' making. It'll be hers someday, so it's best that she take the chance to learn while she's got the time.

He just didn't expect to go learning with her too.

Artwork by TJPones, from Derpibooru. Pre-read by Raleigh and Sockpuppet! Featured the same day? Thank you so much!

Sometimes, we hit those rough spots real hard. They might hurt a little, enough to make you wince. They'll scab over or you bandage them, and given enough time, it fixes up and you're doing good again. But those spots sometimes leave a mark. And when you look at them, you can still feel that phantom lingering in the back of your mind. You know the one; the kind that never really goes away.

But sometimes there's somepony there to make them hurt less. They might be a big, handsome husband, or your firstborn quiet and strong son. Or maybe just the cutest little filly who loves apples more than anything. Well, almost more than anything.

Artwork by TJPones! Pre-read by Raleigh!