It was another warm, bright, and delightful morning for all residents of Ponyville. It was like any other seemingly perfect day. The sunlight was warm and the air was cool. Ponies were out and about, going on with daily lives. In a cottage at the edge of town, two pegasi were enjoying their morning inside.
Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were laying in bed, their hooves wrapped around each other in a tight embrace. They both had smiles of content on their faces. Rainbow Dash let out a long sigh as she continued to cuddle up with her lover. The warmth of the other was soothing to both ponies in their blissful state.
After a minute of more snuggling, Fluttershy started to squirm, trying to get out of Rainbow Dash's grip.
"Come on.. don't tell me that you can't spend five more minutes snuggling up with the most awesome mare in equestria," Rainbow Dash said in a groggy voice.
Fluttershy continued to resist. "Please.. Rainbow. I need to feed the animals soon," she begged the rainbow maned pegasus.
The grip on Fluttershy was released and she recoiled a little. She lifted the blanket off of herself and Rainbow Dash. Her wife rolled over, letting her hooves dangle over the side of the bed. Fluttershy got off the bed and started to walk out of the room. Rainbow Dash still had her eyes closed and wasn't going to get up. Just then, an idea came over Fluttershy's head. A sly playful grin started to form on her face.
She crouched down like a sneaky predator and began to slowly prowl towards her unwary prey. A giggle escaped her muzzle as she came close to the prey.
"You shouldn't let down your defenses," Fluttershy said, standing above her.
"Huh? What do you me-"
Fluttershy assaulted the cyan pegasus, blowing a raspberry on her soft tummy. Rainbow Dash was caught off-guard like her wife had expected. She shook her legs around and started to giggle. This only encouraged Fluttershy to continue her attack.
"Ack- Fluttershy! Stop! No Fair!" Rainbow Dash shrieked, unable to stop laughing as Fluttershy tickled her with another raspberry.
"Are you going to get up?" Fluttershy asked, ceasing fire.
"Yes! Okay, you win this round" Rainbow Dash said, looking into her eyes.
She got up and stretched out her limbs a bit before giving Fluttershy a little peck on the cheek that earned her a gentle, tender, and loving nuzzle. They walked side-by-side down the stairs to see an angry Angel. It was clear that he had been waiting long enough for his food. He tapped his foot anxiously and gave a little glare as both ponies walked past him and ignored his needs.
"How bout some breakfast?" Rainbow Dash asked with a smirk.
"Feeling a little hungry?" Fluttershy asked back, giving her a warm smile.
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash replied, Her stomach making a low rumbling sound.
Fluttershy pulled out a chair for Rainbow Dash sit at while she went to make breakfast for the two of them. She sat down and looked at the little angry bunny who was giving her a glare.
"I think Angel is hungry too," Rainbow Dash remarked.
"Oh dear," Fluttershy said. "I'm falling behind!" she said, feeling a little worried.
Rainbow Dash got up. "Hey, why don't you just take care of them now?" she asked. "I'll just get my weather duties done now and then we can eat together," she suggested.
"Are you sure? You usually leave that for later," Fluttershy said, a little shocked.
"Yeah.. um.. well.. I might as well get it done. Don't worry! I'll be back in a flash!" Rainbow Dash said, leaving the cottage and taking off to the skies.
Rainbow Dash navigated through the sky, bucking all the stray white clouds. There was only a few in the sky this day but that was perfect for her. She needed to stop by to ask for some advice from one of her close friends. The day before, she had been in an argument with Fluttershy and they both felt bad about it. Fluttershy had suggested a cuddle session in the morning to make up for it.
She arrived at the tree house of Twilight Sparkle and her faithful companion. Rainbow Dash let out a long sigh and knocked on the door. Spike opened the door and peered out.
"Oh, what's up, Rainbow Dash?" he asked.
"Is Twilight there?" she asked. "I really need to talk to her about something important!"
Twilight came out of nowhere and walked in front of spike. "Need some marriage counseling, Rainbow Dash?" she asked, nodding her head.
"Practicing your teleport spell.. again?" Rainbow Dash asked, clearly annoyed.
"Yes, I am!" Twilight proudly said. "So, you finally need my services?" she asked in a playful tone.
Rainbow Dash shook her head. "No, it's not like that.. I just need your opinion on a certain matter," she said in a much lower tone.
Twilight moved Spike out of the doorway and gestured to Rainbow Dash to come inside. "What do you need my opinion on anyway then?" she asked as Rainbow Dash came inside.
"Well, Fluttershy and I had a little argument yesterday about something," she explained.
Twilight gave her a skeptical look. "So, you do need my services?" she asked.
"You're not some marriage counselor, Twilight. This is about something else," Rainbow Dash said.
"Just sit down then," Twilight told her as she sat on a reading chair.
Rainbow Dash sat down in a chair adjacent to Twilight. She stared off to into the distance, trying to correctly word what she had wanted to ask.
"Look, Rainbow. I'm only trying to help you out," Twilight said, showing concern for her friend.
"What do you think of foals?" Rainbow Dash suddenly asked.
"They're cute but they can be annoying?" Twilight said, sounding it like she was asking a question back. "Why are you asking me about foals?"
Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head. "Well.. Fluttershy wants to have them," she said.
"Is that what you two were arguing about?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah! It's not just that.. she wants me to be the one having them!" Rainbow Dash said, her voice getting louder.
"Okay.. so what are you really upset about? Do you not want foals or do you want her to be the birthmother?" Twilight asked, resting her head on a hoof.
"Both! I don't like foals! I don't want to give birth to them either! How can an awesome and athletic pony like me choose something like that? I might not know any of that medical mumbo jumbo but I do know that It'll have a major impact on my performance! How would they let me be a Wonderbolt? I guess I wouldn't mind one foal but nooo..." Rainbow Dash ranted, trying to catch her breath.
Twilight was out of her seat, patting Rainbow Dash on the back. "Just relax, Rainbow. Take a deep breath," she encouraged the worn out pegasus.
Rainbow Dash shook her head but proceeded anyway to inhale and exhale large breaths. After a minute, she finally got herself calmed down. Twilight rested a comforting hoof on her shoulder.
"Rainbow, why don't you just make a compromise?" she suggested.
"What do you mean? How?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"You said that you wouldn't mind having one foal, right? Just tell her that she has to be the birthmother and that you'll agree to have only one foal," Twilight said.
"Yeah.. I just won't be in any way related to the foal.. things will be pretty awkward when it grows up," Rainbow Dash admitted in a sad tone.
Twilight rubbed her shoulder a little. "Sorry, Rainbow. You're both mares after all.. nothing really would work. Even if you got a gender change, you wouldn't be fertile. There's no magic that advanced yet. There is a way around it but that's not a very good idea," she explained.
"When did you find out we were mares?" Rainbow Dash sarcastically asked, lowering her head down. "Also, I wouldn't be interested in being a stallion. I'm proud to be a mare.. even if I'm married to one," she said.
"I wasn't trying to imply that it was what you wanted. It's okay to accept yourself for who you are and just want to be yourself. If you really are getting upset over this.. I could recommend one thing," Twilight said, trying to comfort her.
"And what would that be?" Rainbow Dash asked, feeling curious.
Twilight cleared her throat. "There was a break through a month ago. Scientists have found an experimental way to combine the DNA of two mares like an egg and sperm. There's a lot of technical and biological stuff behind it. I'm sure that you wouldn't care about the details or understand them," she said, stopping to look at the blank expression on her face.
She continued. "Besides the fact that it requires quite the skill in magic and some of the most advanced technology; the whole thing would be rather costly and it only has a sixty percent chance of actually working," she explained and awaited a response.
"Alright, I would be willing to do whatever it takes," Rainbow Dash confidently said.
"Uh.. shouldn't you at least consult with Fluttershy first?" Twilight asked.
Rainbow Dash sighed and sank into the chair. "I don't know if I should bring it up so soon. She was yelling at me yesterday! I never saw her get this mad!" she said.
"Just give her a little while and try to talk about it," Twilight said, sitting back done.
"Maybe I'll bring it up after breakfast," Rainbow Dash said and got out of the chair.
"Are you leaving now? Twilight asked.
"Yeah.. thanks for the help, Twilight," Rainbow Dash thanked her. She stopped for a minute before leaving the tree house. "I'll see if my snuggle bunny will hear me out," she said and walked out.
As soon as Twilight closed the door with her magic, she realized that she had called Fluttershy her 'snuggle bunny' and cringed at the thought. Rainbow Dash still didn't like telling her friends about her sappy feelings for Fluttershy. She spread out her wings and flapped them hard, leaving a slightly visible rainbow trail behind her as she sped off towards her home.
Rainbow Dash spotted Fluttershy walking back to the front door of their cottage. Making a sharp landing and sliding all way to her lover, she caused her to cringe a little in surprise. All of that was wiped away by the gentle nuzzle that Rainbow Dash gave her right there.
"Miss me?" Rainbow Dash asked, grinning.
Fluttershy gave her a little kiss on the cheek. "You came back just in time," she said.
Rainbow Dash followed her back inside their cozy little cottage. The table was already set with their breakfast and morning drinks. Fluttershy loved tea very much but Rainbow Dash never could like it. So, she settled for orange juice every morning. On their plates were two pieces of toast and some hay bacon strips. The sight of the food distracted Rainbow Dash from her current goal.
"Wow! You even made hay bacon strips! My favorite!" exclaimed a very hungry pegasus as she hurriedly settled herself down in a seat.
Fluttershy giggled as her wife went to town on her hay bacon strips. Rather than just eating all her food separately, Fluttershy placed her hay bacon strips between her slices of toast. The result was a tasty combination that was better than just eating it piece by piece.
Rainbow Dash slowed herself down. "You didn't have to go out of your way but thanks, pal!" she gratefully told the shy pegasus. "Wait," she said and narrowed her eyes. "Is this because of.. our argument yesterday?" she asked.
"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy apologized. "I still feel so awful for yelling," she said with a sad and sorry look on her face.
"Don't be," she said back, in a serious tone. "I was a little afraid of such a big step. I'll agree to this idea of yours about starting a family.. only under two conditions," she said, her full attention fixed on Fluttershy.
Fluttershy gave her a curious look. "What conditions?" she asked.
"Uhh.. first, we will only have one foal, okay?"
"Okay, that's fine."
"Umm.. second, I.. can't do it.. I'm sorry but.. I don't want to be the birthmother," Rainbow Dash said and winced. She was very sure that Fluttershy wouldn't be happy to hear that.
"What?" Fluttershy asked, starting to panic.
"I can't do it! I'm really sorry! I wouldn't be able to practice my flying for like a year!" she replied. "Plus, if a spot opens up in the Wonderbolts, I wouldn't be able to join and somepony might jump on it!"
Fluttershy put down her "sandwich" down. "I don't understand. You can just join after.. you know.. you have the foal. Why is it a problem for you?" she said, gazing into her eyes.
Rainbow Dash had been trying to avoid this situation. She had so desperately hoped that her wife wouldn't ask why she didn't want to give birth to their foal. Though there were few upsides, Rainbow Dash only knew the downsides of pregnancy. She wasn't to blame for it all. Her parents had given her all those downsides in fear that she was careless and didn't fully understand what a "real relationship" was. They didn't know that she was interested in mares until the wedding. It was pretty awkward at first for them but they quickly came to accepting her.
"Rainbow? Um.. are you ok?" Fluttershy asked, waving a hoof in her face.
She was lost deep in thought. From what she knew about pregnancy, it sounded like it required a huge commitment. In order to have a healthy foal, she was supposed to have a balanced diet and a bunch of other things. Also, she wasn't allowed to drink any alcohol whatsoever. To her misfortune, her parents had told her how uncomfortable pregnancy feels and how horrible giving birth to a foal is. They weren't intending on scarring her, only to educate her so she wouldn't make a mistake but they probably took it a little too far.
Fluttershy was out of her seat, giving her wife's shoulder a little shake. Rainbow Dash shook her head as if she coming out of a trance. She looked back into her lover's eyes.
"What?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Why can't you do it?" Fluttershy asked again.
Rainbow Dash sighed. "I'm not cut out for it. You know that I'm careless and stuff. Also, I would be pretty much grounded for a long time. I need the freedom. You don't care for it at all," she explained.
"But, Rainbow Dash! How can I possibly be fit to have a foal? I'm such a scrawny filly! I'm weak, young, and too delicate for something like that!" Fluttershy exclaimed, her breathing becoming rapid and irregular.
Rainbow Dash moved her hoof out and rested it on her shoulder. "You're not a scrawny little filly, Fluttershy," she said, looking at the slim figure. "You're a grown mare. Heck, you're even more mature then I am," she said with a warm smile.
Fluttershy took a few deep breathes. "Are you sure? Do you think that I can do this?" she asked.
Her hooves were pulled by a tender grip. Rainbow Dash gazed into her eyes as she did the same. Her magenta eyes glowed with her strong love for the shy pegasus.
"I know you can. You're not doing this alone. I will be there with you the whole time," Rainbow said in her confident voice. "This is will be our family," she said, already starting to feel a certain commitment toward her wife.
She got up and wrapped Fluttershy in a tight embrace. The creamy pegasus returned the hug and held onto her, resting her head on Rainbow Dash's shoulder.
"You know Rainbow?" she said after a minute passed by. "I think I can do this. I mean, I guess that I had been looking at it as something scary that I went through alone but.. with you by my side.. I think I have the courage to do this," she explained.
Rainbow Dash stroked her mane with a gentle hoof. "Are you sure?" she asked.
Fluttershy closed her eyes. "Yes," she finally said, now confident.
They continued to hold on to each other, not wanting to end this peaceful moment. Fluttershy still felt a little unsure about herself but brushed it off and let a hoof slide through the cyan pegasus's mane. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of guilt. She almost felt like a coward. However, Fluttershy really was the best choice.
Rainbow Dash let go and slowly pulled away. "Where do we start?" she asked.
Fluttershy looked down at her hooves. "Well, I probably should schedule an appointment with my doctor.. and umm.. look for a uhh.. donor," she explained.
"Huh? Why do you need to make an appointment? " Rainbow Dash asked.
The shy pegasus slide her hoof back and forth on the floor. "I just want to make sure that I'm not sick or anything. Also, I could really use some helpful advice," she replied.
"Oh," Rainbow Dash said. "Wait, what was that about a donor?" she asked, scratching the back of her head with a hoof. She had no idea what her wife was talking about.
Fluttershy blushed in embarrassment and was suddenly very uncomfortable. "Um.. well.. you know.. I have to.. find one so.." she went on, her voice becoming inaudible to Rainbow Dash.
The daredevil rolled her eyes and waited for her to finish. "Yeah, um.. okay. I get you, Fluttershy," she lied and let a nervous chuckle.
Fluttershy let out a sigh of relief and nuzzled Rainbow Dash.
When they got back in their seats to finish breakfast, it was cold and just didn't taste the same. Fluttershy left some of her food behind while Rainbow Dash tried to finish off her own food all in one bite. She made a mess and apologized for it. As she helped Fluttershy clean up, worries started to pile up again.
"Do you think that we would make good parents?" she asked.
Fluttershy stopped wiping the table and brushed her mane with a hoof. "Of course, Rainbow! Why wouldn't you think so? Is this why you were worried?" she replied in her sweet voice.
"Well, we really don't know much and have no experience with foals," Rainbow Dash said.
Her lover giggled. "We can always look to our friends for help. Why don't we visit Pinkie Pie and the Cakes later today? We can even see if Twilight has some advice. She must have some books for us too!" she said, nuzzling Rainbow Dash to give her some comfort.
"You're right!" Rainbow Dash chuckled. "I suppose we can drop by in the afternoon," she suggested.
"That would be okay. Um.. would you like if I gave a back massage?" Fluttershy offered.
Rainbow Dash brushed her mane with a hoof. "Of course, I would love if you did that! You're like the expert on giving backrubs!" she said, nuzzling her wife.
Fluttershy nodded and Rainbow Dash climbed on the couch, and laid stomach down. She stretched out her limbs to loosen up a bit. Fluttershy went to work, slowly rubbing around her back. As she came to the base of the wings, Rainbow Dash let out a long sigh of content. She massaged the sore flight muscles and sent the pegasus into a blissful state.
As she continued the massage, she slowed down and switched her movement to a circular motion. Rainbow Dash was in perfect relaxation; her eyes were closed and breathing soft. Fluttershy kept at it until a familiar noise started escaping the muzzle of her wife.
Fluttershy giggled, stopping the massage. "I guess that was too relaxing!" she thought to herself.
Rainbow Dash was asleep, softly snoring. Fluttershy threw a blanket over her and giggled a little about how adorable she looked while she was sleeping. Now alone with her thoughts, Fluttershy sat back in a chair, thinking about what was to come with this new life.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.