Five months
I munched at everything on the dining table. Fruits, salads, sandwiches, desserts, basically anything to get my babies a feel of these foods. I'm already in my fifth month, and my belly was as big as somepony having triplets at full term. My nurse has advised me to increase my energy intake to feed my eight foals.
Everyone couldn't help but stare at my eating. They must have thought my appetite has gone crazily big to suit my cravings.
"Big sister…" Paladin Knight began. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm alright," I replied, munching a sandwich I just duplicated. "Just… I needa let my babies get a taste of every type of food," I giggled.
"Oh, that was a cute response," laughed Dark Glare. "I mean, yeah, you have a point. Just… the way you eat, isn't that a little…"
"Never mind, just let her satisfy herself to the fullest," Mom told them. "She's a graceful princess, she knows what she's doing."
"Well she's sort of the mare trying to fit herself to the fullest with the suitable situations," Shimmering finished.
"Flurry? Hello?" I called. But there was no response.
"Maybe she's sleeping?" Sis asked me.
"No way. She won't sleep at this time!" I turned the door handle. It wasn't locked. As I opened we saw her slumping on her bed, and she seemed to be weeping.
"Flurry, are you okay?" I asked her.
"No, leave me alone," she sobbed.
"But… I can't leave you if something's troubling you. I am your coltfriend, and your soon-to-be husband, and it's best we can talk together…"
"Shut up! I know you'll hate me for I'm telling you I'm FAT!" Suddenly I was caught in the neck by her magic and was pulled in front of her. "A humble gentlecolt like you would never call me that, and it's best you leave me alone before I'll call my parents to imprison you for being unfaithful!"
"No, you're not fat!" I yelled as I was shaken back and forth as I was being suffocated. "I love you, honey. You're beautiful, your beauty is further increased by your belly…"
"LIAR! You've got another mare waiting for you downstairs huh!? If I ever find her out I'll… I'll-"
"Shush, calm down, Flurry Heart." Sis seemed to come to the rescue as she cancelled the magic by striking her horn, and I fell to the floor with relief over my neck.
"Get him off! He's, he's…" she wailed hysterically.
"Calm down, calm down," Sis repeated, as she hugged her. "It's mood swings that got you again, wasn't it? Shimmering would never turn a back on you. We're here because we're concerned. It's just unlucky for us that pregnancy mood swings came when we're looking for you."
Flurry Heart appeared to be silent as she seemed to realize about it. A while later she hugged Sis back.
"I-I'm sorry, Dark," she was at her sobbing voice again. "Y-you got me. Those mood swings, they really got me. I really feel emotionless."
"Don't worry. They always come and go quick. You'll be alright."
"Oh," she cried all of a sudden. "My babies, they're kicking now." She placed her hoof at her belly.
"Oh, I think your babies are cheering you up! They don't want to see you get upset!" Sis replied.
"Yeah, you're everypony's hope, even the unborn ones support you!" I added as I joined the hug, with Flurry stretching her hooves as if she allowed me to join.
"Found the last one yet?" I asked Shimmering.
"Almost… felt it," he drew a heart on where he felt one of my babies' heartbeats. It was the eighth and last heartbeat he found, and he had marked where my babies' heartbeats can be felt with a pen.
"Oh, good job, Shimmy!" I looked into the mirror to see his markings. "They're all beating healthily."
"Indeed they are," he agreed. "But how does it feel to have babies kicking in your body though?"
"Um, I dunno, maybe it's something like butterflies flying in my body or fish swimming?" I replied. "It's a very funny feeling when you're first pregnant. If you were a mare perhaps you can experience everything."
"Heh-heh, you may be right," he said as I returned to my bed to let him feel my babies kicking. "Well I remember doing the same thing, feeling my quint siblings kick when Mom was pregnant with them."
"I think I should say we're happy enough our octuplets and your quint siblings are a great blessing for our bloodline."
"Yeah, I remember, before Mom had them, I quarreled with Sis almost every day on wanting a sibling. I always said that I wanted a brother, because colts are stronger, while Sis said fillies are better because colts are generally naughtier."
"So, your mom and dad knew what you two wished?"
"Yeah, and they told us they couldn't guarantee what would the outcome be. When Mom did get pregnant, we had a bet on who will win, and when Mom came back from her first ultrasound to tell us the result that she's having quints, two colts and three fillies, we both were thrilled, and Mom then told us that since our wishes were granted at the same time by surprise, she told us not to quarrel with each other again, and not to quarrel with the quints when they are born and grown up."
"You've been a good colt," I chuckled. "So does your sister. That's why you're rewarded more than you two wished for. Be a good pony, and we'll be blessed more."
"I guess it's fair enough to say we've been all good. That's probably why the Goddess of Fertility gave us the prophecy of having the whole of Equestria populated by our descendants. By the way, I'm sorry about how I treated you this afternoon. I don't really know when would my next mood swing strike."
"Aw, it's okay. Let's just enjoy our happy moment before it comes and goes yet again," I assured, and we continued feeling our babies' movements until drowsiness took us over.
Six months
Fall had just arrived. Flurry Heart was well into her sixth month of our octuplet pregnancy. Then again she was already huge, and she was like a mare heavily pregnant with quintuplets, almost as big as how Mom looked before she gave birth to my quints siblings, and I could wonder further how much bigger she can reach at full term. Our recent visit to our nurse revealed that we had exactly four colts and four fillies, each sex bore every one of the four main pony kinds. Which means that we are having two earth ponies, two unicorns, two pegasi and two alicorns together, each pony kind having a different sex.
A small number of Flurry's friends in Ponyville were getting pregnant as well. Her cousin's best friend, Beryl, was confirmed nearly three months along with triplets after she had the same fun me and Flurry had a week before we were confirmed pregnant with her boyfriend, who is one of her friends' cousins. She and her other friends are getting married, too, but only later in the fall. Meanwhile her elder cousin, Prince Orion Galaxy's wife is to be due in a month after Hearth's Warming Eve.
It was that one night, a week before our great day, the day of our marriage, that we were discussing our excitement for that day on our bed.
"It's going to be a week more before we're officially husband and wife," I told her. "What can you say about our relationship so far?"
"It's been really great. All those pregnancy ups and downs, I'm already getting the hang of it," she replied. "I think I like getting pregnant now. It's an enjoyable feeling."
"So would we like to have more kids again when these eight are born?"
"Certainly. But let's give my body a rest for a while after I get these foals out of my body, give or take maybe a few years. Yeah, it's a while for my body to recover, but it's all I can do if I want to get pregnant with such a huge amount next time, just as what the Goddess of Fertility prophesied."
"I understand that. Though I'm really excited for our huge family in the near future, you do have a point, so everything's worth the wait," I replied, and she smiled, and we continued feeling our babies kicking in her belly underneath our blanket.
Cousin Orion came on the night before the wedding. He was assigned to be Paladin Knight's best stallion. Shimmering's two little quint brothers are to be our pagecolts, one for Shimmering and one for Solar Shine. Melody Aurora and Honey Drops were assigned to be me and Mistral's bridesmaids respectively, and King Sombra is to be Dark Glare's best stallion.
"So eight little tots are squirming in there?" Honey asked at the sight of my belly. "Aww man, we've seen your belly pics from the papers. We really couldn't get a feel of it until like right now."
"Yes, you can feel the babies, only after you've settled yourselves!" I told her. "Is your little one fine too, Orion?"
"Yes, Honey and the baby together are making good progress," he replied.
"That's good to hear," Mom replied. "Now settle yourselves before we chat together, we're doing everything we can for our children's big day tomorrow!"
Our great day came. Outside the palace, many of our subjects gathered, with ponies coming from near and far, with our non-pony friends arriving from the Dragon Lands, Griffonstone, Yakyakistan and of course, the Changeling terrritory.
I was in my room, with the dressmares dressing me up in my wedding dress as well as styling my hair.
"Okay, princess," one of the dressmares said as she finished styling me. "Have a look at how you look."
I looked into the mirror. "Wow, you all really did a good job there," I said as I turned around to view further parts of my body.
"All to make you and your growing body look beautiful," the other dressmare replied. "Now is it time for you to meet your other wedding mates?"
"Sure," I said as I reached for the door. As I opened Dark Glare and Mistral Violet were already outside, waiting for me, both of them beautifully dressed, too.
"We've been waiting for you, Flurry!" Mistral began. "Wow, you're really nicely dressed!"
"Thanks, and you two as well," I replied. "Dark, you're feeling good, too, I suppose?"
"Yes, I'm alright. I'm feeling that sickness just now, but thankfully, I'm better," she said. She's already two weeks pregnant, after she had the same fun me and Shimmering had with Paladin Knight.
"Glad you are," I said as we hugged together. "Now where's Melody and the other bridesmaids?"
"There you are, girls! Right on time!" King Sombra called, and accompanying him were Melody Aurora and Honey Drops.
"Wow, you three sure look stylish!" Melody complimented.
"Thanks, Mel," I replied. "Are your friends waiting?"
"Yes, they've came from far away to witness this majestic ceremony, for all royal children of the Crystal Empire getting married at the same time!" Honey replied.
"Oh my, that's such a grand occasion in Equestria like never before!" Mistral cried.
"Whatever it is, it's gonna be a memorable moment in history," Dark said.
"Yeah," Sombra replied. "Now come on, and let's get ready. Everypony's waiting downstairs."
I stood still as my elder quint brother adjusted the bow on my suit. The wedding hall was packed, with many of our friends having gathered.
"Getting excited, eh, young man?" Prince Orion asked me.
"You can say that, since…"
"Hey, we all know that feeling," Solar Shine said. "We've been through many marriage occasions, we should know the drill for it already, since we're the main stallions today."
"Yeah, and I now get the feeling of getting Dark pregnant before we're married," Paladin Knight added. "Turns out, it wasn't as worse as I expected. Mom was right after all, I guess."
"The brides are arriving!" a voice called.
"Oh, they're here!" my younger quint brother cried.
"Alright, let's keep calm and follow the tradition," said Orion, as we returned to the throne altar.
"Looking smart, my boys?" Prince Shining asked. He was with the rest of the royalty.
"Fear not, Uncle," Prince Orion replied. "Let's get this thing going."
"You're all calm, huh?" Princess Celestia joked. "On celebrating a big day like this."
The door opened, and my three bridesmaid sisters came in, scattering petals as our brides came in accompanied by their best partners, with the wedding music accompanying. We were all stunned at the beauty of them entering, particularly my wife, added by her immensely huge belly. I smiled at her, and she winked back.
As the three mares arrived near the altar, Princess Celestia began speaking.
"Mares and gentlecolts, today we are gathered here to celebrate a special occasion that will be treasured and cherished forever in their lives. Their commitment of their relationship, and their dedication, is truly undeniable. First, may we have Princess Flurry Heart and Prince Shimmering Glow?"
Flurry Heart stepped forward, accompanied by Princess Melody, and we stood with Princess Celestia between us.
"Prince Shimmering Glow, do you take Flurry Heart as your lawful wedded wife, in sickness and health, till death do you part?"
"I do."
"And do you, Princess Flurry Heart, take Shimmering Glow as your lawful wedded husband, in sickness and death, till death do you part?"
"I do, Princess."
And next she called Paladin Knight and Dark Glare, and then Solar Shine and Mistral Violet, and said the same thing for them which made me almost felt drowsy. We looked at each other, and blushed and giggled.
"May we have the rings, please?" Princess Celestia said as she finished with Solar and Mistral. Beryl, our ringbearer, brought up our rings, and placed each of the rings on our horns.
"I now pronounce the three of you, respectively, husband and wife!"
As she finished, we kissed and embraced, with the crowd cheering. We couldn't deny it. It was the happiest moment of our lives.
In the midst of our kiss, Flurry suddenly jerked. "Oh!" The crowd suddenly felt silent.
"What's the matter, Flurry?" Princess Cadance asked.
"No, it's just my babies," she said, feeling her belly with her active brood now kicking. "I think they're now joining the cheers on our day!" Everypony laughed as she finished.
"Three cheers for Flurry Heart, her siblings, her new family, and her babies!" Pepper Flake screamed joyfully, and the cheering continued.
Soon afterwards, evening came, and it was our reception. As the others gathered, we all spoke to Flurry's Ponyville friends.
"So you were right after all!" Platinum Royale said.
"Yes, how couldn't I break my promise?" Flurry replied.
"Whatever it is, you and your siblings look great today," said Bloodthirst. "Congratulations."
"Thanks a lot, Bloodthirst!" replied Mistral. "I think you should congratulate more on Dark Glare. She's already into beginning her own family, too!"
"Don't mention it!" Sis laughed. "But hey, I'm two weeks along, so maybe my baby's gonna be really tender at this moment."
"Of course, it's still in its early development, so don't risk yourself to anything unhealthy," said Melody. "Anyhow, my boy's doing well, I feel him kicking now and then, though not as much as Flurry feels, because she's having more than I do!"
"And my girl's great, too!" Honey Drops added. "But occasionally I get waves of massive kicking. I think she wants to show of her chaotic powers before she comes out?"
"Maybe yes?" replied Chaos. "After all, Dad passed this on to us."
"Well, there's something you might find amazing. I'm only two months and I'm already starting to show," said Beryl, turning aside to show her bump. "Iron and I made our scan just last week, and I found I'm having triplets! I think I could get the feel of more than one baby moving and squirming inside me soon!"
"We had a little commotion between our cousin Iron Granite with Beryl, he happened to have sex with her two months ago, which made her pregnant," Raisin Brandy explained.
"It's complicated, but Daddy was actually a bit agitated when he knew I was pregnant, but Mom seemed to trust me better, and managed to convince Daddy that somepony who truly loved me only could do that to me, then we managed to settle matters peacefully with Iron's family."
"Come to think of it, I still felt cringy on that incident," Iron Granite blushed. "But even so, as long as we're getting married, and Beryl being faithful to me, we're alright." He finished and held Beryl within his hooves. Beryl just giggled.
"Well, everypony's getting married and having kids soon, so don't worry much about it," assured Mistral.
"Hey, how's everyone going?" a familiar voice called. We all turned.
"Uncle Flash! There you are!" Flurry Heart cried as she recognized his spirit.
"Ha-ha! Your old uncle never fails to surprise everypony at big days."
"Either way, we're all glad to see you," Prince Orion said.
"Anyhow," went on Uncle Flash Sentry. "I hope our five expecting mares here are doing well."
"Yes, we do, Dad," Melody said.
"And you too, Flurry. Eight babies conceived in one body? That sure is a record like never before!" He joked as he poked at Flurry's belly.
"Don't you ever dare pop my fruits!" I cried.
"Relax, Shimmy. He was just kidding. And right now, my babies are kicking as we speak," she calmed me.
"And they'll grow up just fine, eh?"
"C'mon, uncle. Shimmering and I are just getting started."
"Which reminds me, but hey!" Pizza Frenzy suddenly called. "Can we have some photos of our expecting mares?"
Eventually we spent the rest of the night with Pizza photographing each of the expectant mares. Needless to say, our day was memorable.