>Things went back to normal soon after settling in.
>It's been a few weeks since your return.
>The animals had wandered off soon after you had left, what with no one to care for them anymore.
>They have started coming back on their own free will.
>You don't know what it is, but Fluttershy radiates an aura that animals just love.
>Maybe she's a siren.
>As a joke, she made you promise not to eat them.
>But 
>You've been helping her with the daily chores and most of the work that you feel would put too much strain on her.
>She's pretty apprehensive about almost being rendered useless.
>"I can do it!" she would sometimes shout.
>Sometimes she would immediately reoil and start apologizing.
>One time she ran away crying and locked herself in the bedroom.
>And every time she leaves you just standing there like an idiot wondering what the hell just happened.
>She even had Angel running around the house for her.
>You decided to call a pow-wow with Angel in the living room while Fluttershy was upstairs.
"Okay listen," you told him.
>Angel sat on the floor before you.
"I think it would be in both our best interests to work together for Fluttershy and maybe she won't be so crazy. Deal?"
>Angel nodded his head.
>"ANONYMOUS!"
>Angel took off out the front door.
"Aw you swift little bastard..."
--
>You crack the bedroom door open and stick your head inside.
"Yeah?"
>You were hesitant of stepping inside due to the risk of something being thrown at you.
>Fluttershy was lying in bed.
>Several empty ice cream buckets and half-eaten plates of dessert covered the floor.
>"Um... Hi," said Fluttershy said with a smile. "C-Can you, um, come sit with me?"
"Yeah... Yeah no problem, Shy."
>You oblige and take a seat in the edge of the bed.
>Fluttershy stands behind you and wraps her forelegs around you.
>She rests her head on your shoulder.
>"Anon?"
"Yeah?"
>"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
>"What do I mean to you?"
>You were expecting something like that.
>But that question specifically took you off guard.
>"Why are you hesitating?"
"I, uh... I just gotta think real quick."
>"It shouldn't be something you have to think about."
>Fluttershy nuzzled and kissed your neck.
>"Ponies have been saying you only married me so you can say that you have a special somepony."
"Who's been saying that?"
>"I just think that's a really... stupid reason to be with somepony."
"Who's been saying that?" you ask again.
--
>Fluttershy takes her hooves and head off you and walks around to sit by your side on the edge of the bed.
>She lies on her side, her head in your lap, facing the window in front of you.
>"I just want to know what I'm worth to you."
>You caress her cheek with one hand and rub her pregnant belly with the other.
"Fluttershy, I don't care if I have a special somepony or not. But I'm not going to use and treat you like a trophy."
>"Then why have a special somepony if you don't care? Why be together if there's no value behind it?"
>Damn it, that came out so wrong.
"No, what I mean is that if I don't have one, I'm not going to cry about it. But we're married. I'm going to treat you the best I can."
>"I know I'm worth something to you, but I don't know what. I want to hear it from your mouth. It's nice to hear that I'm not worthless."
>Where is this even coming from?
>You lie back onto the bed, your legs still dangling off.
>You pull Fluttershy up beside you so you're face-to-face.
>You plant a long, passionate kiss on her lips.
"I love you," you whisper. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. Hell, I probably wouldn't even be alive."
>You place a hand on her belly.
"And we would never have had this together."
>Fluttershy just looks into your eyes, not saying a word.
>She lets out a sigh and then curls into you.
>You flip on your side and hold her close.
>"That's all I wanted to hear," she mumbles.
>The slowed rise and fall of her chest indicates she had fallen asleep.
>You suppose there's no harm in an afternoon nap.
--
>Days later is Pinkie's party for your baby shower.
>She said it would have been earlier, but there were other parties she had planned.
>Understandable.
>You're not sure a baby shower rates having balloons and streamers decorating your house.
>But you can't argue with Pinkie.
>If she feels it deserves balloons and streamers, than it's getting balloons and streamers.
>Pinkie had brought some cake and small pastries to snack on.
>The rest of your friends had arrived.
>The six of them sat in a circle on your living room carpet.
>You sat in a chair against the wall.
>You weren't sure if you were even supposed to be here.
>You watch them talk and laugh about everything.
>They discussed the foal's sex, colors, talent, cutie mark.
>They even made a few games out of the discussions and came up with a thousand different outcomes.
>You sat in silence and thought quietly to yourself.
>Pinkie Pie announces the time to start exchanging gifts.
>She goes first, presenting Fluttershy with the gift she brought.
>You watch Fluttershy carefully start peeling off the wrapping paper.
>"Like this, silly," said Pinkie as she tore it all off in one fluid motion.
>Fluttershy took the top off the box and pulled out several baby toys.
>Pinkie reached in and grabbed a rattle in her mouth.
>She started shaking her head and dancing.
>A small teddy bear squeak toy caught your attention over the rest of the toys.
--
>Twilight went next, levitating what looked like a giant brick into Fluttershy's lap.
>The bundle was several parenting books for the both of you.
>You're actually very grateful for that as you know nothing about raising a child.
>A foal no less.
>You're not quite sure what Fluttershy knows, either.
>Applejack was next, getting off her flank and walking to the door.
>She pulled on a rope, a crib tied the other end dragged into the living room.
>"Big Mac, Applebloom, and Ah built this here for ya," said Applejack.
>"Oh, Applejack. It's wonderful!" said Fluttershy.
>"Ah'm glad ya appreciate it, sugarcube."
>You lean in your chair to get a better view of the crib.
>It was painted orange with small apples painted on as well.
>You guess they really want you to remember who made this for you.
>"Ooh! Ooh! Pick me!" exclaimed Pinkie.
>She reached into the little box of toys and pulled out a mobile and stuck it to the crib.
>She wound it up and sat back.
>The room watched in silence as Luna and Celestia rotated with the sun and moon around the earth.
>Lullaby and Goodnight plays in soft tones as the mobile spins.
>When the music stops, the lot of you just sit and smile.
--
>"I believe its my turn," said Rarity.
>She levitated a neatly-wrapped package from behind her and set it gently in Fluttershy's lap.
>"Sorry I couldn't get you something more glamorous," said Rarity. "I've been really busy lately."
>Fluttershy peeled the wrapping off carefully and held Rarity's gift in front of her.
>They were a bunch of tiny foal onesies.
>"D'aww... They're adorable Rarity," commented Twilight.
>"Sure are," agreed Applejack.
>"They look so cute!" squealed Pinkie Pie, holding one to her face.
>"You're too kind," Rarity said bashfully.
"They are pretty cute," you said as you rose to your feet.
>The six looked over at you.
>Those were the first words you've said all night.
>You walk over and pick one up to examine it closer.
>They were all different, but the one you had was white and had ducklings on it.
>And they were all unisex to boot.
>"I'm glad you love them," said Rarity. "I worked extra hard in the lttle bit of time I had on these."
"And we're grateful for it. And actually, if you don't mind, I'd like to make an order."
>Rarity looked you up and down.
>"New clothes?"
"You know it."
>She nodded.
>"Come by my shop tomorrow."
"Can do."
--
"I'm going to Rarity's," you tell Fluttershy as you walk to the door. "I just need to go for a walk right now."
>"Well just pick it up, and we wouldn't be having this conversation," said Fluttershy.
"Why can't Angel? That little bastard doesn't do anything anyways."
>"You leave Angel Bunny out of this!" shouted Fluttershy.
>You move your head to avoid a baby rattle flying at you.
>You open your mouth to retort but just shake your head.
"I'll be back in a little while."
>You slam the door behind you as you make your way to Ponyville.
>Knock knock.
>"Come in~!" sang a voice from inside.
>You enter the boutique, the door bell jingling as you do.
"Rarity?" you call.
>"In the back!" she calls back.
>You walk around the counter into the back of the boutique.
>You take a quick look around.
"Rarity?"
>"Here, darling."
>Rarity trots out from behind a blind.
>She's wearing heavy mascara and eye liner.
"Wow you look beautiful."
>"Really darling? Thank you so much."
"Same drill as before?"
>"Yes, darling."
--
>You strip to your boxers and stand upon a raised platform for Rarity to measure you.
>Rarity holds a measuring tape to your body and wraps it around your arms and legs.
>She takes an unusually long time to measure your legs.
>Rarity traced her hoof up and down your leg in admiration.
>"Wow..." she uttered.
"Several months of carrying a pack will do that to you."
>Rarity flinches at your voice.
>What was she do- Oh right, measurements.
>When she's finished, you get dressed and she invites you to tea.
>Thinking back at your argument with Fluttershy, you can do with taking some extra time before you go back home.
>You sit on a regal sofa in her living room.
>You hold your tea cup in your lap and just stare at the floor.
>"Anonymous?" asked Rarity. "What's wrong?"
>You briefly make eye contact before staring back at the carpet.
"Rarity?"
>"Yes, darling?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
>"Of course, Anonymous. What is it?"
>Rarity scooted closer, a look of concern in her eyes.
>You sink in your seat and set your head back against the sofa.
"I'm scared, Rarity."
--
>"Scared? Scared of what?"
"I... Everything."
>"You have to be more specific than that," said Rarity, taking a sip of tea.
>You breathe in and let out a long, drawn out sigh.
"I'm scared, call me selfish, but what if our child turns out... wrong?"
>Rarity's eyes open wide and her mouth opens to speak, but she remains quiet.
"It's not just that. I'm more concerned of my ability to be a parent. I've never raised a child before. A foal no less. What the foal it rejects me as its father? What if they're bullied in school because of me being different? What if-"
>You look at Rarity, meeting her eyes as she holds a hoof to your shoulder.
>"You're worrying about nothing," she assures. "I'm sure you will be an excellent father. Fluttershy is a very lucky mare to have you."
>You look back at your feet.
"I... I know I'm a very lucky man. I wouldn't have anything if it weren't for Fluttershy."
>You look back at Rarity.
"And you-"
>Rarity presses her face forward.
>Her eyes close as her lips lock with yours.
--
>After a brief moment, she breaks the kiss.
>You stare wide-eyed and in disbelief at what just happened.
>The sounds of sniffles and a soft cry comes from the door.
>You both look and spot Fluttershy standing there trembling.
>Tears fall from her eyes.
>You didn't even hear the door bell.
"No..." you whisper. "Fluttershy, I-"
>She bolts from the room.
"Fluttershy!"
>You jump off the sofa, knocking your teacup to the floor and spilling it on the carpet.
>You sprint towards the front door and practically kick it open as you leave.
>You run a few yards from the boutique and quickly scan the sky.
>She was already gone.
>You fall to your knees and continue staring into the sky.
>Rarity walks cautiously up behind you.
>"Anonymous... I... I..."
>You can hear her starting to choke up.
>You stand slowly and stare at the ground.
"I need to go," you utter in a cold voice.