[AnonShy] Childbearing 3

>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.