That Way

  Narley threw her hoof over his back. Derpy found herself not being able to walk well, as pain started to swell up in her stomach, and she moaned every time she got a cramp, or the foal moved. She was led outside, and now it was dark. The streets empty, and lanterns shining. He led himself, in the twilight, and hooked himself up to the cart. Derpy stared at him for a moment, as his coat glistened and mane laid gently down his neck. Narley turned his head as she stared, but it was quickly disrupted when another sharp pain hit her. He sighed, unhooking himself, and giving her a boost into the cart, before going back and hooking himself up again. She just stared, trying to slowly process what would happen to her in the next hour. It was scary, sad, exciting, and stressful all at the same time. More pain rushed to her lower stomach, and she just thought to herself, that it would be over soon, and her filly would be in her arms. Derpy took Twilight's advice on staying calm, and breathed in and out, as Narley pulled the cart out and started quickly trotting to the hospital. It was not so far, but Derpy's stomach filled with butterflies as another sharp cramp hit her.

"What happened? What does breaking my water mean?"

"Your filly is in a water sack to protect her in your stomach. When your water breaks, its means that the sack broke, and now your baby has to come out. Did you feel anything before hand?" Narley looked back at her.

"Well... I did have cramps. That is why I was going to the bathroom" He chuckled, his trotting turning into running "I still have them"

"Those aren't cramps, those are contractions. Those happen when your body is preparing to give birth. I just need you to breathe in and out, and wait until we get to the hospital. The doctors are really nice there, and I will inform Twilight, but right now, you could only have 10 minutes until the baby comes. I am sure you will be fine" Smiling, he continued trotting.

"Is it going to hurt Narley?" Her eyes watered a bit, frightened by the whole thing.

"I don't want to lie to you. It will hurt... but once it is over, just think about how much that little filly is going to love her room we made for her. Just breathe, and think of nice things. Maybe a name would be a good thing to think about right now.. Don't think about the pain" Tears began rolling down her face. Her body began to betray her, as emotions flooded over and she started to lightly cry. She did not exactly know why, maybe it was the fact that she was worried if she was actually would make it. Other then strong contractions, she didn't know that she was not very close to that stage though. Every bump they went over, she felt like it was coming closer. "Happy thoughts Ditzy... calm down... please"

"I'm sorry... please just hurry. Its hurts now Narley..." The hospital was in sight, and he quickly pulled the cart into the front. He unstrapped himself, very quickly, and helped her out of the back. Walking was even worse, as she still sniffled, and whimpered. She was lead through the front doors, where a doctor came to meet them. The hospital lobby was pretty large, but was empty, other then the nurses sitting at the main desk. For one reason or another, Ponyville did not seem to have many medical problems. Other then a broken hoof here and there, and this of coarse. He gave a smile, and he seemed like a older stallion who knew what he was doing. The unicorn could already read that it was a mare going into labor, and he ran the protocol through his head.

"Welcome to Ponyville Hospital, what seems to be the problem?" He said, acting like he didn't know when he obviously did. Derpy was not at the stage where she had to be rushed into a room yet, but was coming close to it. It aggravated Narley a little.

"She is having contractions... and her water broke" He slowly slid on a pair of glasses, making it feel like he was taking his time.

"May I know her name?" He asked, looking at a clipboard he pulled off the main desk.

"Mrs. Ditzy Doo. Spelled, D-I-T-Z-Y and last name; D-O-O"

"Okay Miss. Doo. Are you the father?" Narley quickly shook his head, as his wings popped open.

"N-no... no no.. I am a friend" The doctor nodded, uncaring. A nurse came with a wheel chair, and Derpy sat down in it. Narley nodded, comforting her. He then turned to walk out. "I'm going to get Twilight... You stay here. Doctor, do you have any idea how much time she has?"

"No idea" He replied, going behind the wheel chair and pushing it towards the other end of the room. "Could be 15 minutes, and it could be 2 hours. If the foal is in the correct birthing position, and her water broke, it will at most be a hour. From what I can see, Ditzy looks like she checks out. Is this your first child Miss. Doo?"

"Yes..." She replied sheepishly.

"Well, congrats. We will get you in the labor ward in a minute. You can have some friends in family in there, but when the time come, everyone has to leave. Unless this stallion here wants to stay for that part, and comfort you through it." Narley's ears shot up, and he quickly shook his head. Derpy was okay with this, but couldn't smile due to the pain she was going through. He looked confused.

"Well n-n-no... I don't really... know her, well, like that. I think we would both be more comfortable if I stay in the nursery" Derpy nodded.

"Agreed"

"Okay then Miss. Ditzy, lets get you in that labor room, and prepped. You are going to be a mother soon, and we will show you all the proper ways to take care of your little one. We will see if you have any allergies, and if everything works, we can give you some pain medications to deal with those awful contractions"

==================================================================

  The room she was in was made to comfort her. To comfort her, from knowing that she would soon have to stuff a watermelon through a pinhole. Many emotions could come from this, but the most common was anger. Rage would swell up, because of the pain, and mares would bark at their husbands ""You did this to me". Others were excitement, and extreme joy, some were even sad. But Derpy laid in her bed, and she was fearful as anything. She found herself shivering, because of how cold the place was. The room was a bright yellow color, and had a radio on the table, with a glass of water. A curtain separated her from the other bed, that was empty for the time being. The entire hospital felt a little empty. It was around 9, so it was not so late. Derpy had never been in a hospital before, but was it possible that most of the patients were sleeping? Apparently there were not any other mares giving birth, other then her. A nurse would come by every once in awhile and make sure she was alright, and that the needle in her arm was secure. So she was cold, shivering, scared, and depressed. Narley stayed loyal and got Twilight, and she brought Rainbow Dash and Rarity. They probably were the closest in the group. Rarity gave her a couple of balloons, and a plush bear that she hugged for dear life under her covers. Rainbow tried to comfort her, and so did Twilight, but instead she just scared her more. Derpy was not talkative, and when Narley returned, he breathed out, feeling bad. She had forgotten about what he had said, probably because she had other things on mind.

  About 30 minutes later, the pain peaked, and she tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. Now she was sure it was coming soon. Narley rubbed her back, while the other 3 talked to her.

"Have you thought of a name yet?" Rarity questioned.

"No... It will come to me"

"Well if you ever want me to foalsit I can. I learned well from my books, and whenever you need to go to work, I can make sure she is in good hooves. I'm sure Fluttershy would be a good choice too. I can help you a lot on all the things you need to know, I am sure you will get it quickly. It comes naturally" Twilight said, smiling awkwardly. Derpy tried to toss and turn to get comfortable.

"I-I guess" She quickly replied as another contraction rolled through.

"I can also watch her, and I will give you a little more time off if you need it. I want you and her to have the best mother and daughter relationship. You may also want to sort out a foalsitter. Other then that, are you excited?" He grinned, trying to cheer her up.

"N-no... I'm scared Narley"

"You will be fine... Don't be, try to stay positive" Derpy tried to smile, but the pain stopped her. The doctor came in, and noticed the look on her face, and the pain she was going through. The pills only made her feel drowsy, and really did not help. The doctor checked her I.V. and looked at the time.

"I am going to have to ask everypony to leave the room. I think it is about time Ditzy, and it looks like the foal is perfectly ready. I am sure you're scared, but it will be over before you know it. All it is, is concentration. We will help you threw the whole thing, and when it is over, it looks like you will have a healthy unicorn filly." The doctor lead the four of them out.

"Good luck Ditzy" Rainbow Dash said, before walking out.

"It will be alright..."

"We will be waiting in the nursery" The three of them walked out. Narley stood by her.

"I thought you were going to go in the nursery?" She remarked and sighed, as another pain hit her, making her even more scared then she already was. He smiled, to comfort her, and it didn't work. The doctor tapped his hoof impatiently.

"You are a strong mare, I wish you luck Ditzy. I will be helping you a lot more when the foal comes around. I am sure she will be just as beautiful as you are, and just as kind too. I am sorry about what happened at dinner, and I want you to put that behind us. I lied. I do have feelings for you Ditzy Doo, and I want us to be more then friends, I was just scared. We can talk about it later, but I think there is a foal to be born." Derpy looked up at him, from the bed she was laying on. He came down and kissed her, making it last a few seconds, and those seconds made her heart skip a beat. Narley pulled away, as a bright light shined down on the both of them. "I will be in the nursery, I will see you soon" His mane glistened in the light, and his eyes sparkled, as he began to leave. She was speechless, as she watched him walk away. All the pain was forgotten for a few short seconds.

  The doctor threw on a mask, and gloves. He let out a deep breath, before getting the mare into position. The pain was horrible now, and she felt a odd sensation of the weight she had been carrying, moving to her lower regions, giving her the will to want to push. It was embarrassing having the doctors seeing her like this, but it was the least of her worries. She just wanted her daughter out. The overhead light was bright, and made the doctors and nurses look like tall, shadowy figures. The pain got worse, and the doctor stepped out in front of her. The stress hit Derpy, and the emotions of the moment. The mares eyes shut as she began to shiver. Extremely scared for what was to come.

"Now... you just need to push and breathe Miss. Doo. It will be over before you know it."

  So it began. Derpy followed the feelings that her body wanted to do. Breathing heavily, and growling at the pure pain she was experiencing. It felt like the medicine wasn't even helping, and so many thoughts and emotions ran into her head. Hundreds, that made Derpy think about the future, and what Narley said. How she was starting a new life, and meeting her own flesh and blood. Yes, she was Jet's too, and that also ran through her head. How she didn't have a stallion, and how the little thing would react. As she pushed, her vision blurred and the doctors voices became muffled. Derpy someehow began sobbing threw the entire thing. The commands to push, and nurses saying she was almost there, all began to sound like echos. The pain spiked, and she had to stop, then start again as she cried loudly. Derpy felt like it was almost over, but the closer she got, the worse her symptoms were. The mares ears rang, and her vision became foggy. Everything was going in circles, and all she could do is think of images of the foal she would soon have. The pain quickly stopped. It randomly ended, and her breathing began to slow as sudden relief flushed over her.

"Mrs. Doo?" The doctor said, over the wailing of the newborn. Derpy's eyes rolled back in her head, and she fell back. Everything went dark, and all the sounds dissipated.