That Way

  There was not much to pack. What else did she really need other then her toothbrush? Maybe Narley thought she had stuff she wanted to bring? On second though, Derpy did think it may be a good idea to throw her own pillow in a bag, and maybe her comb. There really was not many things she had to bring, but she did notice that some mares did need a thousand things in the morning just to style their manes. All she did however, was brush it a few times so it didn't puff up like Pinkie's. Before any of this was done, Derpy thought it may have been a good idea to take a long nap. Narley did say he would go home and take a nap himself. Then she would head over to Twilight's, and maybe ask her to a late lunch. It was around 1, so a two hour rest would probably set her to go around 3, and arrive at Narley's by 5. This would be perfect, because it would be around supper. This seemed like a plan, but she was missing the fact that somehow she would probably mess it up. If it was sleeping a extra hour, or chatting too long with Twilight. It all worked out nice well in the end, because when she arrived, not only would it be around dinner time, but the nice lunch she will have with Twilight, will probably help her avoid making a pig of herself at Derpy's so called "Date".

  The mare did seem to have a lot of feelings and emotions for her night with Narley. What if she messed it up some way with her horrible manners? Was it even going to be a fancy dinner? Any time Derpy was invited to a house for dinner, it never seemed to be fancy. The homes she was invited to, either had foals, or they were close family friends. Narley was not only pretty wealthy, but living alone and the big kitchen, probably made it more possible that it would be more then a get together. Derpy was not sure if she should get ready, and maybe tidy herself up more then she was lately. Her mane was pretty messy, and her coat could be a little softer. It was something she was not staying on top of, sleeping so much, and being occupied with her pregnancy. It was forgotten that Derpy was a pregnant mare, Narley would not put pressure on her to get all fancy for a simple dinner. It was not exactly even a date at first, but Narley did notice that two ponies, a mare and a stallion, eating a nice dinner together, and having feelings for eachother. could turn out to be a date. Why not? Narley's thoughts were just to make Derpy happy, and he did have some feelings for her. It was orginally plan to use his fancy kitchen, and indulge himself on a fancy dinner. The pegasus thought other wise, this was more of a night to impress him, to show Narley that she was more then that "cross-eyes girl", Sometimes she felt like people thought she didn't have feelings because of her problems, but Narley was not a stallion who thought that, and Derpy did not realize that. Narley found her to be the sweetest and friendliest mare he had ever met. Derpy laid down on the couch, it was still messed up from previous days she slept on it, and still smelled musty from when her mother got it at a garage sale. She grabbed a large comforter and put her head down. Before she was about to put her comforter over herself, she looked down at her rounded stomach, and smiled a little.

"Good-night sweet heart" Derpy giggled, before laying her head down, and falling into a deep sleep.

  Long naps were something pregnancy brought upon Derpy. Of coarse, she did end up sleeping an extra hour, and when she was asleep, she snored. It was a lot of things brought upon her, but the excitement of having a child in a day or less. made her ignore the side effects. So her usual routine started, get her groggy self up and stretch before she rushed to get to wherever she was going. In this case, she really just wanted to drop Owlowiscious off to Twilight, lunch would probably have to be skipped. Maybe they could chat, but Derpy did not want to get to Narley's any later then five. She looked at the owl, and before she said anything, he immediately hovered beside her, landing and letting out a "Who". She told him they were going back to Twilight's, and he seemed to understand as he flew out the window. Twilight did mention him returning at her command. Derpy made sure her mane wasn't a mess, and she ran out the door, beginning to fly. She was quickly stopped, exhausted by her extra weight. Instead, she had to walk, and Derpy hated that.

  Running didn't work either. It just made ponies look at her, and made her overly exhausted and sweaty. Derpy sighed, as she walked through the spring streets of Ponyville. It was late in the afternoon, and all the fillies and colts were doing their thing. Too bad she would not past the CMC on her route to Twilight's. Along the roads, flowers bloomed, and the air smelled fresh. The birds chirped, the sun stayed high in the sky, and everyone in town seemed to be happy. The temperature was perfect, other then the few strong winds that would blow. Derpy was surprised her doctor did not want her adventuring out too much. The trees had new leaves, and new life was everywhere. A couple of mother strolled past with their foals, and Derpy looked. They gave a little smile when she did, it was painfully obvious that she would be one of them soon. Fluttershy could not stop talking about all the new animals they had, and how many new offspring her chickens, bunnies, birds, many other animals had, and she even said the bears had a new cub. It was nice to have a little one this time of year. The park was packed, ponies got fresh drinks out of the fountain, while teenage colts played football in the grass. Elders sat on benches and fed ducks, as they quacked. But one thing that was noticeable as she walked past the park to Twilight's, was all the couples. Many young couples, holding hooves, or close together. Some laid out towels, and had little picnics. Others were older couples, some very old, sweet ones too, sitting on the bench. It made her fell like she was missing out, and she sighed. Derpy continued walking, until she heard a voice.

"Hello" A shy voice said, ringing through her ears. It was nothing familiar.

"H-hi" Derpy turned around. It was a mare, with a blonde mane, and lighter blonde coat. Her cutie mark was a clipboard. She had a stroller, with a foal Derpy couldn't exactly see.

"I'm Anna... I was just wondering if you're... well..."

"Pregnant? I am" She giggled "It is pretty obvious, you could of asked, I wouldn't have been offended" Anna had to be young, in her teens still. Maybe 19 or 20. She still seemed to be a bright, young mother.

"Well... I just thought it would be awkward for it to be the first thing I ask" She cleared her throat "I just wanted to say hi. I have seen you around town. I'm kind of new here, and wanted to get to know more ponies, especially mothers. A lot have been kinda rude though, ignoring me and such"

"Well, I'm Ditzy Doo, but you can call me Derpy, it is a nickname. Welcome to Ponyville!" Derpy shook her hoof.

"Well, nice to meet you. This is my son Sunny, or Sunshine, both work" Anna pulled the visor up on the stroller. This was her first interaction with a mother, and it was kind of awkward. It was a pegasus colt, and he did not look very old. Sunshine was still pretty cute though.

"Well, he is adorable. He looks just like you. Mine is a filly, a unicorn..."

"No name?"

"Not yet, I want it to be perfect."

"Oh, well it is simple. I picked Sunshine, because he is my sunshine. He is my light, you know? I picked something I liked, and it worked well. It really is your choice, but you don't look like you have much more time" She chuckled. "Who is her father, and is she your first?"

"Yes, she is my first. Her father... well... he- uh.. left"

"Oh no, that's horrible. It is alright, I don't need a stallion either, he left me too" Derpy's ears went up.

"Really? It looks like we have something in common" Anna sighed.

"It seems... I just noticed, you, a pretty mare, holding a child, with no stallion in sight. I saw you looking around, you seemed a little lonely. You caught my attention and I wanted to say hi" Anna gripped the handle of her stroller.

"P-pretty? Thank you" She smiled a little. "What do you work as? I'm a mail mare" Derpy really tried to make friends. Not many ponies went straight up and talked to her. The more friends, the better, and a future playmate is good for her filly. She did remind her that she still had to come up with a name.

"I will see you a lot then, I am a doctor actually. I work with little ones, his age" She rubbed her sons head, he looked tired.

"Wow, then you are really experianced. What happen to his dad?" Anna looked down.

"He... well he got sick. He was good stallion"

"I am so sorry"

"No... no... he didn't die. He didn't like me anymore, and that makes him sick enough" Anna began cracking up. Derpy didn't really find it funny, but then again, she didn't get it. It was not really something to joke around about, but it was alright. She took it well. Derpy chuckled awkwardly "I'm just joking. He left me too, and a week later, I found out I was going to have Sunshine. He was way gone by then. I never really liked him anyway"

"Same here, he left at my 5 month mark, I kicked him out because he was with another mare. I never really enjoyed him either" The mares looked at each other for a second. They gave a little smile, both understanding the same pain, the same feelings. Derpy liked that knowing, and she knew this could be a good friendship.

"Well it was nice meeting you. I'm walking him everyday if you want to talk again"

"It was nice meeting you too Anna, I hope we can get together again" Derpy smiled at Sunshine, who sucked on a pacifier, trying to dose off, but the bright sun stopped him. "I will see you later too, little guy"

"When are you due?"

"A couple of days" She blushed a little.

"Oh wow, just be careful okay? It may not be a good idea to be out so much. You should also make sure you are ready for when the foal comes... You don't want to be alone at your house."

"I am staying at a friends. But it was nice talking to you... I gotta go" She started to stroll away.

"Me too... poor little guy wants to sleep. Bye Ditzy"

"Bye" Depry began walking the 100 yards left to Twilight's house, as Anna walked away. It was nice to have another mare interested in her.

It was a new group she was joining, the mother's clan. Now she would be one of the usual young mothers pushing a child around in a stroller. What she did not want this to do, was turn her into a jerk. Many mothers could be really pushy, and angry at the market. Just because you have a little one, doesn't make you more privileged over any other ponies. They could be the worst type of ponies sometimes, how they would bicker, and gossip over nice mothers like Anna, simply because they don't like her. It sounded like that was the case, but Derpy was lucky. She did not know many other mothers, and most ponies around Ponyville respected her because she did the mail. She had tons of friends to defend her, and Derpy knew that abuse from them was not going to be a problem. Anna was a easy target because she was new, and very young.

  Anna was another pony to mention the name though. Derpy was sure Twilight would lecture her when she got to her door. Somehow it was 4 already, it was probably a combination of really slow walking, and her long nap. Derpy walked up to Twilight's door, and gave it a knock. Immediately, she heard the foot steps inside, and the door open. Spike smiled, looking at her.

"Hi Spike"

"Hello Ditzy"

"Is Twilight home?" Derpy grinned, Spike did not seem so happy.

"Yes... but she is reading her boring books" Spike sighed. "The owl came back, if that is what you are wondering... I was just dusting books, I will ask Twilight if you can come in" He shut the door, pretty hard in her face. She chuckles a little, it always seemed like poor Spike was busy tending to Twilight's needs. A couple minutes later, after trotting being heard from inside, and some banging, Twilight stuck her head out the door.

"Hi Ditzy.... I was just reading. The library was a bit dirty, so I tidied up a bit before you came in" Twilight said, with a sheepish look on her face.

"Well you don't have to impress me. I was patient"

"I wanted you to come in. I wanted to talk to you a little. Your big day is coming soon, so I thought I could give you the run down" The last thing Derpy wanted to hear was another lecture from Twilight. The whole thing was scaring her, and she was going to try and not worry about it, until it happens. Once it was over, it would be the happiest day in her life anyway.

"Umm... I think I understand everything Twilight, I just came to drop off your friend"

"Oh... well okay. He is here... can I ask why you are returning him?" She felt a little bad.

"Well... I am just going to stay over Narley's for the next couple of days. He is going to watch over me, because I am kinda lonely lately." Twilight nodded.

"Okay Ditzy... do you need anything before you leave?" Derpy's mood swings were hitting her. The happy feeling that she had slowly moved south as her stomach growled, loud enough for Twilight to here.

"Are you hungry?" She remarked, turning her head. The pegasus seemed quiet, and was looking left and right a lot. Twilight was curious by how she was acting.

"Y-yeah..."

"Well.... do you want something to eat?" Twilight looked up at the sky, some very dark storm clouds were moving in. Derpy shivered a little as the wind blew. She couldn't leave a mare in her condition out here, even with how confused she seemed. Was it possible she was having contractions? Or maybe a odd pain related to labor coming soon? "Are you alright? You seem a little quiet..." She watched her stare into space. Derpy shook her head.

"No... it is just my head messing with me. I am a little tired, and very hungry. I am sorry, may I come in? I wanted to go to lunch with you, but Narley and I are going to have a big dinner. It is pretty late too. I took a long nap"

"I understand. I think you should atleast get something to eat before you go. Maybe wait out this storm too.

"Okay... Thank you Twilight" Derpy walked inside, as the large clouds began to start releasing their contents. It did make her remember that the pegasi forgot to make it rain this week, so were making up with a large storm.

  Twilight must have not expected her. Books were everywhere, plates were out, and nothing was really clean. It made sense, seeing that there was a closed sign on the door. This must have been what she did on her off time, caught up on her studies. Derpy trotted behind her, as she slowly sat down in a seat. Twilight asked her a few questions, before going off and cleaning more with Spike. Derpy did not tell her she still didn't come with a name for her, soon coming, little one. But, coming up with a name last second was not uncommon. Some mares came up with the name right after labor, using the first thing that popped into their head. After going through labor, the first thing she would want was a fresh muffin, and her fillies name was not going to be "Muffin" so that may not work. Maybe Narley could help her with it? Derpy would be with him from anywhere to one day, to a week before her foal was born. It could be a blessing, or a curse, staying with him. Derpy knew he was going to be with the best stallion ever, but she would be trapped in the house still with him. Anyone can get on your nerves after staying with them for hour after hour. What happens if she accidentally offends him with one of her violent mood swings? A great thing to have in her situation, was someone to help her with her kid. Narley was the perfect candidate, and not only was he sweet, but he was very helpful and smart. That was the type of stallion she needed around to help with her unicorn. The problem was, that she wanted more then a friendship, but more like a relationship. Derpy saw something in him, and he was honestly the closest stallion to her, other then Jet was.

  After cleaning up, Twilight still seemed to be busy with other things. A salad was slid in front of her, and Twilight poured on a average amount of dressing, before trotting off and continuing with her chores. Consisting of picking up a lot of things, Derpy felt lonely as she really did not say anything, other then asking of her pre-made salad was okay and how she would be done in a minute. Thirty minutes later, she gave her a book to look through, as she still somehow managed to find work to do while she sat, uncomfortable, as she slowly ate the salad. Twilight eventually finished, but when she did, it was time for her to go. She sat in a chair, letting out a deep breath.

"So wrote a letter to Celestia, organized my plans for tomorrow, reorganized the Fiction section of the library, did some spring cleaning, and made some lists of materials I need to order. All finished, and I am sorry it took so long. You probably want to talk? I am sure you want to talk. Lets talk!" The unicorn said, with a nervous grin, as her eye twitched. It freaked Derpy out.

"Are you-"

"No! I'm not! I am so busy, and now I am 30 minutes off with my dinner with the girls! I told them I would be there by 6, but then you showed up. I didn't want to make you sit out in the rain, so I made a salad, then I cleaned, then EVERYTHING got off schedule. Then the pegasi have to make it rain! Why can't we just have nice weather! Why today? Maybe tomorrow, when everything is not packed into this one day! I lied too, I only wrote three quarters of Celestia's letter on my study! I still have to finish a book she gave me on Star Swirl the Beardeds theories on quantum physics. Why do I even have to know that stuff-"  Twilight rambled on, Derpy had no idea what she was saying.

"TWILIGHT!" The pegasus yelled, immediately she quieted down. "I... uh.. am going to go. I need to be at Narley's for dinner. Thank you for the salad... and good luck I guess."

"Okay Ditzy... just- Okay, fine. I need time to cool down, I am just really weird about things not going to plan. The rain has stopped, it is a good time. I am sorry... again" She chuckled. Twilight facehoofed sitting in her chair trying to organize herself. Everyone it town knew that if one hair came out of place for her, things went down hill, fast.

"It is okay Twilight, I didn't want to be a bother. I will see you later okay? I will make sure you know if anything happens with the baby"

"Okay... You weren't a bother. Bye Ditzy... you can grab a umbrella if you needed" The mare tried to say something else, but her friend walked the other direction. Annoyed and confused. Derpy sighed, going out the door. A clearing was in the clouds, it was time to head to Narley's