Spinach Every Night

Rarity's POV

"Big Macintosh Apple?" I asked, for the millionth time that evening.

"Is that the only question you can muster?" giggled Cadence while she fixed her makeup in the mirror. "Yes, Big Mac and I have a date tonight, and- like you told me- I need to move on. I need to do."

"I agree, I agree, darling. I simply think we should not be too eager and think very closely about just what we may, or whom we may, do." Cadence laughed, but I honestly was serious.

"Lighten up, Rarity! We should double date, you know?"

"Oh, no. No, no, no," I halted that moment. "I've got two little girls that need that attention. It cannot be wasted on a stallion. You're young, Cadence you-"

"We're the same age," she reminded. "Besides, I've seen the way stallions watch you. You're a total gem Rarity!" While I respected the flattery, I could not press past this miserable nagging in my mind. My twin nieces needed my absolute attention.

"We're the same age with two much different lives." Her smile faded at my true statement. She stared at her hooves for a moment before I spoke up again. "That's a good thing, darling! No foals are holding back your full potential! You're allowed out, and you should be out! Go find true love, have a ride off into the sunset with Big Macintosh pulling the wagon! You deserve it, Cadence."

"You do too, though, Rarity. Besides, the twins can be watched by-"

"No, no," I sighed. "My nieces are my main priority and I don't want anyone else watching the two of them. Besides, they're very particular. No one else would know which way to cut Minnie's strawberry jam toast or Minnie's peanut butter bagels."

"She makes you cut her bagel a certain way?"

"Cadence, my nieces' tastes are beyond particular. Anyway, the point is, they need me. Not some babysitter."

"You know, in my glory days I sat foals. Without sounding arrogant, I gotta say, I played a part in Princess Twilight's success." She was right, and I knew that she was only joking, but it was true. She'd help raise one of Equestria's finest. It's just…my nieces are my world. If anything were to happen in my absence I'd never forgive myself. My sister would want me to never leave their side.

"I can't just abandon them to gallivant around with a lover…in a passionate love affair. Kept secret from my friends due to the stallion's complete lack of structure in natural society. Thus, leading to a runaway marriage and forcing my friends to see the true heart in his actions. His heart for me." Perhaps I've thought a bit too much about this…

"I mean, really, Rarity," sighed Cadence. "Don't worry about the girls. Any of your friends would take such good care of them, and honestly they're good girls. They're not that difficult to take care of, and it'll be good for them!"

"Good for them?! I perish the thought! They thrive off my positivity! Without me around they would be lifeless fillies, doomed to a life without luster or pizazz! Besides, my niece's would hate being "taken care of" by anypony but me. I couldn't see a single possibility in a thousand they would be satisfied with another mare as their guardian."

"Just a few hours, Rarity! Not a lifetime," Cadence laughed. "In fact, we wouldn't be arguing this much over it if it were not an obvious challenge for you. The girls could get separation anxiety if they don't know life without "good ol' auntie-""

"Excuse me, but I do NOT think I should ever be referenced as "Ol'," anything!" I gasped in offence. Cadence only rolled her mascaraed lashes and turned back to the mirror.

"Do I look alright?" she asked with a quaint smile.

"Absolutely stunning, although are you sure Big Mac isn't in search for a fellow rustic pony? Perhaps he has a strict rule of dating mares with the name "Apple," I suggested.

"Rarity!" Cadence laughed, shaking her head. "He should be here any second! Please help?"

"Nothing to help, my dear. You're perfection! Go ahead and make him buy you the most expensive thing on the menu!" I encouraged. "I hope it's over seven bits," I teased.

"Ha ha, well I've gotta go, ok? You keep in mind what I said about the twins, won't you?" she pouted. Honestly, it's as if she was a foal right in front of my eyes.

"Yes, yes, now you musn't be late. Do have a good time, darling! Tell me all about it! I won't wait up!" The moment the door closed I turned back to my nieces. Could she be right?

Fluttershy's POV

Being pregnant is way too much responsibility. My every move is watched by Princess Cadence, Shining Armor, even Princess Luna has been following me around when I wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom! I don't mean to get so upset over ponies caring about me, it's just that…well…I'm used to living alone. Most ponies don't usually keep a very close eye on me…I also don't know how sure I am they're caring about my foal and I instead of their peace of mind. They want to make sure losing Princess Cadence was worth my moving in. I'd like to know Twilight doesn't hate me right now, but I can't bring myself to not hide in the closet whenever she comes by.

"Fluttershy?" Cadence called. "You've got a visitor!" The way that was worded makes me feel like I'm on death row. Curiously, I peeked out to see who was beside the Princess, pleased to see Apple Bloom.

"Hello, Apple Bloom!" I smiled. She had brought Little Macintosh along with her, which brightened the pleasant surprise.

"Howdy, Fluttershy!" smiled Apple Bloom. "Big Mac had a big date tonight so he couldn't watch Little Mac. I'm sorry I brought him along, I really hope its ok!" A date? Big Mac? After all we've been through he's seeing another mare? Oh yeah, I forgot…I'm pregnant.

"Oh, it's alright. He's a sweet little guy," I assured. Apple Bloom did this when she was seventeen. I have been living seven more years than that, and I still can hardly handle being pregnant. I have to give Big Mac and Apple Jack credit for standing by her for so long. It couldn't have been easy with such a close-knit family and a old fashioned grandmother. There was so much persecution for her during that time…so much hate directed at her for something she had no control over…I can sympathize. Or she can sympathize with me. "Apple Bloom?" I asked barely above a whisper.

"Did ya sneeze?" Apple Bloom asked with a confused facial expression.

"N-no, I was just trying to get your attention." There was a completely empty silence for a wide span of time. Then she tried to fill it.

"Well, I'm listening!" she assured, smiling to ease my terror.

"I was wondering what it was like, to have to have put up with ponies being so terrible to you during the whole situation you went through…How did you deal with it?"

"Not well," Apple Bloom admitted. "Not well at all, actually. It was really really hard, especially since my sister and brother were against me at first! After they found out though, about- you know- they were my help."

"I wish I had a "help…"" I frowned. "It feels like everypony hates me. Rarity is taking in Cadence, Twilight obviously resents me right now, Apple Jack is being so nice besides the tension, Rainbow Dash stays out of "drama," and Pinkie Pie tries to cheer me up when I'm upset. I'd rather be upset," I explained, exploding like an emotional water balloon hitting the pavement.

"Well, I'll be you're help!" Apple Bloom smiled. "Moms gotta stick together, right?"

"Just to think I might actually have a friend that I know I can go to that understands me? Apple Bloom, you're my hero," I smiled. She was Apple Jack's sister for sure; kind, caring, and golden-hearted in every aspect of the definition. Little Mac was turning out the exact same. So what happened to Big Macintosh?

Cadence's POV

What a gentlestallion! Big Mac took me to a wonderful game of rugby, bought a large drink to split, and topped it all off with a return to the farm. A return, coupled with a scrumptious buttery apple cake and a tour of the hay. I let the memories flow back into my head as I lied beside Big Mac, resting from our big night. The way he looked at me at the sports game. He didn't watch for a second, just looked at me with that sweet smile. The drink we shared, our noses almost touching. I'd not been that close to another pony besides Shining in so long, yet it wasn't strange.

"You're…amazing," I sighed in absolute mind-fuzzing bliss. "Was that as good as I thought it was?" I asked the strong hoofed stallion.

"Eeyup," grinned my new lover. Was my hatred towards Fluttershy amplifying this? The thrill that came along with making love with Big Mac on our first date wasn't just from the pain I'd imagine Fluttershy enduring from knowing this; was it? I didn't plan on telling her, but it could be quite the treat watching her reaction. Come to think of it, what would Shining Armor say? There might even be some kind of fight over it! A brawl in my honor, and I'm SURE Big Mac could kick Shining's-

"Big Macintosh?!" gasped Apple Jack. "What in Granny Smith's sweet apple pie are you two in here alone for!?" she asked, knowing. She had to know, by the sound of that screech.

"Apple Jack!" Apple Bloom called from outside. As I heard her, my thrill turned to terror. This was real…Big Mac with me was really going to affect ponies.

"Stay out there," Apple Jack called. She looked right in my eyes with a hurt but threatening look. She could turn Apple Bloom against me with a simple sentence, and that would create a domino effect until no one saw me as anything but a vengeful tramp. That's why I was so surprised to hear her save me with the excuse, "I knocked over a whole bucket of molasses in here and it's an absolute mess. You'll be cleaning your hooves for a week if ya step in here!"

"Thank you," I whispered, shutting my eyes to block the blow of shame I was feeling.