Author's Note

Trust me when I say to enjoy the heartwarming while you can. Next chapter, the downward spiral finally begins!
*insert evil laugh here*

Chapter 2: Tough Love

Sundance Hoofington woke to the sound of a foal crying. She trotted over to Jack's crib, and picked him up. She held him close to her, but his crying wouldn't stop. She tried rocking him, but he just wouldn't calm down. Sundance decided to try feeding him again, but he just cried harder. Just as she was about to start crying herself, she heard a floorboard creak behind her. She spun around, and saw Stormwatch standing in the hall. She looked down at her feet.

Stormwatch wouldn't have known Sundance was crying if he hadn't known what to look for. She was shaking, and tears ran down her muzzle. He moved to her. As he wrapped her in a sidelong hug, he whispered in her ear. "Honey, It's all right, I'm here to help you, and you don't have to face this alone." A short pause. Then, "Honey? You know you can always talk to me, right?"

Sundance felt like a failure. " I... It's just... What if I can't do this? He cries every night, all night. I feel like I'm letting him down, letting us down! Is something wrong with him? Is something wrong with me?" Sundance took a deep breath. "Look at me, blubbering like a school filly caught misbehaving. I... I'm a grown mare! I should be able to comfort him! He should always feel safe with me!" She looked at Stromwatch. A strangled whisper came out of her mouth, rendered almost inaudible due to the baby's wails. "Wh.. Why can't I comfort him? Am I a... a... failure?

Stormwatch just stood there, trembling. "Are?... Are you?... Are you serious!? You, Sundance Hoofington, Are the most wonderful, caring, and un-horrible thing in existence! Bar none! And Furthermore, you are not a failure! A failure wouldn't even get out of bed to care for their little ponies, much less keep themselves up all night to comfort them!" Stormwatch took a deep breath. "Besides, if it makes you feel better, we have to take him to the hospital tomorrow and get his first set of booster shots and a check-up done anyway. Now please, stop trying to make yourself out to be a bad mother! Our child is not going to hate you. In the meantime, let's try to get our little noisemaker here to take a nap, shall we?"

Sundance hugged Stormwatch - as much as a mare with both hooves full of screaming baby could, anyway - and grinned ruefully. "Thanks Storm. I... I think I needed that..." She gently slipped out of his grip, and started tickling Jack under the muzzle. "Uh oh, It looks like somepony's a little cranky-wanky! Isn't that right, honey?"

Stormwatch took the hint, tickling Jack's lower hoof. The effect of two hooves tickling him was irresistible. The loud cries from before quickly became sniffles, and then transitioned to full-on laughter...

As the sun rose over the busy city of Manehatten, three very tired ponies cuddled on the futon in their small apartment. The blissful reverie was broken by the sound of an alarm clock going off in the other room. Stormwatch shot out a hoof to hit the snooze button, accidentally poking Jack In the eye. Now, most baby ponies don't take too kindly to that, and Jack was no exception. Stormwatch found himself being glared at by Sundance as she comforted Jack and attempted to inspect the affected eye. Once Jack had been dealt with, she approached him and tapped her hoof. A playful, stern look came to her face. "Do you care to explain why in Equestria you thought it was a good idea to poke a sleeping baby in the eye? We just got him to fall asleep in the first place!"

"Sorry. Reflex." Stormwatch looked sheepish.

"Reflex, my hindquarters Pal! Next time look before you swing! Now go get in the shower before you're late for work!" As Stormwatch left the room, she chuckled. "Oh Stormwatch Hoofington, just what am I going to do with you?

"Surprise!" Stormwatch nearly had a heart attack when he got to the Office of Weather Management - Manehatten Branch. It looked like everypony in his office was there from what he could tell. They were all over the room, which was decorated with a huge banner that said 'Congratulations Stormwatch + Sundance! It's a Colt!' After about five minutes, Stormwatch's boss, Mrs. Nimbowitz strutted in. "I would like everypony to please remember that you all have jobs to do, even if a certain someone does have a new bundle of joy! Come now! Chop-Chop!" With some good-natured grumbling, and a few more congratulatory remarks, the room slowly emptied as employees filed out. As Stormwatch made to leave as well, Mrs. Nimbowitz called out, "Mr. Hoofington! A word, if you please!"

Stormwatch rolled his eyes. A co-worker nudged him. " Whaddya reckon 'Ol Nim-Wit wants?" he whispered.

"No idea. I hope it's just about my son, but-"

"Eeyeah... Good luck wi'that! Ah reckon she's a-gonna drag yer sorry rump over to 'er orfice so's she kin rag on ya fer' incitin' this here shurprahse pahrty we done set up fer' yeh! Stormwatch rolled his eyes. His co-worker may have a really thick accent, but he was sharp as a tack.

"I sure hope not, but yeah, that's probably what she wants..."

"Mr. Hoofington! I'm waiting!"

Stormwatch grimaced. " I had better go. You know how she gets..." He walked over to Mrs. Nimbowitz. "Hi Mrs Nim- ah, Mrs. Nimbowitz! I'm sorry to keep you waiting, I wa-"

"I don't particularly care what you were doing! Now, come along my dear, step into my office!" Stormwatch gulped. When they arrived, he attempted to find out what was going on.

"Mrs. Nimbowitz? If I may, ma'am, what can I help you with? She gave him a cold glare that sent shudders down his spine.

"What you 'may help me with' as you put it, is to tell me what exactly you think you are doing giving your co-workers a reason to throw a party in a weather office! Do you know what this setback shall do to our efficiency? I've got the top brass literally breathing down my neck, when our office is already down to fifth place overall! And now I have a bunch of unmotivated, foalish employees using your new foal as an excuse." She stared daggers at him, as if willing him to burst into flames, panting the whole time.

Stormwatch was about to respond when Mrs. Nimbowitz seemed to deflate. Letting out a heavy sigh, she said "Look, I'm sorry Stormwatch. I don't mean to be this hard on you, or anypony for that matter. It's just... I have to put on a strong performance, otherwise those brutes will tear me apart out there! But look at me, sitting here making excuses to you! Now say something very rude, very loudly, and leave. Oh! and when you go, slam the door hard!"

Stormwatch was speechless. He had always complained to his co-workers that it was impossible for somepony to be that mean, but he had never expected it to be true. Figuring it was better to just roll with it than to potentially get fired, He yelled a few choice words at her, and bucked the door closed behind him. As he trotted back towards his desk, the gray weather pony thought to himself 'I wonder how Jack's doing over at the hospital?