The Journey to Parenthood

by SolidFerret

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sweetie Belle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Romance, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Rarity
Length: 4421

Button Mash and Sweetie Belle have become parents. How will that work out for them?

Nearly 3 years after being married, Sweetie Belle is almost ready to give birth to her and Button Mash's first child. Just how will the new-born parents handle their new challenge of life, being parents.

Published 2014-01-25 07:00:04 UTC
Last updated 2014-10-12 07:28:24 UTC

Patience is key.

Sweetie Belle giggled lightly as she felt the crayon being scribbled on the side of her stomach through a piece of paper. The small laughter hit the drawers ear and made him smile a little to himself, the crayon held in his mouth rotating a little as his lips curled into a grin. It was a joyous sound that the two learned to love almost as much as each other.

Button Mash scribbled some more as his wife laid on the soft blanket spread across the floor. She read a book as the radio played soothing music that filled the room.

"Why are you doing this?" She asked finally, turning her head a little. The mare couldn't even face her husband since he was dead set on drawing.

"What else can I do?" He moaned in boredom and impatience, almost like a child.

The answer made Sweetie Belle laugh as she turned to see what was drawn on her. A paper was taped to her side that should a small bar that was near full with 90% written as well, causing her to laugh. Button stared at it with a heavy amount of focus, almost as if he believed the bar would fill a little and the number would change to 91%.

"Oh, Button." She said as she turned around and nuzzled him, watching her horn to make sure she didn't poke his eye.

He smiled warmly as he laid on his back on onto a pillow in the middle of the room.

"I thought I'd do something fun with it." He told her.

"Well," she looked and actually chuckled at the drawing. Who else but Button to make it into part of a video game.

It was a good way of coping, the two had the pregnancy planned, but even Button felt like he wasn't ready. Nights were spent with him laying awake in bed while wondering if he could be a father while watching over his wife.

Eventually, Sweetie Belle gave him a pep talk, saying that she watched her sister and Spike raise a child together, and knew that if true love was involved, everything would work out as planned.

"I love it." She told him as she laid her head down on his stomach. "And you've been great dealing with it."

Button gave himself a smile of accomplishment, for he had to deal with...

"Button! We need cake!" Sweetie yelled frantically.

"There's no cake! To the store!" She shrieked.

"You don't love me!" She cried into a puddle after he refused to go to the store.

"Oh my goodness! I'm sorry I accused you of such a thing!" She said as she got on her knees to beg for forgiveness.

Elapsed time= 2 minutes.

Button shuddered at the memory.

The two married when they both got out of school. Sweetie Belle discovered her talent for singing and went on to perform small shows before going on to open up for Sapphire Shores and even a duet with electronic musician Electronic Notes.

Button Mash always loved video games, but never knew that he would end up making them. He studied design at school and went on to work at Psony. To this day, he was still amazed with working on such things he enjoyed heavily as a child.

The two had been together since they were a colt and filly. Sweetie Belle remembered them playing video games and the first time she kissed his cheek. How he froze up and turned red and could barely speak was the most adorable thing she had ever seen. Sweetie Belle did it every now and then, making the colt lovestruck every time.

Then came the time he kissed her instead. It was after they got their cutie marks and were growing up. It was the night of a dance, she remember how nervous he was when he approached her. How he started to shake a little as he told how much he liked her and if she wanted to go see a movie the next day. And Sweetie Belle couldn't have been happier, she looked into his eyes as he leaned forward, causing her to nervously lean forward and lock lips with him.

Five years later, he had proposed to her, giving him tearful response as she threw her hooves around him and could barely contain her happiness. Oh how Rarity designed her very dress with tears in her eyes, some staining the paper that would make her throw it in the trash since she didn't want to have a tear stained paper with her little sisters dress.

Rarity planned the biggest and most amazing dress before her sister told her she wanted something basic that matched her color. And for once, Rarity nodded her head and redesigned it. Sweetie Belle was amazed at how much her sister didn't argue over the dress.

They had an outside wedding. As she walked down the aisle, Applejacks daughter throwing flower pedals, Button nearly fainted at the sight, being caught by Rumble, the best man, and back to the ceremony.

As Button was about to say his vows, a loud cry erupted from the seats. Button looked at his bride with a smile and gave her the notion to wait a second as he ran over and gave his tearful mother a big hug, who was nearly screaming. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo cried a little just as Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle did at her wedding.

Sweetie Belle knew exactly where she wanted the honeymoon. She visited the place once and loved the colors that fell around it. She wanted to stay at the resort at Rainbow Falls.

The colorful and bright environment made for the happiest week the newlywed couple have ever had. They bathed in rainbow juice at one point, looked at the sights and spent a few day in the room ordering room service and watching movies.

During so, Button ended up splashing a little into Sweetie Belles eye. Oh how he apologized and kissed it how hours on end. She couldn't get over how sorry he felt and how eager he was to make it up to her.

They spent hours on a hillside and watched as the mist formed the brightest rainbows anypony could see right before their eyes. Being in their company was something that made it even better.

2 and a half years later, they decided on having a foal. After seeing the confirmed pregnancy test, the two knew it was the next part in their journey through life together.

A heavy thud was felt inside Sweetie Belle's stomach, making her gasp.

"She's kicking."

"He." Button corrected, making his wife roll her eyes. "But really?!" He asked excitedly.

Sweetie rolled on to her back as Button put a hoof on he stomach, feeling a soft kick through her coat. He laughed at knowing that it was gonna be born soon. Button wanted a colt while Sweetie Belle hoped for a daughter. The two had a brief argument on the subject before, eventually letting it go.

Button then began to rub his wife's stomach, making her sigh with pleasure. Then, tickling it with both hooves, making her squeal out in laughter.

"Am I interrupting something?" Rarity asked as she walked in.

Knowing Button was going back to work soon, the couple decided to stay at Rarity's.

Button turned red, always getting nervous when Rarity saw the two together. He had only stayed here once when they were little and he was sick. When he became a teen, Rarity forbade him to stay overnight.

"Nothing, Rarity." Sweetie Belle groaned.

"Well, I'm here to bring some cheese and crackers." She said as she set the plate on the table.

"What are we, six? Oh, pepperjack!" Button exclaimed as he dug into the crackers.

The two ate snacks while listening to the radio, Sweetie Belle singing along while Button listened whilst swaying back and fourth to the sound of her voice.

Eventually, the two laid back down together. Falling asleep, they told each other...

"I love you, Button." Sweetie Belle said with a smile.

"I love you too." He responded.

The two fell asleep, having a blanket put on them by Rarity, who smiled and walked away, leaving the two to enjoy each other.

Cheer up and dry your damp eyes

[Just a clarification, yeah, I know it sucks. I didn't want the feature box all that much. Next chapter.]

"Now Button, it's your first day of school here, so I expect you to be nice. If somepony comes up to you and says hi, what do you say back?"

"Hi." Button answered with an annoyed groan as his mom walked him along the roads of Ponyville.

The family had recently moved to the town, away from Canterlot. The parents thought it would be best if the kids had a more quiet life and somewhere that was more "kid friendly" then the busy life style most ponies in Canterlot have.

It had been around two weeks since they moved in, Button had barely gone outside, save to find the arcade that he was told was here.

Now, his mother was walking her son to his first day of school. She was a tad cranky after he thought school started yesterday, only to yell that it was Sunday. Leaving Button with one last day to himself.

For some reason, he still doesn't know why his toy train randomly burst into flames.

But now that the day was here, Buttons mind changed when he realized it was hours away from his video games, plus his homework would also get in the way. He trudged to the path, his mother by his side.

"Mom?" He suddenly spoke.

"What is it, Sweetie?" She asked, looking down at him.

"Do you think I'll make any friends?" He asked.

The two stopped in front of the school entrance, several colts and fillies used their time to play with friends before the bell rang.

Buttons Mom pulled her son into a hug, which he gratefully returned. He struggled to hold back tears.

"You'll be fine son, I promise." She told him before giving him a quick kiss on the forehead.

Button knew if he spoke, he'd start crying just like he did this morning before they left home. His mom waved goodbye as he walked up the school yard path. Avoiding glances from what would be his new classmates. He looked around to see place to sit and wait until class started.

He stopped under a tree, and turned to see a sight that broke his young heart.

His mother walked away from the school, leaving him there.

At this point, only his mother was the one by his side, and she left.

Button failed to contain the tears he had held all the way here, and began to cry.

To the others in school, it was common to see someone on their first day cry for their mommy. Not even Diamond Tiara can argue without being reminded how much of a sobbing mess she was on her first day.

But for three friends, they made to see it that they would cheer up any sad foal.

"What would a cutie mark for cheering up look like?" Scootaloo asked.

Apple Bloom looked over to the colt in his puddle of tears. "Well... we can't wait to find out, can we girl?"

"Nope." Scootaloo responded. "What says you, Sweetie Belle?"

The two looked around, not seeing their friend near them.

"Sweetie Belle?"

Scootaloo looked around until Apple Bloom turned her head towards where the crying colt was.

They watched as Sweetie Belle introduced herself to the colt, asking for his name and after hearing his story, giving him a hug and asking if he would like to hang out with her friends.

"Huh... not bad." Scootaloo commented.

"How sweet." Apple Bloom said.

They could already tell that Sweetie Belle had made a new friend.

Button Mash woke up before the sun was up. The room was still dark and encouraged him to close his eyes and go back to sleep. The warmth of the make-shift bed on the floor was far to comfortable to leave, plus his wife had her hoofs around his neck.

The sun had barely rose over the horizon, making the room still dark. Button heard little to no sound in the Boutique in the early hours of the morning.

He looked over to his sleeping wife, who breathed softly in her sleep.

Button recalled to the day he asked her to marry him, where she burst into tears and could barely speak, let alone accept his proposal. Rarity has given the young stallion the encouragement he needed to pop the question at one of Pinkie's parties. Upon seeing it, Rarity herself burst into tears while Pinkie was so excited that she extended the party even more.

The two always enjoyed remembering the highlights of their relationship, to remind themselves why they love each other so much.

Button sniffed and the scent of coffee filled his nose. He looked over to see Rarity up and about this early. She paid no attention to the two as she went about making breakfast, most likely for her and Spike.

Snuggling up to his wife, Button ignored Rarity and closed his eyes, wanting to sleep more on his last day off before he went to back work.

Rarity poured herself a cup of fresh coffee, taking in the scent in as it filled her kitchen, relaxing her a little as she added sugar and creamer and mixed it with a spoon using her magic while she went over to the fridge.

Button could no longer ignore the noise Rarity was making and opened his eyes. The smell of coffee was calling his name and looked up at Rarity as she read a fashion magazine and sipped her drink. She eventually looked back at him, his eyes half closed and his mane messy, and said to him.

"Good morning." She said in a soft tone, to not wake her sister. Button was too sleepy to respond, and only blinked his eyes.

Button tried to drown the sound out, with no avail as he buried his head in his pillow. He only groaned and rubbed his head a little.

"Bring... me...." He moaned weakly.

"Don't worry dear," Rarity said as she got up out of her seat. "I planned to save some for you two anyhow."

The sound of coffee pouring was heard, followed by hoofsteps that stopped by Buttons head as he looked up to see a cup of coffee floated down right by him.

Taking it, he blew on it to cool it off before taking a sip to get the taste of morning breath out of his mouth. Tasting the lack of sugar and forcing it down.

"Sorry deary, I know you like sugar." Rarity took the cup and went over to put in the sugar.

Button turned over, the hoof around him not moving as he looked back at Sweetie Belle sleeping peacefully. She breathed softly and Button felt even warmer next to her. He felt this when he had to stay the night here one night when the rain came down harder than it was supposed to due to a cross-eyed mare's mistake. It had only been a few days since Button had met Sweetie Belle, Rarity called and confirmed that Button was at her home and that his mother need not to worry.

That wasn't enough to stop him from crying for his mom, which Sweetie Belle held him as he cried like a baby. She figured that she was probably the most important pony in his life at the time and actually felt bad for him. She calmed him down and the two slept through the night together.

However, Rarity forbade it to have Button spend the night after the Christmas party when Sweetie Belle kissed him under the mistletoe.

The memories flowed as Button leaned over and kissed Sweetie Belle on the lips, making her smile in her sleep. Button Mash held her head close to his as he closed his eyes.

From above, Rarity watched the two and grinned.

"You two will be great parents." She said as she sipped the cup of coffee she was meant to bring to Button.

They will see us waving from such great heights

"Come on."

"No." She grumbled.

"Please."

"I said no." She moaned as she tried to fall back asleep.

Button laid down in front of Sweetie Belle's faced and did the best pouty face he could.

"But I wubs you..." He whined.

Sweetie Belle blinked her eyes to see and giggled at Buttons expression, kissing his nose and making him blush.

"That's great and I love you too." She told him, making him blush even more, "but I'm tired and not as energetic as you are." Sweetie Belle said as she turned over gently and closed her eyes and tried to catch up on sleep.

A defeated sigh, Button got up and went over to the kitchen.

"I don't see what the big deal is, Button." Rarity said. "You should know how to make your own plate for breakfast."

"Well I was tired because someone decided to drink my coffee." He groaned tiredly.

Rarity shrugged and acted like she didn't know what Button was talking about while reading the local paper.

As Button opened the fridge, he looked around and found a carton of orange juice and grabbed it before walking over to the table, slowing down and seeming to drag something as he sat down.

"Good morning Uncle Button!" Gem Light exclaimed happily as she climbed up his leg and onto his chest before giving him a hug.

Button laughed as he hugged his niece.

"Gem Light, it's rude to interrupt ponies during a meal." She scolded.

"But Rarity!" Button whined, making Gem Light giggle.

"Oh fine." She said with a roll of her eyes.

Rarity watched as her daughter climbed up and sat on Buttons shoulder as he ate. Then going to the den as they jumped around happily. She smiled at the two.

Button left after eating and went out to explore Ponyville once more.

The day had no clouds out, fillies and colts yelled happily as they played at school. Seeing another beautiful day in Ponyville for Button Mash made him happy as he trotted happily down the street and towards somepony's house. Waving at a few ponies that passed by him.

As he passed by, he saw Twilight leaving the bakery. She looked over and smile before trotting over.

"Button!" She exclaimed. "It's great seeing you here. How's Sweetie Belle?" She asked.

"Well, almost there, I guess." Button answered.

Button had met Twilight when Sweetie Belle brought him to her library once to learn something about his special talent. At the time, he learned nothing. In fact, he only went cause Sweetie Belle was going. When he got his cutie mark, Twilight knew nothing about video games or advanced forms of technology. She let him be after that, except she noticed that he kept coming to the Library when Sweetie Belle was there.

She didn't get it at first until she saw he give him a peck on the cheek, everything clicked for Twilight.

As for her love life, Button saw that he being a princess meant that she could have married anypony she wanted that would accept her. He often thought she's meet a prince, or maybe a guard.

When he heard it was some Rockstar, Button held his forehead in his hoof for nearly an hour. It was just somepony who was around her age and actually used to wear makeup, and still does on occasion. Button couldn't see it.

It was until he went by the Library and looked through the window to see them crying over a book. Maybe then, Button could see it. Though he hasn't met the stallion just yet, so he it wasn't like he had a right to say anything.

Twilight sighed a little. "You're lucky." she told Button.

"Why's that?"

"Well I want to have a family of my own one day." She said cheerfully.

Button laughed a little to himself before asking "Well why don't you?"

"It's not that simple. You knew your Significant other since childhood, I only met Hard Chord three months ago."

"Really?" Button asked, raising an eyebrow.

Twilight giggled at Buttons near clueless-ness on the subject.

"Don't change Button, there's a reason Sweetie Belle loves you very much."

"There is?"

Author's Note

This was on the fly cause I'm leaving for BABScon in a few hours.

Love forever, love is free

Scootaloo zipped through the sky, snacking on an apple as she flew towards the Carousel Boutique. She landed, unsettling the dust as she knocked on the door

"Hey Sweetie Belle, you home?" She asked.

"Coming!" A voice sang as the door opened, showing Rarity.

"Why hello there, Scootaloo." Rarity greeted.

"Hey Rarity. Is Sweetie Belle up?" She asked as she bit into the apple again.

"She should be." Rarity said as she looked over her shoulder.

Sweetie Belle laid on the makeshift bed, reading a book while quietly humming a tune to herself.

Scootaloo tiptoed over to her and made a grab for her food, only for it to be concealed in a magic bubble.

"Back off."

"But I'm hungry." Scootaloo complained.

"You always are." Sweetie Belle told her.

"No... just more than usual lately." Scootaloo sat up. "I've been busy." She told herself.

"Well Button saved his leftover if you want them." Sweetie Belle offered.

"Sweet. Thanks!" Scootaloo rushed over to the kitchen, gobbling up the leftovers.

Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes and continued reading while Scootaloo chowed down.

"By the way, where is the father to be?" She asked as she walked out of the kitchen, wiping food crumbs from her mouth.

"He's out and about. Button likes to think that the baby will come faster when he's not around." She said.

Scootaloo chuckled a little as she sat on the couch near Sweetie Belle and stretched her wings.

"But enough about me, how are you and Rumble?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Ya know, the usual. He and I fly around and do Wonderbolt trainee stuff. Not much to it." She said as she put her hind hoofs up.

"Well that's good I guess." Sweetie Belle said.

"Not much has been really happening." Scootaloo told her to answer the boring response she gave.

"So everything's good?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yep, pretty much. But I want to hear more about little-you." Scootaloo leaned forward, resting her chin on her hoofs.

"He or she is due any day now."

"Really, what's that like?"

"What's what like?"

"Ya know, the feeling of giving birth at any possible second." Scootaloo hoped down and was face to face with Sweetie Belle, so close that her horn was touching her forehead.

"Not as "cool" as you think it would be. I've felt the same for months." Sweetie Belle told her as she flipped the page.

"Really? The baby isn't wiggling around inside of you as we speak?"

"You should have paid more attention in school. That's not how it works."

"Darn, I was hoping we could force it or something."

Sweetie Belle looked slightly mortified. "Uh, no. That sounds painful."

"Do you want the foal?"

"I don't know, do I want to still feel my legs after?" Sweetie Belle said.

"Sheesh, I can never tell a joke around here anymore."

"Scootaloo, when you have a foal you'll know. Trust me."

Scootaloo gave a wave of her hoof. "I'm not having a foal ever. Me and Rumble don't have the time to slow down for a kid."

"How is he by the way?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Well..."

"Hey Scoots, I think that colt over there likes you."

Scootaloo looked to the direction that Sweetie Belle pointed. There sat Rumble, who blushed and looked away when he saw them looking at him.

"Rumble... really?"

"Yeah, you should go say hi to him."

Scootaloo began to blush, looking around the dance floor.

"Well... why don't you go talk to Button... you two have the hots for each other."

Unaware to her, Button was behind her. He began to blush a deep red as well.

"Oh... hey Button." Scootaloo said before leaving the two alone.

'Wow, ironic-ly hilarious timing on my part.' She thought to herself, watching Button be a dork talking to Sweetie Belle.

"Hey Scootaloo."

Scootaloo turned around quickly and saw Rumble, looking slightly nervous.

"Hi Rumble."

Scootaloo could see he had that nervous look she had seen on Button when he talked to Sweetie Belle. He had that shy tone in his voice, his hoof shook a little as if it struggled to keep him standing. She might have seen hi start to sweat a little.

"I was... uhm.... wondering... if you wanted to dance?"

Scootaloo began to think about it. She turned towards where Sweetie Belle was to see if she was watching and to give her a sign.

But she and Button were sharing a rather romantic kiss.

Looking back at the nervous colt, Scootaloo gave a shrug.

"Sure, why not. You look hot in the tie anyways."

Rumble looked as though a huge weight was taken off of him.

"Okay... shall we?"

Scootaloo smiled and took his hoof in hers.

"Yes, lets."

Button stopped by Soarin and Rainbow Dash's house before heading to Fluttershy's cottage to visit her for a quick moment. He used these stops as ways to occupy himself.

He noticed Spitfire relaxing on a cloud above him with a sketchbook and pencil in hoof as she tried to sketch the forest.

"Hey Spitfire." Button said to her.

Spitfire peeked her head over and looked down.

"Hey dude, how have you been?"

"Good, you?"

"Pretty good. Blaze and I have finally moved in together."

Button met Blaze once or twice. A Wonderbolt rookie who passed the academy. He got on the same team as Spitfire, thought it was hard to focus when you have a crush on the captain. Though, she had the same feelings. The two have since been a couple.

While on her downtime, Spitfire pursued a hobby of art. She kept her sketchbook on her most of the time.

Yet, Button was on his way again to meet somepony else.