LITTLE MIRACLES
By Knightcommander
Chapter One: A Dream Come True
The early morning hours of spring, just after a rainstorm, were her favorite time of the day.
Living in a cottage near the woods meant that the April showers brought with them that sweet smell that only came at this time of the year. It was if the plants used smell to communicate their thanks to the pegasi that managed the weather across the Kingdom of Equestria for providing them with the life giving rainwater they depended upon. Fluttershy looked around outside. It was still a bit hazy from the nighttime rain, but the sun was beginning to warm up the cool air of the spring dawn. She took a deep breath, savoring the smell, before going back inside to begin her day.
Some of her windows were open, so she could hear the morning calls of her beloved songbirds forming a chorus to greet the sun. She savored the sound as she began to prepare breakfast. She looked out the window as she worked, smiling at a little pink bird as he sang to the morning sun.
"Good morning, my little friend." She called in her characteristically soft voice. She poured some cool water that she had collected from the previous night's rain into a pot, which she hung over her fireplace before starting a fire to boil it. She would be making some cinnamon oatmeal this morning. It was a favorite of both hers, and the stallion who now lived with her.
Fluttershy and Hailstorm Tempest had been married for a little over a month now, and it was time that had been filled with absolute bliss. The two of them had first met when she was in intermediate flight school, when the brave colt fought off some bullies who were throwing mud clumps at her in a sadistic attempt to get her to cry for their own amusement. The effort had earned him a nicked ear, broken nose and various bruises. It also earned him Fluttershy's admiration, and later her undying love. Now, after being separated for years they had finally been reunited, thanks to the help of her friends.
A stirring from across the room indicated that her pet bunny rabbit, Angel, had awoken. Fluttershy was surprised, as normally the little bunny slept in. But she smiled at him nonetheless as he shuffled into the kitchen, curious as to what his pony friend was up to.
"Good morning, Angel bunny." She greeted him. The rabbit gave a small squeak in reply. "Are you hungry?" Fluttershy continued. He nodded. Fluttershy immediately began preparing him some fresh carrots, delicately peeling them and washing them until they were just right. Angel, suddenly ravenous, began devouring them the instant they were offered. Fluttershy smiled, just as she heard the familiar clopping of hooves that told her her husband was awake. She smiled, and turned her attention to brewing a pot of coffee as Hailstorm shuffled into the kitchen and sat down at the table. He yawned widely and stretched his wings.
"Good morning, honey." He said. She trotted over and nuzzled his cheek.
"Good morning." She said. "Did you sleep alright?" He nodded.
"Though, getting up this early.... oy." He remarked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Fluttershy finished brewing the pot and poured him a cup.
"Here you go, this will help." She said. He smiled and took a sip, and in an instant his eyes shot open.
"And now I feel ready for anything!" He cheered. Fluttershy giggled and finished cooking their breakfast.
"Did you have any plans for today?" Hailstorm asked her.
"Rarity said she wanted to meet me at the..." She stopped when she felt something welling up in her stomach as she served her husband breakfast. "Ooooh." She moaned as a sudden feeling of nausea erupted within her. Hailstorm was suddenly concerned.
"Are you OK?" He asked. She nodded her head.
"It's alright, just a little bit of queasiness. Must be something I ate last night." She explained. Hailstorm remained concerned. He didn't want to leave the house if she wasn't feeling well.
"Are you sure?" He asked. "I can call in for a day off if..." She waved her hoof to stop him from going any further.
"No no no, really I'm fine." She said, smiling. Hailstorm wasn't entirely convinced, but he also knew better than to push it. If she needed help, she'd ask for it. He knew that.
"Alright." He said. "Just know I'm a phone call away if you need me." He gave her a warm smile. Fluttershy smiled back. He was always there when she needed him, without fail, even if it meant making whatever sacrifice needed to be made. It was one of the things she loved most about him.
***
The afternoon caused the air to grow pleasantly warm, which in turn brought nearly everypony out to enjoy the day. Even local business owners and shopkeepers took the chance to take a walk in the pleasant afternoon sun during their various breaks. Rarity was no exception. The afternoon lunch hour was perfect for either just taking a walk or, in this instance, meeting a friend for a girl's day out. It was time for her weekly get together at the day spa with Fluttershy, a time both mares enjoyed immensely. Normally terribly shy in public, Fluttershy had no problem opening up in the relaxing atmosphere of the spa. Rarity, for one, never failed to enjoy their talks.
Rarity hummed a tune as she approached the spa, to find Fluttershy already waiting for her. She carried her saddlebags with her, evidently containing a simple salad lunch and her spa robe.
"Rarity, there you are." She said. "You're just in time." Rarity smiled back at her.
"Of course, darling." She replied. "I wouldn't want to keep you waiting." She gave her friend a hug. It was also at that moment that she noticed something. Fluttershy seemed... different. Rarity couldn't quite put her finger on it. It wasn't really something she could see physically, but it was something nonetheless. It was almost as though Fluttershy had an extra spring in her step, or like the light was reflecting off of her. Whatever it was, Rarity's senses were picking it up, and it was quite confusing.
"Rarity?" Fluttershy asked. Apparently, she had noticed her preoccupation. Rarity could hear the nerves in her voice start to make themselves evidence. "Is everything alright?" Rarity nodded, not wanting to upset her friend.
"Oh, it's nothing, Fluttershy." She answered. "Shall we?" She asked. Fluttershy nodded, and they entered the spa, Rarity requesting the usual treatment.
***
"And tell me, how is that charming husband of yours?" Rarity asked as a masseuse pony went to work. The massage was particularly relaxing after a long work week for her. Fluttershy smiled as she too was attended to.
"Hailstorm's fine." She answered. "He just got a raise over at the weather patrol. Which is a very good thing, because... um, well, we've been talking about maybe starting a family." Rarity's eyes brightened at hearing that.
"Oh, that would be wonderful!" She said. "I just know you'd make a wonderful mother." She sighed as the masseuse worked its wonders. Fluttershy smiled.
"But, at the same time, I can't help but wonder if I'm really ready." She said. "I mean, taking care of foals is a lot different from taking care of bunnies or baby birds. It would be a huge responsibility." Rarity nodded, but gave her friend her best encouraging smile.
"Of course it would, but I can think of no one better qualified than you." She replied. "I've seen you take on more responsibility than most of us can handle, more than I probably could, in the very least. You would make a wonderful mother."
"You really think so?" Rarity nodded. She was about to reply when Fluttershy's expression suddenly fell. She placed her hoof to her stomach and moaned.
"Are you alright, ma'am?" The masseuse asked. Fluttershy suddenly thrust her hoof to her mouth as her pupils shrank in shock. She leaped off the massage table and ran over to the nearest trash can, where she proceeded to empty the contents of her stomach. Rarity rushed over to her, rubbing Fluttershy's back as she vomited. She turned to one of the spa's proprietors, Aloe.
"Aloe dear, could you get us a cloth?" She asked. Aloe nodded and rushed off, returning shortly with a cloth. Fluttershy took it and wiped her mouth, gasping.
"Ooooh." She moaned. "Not again."
"Again?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy gulped.
"This... happened a couple of other times." She said. Rarity was very concerned now.
"Fluttershy, how long have you been feeling ill?" She asked matter-of-factly. Fluttershy hung her head and sighed.
"A couple of days..." She said weakly. Rarity gasped.
"Darling, you need to see a doctor!" She cried. Fluttershy gulped nervously. "I must insist you go. This could be something serious, maybe food poisoning. I can go with you, if you wish." Fluttershy opened her mouth to object, but relented. She knew that Rarity was right. If she was sick, the sooner they caught it the better off she would be.
"Can you please?" She asked. Rarity nodded.
"We can go straight to Ponyville Hospital. Aloe, I'm afraid we'll have to cut this one short. I can pay later today." Aloe shook her head.
"That is quite alright, Miss Rarity. This one is on the house. Please get better soon, Mrs. Fluttershy." She said. Fluttershy thanked her as they left, scared as to what was going to happen to her.
***
"Everything seems to check out." Healing Hooves, a unicorn mare doctor, said as she examined Fluttershy's medical chart. "There's no fever and all your vital signs are normal." She took out a pencil with her magic. "Can you run your symptoms by me again?"
"Well, I've thrown up a few times over the past few days." Fluttershy said. "Oh, and a few times I've felt dizzy out of nowhere." She explained.
"Any stomach pain or diarrhea?" She asked. Fluttershy shook her head no. "Hmm, well in that case, I don't think it's any foodborne illness. Usually we would see abdominal cramps and possibly fever, plus other gastrointestinal symptoms."
"If I may, what could it possibly be?" Rarity asked, concerned for her friend. Healing Hooves pursed her lips in thought for a moment.
"There is one thing." She said. "You probably already know this, but one of the early signs of pregnancy is nausea and vomiting, usually in the morning." Both mares gasped when they heard this.
"You don't think she's... with foal, do you?" Rarity asked. Inside, she was bursting with excitement. The very idea of one of her friends becoming a mother filled her with joy.
"It is possible." She said. "However, I'll need to ask some more questions. Can you tell me when you last had your period?" She asked.
"Last month." Fluttershy replied. "My cycle hasn't repeated itself yet." Healing Hooves took notes.
"OK, this next question is rather personal." She said. "When was the last time you had sexual relations?" Fluttershy blushed, decidedly uncomfortable. She didn't even give such personal details to her friends, much less a stranger. It was for the best though, she thought.
"Um... a little over a month ago... on my wedding night." She said. Healing Hooves took more notes and ordered a blood test to be done to check for hormones related to pregnancy. A kindly technician arrived and drew Fluttershy's blood from her ankle while Rarity held her hoof, knowing she hated needles. Healing Hooves informed them that the test would take about an hour. Fluttershy thanked her before she left. Rarity giggled happily.
"Think about it. You may become a mother yet!" She cheered. "Oooh this is so exciting!" Fluttershy smiled.
"To tell you the truth, this... this is something I've dreamed about for a long time." She said. "To have my own little foal." She smiled warmly and placed a hoof on her stomach where her womb would be. The same womb that could be carrying a new life in it; the start of the family she wanted to have. She could almost see it; her stomach growing bigger as her foal grew; falling asleep to the sound of its beating heart mixing with her own; feeling its first movements. Her heart fluttered at the thought.
Soon, Healing Hooves returned with the test results. Fluttershy waited with baited breath, as did Rarity. The doctor flashed them a warm smile.
"Congratulations, Fluttershy." She said. "You're going to be a mom." Fluttershy covered her mouth with her hooves. Her heart began to soar and tears of happiness pooled in her eyes. Rarity gasped and began to do a happy jig in the middle of the room, squealing with delight. Other patients and staff poked their heads out of their rooms, wondering what all the fuss was about. But neither of them cared; they were simply too happy.
Fluttershy's dream was coming true.