Easing the Pain

“Ugh! There you are! Finally!” Cadance huffed, and rolled her eyes as her husband rushed into the castle’s entrance. “What? Did you just forget about us completely, or maybe you wanted to get away from me? I know how much you’ve been wanting to do that lately!” Her purple eyes glimmered fiercely with pure rage, and a small dot of spit which had been expelled in her yelling tirade, rested upon her chin. Her face was red with heat, and her fur dripped with sweat. Her large stomach could be seen sticking out from her sides. It seemed even bigger to Shining now that he hadn’t seen it for a couple hours.

“Sweetie, I was just having some time to myself while you and Twilight went to the bookstore and museum, that’s all,” Shining explained as calmly as he possibly could, still panting from the gallop he had just undertaken.

“Yes, but you knew we were supposed to have dinner afterwards.” The pink princess’ words were boiling inside, ready to explode at any second. “We’ve been standing around in this damn hallway for hours, and it’s all because of you!” She thrust an accusing hoof in his direction.

Twilight, who stood behind her sister-in-law, gulped loudly before stepping forward. “…Actually, it’s only been a little less than an hour.”

“Enough with the smarts, Twilight!” Cadance growled, glaring her down.

“…Sorry,” the innocent alicorn mumbled, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

“Twily,” Shining cooed, placing a caring hoof on her cheek. “She’s my sister! Don’t you dare treat her like that!”

“You care when your sister gets hurt, but not me? Oh, I see how it is!” his wife yelled and then huffed, her nostrils flaring. “Why didn’t you just marry her instead, then? Hmm?”

Both Shining’s and his sister’s mouths fell open at the statement, and they watched in astonishment as she burst out into a painful sounding sob. She quickly whipped around and began trotting, or waddling with her large gut down the hall.

“You alright?” Shining asked, turning his attention to the pony beside him.

“I’m fine…but Cadance isn’t. I know you’re probably pretty mad at her, and she at you, but that doesn’t mean you can just let her walk away like that. I think you should go talk with her,” Twilight said softly.

Shining sighed in response, his entire body heaving with its motion. “You’re right. I’ll be back…er, we’ll be back in a few minutes, and then we can go for that picnic, okay?”

His sister gave a confident smile and nodded. “I’m sure we will…have fun with that,” she then teased, quickly wiping away the tears from her eyes and giving a sniffle.

“Caddy, honey, wait up!” he called after her, and was rather surprised when she came to a halt, turning her soaked face towards him. As he grew closer, he could see the pain in her still wet eyes, and the red veins which etched their way through them. “Look, I screwed up, and I’m sorry.” She gazed into his eyes, waiting for more. “I may have gotten a little caught up in having some time away from you…it just gets hard when all you ever do is yell at me, you know? But…anyways, I was at Donut Joe’s, and he helped me realize something; that it’s not really me you’re mad it. It’s just a release from having a foal inside you. I’m your husband, and I need to be here for you no matter what. Even if you do yell at me, and get emotional over the little stuff, and…yeah. I’m sorry for what I did. It was wrong of me. Now how about I make up for it by taking you and your sister-in-law out on a nice picnic?”

Shining grew more and more fearful as his wife stood completely still, a blank, but thought filled expression on her face. He was practically shaking with nerves. That was all he had. If she was still angry, he had no idea how to cure it. Suddenly, a wide smile appeared on her face, and her eyes glimmered with joy. He sighed in relief, and smiled back.

“Oh, Shining, that’s one of the sweetest apologies you’ve ever made. Now, come here, you hot stud you!” she cried out, wrapping a hoof around his neck and pulling him in. His eyes widened and then relaxed as her warm, slightly moist lips wrapped around his own. He smiled through the kiss, and wrapped a hoof around her head to gently brush through her mane. He was glad how smoothly things went over, but was also rather worried by how easy it had been. If she snapped into complete loving happiness so quickly, she could easily snap back into the monster she was just seconds before.

Cadance pulled away with a sigh, and stroked a hoof against her lover’s chest, giggling. “I think a picnic will be just perfect, sweetie. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of fun!”

“Let’s get going then. Where are we headed, exactly?”

“Oh, none other than the park where we had our first date in, and the one I used to spend hours with Twilight in when I foalsat her.”

“A trip down memory lane then?” Shining asked curiously, raising his eyebrow slightly.

“Well, there’s that…and it’s one of the only parks in Canterlot that I actually like. It’s always just so quiet and peaceful,” Cadance replied with an almost dreamy sigh.

“Ah, are you two ready?” Twilight asked as the couple returned, giving Shining a quick wink.

Cadance smiled warmly in return. “Yes, Twilight. Do you have the basket?”

Twilight shook the large, woven picnic basket which floated in her magical grasp. “I certainly do.”

“Perfect, I’m sure we’re going to have lots of fun then, right, Shining?” the pregnant princess asked with a grin, although by her tone of voice, it was more of a command.

“Yes, sweetie, of course.”

***

Twilight used her magic to unroll a rather stereotypical red and white checkered blanket out onto the bright, well-manicured grass of the park. The air was filled with the fragrant scent of flowers; one’s which were not native to Canterlot, but bloomed the entirety of the Spring, Summer, and Fall seasons, all of them vibrant and elegant shades. A few oaks and willows were dotted around the small, slightly hilly area of grass; but much of which could be seen were the immaculate white and gold homes of the residential area. Few nobles roamed the streets or enjoyed their well-kempt yards though. Most likely, they were out on the town for dinner, a drink, and perhaps some of the Canterlot nightlife later in the evening.

Immediately after Twilight set out the plates of cucumber and flower sandwiches, freshly made pasta salad, and small pastries in a rather perfect looking row, Cadance plopped down onto the soft surface of the blanket. Following her lead, Twilight took a seat across from the mare, and Shining took one beside her.

Twilight’s violet eyes watched curiously as Cadance piled sandwich after sandwich onto her plate, barely leaving any room for extras. She then somehow managed to stuff half the bowl of pasta salad in the areas of the plate where the sandwiches had left room. The lavender princess then gasped as she went to retrieve a sandwich of her own, realizing there were only two left.

“You better grab one while you still can,” she said, nodding her head to her brother, and pointing a hoof at the scene. He gave an approving shake of his head and snatched up the final sandwich while also quickly grabbing a few spoonful’s of the pasta salad.

“Sorry,” Cadance said with a giggle, her lips smeared with food after swallowing down a bite, “but I am eating for two after all…although it feels like a lot more than two…maybe I’m eating too much? I’m going to be fat and pregnant,” she pouted.

“No you’re not. You can eat as much as you want, Caddy. The foal needs his…or maybe her nutrition.”

Cadance nodded her head and smiled. “You’re right, this is for the foal…and me because I’m starving!” she cried out eagerly, and moved on to the plate of pastries, not even halfway finished with her meal.

Twilight smirked and rolled her eyes teasingly at her brother as she chewed a bite. He responded with a fun, but also serious glare, not wanting Cadance to catch on to their fun making.

“Isn’t this just great? It’s just like when we were young. Same park, same ponies,” Cadance paused to take in a deep breath of air, and admire the skies as they slowly began to grow orange. “Same beautiful Canterlot sunsets. I’m really glad you could make it, Twilight. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.”

“Of course I’d make it for my brother and sister-in-law,” Twilight said with a smile. “I was wondering why you chose Canterlot instead of Ponyville, but now I understand completely. It’s nice to go back to those days. We spent so many hours in this park…and just for old time’s sake,” she smiled slyly and rose onto all four hooves. I wide grin appeared on Cadance’s face, and Shining sighed, knowing exactly what was coming.

“Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake, clap your hooves and do a little shake!” they chanted aloud, Shining watching awkwardly as they pranced about, clapped each other’s hooves, and shook their flanks in the air. Suddenly a yelp of pain escaped Cadance’s mouth, causing Twilight to snap out of her foalish pleasure, and Shining to stiffen in attention.

“Cadance, are you okay?” Twilight gasped, a fearful look covering her face as she examined her sister-in-law.

“I’m…I’m fine. There’s no need to worry. It’s just a cramp. The foal really enjoys giving me those,” she replied with a painful laugh, and slowly lowered back down onto the blanket, her large stomach pooching out from her sides as it was squeezed between her weight and the ground. Shining placed a hoof on her back and began brushing gently back and forth. “Thanks, sweetie…anyways, like I was saying, this is nice isn’t it? A vacation for the three of us, I don’t know about you, but it feels pretty great to get away from all those duties. I mean, I have more than enough to deal with having this foal in my belly and all. So just relaxing, going on picnics, little museum and bookstore trips, it’s just wonderful.”

“It is nice,” Twilight said with a quick nod.

“What do you think Shining, is it good to get away from being a Prince in the Crystal Empire?”

“Uh, yeah, I guess it is,” he mumbled, giving a shrug.

Cadance responded with a perturbed huff. “Or is it worse spending all this time with your needy wife? I know how much of a pain I’ve been.” All of her anger suddenly dissipated, and she gave a cute giggle. Not knowing exactly how to respond, Shining gave an awkward laugh before shoving the rest of his sandwich into his muzzle.

A distant song in the form of ringing bells caused each of the ponies’ ears to perk up and stand at attention. “Is that what I think it is?” Twilight said with a smirk, memories of the past rushing into her mind.

“Ice cream cart!” Cadance cheered gleefully. She then groaned loudly as she struggled to push herself back up onto her hooves. Her large stomach bobbed and jiggled as she pushed herself up a couple of inches and flopped back down, then repeated the process. “Do you want me to buy you some ice cream, Twilight? It’ll be just like old times.”

“Um, actually…I’m pretty full,” she responded, gazing down at the barely touched pastry she had laid on her plate. “Shining?”

He shook his head. “I’m with Twily on this one.”

“Well, screw you two!” she snapped in rage, still struggling to get up on all fours. “I’m getting one!”

Shining moaned in annoyance and smacked a hoof against his forehead. After a few quick seconds of sulking, he sighed and pulled his hoof away. “I’ll get one too. Let me go grab them for us, sweetie.”

“Oh, good,” she said sweetly, a smile returning to her face. “I don’t think I would’ve been able to chase after her anyways.”

Shining jumped to his hooves, suddenly realizing how loud the music had gotten, and that the mare pulling the cart was already three fourths of the way past the park. “Wait!” he yelled hopping over the picnic blanket and rushing after her. His hooves barely made a sound as they slammed down against the thick, moist earth beneath them. “Hey!” he yelled out once more, and then nearly tripped over a small lump in the earth. Regaining his balance, he somehow managed to move his hooves even faster, and was at the sidewalk in no time.

Noticing the stallion chasing after her, the mare came to an abrupt halt, the back wheels of the cart lifting ever so slightly off the cobblestone road before returning with a wooden smack.

“So sorry, I didn’t see you there,” she said with a sheepish smile, and brushed her curled, light pink mane away from her eyes. “What can I get you?” She quickly unhooked herself from the harness and made her way around to the opposite side of the cart. She lifted the metal lid of the freezer in its center to reveal all the delicious ice cold treats which rested inside.

“Uh,” Shining mumbled, realizing he hadn’t asked his wife. He scratched a hoof across his neck in thought. “Well…what do you recommend?”

“Oh, just about anything!” the mare said with a grin, and patted a hoof against her belly. Although a little rounded, it was nothing compared to the size of his wife’s stomach. “They’re all so delicious…I might sample them a little too often.”

He gazed at her underbelly a moment, one which seemed fairly slender to him. “You look fine,” he said with a shrug.

“Oh, thanks…that’s very sweet of you.” She giggled, and gave a quick nod.

“Anyways I’ll-” his sentence came to an abrupt halt as he lifted his empty coin bag into view. “I spent all my bits at Donut Joe’s!” he groaned out painfully.

“Well, that’s certainly a problem,” the mare said, her vivacious attitude become stern and serious. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to get you anything.”

Shining’s eyes darted up into the warm orange sky as he thought of a plan. After a short pause of silence he opened his mouth to speak as his eyes returned to the situation before him. “Look, my wife is pregnant and really wants an ice cream. I’m not sure if you’ve ever been pregnant, but basically when she wants something, she’s gonna be really angry if she doesn’t get it.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but if you don’t have the bits, I can’t give you the ice cream.”

“But…” the desperate stallion mumbled out quickly. “Can you please, just this once.” The mare shook her head definitively. “She’s a Princess, Princess Cadance. Wouldn’t you be willing to give a princess free ice cream?”

The mare placed a hoof over her eyes to block out the sun, and squinted at the two ponies resting in the distance. “Well, she is pink, but how am I supposed to know she’s Princess Cadance? She lives in the Crystal Empire now anyways.”

“Maybe because I’m Prince Shining Armor?” he replied, a hint of annoyance in his voice.

The mare snorted and chuckled. “Oh, yes, I’ve heard that plenty of times before.”

“But I’m serious. I am the prince. I used to be Captain of the Guard here. I’m sure you’ve heard of me, or at least seen a picture.”

“Sorry, honey,” the mare said sadly with a rather fake frown. “I’m not really into politics. All I’m lugging this cart around for is the bits. If you don’t have them, I’m leaving.”

“But…ugh!” Shining grumbled aloud, before turning and slowly making his way back to the pink monster. The mare shrugged, and happily went on her way, leaving the street silent and peaceful once more. His pace seemed to grow slower and slower as he grew nearer picnic, not wanting break the news to his wife. It would have been a simple mistake before he had gotten her pregnant; but now, it was a major error.

“There you are, sweetie. What took- where’s the ice cream?” Cadance asked, practically gasping at his empty hooves.

“I, uh…I spent all the bits I had at Joe’s. I mean, there’s plenty more back at the castle, but I totally forgot to grab some more,” Shining mumbled out quickly, turning his eyes down to the grass in shame.

“Shining! How many donuts did you have? I know for a fact that you left with plenty of bits…” she paused in thought for a moment and suddenly gasped once more. “Have you been…drinking?”

Shining’s eyes widened at the accusation as he stared back up into the pony’s now fierce eyes. “No, it’s nothing like that! I just left in a hurry…and ended up giving Joe a, well, a much bigger tip than I expected to.”

“That’s sweet of you…but could you have at least left a little for ice cream? I mean, really! You spend all of your bits on your friends, your buddies, your “bros,” but you don’t spend any on your own wife?”

Shining sighed in relief. She was still angry, but at least she knew he hadn’t been drinking. Then he would’ve been in a world of hurt. “Honey, it wasn’t like that. Like I said, I was just in a hurry, that’s all. I was trying to get back to the castle for you, so we could go on this picnic.”

She glared at him, and he could feel her heavy, angered huffs, even though she was feet away. “Whatever… let’s pack all of this shit up because the fun’s over.”

Shining sighed softly, and shook his head in an attempt to lessen the growing anger inside himself. “Alright…will do, sweetie. Can you help me, Twily, please?”

“O-of course,” his sister mumbled, still slightly stunned by the sudden outburst, and by her harsh language. She quickly rose to her hooves and began packing things up with her magic.

“Um, Caddy, you’re gonna have to get off of the blanket if you want me to fold it up,” Shining muttered.

Her face transformed into an evil and ferocious glare, and she gritted her teeth tightly together. “I know!” she burst out, struggling to push herself up onto her hooves. “I just wish somepony would help me!”

Shining gulped, completely forgetting how hard it was for her to get to her hooves. “Sorry,” he blurted out, engulfing her with magic and rushing to her side to use a hoof in aiding her as well.

As soon as she was standing, she groaned painfully and grasped a hoof against her belly. “Oh, Shining…the cramps are kicking in again!”

“Are you gonna be okay to walk?” he asked, wrapping a hoof around her back to help steady her. He could feel the almost balloon like bulge of her stomach pressing against his own as she leaned into him. Her fur was still as soft as it always had been, and the warmth emanating from her body felt rather pleasing.

She shook her head, tears forming in her suddenly weary eyes. “No…I’m so sorry. I knew I was taking a risk when I said I wanted to walk down here, but I never thought the cramps would get this bad. I screwed up. I really screwed up.”

“It’s okay, sweetie. You didn’t screw anything up. It’s not your fault. Stuff like that just happens. We’ll get a cab.”

She smiled softly and nuzzled her head sweetly against his neck. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a cab head down this way…I think we’re going to have to head back downtown,” she said softly and with shame. “Could you maybe carry me?”

Shining quickly nodded his head, but paused, realizing how much heavier she was now then she used to be. “…Of course I will.” He knelt down and allowed her to climb atop his back, wrapping her hooves around his neck. He struggled to stand back up, but once he was, he was sure he’d be fine. Her body felt even warmer now that her entire stomach pressed against his back. The air-filled, but slightly squishy feeling of her stomach hanging over his sides almost like saddlebags, felt rather odd, especially when compared to her normally slender core. “Can you get the basket again, Twily?” She agreed, and quickly engulfed the now refilled basket in her magic.

“This is really sweet of you, Shining. Thanks,” Cadance cooed into his ear, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

“No problem,” he said with a smile, simply glad to see his wife happy again. “Let’s get going then. I’m sure you want to get back to the room and rest.”

“Oh, of course, that sounds great,” she breathed out tiredly.