Nidra's Road to Parenthood

Chapters

One - Complications
Two - Announcement Part One
Three - Announcement Part Two
Four - Announcement Part Three
Five - First Check-Up
Six - Motherly Meeting
Seven - Anniversary
Eight - Apologies
Nine - Medical Emergency
Ten - Enter Peridot Flame
Eleven - Breakfast
Twelve- May My Mother Help Me

One - Complications

Author's Note

Yes, it's here and I hope you like it! I am also taking and changing a few elements from The Path to Parenthood by Fiction Freek. So, without further adieu, here is Nidra's Road to Parent hood. Please enjoy!

(P.S. Got read Freek's Fanfic. It's awesome!)

-TheNightShade

One - Complications

----Complications----

Turquoise Blitz. The only male kirin in all of Equestria. Youngest child of Spike and Rarity. Loving father and husband. But he earned his title of Husband decades ago. When he and his first wife, Anthea, daughter to Fluttershy, had their first child, Oasis. But as time went one, they also had another by the name of Apollo. Everything was happy. But since T's half-dragon side granted him a quite lengthy lifetime, he soon outlived Anthea, leaving him in a storm of sadness and grief. That was until he started to date his only living female friend, Princess Nidra.

Princess Nidra is the only daughter of Princess Luna and the past Prince Supernova. She is the only known batpony-alicorn hybrid in Equestria. She was a silent one. But she grew a liking for Turquoise while he was with Anthea. After Anthea died, she was there for him. But everything turned when he asked her hoof in marriage. She gladly accepted and a few days later, they were married. With everything said and done, they were ready for anything. But this is the tale of the one thing that catches them both by complete surprise.

Turquoise Blitz slept soundly in what is now the room that belongs to him and his wife, Nidra. Because of his size, they needed a bigger bed. T squinted his eyes and groaned as a ray of light brushed against his eyelids. "Just a few more minutes..." he groaned as he rolled over, covering his face with the sheets in the process. He finally gave in with a huff of his breath. He stretched a clawed hoof to the body that lay beside him. "Good morning, Nid-" Turquoise halted his greeting to discover that there was no pony beside him. Just cold sheets. He opened his eyes and sat up to find that his wife was indeed, not there. "Nidra?" he called out to her. "Honey? Where are you?" The sound that greeted him was anything but pleasant.

"HHHUUUUUURRGGHHH!!!" T cringed at the sound of solid chunks splashing from the direction of the bathroom. T got up, stretched quickly, and went towards the bathroom. From the other side of the bathroom door, he heard the sound of a toilet flushing followed by some low groaning. "Nidra?" he called out.

"T! Oh! You're- HUUURRGH -awake." Nidra replied, lowering her tone on the last word.

"Are you alright?" T wondered as he tried to open the door, finding that it was locked.

"Y-Yeah. Just...something I ate." Nidra confessed.

"Let me in, okay?" T requested.

"No!" she denied before blowing a few more chunks. "I don't want other ponies spewing chunks in here!"

"Nidra!" T shouted. But she declined again.

The sound that met his ears was another toilet flush, the sound of a sink running, and Nidra gargling something, most likely mouthwash. After the door unlocked, Nidra stepped out. T notice that she was a mess. Her mane and tail, unkempt. Her usually dark blue coat, turned slightly pale. Most of all, her eyes were bloodshot, probably from vomiting so much. "How long have you been in there?" T wondered.

"Since about one-ish." she groaned lightly.

"Come on. Into the bed you go." T instructed. Nidra took two steps and stumbled. Turquoise caught her mid-fall with a wing. "Something tells me this is more than a little stomach bug." he noted. "I'll get Redcross to examine you."

"Does it have to be now?" she asked as she pulled him into a hug.

"Yes, Nidra." T replied. They stared at each other for a few minute but T finally gave in with a defeated sigh. "Breakfast, then?" he wondered.

"You know it." Nidra replied before planting a kiss on his nose. After tucking her in, T left the room and silently closed the door.

As he walked away from the door, he looked back, influenced by a sense of worry. As he looked back, he bumped into another pony. After regaining his balance, he realized who he ran into. "Oh, sorry Claire." he apologized.

"No worry, bro." she accepted. "What's up?"

"It's Nidra." he explained as he looked back at the door. "This morning I woke up to find that she was blowing chunks in the bathroom."

"Oh." Claire responded with a hoof to her mouth in shock. "How about I watch over her?"

"You'd do that? Thanks!" T smiled.

"Anything for you, darling." Claire smiled back while rubbing her brother's head. "Come on Idie."

"Yes, mommy." Identity quietly responded. "Hi, Uncle T."

"Hey, Idie." T greeted.

As T rounded the corner to the kitchen, Claire and Identity walked toward the bedroom where Nidra rested. "Idie? Could you get daddy for me?" Claire requested. "He'll want to know this." Identity walked off and Claire turned her attention to the door. So it's happening o you now, huh? Claire thought as she knocked on the door. She knew what was happening because she's been though it, too. There was no response. She knocked again. "Nidra?" she called out. "Darling? It's Claire." Again, no response. She declined a third knock and proceeded to open the door slowly as to not wake her. Much to her surprise, Nidra was not in the bed. Instead, she saw a light on and a slightly ajar bathroom door. "M-Might wanna take the food back, T..." Nidra groaned from the other side of he door.

"Wouldn't the chef be disappointed?" Claire interjected as she walked in. Nidra jumped slightly as she saw who was there.

"Oh. Claire? What are you doing here?" Nidra questioned.

"T wanted me to watch you." Claire explained as she sat beside Nidra who looked like complete trash. As Nidra blew more chunks, Claire rubbed her friend's back. "I-I think that's it." Nidra groaned as she flushed the toilet. After cleaning her mouth, Nidra sat back down.

"I know what this is." Claire admitted.

"You do?" Nidra wondered.

"Nidra." Claire retorted. "I've been through this, too. Don't try to wiggle out of this conversation." Nidra looked down and realized that she was right.

"How long?" Claire questioned.

"A little over a week."

"Nidra." Claire started as she placed a hoof on her shoulder. "You don't need to go through this yourself. You've got me just in case if you have a few questions. You've got T and Lulu to keep you company. You also have Idie, Apollo, Oasis, and even your mom and aunt."

"I know it's just that..." Nidra sighed, "It's just so sudden."

"You are in the same position I was in a little over three years ago. I know how it feels." Claire comforted. "Just remember, we're here to help."

Two - Announcement Part One

----Announcement Part One----

Turquoise walked out of the kitchen with his breakfast and a bowl of soup for Nidra. I just hope she's okay. he wished in his mind. Anxiety and fear rose in the kirin's mind. He shook it off and knew that this would blow over in a few days. But what he doesn't know is the thing that will send his and Nidra's marriage in for a whirl. As he approached the door to his bedroom, down the hall he saw Identity and Illusion walking towards him. "Illusion? What are you doing here?" he wondered.

"Idie here told me that Chrys wanted to see me." Illusion explained. "Something wrong with Nidra?"

"Yeah." T replied. "She was puking up a storm this morning. I was going to get Redcross later so she can get checked. Plus, she can walk two steps with out tripping over."

"Huh." Illusion responded. He knew what was going on since he went through it with his wife. T opened the door and his eyes met Claire and Nidra who were talking on the bed. A sound vibrated in her ears. Nidra was crying but it didn't sound sad, it sounded like happiness. "I just don't know what he'll say." Nidra admitted.

"What I'll say to what?" T asked as he placed the food on a nightstand and climbed on the bed beside Nidra.

"I'll just leave Nidra to say." Clair replied as she climbed down and stood beside Illusion who had just entered.

"What is it?" T pushed the subject.

"I...." Nidra started as she looked at him. "I'm pregnant, T."

"You're what!?" T responded with wide eyes.

"I'm pregnant." she repeated. The next part of his reaction came in a split-second. He quickly embrace Nidra and whooped. Nidra giggled as T tackled her. Illusion and Claire, on the other hoof smiled lightly as they saw this transaction. After a few more minutes of laughter, T finally released his hold of Nidra. "When did you find out?" T wondered.

"This morning after Claire came in." Nidra answered as she levitated three white sticks from the bathroom. T grabbed them and looked at each one thoroughly. Each of the little screens read one thing: PREGNANT. "Can you believe that your going to be a mother for the first time?" T asked her.

"Yes. It's quite a shocker." Nidra replied with a smile. But the smile was replaced by shrunken eyes and a downward curve of the mouth. "Sweet Aunt Celestia I'm going to be a mother." she worried quietly before swaying a little then fainting.

"Nidra!" T called out as he caught her.

"I honestly though it'd be the other way." Illusion admitted. Claire jabbed his rib with her elbow before walking out.

"I'll get the others." she informed.

"Don't be such a sourpuss, Chrys." Illusion requested as he and Identity joined her.

Nidra could hear voices talking back and forth as she started to regain consciousness. She lifted her head and blinked her eyes a few times. "What happened?" she wondered, causing all conversations to cease.

"What was the last thing you remembered, child?" Luna wondered.

"I remember sitting here." she told. "I had just finished telling T-" Nidra stopped as realization struck her. Nidra quickly threw herself onto T as he did to her and was laughing.

"Telling T what?" Celestia questioned with the same confusion as her sister.

"Okay." Nidra started. "Here's a riddle."

"A riddle, huh?" Discord wondered. "Shoot."

"What do you call a mare who eats for two?"

"Pudgy?" Discord joked.

"Yes!" Nidra responded with a smile. The others in the room scrunched their noses in an attempt to burst into a fit of laughter. Except for Discord who loved the little joke. Nidra realized what he just said and blushed furiously. "Hey!" she shouted.

Now no one could escape the laughter. As they enjoyed the joke, Nidra continued to blush and puffed her cheeks and scowled at her uncle. After a few more seconds of laughter, they finally calmed down. This time, they thought. Before Discord could get another snide comment out, Luna smiled in joy. "What is it?" Celestia wondered.

"Don't you realize, sister?" Luna questioned. "She's pregnant!" Luna let out a little squee of joy and hugged her daughter.

"Knocked up another mare? Way to go, T!" Discord jokingly congratulated as he patted his back. To the joke, Turquoise couldn't help but blush.

"So I'm going to be a great-aunt? Wonderful!" Celestia commented before glaring at Discord chidingly.

"Oh come on, Tia." Discord chuckled as he suspended himself over her head, resting his elbows on her head. "You had to expect that the Lord of Chaos." Celestia simply shook her head and rolled her eyes. She still loved his jokes he would tell. But it's the pranks he and Illusion would occasionally do on her citizens and even to herself that would anger her. "I guess you two want to talk then?" Luna inquired.

"Yes." T nodded. One-by-one, everypony else exited the room and left T alone with Nidra.

"Now, Nidra." T started as he placed a wing over her back. "This will be rough. For the both of us."

"I know, dear." Nidra nodded with a small smile. "But I honestly want this to go over us."

"Why do you say that?" he wondered.

"Well..." she started while looking down. "I'm not ready for this. I just got into the swing of my duties as a princess."

"Nidra..." T worried as he lifted her head graciously by the chin with a claw. "You have me and your family to keep you company. Don't worry."

Nidra nodded and smiled. After another kiss, Nidra and T wrote to Spike, Apollo, and Oasis, telling them of "big news" that they will explain as soon as they come. Nidra used her magic to make the scrolls a magical swirl and they were sent to the recipients. When all was said and done, they climbed under their covers, said their goodnight's, and fell asleep. T couldn't help but to drape a wing over her and pull her close. Nidra smiled calmly as she felt the exchange of heat from his abdomen to her back with each exhale. Before they were permanently captivated by sleep, T stroked Nidra's abdomen lightly with a claw, knowing that in a few month's time, he and Nidra will have a family.

For him, this will be his second time.

For her, this will be her first.

Three - Announcement Part Two

----Announcement Part Two----

Nidra woke up with a groan. Not from the sunlight, but by something else. "This morning sickness thing is going to be the death of me..." she complained as she got up. She groggily walked into the bathroom and began her new morning "ritual". A few minutes later, she felt a hoof rubbing her back as she hugged the porcelain seat. She looked up for a few seconds and saw T smiling sweetly at her. "Didn't mean to wake you." she groaned.

"I don't mind." he responded. "But it's going to be a while before I, too, get in the swing of things."

"What do you mean?" she wondered as she flushed the toilet.

"It's been, well, a few decades since I've gone through this." he explained. "I remember the mood swings made a bright pony like Anthea turn dark."

"Yeah." she nodded with a smile as she got up. T walked out and waited patiently for her to finish washing her mouth. They sat on the bed for a little, only to enjoy one's company. Their peace was broke by a knock of the door. "Enter." Turquoise called out to the pony who knocked. The pony who knocked was a guard who bowed before speaking.

"A pony is at the gate and requests an audience with Princess Nidra." he informed.

"Please describe the pony, sir." Nidra commanded as she got up.

"Well," he began, "It's a lilac colored pegasus wi-" He was cut off by Nidra who zoomed out the door, down the hall, and out of sight.

Outside in the sunlight, two guards stood at the gate while the mare stood, talking to a cardinal that sat on her lifted hoof. "So, you live in the garden, Mr. Cardinal?" the mare asked. The response was only a sequence of differently pitched chirps. "I have heard of the garden but I haven't been there." she sighed back. Another chirp sequence replied to her. "I would love to see your family!" she smiled. After a few more chirps, she nuzzled the cardinal and it flew off. One of the guards looked at the other who only shrugged. The silence that graced the three was brief as Nidra stopped her flight and caused a gust of wind to blow over them. "Oasis!" she smiled.

"Aunt Nidra!" Oasis greeted back as they hugged. The guards now looked at each other in fear.

"It's so good to see you!" Nidra noted as the separated.

"I got your letter!" Oasis smiled widely. "Is it really true?"

"It is!" Nidra smiled back. After a few more minutes of talking, they finally decided to walk in. The guards looked back and saw Nidra glare at them with an expression that read: "I will deal with you later." This caused them both to snap back to attention and sweat bullets.

As they walked down the hall, they shared stories about what's happened lately. As they told stories, another pony walked up to them. "Oasis, darling!" Claire gasped. "What in Equestria happened to your eyebrows and your mane!?"

"Oh. That." Oasis winced. "The result of standing too close to a phoenix egg hatching."

"Oh no." Claire interjected. "Nonono NO! This simply WON'T do!" Being the daughter of the late Rarity, she picked up on her mother's fashion antics. Claire began pushing her niece down the hall to her room. Meanwhile, Nidra followed behind them with a soft smile."Never have I ever seen my daughter smile so much." Luna noted as she came up behind her.

"Hello to you, too, mother." Nidra jabbed.

"I'm serious though." Luna yawned lightly.

"I think it's because of my knowledge of knowing that in a few months, I'll be bringing in a new form of life." Nidra explained.

"It is quite joyful, is it not?" Luna asked. "Come, I wanted to speak with you." Luna escorted her daughter in the direction of her chambers. All the while, they were quiet but Nidra's smile remained. Upon entering her mother's room, a place she regrets going into since the death of her father, her smile faded. There, sitting on the other side of the room, was the memorial they set up for Supernova. Luna placed a wing on her daughter and smile warmly at her. Nidra looked at her mother, then back to the picture of her father.

Nidra knew what she had to do. After gaining the courage she needed, Nidra walked up to the picture and sat, looking down at her hooves, trying to conjure up what to say. After a few silent moments, she opened her mouth. "Hi dad." she greeted to the picture. "I know I haven't talked to you in a while, but now, I need to." Nidra paused as she looked at the picture. It just wasn't a picture of him that was up there. In addition to the portrait, her mother put up their wedding photo, his helmet, his sword, and the one picture that caused tears to start to fall. It was picture of Supernova and Luna, who lay in a hospital bed, both with smiles as Luna held Nidra. It was the picture that was taken after Nidra's birth.

"Now I need to tell you something." Nidra continued with a sniffle. "I came here to tell you that.....I'm pregnant, dad." More tears start to fall as grief took over her emotions.

"I just..." she sniffled. "I just wish this happened while you were here. I just wish you were here to see your daughter become a mother." With that, the dam broke. Nidra fell to the ground, head in her hooves as she uncontrollably sobbed into the ground. Nidra looked up as she felt a wing drape over her back. Her mother smiled sweetly as her own tears started to fall. "I miss him, too, Nidra." she admitted. "I look at this every morning and remember the joy that he and I felt when you were brought into the world."

"R-Really?" she wondered as she wiped tears from her face.

"Yes." Luna replied with a nod. "You were truly a daddy's girl in a momma's world." Nidra hugged her mother and they sat in silence for a few minutes before a knock resounded into the room. Claire poked her head into the door. "Darling? Oasis and I were wondering if you wanted to join us for some tea." Claire informed.

"Yeah." Nidra answered as she wiped the remaining tears. "I'll be right there." Claire's head disappeared from view, leaving mother and daughter alone. Before heading out, Nidra placed a hoof on the memorial.

"I love you, dad." she spoke softly before heading out the door.

Author's Note

God. I hat it when I do this. I wanted this to be a nice and normal romantic but then I'm like "Fuck it. Let's throw in some sadness!"

I truly am sorry for your heart aches.

Easter Egg: The "daddy's girl in momma's world" thing is a reference to a Toby Keith song.

Four - Announcement Part Three

----Announcement Part Three----

Claire, Identity, Nidra, and Oasis stood at the door that led to the Canterlot garden. Nidra and Claire stood with one of their hooves on each of the doors. "Are you ready, darling?" Claire wondered.

"Am I ever!" Oasis exclaimed. "I've always wanted to see the garden!"

"Then brace yourself." Nidra instructed. After a few silent seconds, Claire and Nidra slowly pushed the doors open. The sunlight tore into the room to Oasis who covered her eyes. Oasis let her eyes adjust to the sunlight and when they did, a wide smile pierced her lips and her eyes went wide with excitement. She took now hesitation in going into the luscious garden. The other three, on the other hoof, walked behind her as she went from plant to plant, animal to animal. Claire and Nidra couldn't help but to smile. To them, they can't remember a happier time ever since their friend Cotton Candy passed away.

To Nidra, that was the day a little happiness died in her as well. A few minutes later, they finally reached their destination. Near a small pony-made pond sat a gazebo. The same gazebo where T slammed a hoof into a support and just about caused a cave-in. This time, however, there was a circular table in the center surrounded by four cushions. They put the various food items they brought on the table and took their spots.

Over the course of what would be their lunch, they idly chattered about what's been going on and small gossip. Since they lived in separate towns, it's not that often that they get to hang out like this. "So, Aunt Nidra," Oasis began, "Do you have your bump yet?"

"Bump? What bump?" Nidra pondered as she began to look over her body.

"She means your baby bump, darling." Claire responded. "Oh how I dreaded that."

"Why?" Oasis asked.

"I was the size of a blimp!" Claire replied. "I am a mare who needs to keep her body in perfect physique!"

"Oh." Nidra responded with a blush. She know that it's her turn to become a living blimp.

"But Uncle Illusion didn't mind. Right?" Oasis wondered.

"Oh no." she answered with a shake of the head and a smile. "He loved me being his living pillow." Oasis and Nidra chuckled lightly. They sat in silence for a few minutes before continuing the conversation. "But all in all, Nidra." Claire continued. "Pregnancy is worth it when you hold your child for the first time."

"I bet it will be." Nidra smiled as she looked at her stomach.

"Speaking of that, I'm going to give you heads up on what to expect." Claire resumed. "First is the morning sickness which blows over after a few weeks. Second is the abnormal food cravings. Third is the mood swings which cause be to become.....feral....for a few weeks. Then it's the unbearable pain of labor."

"H-How is it 'unbearable'?" Nidra wondered as her eyes shrank.

"Just imagine somepony punching you with a brass hoof repeatedly for a few HOURS." Claire reminisced. To this, Nidra gulped. Now she'll have to put up with that in a few months.

Once the silence came back, it was only brief. Wind became heavy as a dragon landed outside of the gazebo where they sat. The dragon was Spike, Claire's father and Oasis's grandpa, er, grand-DRAGON. Off of it's back, another kirin dropped down. This one was a unicorn, despite his sister. This one was Apollo, brother to Oasis and son of Turquoise. "There you are!" Apollo called out. "We were wondering where you were!"

"And you finally came." Oasis retorted.

"I have to admit that I'm not as fast as I once was." Spike added as he lowered himself. "So what's this 'big news' I was informed about?"

"Well," Nidra began as she looked at them, "I found out yesterday that I am pregnant." Spike and Apollo both looked at her with confusion.

"You're pregnant!?" they both questioned in unison.

"Yes she is." a pony replied from behind them. When they turned, they saw Turquoise standing there.

"Way to go!" Spike smiled as he patted his son's back.

"But what took you so long to get here?" he questioned.

"Like I said to Oasis," Spike explained, "I'm not as fast as I once was."

"But dad," Apollo spoke up, "Is Aunt Nidra really pregnant or are you just yanking our chains?" Turquoise and Nidra both responded the same way. With the ages-old Pinkie Pie Promise. Now Apollo knew that they weren't screwing around. After another well-needed conversation, the trio that arrived earlier in the day departed for Ponyville. Now it was just Claire, Idie, Nidra, and Turquoise alone in an awkward silence.

All they did for the remainder of their get together was keep their mouths shut aside from the occasional sip of tea. All the while, Nidra couldn't help but to think of the possible things that will happen during her pregnancy. But she eventually pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, never to bother them again. As the moon started to kiss the horizon, the group decided to finally head inside. Once they said their 'goodbyes' and 'good-nights', Claire and Identity went off in one direction while T and Nidra headed in the opposite. After the retreat to separate rooms, T and Nidra sat in silence on the bed. "Hey, Nidra." he began softly.

"Yeah?" she replied as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"You know what we haven't done yet?" he asked.

"What's that?" Nidra wondered.

"Cuddling." he answered with a smile.

"Um....well.....doesn't this count?" she asked while a blush formed.

"A real cuddle is like this." he answered before moving. What he did caused Nidra to blush more. He placed his body so it covered her body and rested his head on her mane. "Much better..." he sighed with a smile.

"Oh..." she spoke quietly.

"Hey, Nidra." he spoke up.

"Yeah, T?"

"Where's your weak-spot?" he wondered.

"W-Weak-spot??" she repeated with a bigger blush.

"Yeah. Like how mine's behind the ears, Claire's is her spines, and Anthea's was, well, everywhere." he explained. "But where's yours?" Then Turquoise proceeded to poke her body in various places. "T-T! S-Stop that!" she protested. But her body suddenly tensed up then fell like hot butter on toast.

"Right between the wings, huh?" he noted as he continued scratch there with a claw. Nidra ceased her protesting and smiled as T traced his claw to her abdomen. "You're going to be a great mother one day, Nidra." he noted quietly in her ear. After a few peaceful minutes, the two decided to finally call it a night.

Author's Note

This story makes butterflies zoom around my stomach~

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the Easter Egg for Cuddle by our very own Kilala97

Five - First Check-Up

----First Check-Up----

Nidra sat anxiously on a cushion in an almost stark-white room, save for the pink strip that ran along the wall. The wait was unnerving as she heard a clock near her tick the seconds away. First, she mentally shook. Now, she physically shook. It's not that she didn't like hospitals, it just that she's never been in one this long since alicorns weren't known to get sick, aside from the fever after over-using magic. She looked to her left and saw T who was reading a fashion magazine about Claire's newest trend in combining rubies and sapphires as one gemstone. He looked up from the article and saw that Nidra was shaking. "Something wrong, hun?" T wondered as he set the magazine down to give her his full attention.

"N-No." she lied. "Just a little cold."

"Nidra." he stressed, not accepting her try at a lie. "I know you're nervous about this." Nidra looked away then down at her abdomen. It's been almost a month and she's already showing signs of a bump. "Don't worry, Nidra." he soothed as he lifted her chin with a claw. "Just remember that I'm here if you need anything. He then planted a kiss on her lips then went back to the article. The silence returned to the waiting room, aside from the clock that ticked rhythmically. Nidra began to rub her abdomen and she smiled lightly. She knows that the pregnancy will be rough but she also know that she has her family to support her.

The silence broke as the doors in front of them swung open. "Sorry for the wait, Princess." the doctor apologized as he levitated a cushion in front of them and sat down. "My name is High Frequency."

"You're the doctor that helped my sister with her first ultrasound." T pointed out with a smile.

"Sister..." he thought. "You mean Claire? Yeah. It was quite funny."

"Enlighten us." Nidra smiled.

"Well," he continued to think, "There was a mix-up in the printing room and her ultrasound got mixed up with some poor soul's."

"Pour...soul?" T wondered with a tiled head and a raised eyebrow. "Why would it be poor?"

"He came back from the Everfree with a few 'presents'." he chuckled lightly.

"Presents?" Nidra wondered.

"Fifteen eggs from an......entangling encounter." he coughed lightly.

"Oh." they send in sync as they formed their own blushes.

"But you should've seen Claire's face though!" he chuckled. "She looked like she was about ready to faint!" As he laughed alone, T and Nidra shook off their blush. They waited a few seconds before Frequency calmed down. "Now, Princess-" he was cut off by a raised hoof.

"Just Nidra, doctor." she corrected.

"Now, Nidra," he began with the correction, "Before we begin I want to do a small check-up." He levitated a pen and clipboard with some paper work on it and began. "Have you experienced any fatigue?"

"Yes, sir. Even on short distances like from my bed to my mirror." she answered.

"Good, good, very normal." he replied as he wrote away on the paper. "Any more morning sicknesses?"

"Like once every so often." she explained. "Just glad the worst of that is gone."

"It goes away a little after the tenth week." he explained as he scribbled away. "Any strange food cravings?"

"Define 'strange'." she wondered.

"Oh you'll know when they start." he chuckled, writing more. "Mood swings yet?"

"None as far as I can tell." she answered with a shake of the head.

"Please follow me then." he finished as he opened the door to a separate hallway. This time, the hallway had a yellow and pink hallway with a sign that read "Scanning Rooms." T and Nidra followed the doctor down the hall and into a dimly-lit room that had a machine in there. Nidra's anxiety came back and she gulped. "That's just the scanner." Frequency explained as he set the clipboard down.

"How does it work?" Nidra wondered as she set on the cold bed in the room.

"Well, this machine emits a high-speed frequency that bounces off your body," he explained as he pointed the route of the frequency, "Which creates an image that we can see!"

"Oh, interesting." Nidra replied.

"Please lie back on the bed please." Frequency requested as he grabbed a bottle of clear gel. Nidra did as she was told and felt T's hoof grab hers. "Word of warning," he began to warn as he squeezed the bottle, "This gel will be a little cold."

Nidra cringed a little as the gel touched her abdomen. It indeed was cold. High Frequency used his magic to trace the emitter across her abdomen, spreading the gel in the process as well. Silence graced the room as the scan was underway. After a few minutes, Frequency turned his attention to the image printer as it whirred and pushed the picture out. After grabbing it and turning on the view box her turned to Nidra who stood beside T as they walked up to him. "Here it is." he smiled as he placed the image on the box. Butterflies fluttered in Nidra's stomach as she looked at the image. The image of the child she will bring to this world. "Looks like another kirin." Frequency noted as he looked it over.

"Really?" T asked with a smile. "That's awesome!"

"Bad news is," Nidra sighed, "I'm not going to like when it kicks."

"Let's stop calling your child 'it'." Frequency recommended.

"Why?" they wondered.

"Princess," he began, "With our current technology on detecting a child's gender during the embryonic stage I am glad to announce that you'll give birth to a prince." T and Nidra smiled and hugged each other, while T was making sure to contain his excitement.

"Is there a possibility that we can get another copy of this?" T wondered. "I'm sure my dad and my children will be wonder what he is."

"Not a problem." Frequency nodded as the printer whirred and spat out another identical image.

After placing them in a folder, T and Nidra, grinning throughout, walked out the doors. "Can you believe it?" T pondered. "A colt!"

"I'm already detecting that you and our son will be getting along just fine." Nidra smirked.

"A colt then?" a pony wondered from out of no where. They looked around until a miniature Discord came from behind Turquoise's ear. Nidra face-hoofed and sighed. "Hey, uncle." she sighed.

"How long have you been there?" T questioned as he shook Discord from his ear.

"Not long." he answered as he grew to his normal size. "But I think Luna would like the news."

"Oh, she will." Nidra smiled. She could already imagine the smile on her mother's face after they give her the second piece of news. They talked a little more as they walked to the castle. Some rather.....crude, all thanks to Discord. Especially when he mentioned how Celestia got "knocked up."

Everypony in the immediate royal family sat around a circular table for the evening meal, celebrating Nidra's pregnancy. It's not very often they get together like this. But since he wanted to attend, Spike was shrunk down to a big enough size that he could fit through the door, with the help of Discord. Nidra lightly tapped on her glass to bring the attention of everypony at the table. "As you all know, T and I went to the hospital this afternoon to get my first ultrasound." she began she she held T's hoof. "And we have some news to tell you."

"Go on then," Luna ushered as she leaned forward a little, "What is it?" Nidra looked at T and he nodded lightly.

"We found out that I'm going to give birth to a kirin." she started, earning a whoop from Claire and Spike, even though he was a full-blooded dragon. Pause for dramatic affect... she thought, now making everypony lean in except for Discord. "And that it's a colt." she finished.

Luna couldn't contain her excitement any longer. In an instant, she leaped into the air and whooped in delight. Discord's lack of movement didn't go unnoticed, though. As she came back down, Luna glared lightly at Discord. "You knew about this, didn't you?" she questioned.

"Guilty as charged." he agreed as he slammed a gavel as a joke. "But would you rather your own daughter say it than me." Luna sighed. She knew that her brother-in-law was right. Even though it'd be exciting to hear it from him, it's more exciting to hear it from her daughter. Dinner continued with conversations and laughter about past pregnancies. But they went cold after Discord mentioned the item that caused Celestia to be "knocked up."

After dinner, the older ponies stayed up and restarted the conversation. Nidra did the honors of showing them her ultrasound. Luna was even more excited. "Now Nidra," Spike began, "You better look out for T."

"Why should I?" she wondered.

"His half-dragon side might make him more protective of you." he warned. Now Nidra knew why he yelled at her weeks ago when it all started. "Since I'm all dragon, it was a lot worse." he chuckled. "I remember when Rares was in labor with Claire, I had to be sedated and dragged out of the room so they could do their job." The others joined his chuckle and added with their own funny stories, making sure to tread lightly so that Discord doesn't mention Celestia's "first time" again.

A few hours later, they decided to call it a night. They said their "goodbyes" and "good nights" and retreated to separate rooms. Again, T curled around Nidra and stroked her developing bump. With the news fresh in their minds, the smiled as they slept.

Waiting for the time to bring a new prince to Equestria.

Six - Motherly Meeting

Author's Note

About the whole how Celestia got "knocked up", here's a link to the fanfiction I referenced. It's The Love in the Night by Riter.

(P.S. It's Chapter 27 by the way if you just want to get the reference instantly.)

Back to our normally scheduled program.

Six - Motherly Meeting

----Motherly Meeting----

Nidra laid in her bed, enjoying a romantic novel that Claire introduced to her, of all ponies. As she lay there, she would occasionally rub her bump that was now showing significant growth. Along with the growth, Nidra found what the "strange cravings" were. With her pregnancy, she has developed a craving for ground up gemstones, which she decided that it should be the peridot, mixed in pumpkin soup with apple dumplings. Just looking at it makes Turquoise's cholesterol rise. But all in all, Nidra's getting occasional check-ups and is going through her pregnancy normally. Now all that's left is the horrifying mood swings and then the unfettered pain of labor.

As Nidra got another spoonful of her crave, the door to her room opened. She looked and hoped it was her husband but to no avail. It was Claire and Identity. "Hey, you two." she greeted after closing her book. "What's up?"

"Oh, nothing, darling." Claire replied. "We were just wondering if you wanted to join us for some tea in the garden."

"Not a problem." Nidra answered as she climbed slowly off the bed. "What's the occasion?"

"There is none." Claire answered as they started their journey down the hall. "Just wanted to have a mother-to-mother chat. With the exception of Idie."

"Illusion out on business again?" Nidra wondered.

"Yeah." Claire sighed. "Turquoise off training again?"

"Mmhm." Nidra nodded. "I think his overprotectiveness pushed him to train with the Guard."

"Probably." Claire replied. They were in silence for a little as they reached the garden doors. When they opened the doors, Nidra couldn't help but smile. The garden is the most soothing place to be for Nidra, aside from the castle's spa. The aroma of the blooming flowers was sweetly soothing to her soul and mind.

They decided to not be in the gazebo this time for it was a beautiful spring morn. When they finished setting up, Claire helped Nidra lower herself. With the bump getting bigger, the amount of movements and her speed fell. "I don't think that T should be doing this." Nidra admitted.

"Doing what?" Claire wondered as she poured tea.

"Training." Nidra sighed. "Every night when he comes back to our room, he's either too tired or worn out to talk to me."

"Then you know what I'd do?" Claire asked as she gave Nidra her cup.

"What's that?" Nidra wondered as she levitated her cup to her mouth, sipping and getting goosebumps from the smooth liquid.

"Go out for a date." Claire recommended. "I mean, how long has it been since you two went out?"

"True." Nidra nodded. "I know when to do it."

"May I ask when?" she wondered.

"Our anniversary is coming up." Nidra announced before sipping a little more. "I think it'll be the perfect time."

"Oh!" Claire exclaimed. "I totally forgot!" Claire and Nidra chuckled a little before sitting in a brief silence. "Nidra." Claire began. "Do you know what's happening?"

"What?" Nidra wondered.

"We're getting old!" Claire worried.

"We are old." Nidra corrected with a laugh.

When nightfall came, Nidra was back on her bed, enjoying her bed rest that she needed to do for a healthy pregnancy. But this time, she looked through the photo album that she started after marrying T. Though incomplete, she plans to fill this with as many memories as possible. Her concentration was broken when the door opened and T lurched through. "Hi, honey." Nidra greeted after closing the album.

"Hey Nidra..." he groaned.

"Another long day?" she wondered as he flopped onto the bed, covering her with a wing, too.

"Yeah. It's hard on me since they're still working on my armor." T explained.

"Still?" Nidra huffed. "But just be glad you have scales."

"Oh, I am." T groaned.

"Here, sit up." Nidra commanded. T did as he was told and kept his mouth shut. Nidra's horn was wrapped in a light blue veil and a layer of her magic danced on T's back. "I thought you're not supposed to be using magic other than levitation." T pointed out.

"I'm not supposed to use advanced magic like teleportation." Nidra corrected as she moved the layer. "This is a minor massage spell."

"I think you need to use this more often..." T sighed as his body felt like jelly.

Nidra decided to make another layer behind his ears and smiled. T smiled and craned his neck from the pleasure. Nidra continued to move the layer currently on his back from point to point. "By the way, T." Nidra started. "I think we should go out sometime."

"How about tomorrow night?" T proposed as Nidra finished his massage and he laid back down beside her, recovering her with his wing.

"Honestly," Nidra huffed, "Have you forgotten?"

"Forgotten what?" T wondered.

"Our anniversary, duh!" Nidra answered as she tapped his forehead.

"Oh!" T nervously chuckled. "Guess I have forgotten."

"I think Claire's right." Nidra admitted.

"About what?" T questioned as he raised an eyebrow.

"We are getting old."

Seven - Anniversary

----Anniversary----

Nidra lay calmly in her bed as the morning sun began to greet the land. When the sunlight tore through the curtains, she did not protest. She, in fact, lifted her head from the softness of her pillow and smiled. She's started to appreciate her aunt's sun now that she doesn't get sick from it anymore. After a light yawn, she reached over and nudged the body beside her in an attempt to wake it. "Wake up, T." she told as she nudged it. From the touch, she knew something was off. His body was softer than usual. Ripping the covers off, she saw that her husbands body was replaced by pillows and on said pillows was a folded note that read "Good Morning."

"What in the name of my aunt?" she inquired as she unfolded it.

Good morning, Nidra.
Now that you're up, time to play a little game.
Let's start with a riddle.

What bites but has no teeth?
What howls but has no mouth?

Enjoy your day!

Love,
Turquoise

P.S. Happy anniversary!

Now Nidra knew why he wasn't in bed. He's gone off somewhere and has decided to begin their anniversary with a scavenger hunt. Nidra smiled and knew that Illusion had to have helped with making this. Nonetheless, she slid off the bed, stretched and headed out of the room. As she walked to the kitchen, she said the riddle out loud multiple times to try and get where the next clue is. As she entered, she caught sight of Claire and Identity sitting at a table. "Morning you two." Nidra greeted as she grabbed her craving from the chef prepared.

"Morning, darling." Claire greeted back. "What are you muttering about?"

"Oh, T's sending me on a scavenger hunt while he's off doing Faust knows what." Nidra explained as she sipped the soup.

"Interesting. Could I see what you're muttering about?" Claire asked.

"It's a riddle."

"Then I know Illusion's in this as well." Claire huffed. "They better not be planning to trick you."

"It goes: What bites but has no teeth? What howls but has no mouth?" Nidra told fluently.

"Hm." Claire thought long and hard before giving her answer. "Could it be the wind?"

"What makes you say that?" Nidra wondered.

"When it's cold, the wind is nippy and 'bites.'" she explained. "When air is going through Manehattan, it 'howls.'"

"So my first clue is in the sky." Nidra sighed. "I'm not supposed to be flying."

"Then we can help you." Claire offered, meaning her and Identity.

"Sure!" Nidra nodded as they retreated from the kitchen.

When they got outside, they searched everywhere for where T might be hiding Nidra's clue. "Did you find anything up there, Idie?" Claire called out from the ground as her daughter floated.

"No, mommy." she replied.

"I swear." Nidra sighed. "We've search everywhere and no sign of it." As if by mere coincidence, a letter fell from a group of clouds. Nidra grabbed the note and unfolded it.

Nice job on solving my first riddle.

Now here's another:

What has four legs and one foot?

Love,
Turquoise

"What has four legs and one foot?" Claire repeated.

"Wouldn't that be a bed?" a pony guessed. They turned and saw Celestia standing there. "Hey, aunt Celestia." Nidra greeted.

"Aren't you supposed to be on bed rest?" Celestia inquired.

"Yeah but T has me on a scavenger hunt for our anniversary. I think he forgot about my bed rest." Nidra explained.

"Interesting." Celestia replied.

"So I guess it's back to your room, Nidra." Claire announced. Soon, the trio went back inside to continue the hunt.

They constantly move into and out of the castle with various riddle. As the sun began to set, Nidra was starting to get a little more than aggravated at her husband. As they rounded the corner to her room, where the last riddle was sending them, steam seemed to rise from her head. When she opened the door, T was sitting laying on the bed while the room was lit by various candles about the room. Next to him, there was food and a gift. "Happy anniversary, Nidra." he sweetly greeted.

"'Happy' my ass." she shot back.

"I...better get Idie to bed." Claire announced as she quickly exited the room and shut the door.

"What?" Turquoise questioned.

"I've been up since the damn crack of dawn, moving to and fro, while I'm supposed to be getting some bed rest!" she yelled. "Haven't you forgotten that?"

"No I haven't." T seethed. "But the doctors have also told you to walk around some times."

"Looks like somepony wised up for once!" Nidra shot.

"Excuse me?"

"You've been getting things mixed up about what I am to do and not to do ever since they told us!"

"Well sor-ry!"

"Don't you sass me either!" Nidra commanded with a stomp of the hoof. "You want to know another thing I don't like ever since I was pregnant?"

"What is that?" T glared as he rose and stared down Nidra so close that they were only inches apart.

"The fact that you can't control your over-protectiveness and that you come back every night a complete wreck, dear." she spat.

"Well I'm trying to make sure that I don't go out of control so that you wouldn't have to worry about our child, honey." he spat back.

"So how about you learn some self-control!" she shouted.

"Fine! I will!" he roared back before turning.

That turn was one that he'll regret. As he turned, Nidra watched him go to the door. When his tail was catching up to his body, bad turned to worse. His tail kissed the cheek of his wife. As soon as he felt the contact, remorse struck him and he halted in his tracks. Turquoise turned his head toward his wife as tears streamed down her cheeks, her cheek a bright red. Not able to take anymore of it, T bolted down the hall and outside. Nidra fell to her haunches and wept.

Claire hummed as she strolled down the hall to the kitchen. When she passed T and Nidra's room, she heard a sound. The sound of a pony crying. Claire opened the door and saw Nidra on her haunches in a small pool of tears. "Nidra!" Claire called out as she rushed to her. "What's the matter, darling?"

"T-T and I......" she sniffled. "Fought...."

"That's nothing to be sad about, Nidra." Claire explained. "Lulu and I fight a lot but we make up."

"It's not like yours and Illusion's." Nidra replied.

"How so?" she wondered. Nidra looked away from Claire and rage built up in the kirin.

Why would her brother do this? Why would he strike his wife? Who happens to be pregnant. Claire rose and stomped out of the room. "Where are you going?" Nidra wondered.

"I have a few choice words for my brother." she coldly answered.

Eight - Apologies

----Apologies----

T sat on his haunches on top of one of the many roofs of the Castle, staring at his hooves as he reveled in the transaction that occurred not long ago. He thought why that happened. Why he struck his wife, he didn't know. He went over the top. He knows that- "Turquoise Blitz!" a pony called out from below him. He winced as he knew who it was: Claire and she did not sound so happy. Nonetheless, he swooped down and landed in front of her, still staring at his hooves. "Care to explain what happened, brother?" she questioned.

"I.....I don't know." he sighed.

"Don't 'I don't know' me, mister!" she shot. "How could my own brother, who could barely hurt a fly, hit his wife?"

"It was an accident!" he shouted, silencing Claire before she could continue.

"How so?" she questioned as she tapped a hoof on the grass.

"We were having an argument and I turned to walk out the door." he explained in a lower tone. "That's when I felt her cheek on my tail."

"Well now." she huffed. "Maybe this wouldn't have happen if you didn't send her on a 'scavenger hunt' this morning while she was supposed to be on bed rest!"

"I'm sorry, okay!" he yelled.

"I'm not entirely sure you are!" Claire yelled back.

"Excuse me??" he questioned.

"You heard me." she shot behind closed teeth.

Now they were only inches apart, smoke rising from T and Claire's mouths as Claire's horn glowed. They were locked in the position for a few seconds before T turn around. "Leave me alone." he commanded.

"No." Claire retorted.

"I said-"

"Stop!" a pony shouted from behind Claire. Both of the kirins looked to see Illusion standing there with Nidra and a scowl on his face. He walked up to T and stopped. They looked at each other before Illusion raised his normal hoof and brought it across Blitz's face. "What the hell was that for?" T questioned.

"You know for a damn fact!" Illusion responded. "What gives you the right to hurt a mare- no- your wife??"

"Now let me explain the full story!" T yelled, smoke rising from his mouth again. Now Illusion and Turquoise paced in a circle, staring each other down. "I was waiting for Nidra in the room and she came in and started to chide me." he began. "We were having an argument and I was heading out of the room when my tail hit her. On complete accident."

"Is that all?" Illusion questioned as they stopped.

"Yes." T nodded as he looked down.

T felt a hoof touch his chin and lift his head. Nidra was standing there with a warm smile. The dam that held Turquoise's tears broke as he embraced her. "I didn't mean it!" he confessed.

"I know you didn't, T." Nidra soothed as she ran a hoof up and down his back.

"I'm just under a whole lot of stress lately." he admitted.

"I think the real culprit here is my mood swings." she noted.

"Getting that close already, huh?" T pondered as he broke the embrace and smiled at Nidra.

"I can't believe it either."

"How about we go to the room and leave this behind us." T recommended. "I promise that I'll stop my training when you want me to."

"And I promise to not get so mad at you." Nidra promised. To seal it, they copied each other's motions as they reenacted the Pinkie Promise then shared a kiss. They rose and walked back into the castle.

Nidra stared at the ceiling as she tried to rest. Her anxiety rose as she remembered that she has a few more short months before she goes through the worst pain a mare will ever go through. She sat up and nudged T who woke up with a snort. "W-Wha.....what time is it?" he wondered.

"A little after midnight." she answered.

"What's the matter?" he questioned, suppressing a yawn.

"I can't sleep." she explained.

"Nidra." T comforted as he put his head across her bulge of an abdomen. "Don't worry so much."

"I'm trying not to. It's just that..." she sighed. "I'm still unprepared."

"Listen, you need to remember you still have your family to comfort you." he explained.

"But-" Nidra tried to protest but was silence by the contact of T's lips against hers.

"No 'buts'." he added.

"Okay." Nidra smiled before sharing another kiss.

"How about I have a conversation with him?" T requested.

"Has not even born, T." Nidra chuckled to which T slammed a hoof in his face.

"I've done this before, Nidra." Turquoise explained. "I know what to do."

So Nidra turned over onto her side and T put his muzzle near her abdomen. "Hey there, little guy." he began. "It's your dad, Turquoise. I'm just going to tell you about me and your mom, Nidra. I am what they call a kirin which is what you are, too." He stopped to think of what to say next. "Your mom is a princess." he continued then went down to a whisper but loud enough that Nidra could hear. "A very melodramatic one."

"Hey!" she giggled as she playfully pushed him.

"Other than that, she is very sweet and really gorgeous." T described through a chuckle. "I really can't wait for you to join our family."

"I have an idea for a name." Nidra announced as T laid his head on the pillow next to her.

"What?"

"How about Peridot Flame?"

"Why did you choose that?" he questioned.

"Well," she began, "You're named after a gemstone and plus, he'll be able to spit fire."

"Heh." T chuckled as he rubbed her abdomen. "Peridot it is."

Both T and Nidra felt Peridot kick lightly and smiled. After a kiss, they laid down and went into their own dreams. Turquoise draped a wing onto Nidra and pulled her close. Nidra smiled as his claw stroked her abdomen, knowing that in a few months time, Peridot will be welcomed into the royal family.

Nine - Medical Emergency

Author's Note

This chapter took a while to write due to the band trip and other school-related things.

But I hope you like it!
-TheNightShade

Nine - Medical Emergency

----Medical Emergency----

As the sun rose and graced the land with it's beautiful rays, Nidra sleepily opened one of her eyes, cringing as the sunlight kissed her retina. She lifted her head from its resting place, shaking it slightly in a futile attempt to remove her unkempt mane from in front her eyes. I hate bed manes she groaned in her head as she levitated a brush to her head. She hummed lightly as she brushed her mane to tame it. The mass beside her stirred and draped a leg over her abdomen, using a claw to rub it. "Morning, Nidra....." T yawned.

"Morning, T." she hummed.

"What's that you're humming?" he pondered as his head swayed to the melody.

"Just a lullaby my mom used to sing to me when I was little." she explained as she put the brush back. "Small favor."

"Yeah?"

"Since I'm the size of a blimp, could you, um...." she began with a small blush. "Preen my wings for me?"

"I.....don't know how to preen a wing." T admitted. "Since I have dragon wings and all."

"All you have to do is pick out loose feathers and other junk like that." Nidra explained. T nodded and began shifting his claws through Nidra's feathers, finding any loose ones and other things like she said. Her blush was still there as he picked through it. Being independent when it comes to preening, Nidra has never asked anypony to preen them for her. Nonetheless, she continued her humming.

The lullaby caused both Turquoise and Nidra to sway a little. After T finished, he laid back down and put his hoof back on Nidra's bump. "T?" Nidra began.

"Yes?"

"Breakfast please." Nidra requested as she placed a kiss on his lips.

"Fine." he groaned jokingly. "Anything for you."

Turquoise got up and journeyed down the hallway. He smiled as he remembered that it took a hoof-full of years, a marriage, and a few more years after that to get used to the labyrinth of an inside like Canterlot castle. He decided to take the scenic route and journeyed through the main hall and looked at the various stained glass windows. Not stopping, he looked and understood what each of them were telling, weather it was of a victory or memoir. He finally entered the kitchen and grabbed his and Nidra's breakfast. As he strolled through his regular route, he looked outside and enjoyed the view. But his concentration was cut off by a shrill call out of his name. "T!!!!!!!"

Turquoise's head snapped in the direction of the call out. Could it be that time already? Without a second thought, he dashed down the hall, not bothering about the plates and bowl that crashed to the ground.

Claire hummed as she sat at a workbench at her jewelry store, Hearthfire Jewelry, while she used her magic to shape a diamond to a flawless shape. Her concentration was unhindered until her eye caught a single green blur zoom past her front door. She stepped out and looked in the direction she saw her brother fly in. Is it that time already? she wondered. She looked and saw the rest of her family following a high-speed Luna headed straight for her. She ducked and let her pass then looked at Illusion. "Is it really that time?" she asked him as she ran along with them.

"Yeah! Come on!" he answered as he zipped forward with her and Identity on his back.

Turquoise was restless as he paced in front of the door with a sign that read "Emergency Room." The doors behind him burst open and Luna trotted toward him. "Is she alright?" Luna wondered. T continued to look at his hooves and pace. "Turquoise!" she shouted.

"Wha-? Oh, yeah, she's fine." he quickly answered.

"I heard the scream and went to see what was wrong until I saw you zip out." Luna explained as she sat on a cushion. T heard Nidra scream from the other side of the door and whimpered lightly. Because of his dad's actions during both of his mother's labors, Canterlot and Ponyville set strict rules down of the presence of dragons and half-dragon in the ER while a loved one was in labor. A few minutes later, Claire walked in, followed by Identity, Illusion, Celestia, and Discord. "Is she-?" Claire began.

"Okay? Yeah..." T sighed as he flopped onto the ground, his face towards the double doors in front of him.

The room was silent, save for the screams and cries of Nidra, as they waited. With each scream, Turquoise held back the urge to barge through the doors. Illusion placed a paw on his brother-in-law's back for a small feeling of comfort. Ever since Apollo's birth, T had never felt this protective of anypony. T finally rose and exited the room. As her went down the hall, he spotted Luna near a window, raising the moon. "That late already?" he wondered as he found the coffee machine. "Want a cup?"

"Yes, please." Luna answered. "Time sure flies by when in a hospital, huh?"

"Yeah." T sighed as the machine whirred.

"I haven't set a hoof in here since Nidra's birth." Luna commented, still looking out the window as she painted the night sky with stars. "But every time I see this place, butterflies flutter in my stomach, for the memory of seeing my daughter for the first time is forever plastered in my mind." Luna turned to Turquoise and gave her a reassuring smile.

T, on the other hoof, stared blankly at a fresh cup of coffee. Luna's smile died as she knew exactly what, or who, T was thinking about. She now knew that he, too, has not set a hoof in the hospital since the birth of his son, Apollo. Turquoise blinked a few times and smiled as he handed her a cup. Luna smiled back as he magic wrapped around the cup. "I miss her, too, T." Luna admitted as she added some sugar and creamer to her coffee. "She was one of Nidra's closest friends. When she passed.....it felt like a part of her died. A hole she will never be able to fill."

"I just miss her so much." T sighed. "She was one of the greatest mares in my life."

"I'm glad you married my daughter, T." Luna thanked as his attention turned to her. "I just don't know what would have happened if you hadn't come along to her side."

"And I'm glad that I'm making you a grandmother." T smiled as they journeyed back to the waiting room.

Ten - Enter Peridot Flame

Author's Note

Took longer than I expected. But I hope you enjoy!
-Night Shade

Ten - Enter Peridot Flame

----Enter Peridot Flame----

Turquoise and Luna sat in an uncomfortable silence as they stared at the doors. Nidra's screams of pain had subsided for a little under five minutes. The other ponies and Discord, minus Identity, fought the urge to close their eyes. T went to sip his coffee only to find that it was drained. The silence was broken by the double doors slinging open and shutting. In perfect synchronization, T and Luna rose and approached him. "How is she?" T worried.

"She alright. The delivery was a success and it's a perfectly healthy colt." Frequency announced. "But since she needs her rest, only immediate family can come in." Turquoise pushed past the doctor and lightly nudged the door open. Nidra lay with her back to the door, her body gently rising and falling, one of her wings sprawled across the bed. He walked to the side she was facing and sat down. Nidra blinked her eyes open and smiled weakly, beads of sweat still visible on her body. "How you holding up?" he quietly wondered.

"I could be better." she joked. "Do you want to see Perri?" T nodded then planted a kiss on her lips. Nidra lifted and folded her wing and revealed a sleeping pegasus kirin. His coat was a darker shade of green than T's, probably from the genetic clash of his and Nidra's coats. The babe yawned and blinked open his pair of yellow, slitted eyes. "He's got your eyes." T chuckled as the colt looked at him. "Hey, Peridot. I'm Turquoise Blitz, your daddy." Peridot blinked sleepily and crawled to him. T smiled as Peridot placed a clawed hoof on his muzzle.

"Buh." Peridot spoke, or at least tried to. T chuckled and ruffled his mane before picking him up and holding him.

"Doc said that I could go home tomorrow." Nidra informed as she rested her head on the edge of the bed. "So it looks like you're sleeping alone tonight."

"I don't think Frequency will mind if I slept here." T commented as Peridot began to nibble on his hoof. Luna gave a little cough to stop the conversation.

"Sorry, mom." Nidra chuckled lightly.

Luna sat next to T as he held a recently asleep Perri. He carefully handed him to Luna who smiled warmly at Peridot. A visible tear streamed down her cheek as she remembered the greatest memory in her lifetime. "Your dad would be so proud of you." she sniffled lightly.

"You think so?" Nidra smiled.

"I know so." Luna nodded. "Seeing you were more of a 'daddy's girl' growing up." They broke into a small chuckle that died quickly. An unnerving silence graced the room, only being pierced by the knocking of the door. Turquoise noticed that it was High Frequency and walked out into the hall with him.

"Yeah, doc?" T wondered.

"I know that you want to stay with Nidra tonight, which I support," he began, "But the other nurses and doctors are a little.....uncomfortable, with your decision."

"I can understand why." he sighed. Being half-dragon and getting your dad's over protectiveness, it can be a little rough.

"But they will let you stay if you don't get......over protective." he finished.

"Thanks, doc." he smiled as he walked back into the room. He stayed silent as Luna comforted a crying Nidra. He walked over to Nidra and put his forehead on hers. "I miss him..." she sobbed.

"I know, Nidra." he cooed as he rubbed her head for comfort.

"I wish he was here." she sobbed again. All he did was rub her head for comfort as she vented. A few minutes passed by and she calmed down enough to say goodbye to Luna who retreated to the castle with the others. Nidra finished her venting and sighed. Turquoise kissed her lips and laid next to the bed with his head still on it. "Is that better?" he asked, forcing back a yawn.

"Yeah." Nidra nodded and yawned.

"Let's try to get some sleep, okay?" he recommended. Nidra nodded and gave him a kiss on the forehead before draping a wing over Peridot who rested near her stomach. After watching her for a few minutes, Turquoise shut his eyes and rested.

The next morning......

Turquoise groaned as a ray of sunlight sliced through the window and touched his eyes. He blinked his eyes open and noticed that he was in his room back in Canterlot. His confusion was destroyed when he saw a note on his nightstand that read:

You'll thank me later.
-Luna

Turquoise sighed and rolled over to find Peridot sleeping on top of Nidra. A sight that was truly adorable. He nudged Nidra slightly as he grabbed Peridot. "Morning you two." he greeted.

"Ugh....." Nidra groaned. "Five minutes?"

"You better be up for breakfast." T joked as he kissed her. Nidra chuckled and rolled over to face him.

"You're cooking though." Nidra stated with a chuckle.

"Alright." T groaned playfully as he put Peridot on his back. "But he's coming with me."

"Go on then." Nidra giggled as she blew a kiss.

Every turn and every hall brought a new wave of wonder and excitement to the little colt. Even the smallest of things caused him to smile. The maids and guards would say a simple "hello" to the kirin and then go on with their usual business.

He led Peridot into the kitchen and sat him down. What he didn't know was the Claire was just about to enter the kitchen. "Morning, bro." she yawned. Her ears perked up as her eyes made contact with Perri. "Ohhhh!" she smiled. "Is this my darling nephew?"

"Peridot, this is your aunt Claire and your cousin Identity." Turquoise introduced as he started to fix breakfast. Identity sat on the counter with Peridot and let him examine her. Claire stood near them and smiled "Looks like he took more of Nidra's genetics than you, brother." she chuckled. "Dark color, wings, eyes."

"Yeah, yeah, shut up." T joked.

As T continued to fix their morning meal, Peridot found amusement with Claire's horns. "I wonder if her can breathe fire." Claire wondered.

"Don't you try anything funny, sis." T warned. But it wasn't Claire that did anything. As if on cue, Peridot burped and a burst of fire shot out, barely missing Illusion's face.

"Whoadragonfire!" he quickly spoke as he ducked out of the way.

Turquoise and Claire broke into a fit of laughter as Illusion snuffed a small flame on his mane. Peridot jumped down from the counter, with the help of Identity, and moved towards Illusion. "So this is Peridot?" he wondered with a smile. "Hey, bud. I'm your uncle Illusion. Listen to that." He chuckled. "From father to uncle in the span of a few years."

"I just hope he doesn't need to go to sleep like I did when I was his age." Nidra joked as she walked in.

"Hey, darling." Claire greeted. "How are you holding up?"

"Still a little tired," she answered, "But I'm sure I'll get my energy back."

"Labor is quite energy consuming, huh?" Claire chuckled.

"Just in time." T announced as he shared a kiss with her. "Breakfast is done."

Eleven - Breakfast

----Eleven - Breakfast----

The sunlight beamed down on the ponies who sat down below. Discord, Celestia, Illusion, Claire, Identity, and, surprisingly, Luna all sat in a clearing in the Canterlot Garden, enjoying a nice breakfast as they waited for the other three to arrive. "Where are they?" Luna sighed. "Turquoise had enough energy to make this quite delicious meal and not have enough energy to show up?"

"They're probably having a little trouble with Peridot." Illusion interposed. "Little guy just about burnt my face off." Discord exploded in a burst of laughter. This, to him, was the most hilarious thing to happen to his son, since Idie couldn't breathe actual dragon fire.

"How was his face, Claire? I bet it was priceless!" Discord laughed.

"It actually was pretty funny." Claire giggled.

"Go on. Laugh at my expense." Illusion sighed with a roll of his eyes.

"Sorry we're late guys!" Turquoise called out as he, Nidra, and Peridot walked up. "Nidra suggested we take the scenic route to show Perri the best part of the garden."

"He liked it though." Nidra added as she sat on a vacant cushion with Peridot in her lap.

"Figured." Claire chuckled. "So, painful labor?"

"Felt like somepony was kicking me with iron horseshoes repeatedly." Nidra groaned. "I don't know how you put up with that much pain, Claire."

"C'est la vie." Claire nonchalantly answered. "Worst part was working off the extra weight I put on."

"Typical." T chuckled.

"It's certainly worth it, no?" Celestia wondered with a smile.

"It certainly is." Nidra nodded as she kissed Peridot's head.

"So, Peridot, huh?" Claire noted. "Decided on keeping gem names in the family, huh?"

"It's the most I can do. Since mom isn't here." Turquoise admitted with a small look to the tea-filled cup before him. He watched as Nidra let Peridot trot to Luna who gratefully put him in her lap.

"Be glad he wasn't as big as you, T." Spike noted as he landed behind him.

"That's right! He was a big foal!" Claire laughed.

"Thankfully." Nidra groaned. "Or else I would be in more pain now."

"If you want to, I can help with your "therapy," Nidra." Claire proposed.

"Really? That'd be okay." Nidra smiled as her spirits were lifted.

The remainder of their breakfast consisted of them talking about when their families started and an awkward talk about the past. T stayed silent through this part as he thought of Rarity, his mother, and more importantly, Anthea, his previous wife. She was the brightest mare he met in his life. She was the one who gave him his first son and daughter, Apollo and Oasis. Nidra looked over at him and something in her knew what he was thinking about. So she would try he best to not screw her next statement up. "I bet Anthea would like to see you continuing with your life, T." Nidra stated.

"You think so?" T wondered as he looked over to her.

"I know so. She was my closest friend." Nidra added with a small smile of her own

And the one that could make me smile in the darkest of times.

Twelve- May My Mother Help Me

----Twelve- May My Mother Help Me----

Years later....

Nidra shook T so that he could wake up. What she was about to say was very important to their family. T groaned and sat up and stretched with a yawn. "What is it, hun?" he tiredly wondered.

"T. I'm pregnant. Again." Nidra announced quietly.

"That's good." T answered without registering the question. The realization struck him and he lit a candle and looked at Nidra. "What!? How do you know?"

"Well, I missed "my time" and I used a test and then it came up positive." Nidra explained as she levitated the test to him. T looked at it and then her.

"But it's been about a month since....y'know." T stated. "What happened to the sickness?"

"I don't know. Something tells me that my body is used to bearing a child."

"Must be." T nodded as he pecked Nidra's forehead. "Now let's get some sleep and hope your mom doesn't find out ahead of time."

"Oh help me Faust." Nidra sighed as she laid down. T blew out the candle and spooned his wife lightly before falling asleep.

Nidra sat on a hill, watching the clouds that were fluffy formations of her past friends go by. She knew that they were dead and gone but she wanted to remember them still. "This dream again?" a voice behind her stated. Nidra's head turned and behind her stood her mother.

"Yeah. I just miss them so much." Nidra sighed as she looked up at the passing clouds.

"Yeah." As Luna sat next to her daughter, a formation of Supernova appeared in the sky. They both looked at it a reminisced over his passing. "You usually don't have this dream." Luna pointed out. "Only when you were happy about something, like when you first slept with Peridot."

"Yeah."

"And I know what it is."

"Y-You do?" Nidra became a little nervous. Had she visited T first and made him spill the beans?

"Peridot must be doing well in school." Luna smiled.

"Yeah! He's a smart kid." On the inside, Nidra sighed in relief. She's glad that bullet was dodged.

"And you're pregnant again, aren't you?" Luna flatly stated. Nidra's "inner-self" facehoofed in defeat. How in Equestria did she know?

"How did you know?" she questioned.

"I started to notice a small bump and you've been being fatigued more than often." Luna replied with a smile and a look to her daughter. "You're bringing a new life into this world. I hope they will be as exciting as when you brought in Perri." Nidra smiled back and hugged her mom. They don't usually hang out outside of dreams but bonding though motherhood seems to be helping their relationship with Nidra being a daddy's girl and all.

They looked up at the clouds and smiled. Memories are the things that they never want to go. With each passing second, they can't forget their friends and loved ones. Nidra began to feel nudging and she giggled. "I think T wants me to wake up."

"See you on the other side, my daughter." Luna giggled.

"Wake up, mommy!" Peridot commanded. "You said we can visit Ponyville today!"

Nidra groaned and sat up with a stretch. "That I did Perri." she agreed. "Have you seen your dad?"

"He's talking with Auntie Claire." Peridot informed as he leaped off the bed.

Nidra thought about what her mother told her in a dream. I hope they will be as exciting as when you brought it Perri. Nidra looked at her hooves and thought about that first moment she held Peridot. Aunt Celestia was right, that feeling will never leave her. Even if she died. "Mommy? Are you okay?" Peridot wondered as he held the door

"What? Oh, yeah." Nidra got out and stretched a little and walked through the door. "What a gentlecolt." she smiled as she passed Peridot. Perri followed Nidra down the hall to the kitchen. "Go play with Idie, Perri. The adults need to talk." Nidra told.

"Awwww." Peridot pouted. "When will I be able to be an adult?"

"Later, dear." Nidra giggled as she lightly pushed him away. Reluctantly, Peridot went to the garden where Identity was waiting for him.

"He's a good kid, Nidra." Illusion noted. "Takes after you."

"That you are right about, Lu." Nidra agreed as she sat at the table with them.

"Why are we meeting again?" Claire wondered.

"We wanted to ask you guys something." Turquoise answered.

"Shoot." Illusion dared.

"What would your reaction be if we said we were expecting again?" Illusion and Claire's jaws dropped. There was an unnerving silence for a few minutes before Illusion spoke up. "T, you sly dog! You're joking!" he stated as he bumped a leg with a hoof. T shot that down with the reenactment of the Pinkie Promise. Illusion darted his attention to Nidra who smiled.

"Way to go!" Claire cheered.

"What's all the commotion in here?" Celestia wondered.

Illusion and Claire both turned to her and spoke in unison. "Nidra and T are expecting again!" Celestia looked up and noticed the small bump on Nidra.

Celestia smiled. "I knew all along."

"Mom told you, didn't she?" Nidra sighed.

"And Discord so watch out." Celestia winked. Being pregnant was one thing. But having and uncle that would make jokes about it is a whole other level, especially when he's the god of chaos. Nidra groaned and put her head on the table as she thought about what Discord was going to now. "But I don't understand, what happened to your sicknesses?" Claire pondered as she and Illusion turned back to Nidra.

"I don't know. It must be an "optional occurrence" for pregnant mares." Nidra shrugged. But why? Why was Nidra spared the most violent of puking now? Why not when she was pregnant with Peridot? "I just can't wait to see how Perri'll react to this." Illusion added. "He's going to be so happy to be a big bro."

"I hope he didn't get my stubbornness with the news." Claire sighed. "I was so mad to not be the youngest and only child when mom and dad announced T to me. But everything changed-"

"When the Fire Nation attacked." T finished jokingly.

"Oh shut it!"