contingent

Rainbow was quietly reading in her bean bag, munching on a bag of chips. She hadn't gotten much sleep again due to those dumb nightmares. They just seemed so real and she couldn't escape until it jolted her awake. She hasn't been sleeping well for months and she knew it couldn't be good for her.

She could still see him, hear him, feel him, and that mare's eyes... She shuddered just remembering that moment Sunset Daze's life was violently taken from her.

During the day Rainbow could easily "forget," but at night they haunted her thoughts and dreams. Her mind brings it up even though Dash wants nothing to do with them. The horrible memories would eventually be put off to a back burner. At least, that's what Rainbow assumed. Or hoped.

As moments passed the mare noticed a pony in front of her, hidden by the book to Dash's face. She lowered the book to find Rarity patiently standing.

Rainbow raised a questioning brow. "Can I help you?"

"I had just come by for lunch. Twilight said we should all come over today. But, it's been awhile since we've chated! How are you holding up?" The unicorn respond.

She didn't know everyone was coming over today. Rainbow returned to her Daring Do. "I'm good."

Unsatisfied with their conversation, Rarity pressed forward. "How's everything else going? I see you've attained a little bump."

Rainbow looked at herself before answering. "Yup. That's what happens when you carry a foal."

"Right...  What's it like?"

"Huh?"

"What's it like being pregnant?"

The pegasus peaked over her book. "It's, uh. Weird. Something's growing inside you."

"I can't imagine. Has it moved around yet?"

"No. Doc says I should be feeling some faint movement sometime soon." Dash explained. "A quickening I think?"

"Well that's exciting! Have you found a nice family for the little darling?"

Rainbow hid behind her book once again. "I'm actually gonna keep it."

Rarity stood there in silence for a second, processing what was said. "You're going to keep it? Keep it, keep it?"

"Uh, yeah."

"That's such a huge step for you! You're going to be a mom!" The unicorn said excitedly. "It's quite unexpected from you."

"Yeah. The " M" word."

"Whatever made you change your mind?"

Rainbow pulled her book down from her face, no longer trying to read.  "I guess I can't bring myself to send it off. I was stupid and thought I wasn't allowed to like it because it's... His. I'm over it now though, I think. Cuz its mine and I'm keeping it."

"Well that's very brave of you. You certainly are the Element of Loyalty. Your child is lucky to have you "

The pegasus shrugged. "I guess.

"Hey Rainbow!" Pinkie shouted as she came bouncing in. "And Rarity. I brought your cupcake." The pink mare handed the chocolate pepper cupcake to Dash.

"Oh. Uh, thanks. I didn't even know everyone was coming over today."

"Twilight didn't tell you?" The unicorn asked.

"No. She's probably afraid I'll go hide in my room or something." Dash said half joking.

Fluttershy entered the room as well, joining the conversation. "You did do that a lot."

"I had my reasons." She replied, slightly bitter.

"Yes. But, how's the foal doing?"

"Um, good? I can't exactly ask."

"Rainbow here has decided to keep it." Rarity told the butter pegasus.

Fluttershy's eyes widened a little in surprise. "Really? Rainbow that's so unlike you."

Dash shrugged. "Yeah, well."

"Ever since we were little fillies you've always said a family would get in the way, especially a foal."

Applejack finally made her entrance to the room. "You really said that Rainbow?"

"Oh all the time." Fluttershy stated. "You know when you're young and plan your perfect life? Rainbow would always say that when I brought it up"

"That was over a decade ago." Rainbow grumbled.

"I also recall you saying the same things while talking about high school health class." Rarity said.

"I say things, alright!?" Rainbow defended.

"I'm glad you changed your mind though." Fluttershy said, smiling.

"Rainbow changed her mind? Bout the kid?" The farm pony asked, confused.

"Yeah. Apparently everyone knows now." The cyan mare spoke slightly Irritated.

"Well shoot! Congratulations then." AJ smiled at her.

"Um, thanks" Rainbow returned it.

Pinkie began to poke the expecting pony. "Got any names thought out, Mama Dash?"

"Please don't call me that. It's weird." She said, stopping the pink mare's pokes.

Twilight came into the scene, hearing all of the commotion. "Oh, you're all here. And I see that the news has been shared?"

"There's going to be a new pony in our group of friends!" Pinkie shouted. "Though I've known for a couple days now." She then zipped to Dash and hugged her middle. "Or do we already have a new friend? It's technically in here."

Rainbow struggled in the part mare's grasp. "Let go of me!"

Twilight smiled at the scene. "Well Spike made some sandwiches and salad for lunch. It's spread out in the dining room."

They all began to migrate in the direction of food.

______________________

Lunch had passed quite pleasantly. They didn't discuss anymore about Rainbow's decision which she was glad for. She didn't want anymore excess attention on the subject. It was nice to just chat with friends like normal.

But it couldn't last forever. Rainbow knew she couldn't be putting the task ahead off for too much longer. She needed to talk to Scootaloo.

Rainbow hadn't seen her since she stormed off. Telling her about the change would make things better. She hoped.

Rainbow arrived at the orphanage and checked in with Miss Caring.

"She's seemed very upset lately always cooped up in her room. I'm sure you'll cheer her right up!" The olde mare said.

"Let's hope so."

Down the hall Rainbow came to a door highly decorated with Wonderbolts and a handwritten sign that said 'Scootaloo.' She hesitantly knocked.

"What?"

"Hey Squirt."

Nothing was said for a few moments. "What are you doing here?"

"Mind if I come in?"

"It's open."

Rainbow entered into a slightly messy room with comic and wonderbolt memorabilia all about on the walls and shelves. The mare made her way to the bed and sat down on the edge.

"So I know you're probably still upset with me and don't agree with my choices."

"Yeah. I guess."

"Are you mad at me?"

Scootaloo thought for a few seconds before answering. "No."

"Well that's good. I just want you to understand that sometimes being given up for adoption might just be better than staying with your parents. And in the end it's their choice."

"I know..."

"It's not because something is wrong with the foal. It's because there's something wrong with the parents and they know it."

"I guess."

"Do you understand? You aren't here because they didn't want you. You're here because they couldn't have you. They knew you wouldn't be happy with them or that they couldn't take care of you or something. Ok?"

"I'm sorry... "

Rainbow pulled the filly into a hug. "I know you are."

"I didn't mean what I said." She sniveled a little. "I just -"

"Hey, it's fine. I've been thinking and stuff since all this happened. And I wanted to let you know that I've changed my mind."

Scootaloo looked up at the older pegasus. "What? You're going to keep it?" The mare nodded in response. "Really!? Why? I mean, that's great!"

"I just thought about it and I didn't want to send it off. I guess."

"This is going to be great! Do I get to babysit?"

Rainbow hesitated for a second. "Um, maybe. We'll see. But, you better now? We cool?"

"Yeah, we're cool." The two shared a hoof-bump.

Dash let out a sigh of relief. "I was afraid you'd hate me now or something."

Scoots looked over, surprised. "I could never."

The older pegasus pulled the younger in for a hug.  "Thanks Squirt."

__________________________

The next few days were painfully boring for the expecting pegasus. She's read nearly all the comics Spike had and she's just been lounging around, bugging Twilight in her study.

"Twilight? Hey, Twilight."

The young princess, annoyed, puts her book down and looks at Rainbow. "What?"

"Have I gotten any letters back from my mom?  I've been sending her updates and I haven't gotten any back since my last one." She asked, concerned.

"No, I haven't had any come through. She lives pretty far off, right?" The pegasus nods. "I'm sure it's just taking a while."

"A few weeks though? I talked about the whole foal thing and then I sent one a few days ago about the keeping it part. I'm sure she'd write back..."

"I don't know what to tell you." She answered, slightly agitated.

"Can't you use your princess powers or something?" Rainbow asked while waving her hooves about.

"I don't have any way to make the mail system work faster! You'll just have to deal with it." The pegasus pouted, not liking the answer. "Why don't you go out and do something? You have other friends you know."

"I don't wanna go outside." Rainbow said firmly.

"Why don't you go and see if Fluttershy will hang out with you?" Twilight asked hopefully. "I'm sure she'd like to chat with you."

"I guess, but I don't wanna walk th -"

"Great! You should head there now. I have all these books to get through this week so I need to get back to them."

"I can take a hint." Dash said grumpily. She got up and made her way through the castle. She didn't want to head out where the peering eyes were. Not unless she had to.

Rainbow sat in front of the doors that led outside, pondering if she should leave or not. She didn't have to make that decision however, as none other than Soarin entered through them. He was slightly surprised to see her just standing there.

"Oh, hey!" He said. "What're you doing there?"

"I could ask you the same. You just walk into other ponies homes too?"

"Twilight said I could when I needed. Your turn."

Dash wasn't expecting to have to answer. "Uh. Was going to head out. Twilight said I need fresh air. I think she's just annoyed with me though."

"Well then! Let's get you outside. Come on." The stallion said while gesturing towards the door.

"Why are you here in the first place?" Rainbow asked.

"I have the weekend off. Thought I'd come and hang out." He smiled. "That ok?"

"I guess." She started out the door, Soarin walking beside her.

"Where were ya headed?"

"Twilight was pawning me off on Fluttershy."

Soarin chuckled. "I'll take one for the team and watch you."

"How noble of you. I hear it's quite the challenge." The mare joked.

"Nothing I can't handle," he smirked

Rainbow laughed a little. "We'll see."

The two continued to walk and chat until they made it to the edge of the apple orchids. Dah immediately went to one of the trees and started to reach for an apple.

"You supposed to be taking apples?" Soarin questioned.

"AJ says I can have a few whenever." She tried to reach further but couldn't. The mare looked back at her wing and then up at the apple. Attempting to fly, she flaped it a few times and slightly left the earth.

"Hey, hey, hey, Dash!" Soarin called and she landed. "You're not supposed to be doing that with your healing wing and extra baggage. You could hurt yourself or your foal. Here." He flew up, grabbed the fruit, and handed it to her.

"I was fine. I'm not going to hurt it." She argued.

"But what if you do? Your wing isn't in great shape yet. It's been outta commission for awhile." Rainbow looked away. "Just, be careful and listen to what the doc tells ya. I know you wouldn't be able to live with yourself if you hurt the little guy"

The prismatic mare didn't respond but rather sat down and took a bite of the apple. Soarin joined her on the ground.

"Sorry." Rainbow spoke up.

"Huh? What for?"

"Doing what I want despite what others tell me." She looked at the apple and took another bite.

"Ponies just worry, you know?" He glanced at the pegasus mare. "We care about you and with all that's happened I'm sure you've noticed we're all just on extra edge."

Dash was silent for a bit. "Sorry to put you all in that position. I guess I've kind of been worrying since, yeah." She threw her core off yonder.

"It's fine though. Don't be sorry. It's not your fault and it's all understandable." Soarin comforted.

"That doesn't make it ok. I don't like doing that to everyone. I'm trying to pretend nothing happened, but it comes up all the time."

"All the time?"

Rainbow looked away. "Nevermind."

"Right. Well." The stallion stood. "Wanna head back? Heard Twilight had a projector so brought an old movie I found."

Dash stood as well and began to walk. "Sure. What movie?"

Soarin followed. "Some flying stunt film. Found it while cleaning up yesterday."

“I'm interested.”

“Good! Then I say we have movie night.”