A Friend Lost to the Past

A Time for Growing Friendship

Almost as soon as the front door to the famous bakery swung open Zecora was brought into a hug so tight it felt like her ribs would crack. The pony assaulting her with love was none other than her pink colored friend.

"Hey there Zecora! It's been sooo long since I last saw you! Well I guess it's only been a few days but it's felt like forever!" The pony continued to babble until Zecora was able to tap her arm lightly.

"Pinkie... can't... breathe!" Pinkie quickly released her and helped Zecora stand.

"Sorry Zecora, I just missed you sooo so much!"

"It's alright Pinkie. But I didn't come alone." Pinkie looked up and squeaked with joy at the site of Zecora's company.

"Hey Pinkie, still hyped up on cupcakes I see." Cloud Chaser smiled and took a seat at a nearby table along with Flitter. Pinkie practically threw two more chairs next to the table and made Zecora sit with her.

Wow Zecora, it looks like your tummy has like, TRIPLED in size! I mean I guess it's impossible for it to grow so quickly but you're huge!" Pinkie giggled so much she let out a light snort which only made her laughter grow. Zecora smiled at her and rubbed her belly gently.

"I guess I have grown a little lately. I wonder how long I have left." Zecora glanced at Flitter who wore a shocked face.

"You haven't even asked for a guess? Why didn't you have the doctor tell you at least an estimate?"

"Because it doesn't matter when I have my child. I'll find out for myself when the time is right. Besides it could only have been a little while ago so it's kind of pointless."

"How long do you think it will be then? Zebra anatomy isn't exactly common knowledge."

Zecora laughed at Cloud Chaser's comment.

"Well from what I remember it usually lasts about a year."

"Awww I wanted to be there to see the baby nooww!" Pinkie huffed and crossed her arms together to the laughs of the other three.

"Who knows Pinkie, maybe you will be there to see it! I wont know till atleast a few days before it happens." Zecora's hyperactive friend immediately busted into another grin and hugged her once more.

"Well I'll just stay by your side until that baby pops out!" Everypony giggled once more at her comment.

After about an hour of idle chatting the three guests decided it was time to head back home. Each waved goodbye with Zecora being that last to make her way towards the door.

"See ya Zecora! Make sure to come back soon, or I can come visit you since I've always wanted to see your home! Oh wait will Mr. And Mrs. Cake give me a day off? Oh well bye Zecora!" Pinkie waved her hoof frantically as Zecora left with a smile.

She walked with Flitter and Cloud Chaser back to their home but stopped outside their door.

"Are you sure you don't want to come in Zecora? Cloud Chaser and I were going to have some of this special coffee she found while visiting Cloudsdale!" Zecora smiled and shook her head politely.

"I'm fine, I was hoping to spend some time with Krooked today so I can see how he and his mother are doing."

Flitter attempted to push the matter but was quickly interrupted by one of Cloud Chaser's hooves that pulled her inside.

"See ya' later Zecora!" Cloud Chaser swung the door closed as small whines were heard from Flitter.

Zecora giggled to herself and started making her way back down the path leading to the Everfree Forest...

Zecora's Hut...

"Krooked I'm home!" Zecora announced while closing the front door behind her.

She searched around the main room to find nopony in sight.

"Krooked?" Zecora made her way to the bedroom when a pair of hooves wrapped themselves around her midsection. She let out an "eep" as Krooked spun her aound for a sudden kiss.

"Hey there Zecora!" Krooked laughed when Zecora playfully punched him in the shoulder.

"Don't startle me like that! I almost had a heart attack!" Zecora spoke with a generally cheerful smile that Krooked noticed easily.

"You seem really happy today, did you have fun at Flitter's?"

"Oh yes it was amazing! We went to see Pinkie Pie too."

"How is she?"

"Come on it's Pinkie Pie! She never anything but happy!" They both laughed and hugged once more.

"So what have you been doing today?" Zecora spoke as Krooked led her to two pillows in a corner. Zecora sat down but Krooked moved to a drawer nearby and began digging through its contents.

"I made you something else I thought you'd like!"

Zecora sighed yet still smiled at the eager colt's back.

"You don't have to keep giving me all of these gifts you know."

Krooked turned around but kept one hoof behind his back.

"But I loved making it! It was actually a lot of fun carving this for you!"

As he spoke Krooked revealed a small heart shaped figure. The edges were slightly rough to show that it was hoof carved with what seemed to be a simple knife. The center of the heart was hollowed out and a skinny hole in the top told Zecora it was a small picture frame. A banner was carved underneath the heart with the words "Family is One of Nature’s Masterpieces..."

"Oh Krooked it's beautiful! You did this all by yourself?" Krooked chuckled and scratched his head.

"Well, I had some help with the writing but other than that it was me." Zecora kissed him on the cheek and placed the frame down.

"I really do like it Krooked. We just need a picture to put in it now." She giggled and led Krooked to the bedroom and closed the door.

"I think I can wait for that picture if you can." Krooked smirked and kissed her as they both fell onto the bed together...

6 Months Later...

Zecora stretched her back as she watched the sitting form of Krooked. He scratched his chin while a half finished crib laid in pieces on the floor in a corner of the main room. His eyes browsed a small booklet on making the miniature bed.

"Maybe we should have bought an actual crib. It's not like decorations and pendants."

Krooked scoffed and continued to put bits and pieces together as Zecora sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"Don't be silly! How am I going to get better if I don't at least try to make something with actual parts?" He remarked as a peg slid into the side of one of the legs.

Zecora wasn't sure why Krooked had taken up woodcrafts as a hobby but she wasn't going to complain. All around the house hung many wooden figures of varying sizes and styles. She felt kind of bad though since Krooked had barely sung so much as a few words since he arrived. Wasn't that his favorite thing? It was his talent for crying out loud!

"Hey Krooked..."

"Yeah Zecora? Is something wrong?"

"I was just thinking. You never sing or do anything musical for that matter. Why is that?"

Krooked sighed and placed the piece he held on the ground.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to pry."

"No it's fine, I guess I just haven't felt like singing lately. Well I think a better way to explain it is it's just slipped my mind! With everything that's been happening with the baby and all..." Krooked scratched his head when an imaginary bulb lit up in his head.

"Okay this will sound really random but I just had an amazing idea!"