The Coming of Wonders

The sky remained overcast throughout the city of Baltimare.  The resident ponies and varieties of other creatures went about their usual business despite the rather gloomy weather.  The day was Thursday at 8:00 in the morning.

A young unicorn stallion in his mid twenties of age awakened from his sleep to begin his next workday.  With a quick stretch and yawn, he got up from his bed.  "Good morning Aroma," he said gently and lovingly to the young earth pony mare who had been sleeping with him.

Aroma began to slowly stir in the bed also waking up.  "Good morning Spark, even though it doesn't look very good outside," Aroma said sweetly to her husband.

"That's alright, your beautiful face always makes any morning good for me," Spark replied to his wife who smiled blushing.  The two of them had been married just over two years ago.

Spark looked at the time realizing he needed to hurry to his workplace.  His wife also noticed.  "Oh Spark, you'd better hurry or you'll be late again." Aroma noted looking concerned.  Spark knew she was right.  He might get in some trouble this time.

"I know, love, it's just I worry about you nowdays." Spark worried about his wife's condition because she was currently with child, their first foal.

Aroma smiled in understanding.  "I'm alright, Spark, you don't need to fret over me.  You should focus on your work so we can provide for the family we will soon have," Aroma said sincerely hoping to ease her husband's feelings.

"You're right as usual dear," Spark smiled.  "Still, I can't help it most of the time; how much longer did the doctors say you had until the baby would arrive?"

"They said the baby could come any day now and that was yesterday." Aroma answered excitedly with small hints of fear.  Spark didn't miss this.  He never missed when his wife was in any kind of distress no matter how much or how little.

"You'll be fine, Aroma, because when the time comes, I'll be right with you as always," he whispered soothingly to her.  She smiled gratefully calming down.

"I know, Spark, thank you, I love you."  "I love you too, darling."  They shared a kiss.  "Now you're definitley gonna be late," Aroma said unable to contain her slight amusement.  Wide-eyed, Spark looked at the clock again.

"Aw darn it! Love you dear, bye!" he called as he rushed out the door to get ready as fast as he could.  Aroma just watched with a smile.

"*Sigh*, he never changes." she laughed to herself.

Spark arrived at work a short time later just a few minutes late.  He approached the front security desk with his employee card.  The earth pony stallion at the desk looked up and recognized him quickly.  He waved him over.

"Sparklight Shade checking in," Spark said promtly.  The guard chuckled.

"You don't have to keep doing that Spark, you know I know you well by now." he informed.  Spark gave a little laugh back.

"I know, Obby, but what else can I say, company rules." Spark shrugged.

The guard, named Obby, laughed it off.  "Yeah yeah, just joking. I'll mark your card. Oh and it looks like you're a little late again," he observed.

Spark cringed.  "Yeah uh..."

Obby understood.  "I know, It's ok Spark. Is Aroma doing alright?" he asked genuinely concerned.

"Yeah, she's doing fine. Apparently the doctors said yesterday that the baby could arrive any day now," Spark replied.

"Wow, soon then, I hope you'll both be alright. I'll let you off the hook again. I understand what it's like when you're about to have your first foal," Obby said.

"Thanks Obby, now I'd better get to my station before the boss notices I'm late again," Spark responded.

"No problem pal, oh and speaking of the boss: he wanted to see you for something when you got here today, so I think he already knows. Sorry about that," Obby informed.

This surprised Spark.  He didn't expect that.  Now he had to hurry.

"Really? Great." Spark deadpanned.  "I'll hurry up there then, see you later, Obby."

"See ya, and good luck, I don't think it's for a bad reason though," Obby called as Spark galloped to the nearest stairs.

After Spark arrived at the door to his boss's offices he was already out of breath.  He nervously knocked on the door a few times.

"Come in," came his boss's voice which didn't sound too serious.  To Spark it actually sounded like he was a little concerned about something ...or maybe somepony.  Spark entered quickly.

"You wanted to see me Mr. Blaze?" he asked apprehensively still feeling nervous.  Mr. Blaze perked up when he saw Spark at the door.

"Oh there you are, Spark, I was started to wonder. You're late again for the third time I see."

Spark guiltily cleared his throat.  "Yeah, sorry sir," he mumbled.

"No need for that Spark, I know why, don't worry you're not in trouble this time at least."

Spark felt relieved after hearing that, like a small weight was off his shoulders.  "Oh, thank you sir. So, what was it you wanted to see me for?  Obby told me you did."

"Ah yes, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised because I'm giving you a promotion."

Spark's eyes went wide.  Did he really just hear that right?  After he'd been late for work three times, his boss was giving him a promotion anyway?  Mr. Blase noticed his shocked response and chuckled.

"It's true Spark, i'm giving you a little less work hours per week for an increased hourly wage.  You will receive fifty bits per hour for eight hours a day for five days per week."  he smiled.

Spark could barely contain himself.  This really was true!  It was such great news.  He couldn't wait to tell Aroma.

"Thank you so much sir! You're too lenient with me though I think." he said.

Mr. Blaze chuckled again.  "Maybe, but why wouldn't I be? You've been one of our best magic technology specialists ever since you started two years ago. And besides, you'll be needing the extra bits to care for your coming family. Congratulations by the way." Mr. Blaze explained.

Spark shook his hoof gratefully while grinning with excitement.  "Thank you so much sir," he repeated again more calmly this time.

"You're welcome, Spark. Does Aroma know how much longer 'till your first foal arrives yet?"

"She said this morning that the doctors said yesterday that the baby could arrive any day now. I can hardly wait!" Spark answered happily.

"I'm sure you can't. I remember as well, and I wish you all the best of luck, not just you and Aroma." Mr. Blaze winked.

"Thank you sir, anyway I better get to my work station." Spark said.

"Of course, oh and Spark?" Mr. Blaze called just before Spark walked out the door.

"Yes sir?"

"You may call me Charger."

"Oh, sure Mr. Bla- um, Charger.  Thanks again."

Aroma Shade remained at home while Sparklight Shade worked.  She was currently on maternity leave due to her pregnancy.  She was so excited and frightened at the same time for hers and Sparklight's first foal.  While her husband was away at work, she took thinks easy on herself simply keeping the home neat and clean or answering letters of good wishes from family and friends.  They didn't have many other remaining family members.  Both her parents and Spark's parents had passed away not long ago, and they were both only children with no siblings.  They did have a few Aunts, Uncles and Cousins however.  As Aroma went about cleaning anything in the house that was dirty or dusty, she thought about whether the new foal would be a filly or a colt.  She wouldn't mind either way.   She gave a little wince when she felt another small kick from inside, but smiled when it passed.  Gently feeling her womb, she said softly: "I'll be ready when you are sweetheart."  Her words seemed to trigger a response as she felt another movement from within, this time a little stronger.  "Oh my, are you alright in there darling?  Could today be the day?" Aroma felt more worried at this.  Would she be truly ready when the baby was ready to be born?  Getting excited and trying to relax, she decided to send Spark an alert via magic resonance gems which he would receive on his horn.  They had planned for this just in case...

Meanwhile back at the magic tech factory, Spark continued work on his current project assignment.  His duty was to combine existing spells into working devices which ponies and other creatures could use as best he could.  His current project was to combine the types of telecommunications spells with portable devices.  This would allow for faster, smoother and easier communications without having to use magic as the devices would simply be magically powered.  Spark worked while wearing saftey goggles and a helmet as there could sometimes be occupational hazards like fires from too many stray sparks.  All employees use industrial equipment.

"Hey Spark, that looks like it's coming along nicely," one of Spark's co-workers complimented.

"Thanks, but it's still gonna be a little while before it's really ready for mass production and use." Spark responded.

"Yeah, but all power to ya man. For the record: I'm tired of having to use other magics for long distance communication. It still takes a lot of energy for just a small conversation between two unicorns or other ponies using those magic gems."

"Yep, that's what i've been hoping to change for the past several months. This is actually harder than it looks." Spark explained.  His co-worker nodded in agreement.

"I know what you mean, my first assigned project took me a while as well. Anyway, i'll leave you alone to work on it, Spark. Good luck." wished the colleague.

"Thanks Fuze, you too."  Fuze went back to his station after his short break.

Spark continued to do research and experiment with his device for another little while which other than that remained uneventful.  While on his way to his lunch break, however, that changed.  As he was gathering his food and drink, suddenly his horn buzzed and flashed a few times which startled him causing him to spill some of his juice.  He quickly put everything down knowing there was only one reason he would receive an alert like this.  Aroma was calling him because she needed him!  Suddenly losing his appetite feeling worried, he put the food away, hurried back to his station where he left a quick note, and then left hurriedly after clocking out at the front desk.  He galloped home faster than ever this time arriving just a matter of minutes later.  Litterally knocking the front door down not wanting to take more time to unlock it, he dashed inside.

"Aroma! Are you alright?" he called.

"Spark! Here!" came his wife's reply just seconds later.  She sounded distressed and in pain.  Rushing to his wife's aid, Spark found her in the living room on the floor looking wet from perspiration and very frightened.  She looked more relieved when she saw him.

"Aroma...," Spark was breathless.  "The baby is coming isn't it?" he breathed now going on adrenaline.

"Yes Spark, I can feel it," Aroma murmured.  Spark knew what to do.  Feeling very thankful that he was a unicorn, he cast the soothing spell the doctors had instructed him to use when the time came.  Then, with the greatest and most gentle care, he took his wife in a levitation aura placing her lightly on his back.  He had practiced levitation to prepare for this.

"You'll be alright Aroma, I've got you, we're going to the hospital now.  Hold on." he said.

"I will Spark, thank you." she whispered still sounding scared.

"Here we go." Spark declaired as he ran out the door and in the direction of the nearest taxi cab as fast as his remaining energy would allow.  He managed to hail a cab quickly.  After he gently placed Aroma in the back seat next to him, he gave the driver the bits.

"She's pregnant, closest hospitol as fast as you can go! I'll pay you double for good time." he ordered.

"Right, I'm on it sir! Hold on you two." the cabby started his fast gallop to the hospital while Spark kept himself and especially Aroma secure during the ride.  The arrived not two minutes later as the nearest hospital was conveniently close by.  Spark got out first and then levitated Aroma out onto his back again.  He tossed plenty of bits to the cabby.

"Keep the change!" he shouted as he ran to the front doors.

"Thanks, and good luck!" the cabby called back.

Sparklight and Aroma Shade got into the hospital on time and safely...