Pipp Petals slammed the door behind her, her heart racing as she leaned against the wooden surface. The sharp thud of something soft but heavy colliding with the door echoed in the hallway, causing her to flinch. She could hear Zipp’s voice, muffled by the barrier, but the anger in her sister’s tone was unmistakable.
“I swear, Pipp! If I see Hitch’s cute, stupid face, I’m going to banish him to the moon for making me pregnant!”
Another soft thud hit the door, and Pipp winced, imagining another of Zipp’s pillows colliding with the wooden surface.
“Geeze talk about having a mood swing…one second all peaceful and stuff and now a total demon.” Pipp sighed as she slid down the door into a sitting position. "All because I mentioned her silly husband's name in passing." She muttered under her breath, still clutching the door handle as if Zipp might burst through at any second. She had seen her sister angry before, but this was another level of fury entirely. “Really hope I didn't just screw over the poor stallion.”
"Oh, I doubt she is that serious dear," a voice whispered from around the corner. Pipp jumped, turning to see her mother, Haven, standing there with an amused smirk on her face.
"M-Mom! You scared me!" The smaller mare squeaked, a frown on her face.
“Hehe…Sorry, dear.” The former Queen chuckled softly before gently patting Pipp on the Head. "I figured you would need a break on family duty by now so I was making my way here. Glad my intuition is right, as always.” She looked towards the door. “As for your sister, I wouldn’t worry too much. Zipp is just feeling overwhelmed right now. Pregnancy can do that to a mare. She’s not really going to banish Hitch to the moon... probably."
Pipp’s face scrunched up in worry. "Are you sure about that? I mean, Zipp does have a temper…"
"Don’t worry, sweetie," Queen Haven mused. "I know the two of you like the back of my hoof. She just needs some time to cool off. Though I wouldn’t recommend Hitch showing his face around here for a bit. Not until she does calm down."
Pipp let out a small, relieved sigh but still looked unconvinced. "I guess... but it’s not like Zipp has exactly been rational lately." She glanced nervously at the door. “That baby really brings out the wild side of my sister…and she was already a tomboy to begin with.”
Haven nodded, her expression becoming a bit more serious. "Speaking of the baby, I heard the doctor did her daily check up for the day. What did she say about Zipp’s condition? How is she holding up physically?"
"Well…actually it was kinda weird…” The pop star began. “The doctor said she’s doing okay, but... well, they’re keeping a close eye on her. She told me there is a bit of…well…something…but she wanted to confirm it before telling us her findings?”
Haven's brow furrowed slightly at Pipp's words, her concern deepening. "A bit of something? What do you mean?"
Pipp shifted uncomfortably, her wings twitching slightly as she tried to explain. "The doctor didn’t go into too much detail yet. She said it wasn’t anything bad…but…Well…honestly she just told us both to wait awhile while she does some tests.”
Haven’s expression softened, and she gave her daughter a gentle smile. "It sounds like the doctor is being careful then, which is good. It’s better to have all the information before jumping to conclusions after all."
Pipp nodded slowly. "I know, mom, but the waiting isn’t doing big sis any good. I can see it’s making her even more stressed, and that’s the last thing she needs right now."
"You’re right, Pipp. Waiting can be difficult, especially for Zipp, who’s always been more of an 'action' pony than a 'wait and see' one." She paused for a moment, then gently placed a hoof on Pipp’s shoulder. “How about you allow me to do the motherly thing and talk to our hormonal family member.”
The pink pony raised an eyebrow. "You sure, Mom? Zipp's been in full 'banish to the moon' mode all day. You might need more than just motherly wisdom for this one. I can go in with you if ya want."
The mother chuckled softly. "Oh, darling, I’ve handled Zipp through far worse tantrums. I’ll be fine. Besides, I think it’s time she heard from her mother that everything will be okay. Sometimes a queen just needs her own queen."
"Alright, if you think you can handle it, I won’t stand in your way. But, uh, if things start flying around in there again, just give me a shout, okay?" Pipp mused, giving her mother a hug
"I’ll be fine, dear. Go on and take a break. I’ll handle your sister."
The former queen watched as her youngest daughter trotted off down the hall, seeing her tension noticeably eased after their conversation with her mother. Once Pipp was out of sight, Haven took a deep breath, her gentle smile fading just slightly as she turned her attention back to Zipp’s door.
Steeling herself, she carefully reached for the handle, moving slowly so as not to disturb the fragile peace that had settled. With a soft click, she opened the door and peeked inside.
Zipp was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling with a furrowed brow, her wings twitching in frustration. The room was littered with the aftermath of her earlier outburst—pillows scattered across the floor, a vase knocked over, and a few stray feathers floating gently through the air.
Haven hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside, her expression calm and soothing. "Good evening Zipp, darling," she said softly, closing the door behind her. "How are we feeling on this find day?"
"How do you think I’m feeling, Mom?" Zipp growled softly, her wings twitching even more as she shot a sharp glance at her mother. "I feel like I’m losing my mind. Everything hurts, I can’t sleep, and every little thing is setting me off!"
Haven took a deep breath, her heart aching at seeing her Zipp like this, but she kept her calm demeanor intact. Slowly, she approached the bed, sitting beside her daughter without saying a word at first, allowing the silence to settle between them. She could feel the tension radiating from Zipp, her wings still twitching with pent-up frustration.
"I understand wholehearted how you are feeling, sweetheart," Haven said softly, placing a gentle hoof on Zipp’s back. "Pregnancy can be overwhelming, and with everything else going on in your life, it's perfectly normal to feel this way."
Zipp snorted, rolling onto her side so she could face away from her mother. "Normal? I don’t feel normal, Mom. I feel like… like a balloon that's about to pop! And the worst part? It's all Hitch’s fault. If he hadn't—"
Haven chuckled softly, interrupting Zipp's rant. "I know you're upset with Hitch, but let’s not forget, darling, it takes two to tango."
Zipp groaned, grabbing a nearby pillow and covering her face with it. "Ugh, don’t remind me," came the muffled reply from under the pillow. "I didn’t think it’d be this hard though. How did you deal with it when you had Pipp and me?"
Haven smiled fondly, her eyes softening as she thought back. "Oh, trust me, I had my moments. I remember being on edge, snapping at your father, at the royal staff—sometimes even at myself. But I also had the two of you to look forward to. That kept me grounded. Zipp, you’ll find your way through this too. You’re stronger than you think."
Zipp rolled her eyes, her frustration far from dissipating. "It doesn't help that the doctor pretty much dashed out of here after the checkup," she muttered, her voice laced with irritation. "Just said they'd run some tests and left me hanging. It's like everypony is just making me more anxious and it just plain sucks!"
Haven's expression softened further, her hoof continuing to rub gentle circles on Zipp’s back. "I know, sweetheart, waiting is the hardest part after all. But remember, doctors are cautious for a reason. They want to be sure everything is fine before they give you answers. Besides, your sister did mention that it wasn’t anything bad, as far as the doctor could see at least.”
Zipp frowned, her wings twitching slightly as she clung to the pillow. "I know that, Mom, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. I hate the waiting. I hate not knowing."
“Hehe… Don’t I know it.” her mother mused. “You were always the cute little detective after all. Even when you were younger, always trying to figure things out and solve cases…like the one about the missing chocolate cake.”
Zipp let out a muffled groan, but there was a hint of a smile in her voice. "Ugh, don’t remind me of that one," she muttered, her face still buried in the pillow.
Queen Haven chuckled softly, her voice teasing but warm. "How could I forget? And let’s not pretend your little detective side hasn’t gotten you into this current mess too. After all, if you weren’t so determined to solve every mystery, you might never have gotten tangled up with that husband of yours."
Zipp finally peeked out from under the pillow, rolling her eyes. "Oh, so now it’s my detective skills that got me here, huh? Not, you know, Hitch being ridiculously charming and me falling for it?"
Haven chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "But of course. Oh and I remember the day you two decided to visit the castle with the cute little chubby dragon of his. You were both trying so hard to between you two weren’t an item in front of me. It was rather cute thinking you would be able to fool your mother."
Zipp groaned again, her face turning a deeper shade of pink as she pulled the pillow back over her head. "I still can't believe you knew the whole time," she muttered from beneath the pillow. "We thought we were being so sneaky."
Haven laughed softly, patting her daughter's back with a knowing smile. "Oh, sweetheart, a mother always knows. You two weren’t exactly subtle with all the stolen glances and awkward silences though. I was just waiting for one of you to finally make a move. And I must say, I’m glad it was you. Very queen like of you to get what she wants after all.”
Zipp peeked out from under the pillow, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Seriously, Mom? You're going to spin this into a 'queenly' thing now?" She huffed but couldn't help the small smile creeping onto her face. "I don’t think being head over hooves for Hitch was exactly part of my leadership training."
Haven grinned, her tone light and teasing. "Oh, darling, love and leadership go hand in hoof more often than you think. Knowing what you want and going after it? That’s one of the first lessons I taught you. You just applied it in a slightly... different way."
Just as Zipp was about to respond, a soft knock came from the door, interrupting their conversation. Both mares turned in unison, their ears perking up.
"Uh, is it safe to come in?" came a familiar voice from the other side of the door. It was Hitch, sounding hesitant, as if he was already bracing himself for a scolding.
Zipp groaned and flopped back onto the bed, her wings spreading out dramatically as she covered her head with a pillow once again. "Oh no... he had to show up now."
Her mother stifled a giggle, glancing at her daughter with an amused look before calling out, "Come in, Hitch! You’re safe… for now."
The door creaked open, and Hitch peeked his head around the corner, his green eyes cautious but hopeful. "I, uh, just wanted to check on how everything was going… and make sure I wasn’t being banished to the moon," he said with a sheepish grin, pulling a box from under the cape he wore. “Pipp said some wild things when we bumped into each other not too long ago and I thought I might try and appease my loving and darling wife with chocolate?”
"Chocolate, huh?” Zipp spoke from under the pillow her head was under. “You think bribery is going to save you from a one-way trip to the moon?" Her voice was muffled, but Hitch could hear the playful undertone beneath her grumbling.
Hitch stepped further into the room, a small, carefully wrapped box of chocolates in his hooves. He grinned sheepishly as he approached the bed, holding the box out like a peace offering. "I was hoping it might at least improve my odds," he said, his tone hopeful. "Besides, I figured you could use a treat… you know, after everything."
Zipp peeked out from under the pillow, one eyebrow raised as she eyed the chocolates. "Hmm, tempting." She paused dramatically, then glanced at her mother, who was watching with a bemused expression. "What do you think, Mom? Should I let him off the hook for now?"
"Well, darling, chocolate is quite the gesture." Her mother commented, playing around with her daughter. "And it seems like he’s trying his best. Maybe you could ease up on the moon banishment... for today."
Zipp sighed, sitting up and crossing her forelegs in front of her. "Alright, fine," she said, pretending to be reluctant. "But only because I like chocolate. And double because I’m too tired to carry out any moon banishment today."
Hitch let out an exaggerated sigh of relief, placing the box of chocolates on the bed beside her. "Phew. I'll take that as a win."
Haven smirked knowingly, rising gracefully from her seat. "Well, I guess I should leave you two lovebirds alone then," she teased, a playful glint in her eyes as she watched the two of them. "Seems like things are well in hoof here. Try not to do anything too wild when I leave. You are a pregnant mare after all Zipp."
Zipp groaned softly. "Mom, seriously…"
Hitch rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, glancing at Zipp before giving Queen Haven a sheepish smile. "Uh, yeah… Think we’ll hold off on anything wild your Majesty. A nice talk is plenty right now."
Haven shook her head with a soft laugh. "Oh, Hitch, no need for ‘Your Majesty’ anymore," she said, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Former Majesty, remember? Zipp is the new Queen, and you… well, you’re the budding king in the making, after all."
Hitch rubs the back of his head, blushing. “Hehe…still getting used to that…sorry…ah…Haven?”
Zips mother chuckled softly, shaking her head. "It’s been eight months, dear," she said with a teasing smile, watching Hitch blush even deeper. "You should have been used to it by now."
Hitch rubbed the back of his head, clearly flustered. "Hehe… I know, I know. It’s just… it still feels so surreal sometimes, you know? I did always know you as Queen Haven after all."
Zipp couldn’t resist a smirk. "Oh don’t mind mom. She secretly loves it when you respect her so don’t stop."
Haven stifled a giggle at Zipp’s teasing, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Well, I won’t deny that, darling. A little respect from time to time doesn’t hurt.” She winked at Hitch, who was still blushing but managed a sheepish grin in return. “Should have seen how long it took for Zipp to even call me Your Majesty in public. Now look at her. Much better at than I ever was in my youth.”
"Only because you drilled everything into me, Mom." Zipp countered before she sat up straight with her hooves on her hips, mimicking her mother's voice. "‘Sit up straight, Zipp,’ ‘Hold your head high, Zipp,’ ‘Smile, Zipp’—I swear, you had me practicing that royal wave in my sleep."
"It worked did it not? Now you are the best queen for miles and you have me to think for it." Haven gave a playful wink as she turned toward the door, her graceful steps as poised as ever. "Now then, I shall be going. Ta-ta, you two. Try not to get into too much trouble while I’m gone," she teased, her voice light as she made her way out.
Zipp let out an exaggerated sigh of relief as the door clicked shut behind her mother. "Finally," she muttered, flopping back onto the bed. "I swear, she loves to watch us squirm."
“Tell me about it. Should have seen her when she was grilling me about dating you.” Hitch chuckled, sitting down beside her. "Still…You know she’s just looking out for you. For us."
Zipp nodded, her eyes softening. "Yeah, I know. She means well. I just wish she didn’t find so much amusement in it."
They shared a laugh for a while, the tension in the room easing with each chuckle. Eventually, the laughter faded, leaving a comfortable silence between them. Hitch looked over at Zipp, his expression softening as the quiet settled in.
He gently reached for her hoof, his voice calm and full of care. "How are you really doing, Zipp?" he asked, his tone serious now. "I mean… with everything?"
Zipp sighed, glancing down at their intertwined hooves for a moment before looking back up at him. "Honestly?" She paused, searching for the right words. "It’s… a lot. I’m trying to keep it all together, but there are days when I feel like I’m barely holding on.”
Hitch rubbed the back of his head. “I would say I’m sorry about at least one aspect of it…but…that would be a disservice to the kid in ya.”
She couldn’t help but smirk at Hitch's awkward attempt at humor, despite the heaviness of her words. She gave him a playful nudge with her wing. "Yeah, well, this 'kid in me' better be worth all this stress," she teased, though her smile was softer now, a hint of gratitude in her eyes.
Hitch grinned sheepishly. "I have no doubt they will be," he said, his voice more sincere now. "And for what it's worth, I’m really proud of how you’ve been handling everything. I know it’s tough, and I know I’m partly to blame for... the extra stress," he added, gesturing vaguely toward her belly, "But like I said. With you till the end."
Zipp let out a long sigh, her expression softening as she looked at him. "Thanks, Hitch. I guess I just needed to hear that. It’s easy to feel like I’m drowning sometimes, trying to keep up with the kingdom and this whole pregnancy thing. Speaking of you didn’t break out into war with a neighboring kingdom did you?”
The stallion rolled his eyes. "You ask me that every time you see me, Zipp," he said, shaking his head. "For the record, no—no wars, no uprisings, no diplomatic disasters. Everything’s under control. Promise."
The former princess grinned, leaning back against the pillows. "Good. I'd hate to have to deal with a war on top of everything else. But you never know with you. One day, you might try to negotiate peace with a chocolate bribe and accidentally start an international incident."
Hitch snorted, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Hey, chocolate diplomacy has worked wonders so far. I’m not ruling it out as a future strategy." he placed a hoof gently on Zipp’s belly, his touch soft and comforting as he began to rub in slow circles. "Feeling a little better now?" he asked, his voice calm and full of warmth.
Zipp looked down at his hoof, her smile softening. "Yeah, actually… a bit," she admitted, her tension easing as the comforting gesture settled her nerves. "It’s weird, you know? Some days I feel like I’ve got everything under control, and other days I’m just waiting for something to go wrong."
Hitch laughed softly, his eyes full of warmth. "That just sounds like life," he said, still gently rubbing her belly. "You think you’ve got it all figured out, and then it throws a curveball at you. But that’s why we’re in this together, right? To handle all the surprises."
"Haha…Yeah, I guess so.” Zipp chuckled, her tension melting away bit by bit. “I just didn’t expect the surprises to come this fast, or, you know, involve tiny hooves kicking me from the inside."
Hitch grinned, glancing down at her belly with a look of awe. "Well, if they’ve got your determination, I’m not surprised they’re already causing a ruckus."
They both shared a laugh, the tension in the air dissipating as they relaxed in the moment. However, their peaceful bubble was quickly interrupted by the sound of the door creaking open. A young, stern-looking mare with neatly combed mane, glasses perched on her nose, and a white doctor’s coat strode into the room with brisk, efficient steps.
She paused just inside, glancing between Zipp and Hitch with a slight raise of her brow. "Oh, good. This makes it easier," she said in a matter-of-fact tone. "No need to repeat myself."
Zipp sat up straighter, her playful demeanor quickly shifting to curiosity—and a hint of apprehension. "So, what’s the news, Doc?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with a bit of nerves. “Got me on pins and needles here.”
The doctor adjusted her glasses and pulled out a clipboard. "Well, we’ve reviewed your latest test results, and everything looks stable. The three of you look healthy, but I want you, in particular my queen, to continue to monitor your stress levels. I understand being a queen adds a significant amount of pressure," she glanced briefly at Hitch before returning her gaze to Zipp, "but we want to ensure the three of you stay healthy."
Hitch opened his mouth, clearly about to say something, but Zipp quickly placed her hoof over his muzzle, her eyes wide as she focused on the doctor. "Three of us?" she asked, her voice a mix of confusion and surprise.
The doctor blinked, looking up from her clipboard as if she hadn’t realized the significance of what she’d just said. "Oh, yes. I forgot to tell you," she said matter-of-factly, adjusting her glasses. "You're expecting twins."
The queen froze, her hoof still pressed against Hitch’s muzzle as her brain worked to process the information. "Twins?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes darted to Hitch, whose eyes were just as wide.
The doctor nodded briskly, glancing at her notes again. "Yes. Two healthy foals. This is why it’s even more important to manage your stress levels. Carrying twins can be more demanding, and we want to ensure a smooth pregnancy."
Zipp slowly lowered her hoof from Hitch’s muzzle, her heart racing. "Twins…" she muttered again, as if saying it out loud would make it more real. "Did you hear that, Hitch? Twins."
The words seemed to hang in the air, Zipp’s excitement barely beginning to bubble up when she suddenly heard a thud. She turned quickly, her eyes widening in disbelief as she leaned over the bed, seeing Hitch lay sprawled on the floor, completely unconscious.
