Look at them. I thought to myself. Look at how happy they are with their daughter. Look at all that lovesick worship.
I scowled. Why can't that be me? I deserve to be that happy, don't I? I was the pony behind their special gift. Shouldn't that entitle me to have a beautiful daughter, or a big, strong son? I wish she wasn't so uptight about the whole matter, it should be so simple.
Today was a big day in Ponyville. Three years ago today, a magical and historical feat was born, created by no less than quite possibly the greatest unicorn in history, since Starswirl the Bearded.
One that got me a peace prize, among others.
Yes, little (well, not so little anymore.) Appleade Dash was turning three , but was already the strongest flier in her class, much to Rainbow's delight.
Pretty much everypony was there, congratulating the couple and dancing and the like. Heck, when Pinkie throws a party, nopony misses out. There was the celebrity lesbian couple, Lyra and Bon-bon, wrapped in each others embrace. The Apple family was there in strong attendance, even Applejack's cousin, Braeburn was there, having travelled all the way from Appleoosa to make the event. Applebloom was off somewhere, probably up to no good if she's with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Big Mac was giving Appleade a ride on his back, galloping around the yard.
All of our friends were there as well. Pinkie was in the corner, chatting to Granny Smith about their family history, and Fluttershy was probably around somewhere, hiding in a bush as usual.
Which left one pony, who sidled up to me and rubbed her flank against mine.
"Twilight dear, shouldn't you be in the thick of things, enjoying yourself?" she asked me. "I mean, it is a party, after all,"
"Yeah Rarity, I know," I replied, resting my head on her shoulder. "It's just, being this close to them makes my heart ache even more."
Rarity huffed in annoyance and moved away from me. "Darling, we've had this talk before, don't bring it up again, especially not right now,"
I idly gazed as Appleade bumped about on Big Mac's back, squealing wildly and shrieking with laughter.
"I know and I'm sorry Rares, its j-just, now that it's p-possible, I can't help but yearn for my... for our own c-child,"
As I spoke, I realized that my eyes were welling up, and roughly brushed them away, grunting in frustration. I felt Rarity wrap her hooves around me and hug me tightly. "I know how you feel Twi, and I'm so sorry that I can't give you that. It's just that we are both frightfully busy right now, I've got to travel back and forth between my Boutiques in Manehatten, Canterlot and here in Ponyville, I'm expecting a large order or lavender nylon silk, and I need to fill an order for 100 navy-blue cocktails dresses by the end of this week, and that's just me dear,"
She kissed the top of my head softly, and continued; "Darling your an Alicorn now too! You're a royal princess and as such, you have duties to carry out that may take you all around Equestria!"
I sighed and continued watching the party as Dash scooped up Appleade and flew her through the clouds, zooming around, almost faster than the eye could travel.
"I know you want a child Twilight love, but not right now," her tone softened. "I'm not saying no, I'm just saying, not right now, ok?"
I looked back at her, saw her always elegant mane that accentuate her shapely face, saw her beautiful sapphire-blue eyes filled with concern. I sighed again and relaxed into her. "Have I ever told you that I love you Rarity?"
She chuckled, and kissed me, our horns creating a colorful spark as they met. "Plus," she replied coyly, "There's also the tiny fact that nopony knows we're an item sweetie."
"I know, I know," I muttered self consciously. "We'll tell them all in good time,"
Yeah, I know I had nothing to worry about. It's not like Ponyville was against gay relationships or anything, in fact they treated them with the same love and respect they did with straight couples.
It's just, uhhhhhh, I know it's gonna sound stupid, but I don't want us to seem like the token gay couple, so soon after Lyra and Bon-bon came out, and especially after Rainbow and A.j had their baby.
My musing's were cut short by the arrival of Applejack. Rarity and I relunctantly broke apart, and I waved A.j over. 'Heya gals!" she cried, hugging both of us in turn. "So good ta see ya here, Twi! After all, none o' this woulda been possible if'n it weren't for y'all talent,"
"It was nothing Applejack," I replied, patting her shoulder. How's motherhood going, for you and Dashie ?"
Applejack sighed and rolled her eyes. "Whoowee! That little 'un sure can be a handful at times, plus it don't really help matters when it's 6 a' her, and half a dozen of Rainbow cracking their wild shenanigans together. Sometimes, after putting Appleade down for the night, I just collapse inta bed mahself, ah'm jest too tired to do anything else!"
"Sounds like fun, you guy's sure are lucky," I replied, failing to conceal the sarcasm in my voice. Rarity tutted, and A.j placed a hoof on my shoulder.
"Hey now, what's up sugarcube? Y'all sound a little sad there," she said, looking into my eyes. "Y'all can tell me,"
"Oh, it's nothing really important, don't worry," I replied, hoping against hope, that she wouldn't get suspicious.
As usual, I failed, and she stared into my eyes, waiting for my response. "Ye nah, ah'm not the Element of Honesty fer nothin'," she said flatly. "Now, are yeh gonna tell me what's on yer mind now, or am ah gonna have ta sit here and wait?"
I said nothing. She sighed, and stood in front of me, preventing me from leaving. There was tense silence for a few moments.
Then Rarity huffed and replied, ignoring my dark looks; "She want's to have a baby, Applejack dear," I clapped my hoof against my face.
Applejack merely looked confused. "A baby?" she relied, "Well sure, but who with?"
"Rarity, be quiet!: I growled at her, still embarassed, I didn't want our secret shared with her, of all ponies
"With me darling," she went on regardless. "Twilight and I love each other.
Applejack just stood there, stunned while Rarity crossed over to me and kissed me gently on the lips. I would have refused, but it wasn't worth getting angry about.
Plus, I do love her.
I returned the kiss and returned my gaze to A.J, who wore a big smile, her jade eyes crinkled in joy.
"Hooo, boy!" She cried, and gave a us another big hug. "That is amazin', ah'm so happy fer yeh gals,"
"Yeah, well we'd appreciate it if you kept it to yourself for the moment," I replied, shaking her eager hoof. "I'm still not too keen on having it become common knowledge."
"Ah, that's fahn there Twilight, Ah respect that. But, ah'm confused, yeh said ya wanted a baby, well what's the problem, if ya don't minda me askin'?"
I hesitated, awkwardly and Rarity continued; "Well, simply put, we are both quite busy at this stage and will revisit this debate at a later date,"
"Oh, are y'all sure?" A.j asked, a little disappointed. "Rearing a filly takes a lot of energy, but the joy is worth every moment of it, and that's not ta speak of the other wonders it's done for me and Dash. Being a mother has really matured Rainbow, she's a lot calmer and more patient when things do get off track,"
"Yeah, Rare is right A.J," I added, somewhat relunctantly. "Now's not really the best time to get broody,"
"Ah well, you two have shown that while you want a child, yore both willing to wait until the timing's better, I understand. Good parents in the making, if'n y'all don't mind me sayin' so."
She glanced behind her, where Rainbow was still zooming around with Appleade. "Speakin' of good parents, ah wouldn't be the best example if ah let Rainbow carry on like that. Excuse me gals,".
With that, off she went, calling out to Rainbow, leaving me and Rarity alone again.
"You know what? Upon reflection, waiting does sound like a good idea Rarity," I said to her, wrapping my hooves around her.
She grins mischeviously, and replys in turn; "Oh really darling? I was just thinking that I could probably hire assistants to travel between my boutiques, leaving me with plenty of spare time on my hooves,"
I stared at her, lost for words, then burst into laughter and pushed her onto the ground. Amidst the laughter, I felt my love for this fashion gal deepen.
Now might not be the best time for a child, but when the time comes, and it will, we will be ready for whatever happens.
Together, me and my rare little gem.
The End