One Last Ride

***Part 1: Mommy Dearest***

Sunshine gazed out of the window from the comfort of her bed. All the while she watched birds on the tree outside, her hand caressed her belly.

*Pregnant...* The word echoed through Sunshine's thoughts. *You're pregnant... Dennis... got you pregnant...*

The majority of Sunshine's being was terrified, but a very small fraction felt... happy. She loved Dennis. She truly loved him. Whenever Sunshine's thoughts returned to Dennis and the baby growing within her womb, her heart leaped in her chest.

"Dennis..." Sunshine whispered.

"So... It's true, then?"

Sunshine gasped and looked towards the door. She didn't even notice anypony walking inside, but a pony stood in front of her bed. She had a creamy, yellow coat and a bright red and yellow mane that looked like flames of the sun. The unicorn cocked her head.

"Mom?" Sunshine asked, looking closely at the pony.

The unicorn cracked a small smile and nodded her head.

"Yeah, baby... It's me." She said softly. "It's... been a while since I've been in this... body..."

Sunshine reached forward and placed a hand on her mother's mane.

Sunset chuckled and nuzzled her daughter's neck. When she pulled away, her warm smile faded.

"You didn't answer..." Sunset said. "Is it really true? Dennis... He..."

Sunshine slowly nodded her head.

Sunset Shimmer let out a long sigh and placed a gentle hoof on Sunshine's abdomen.

"Twilight explained everything..." Sunset said, rubbing Sunshine's belly. "She told me that you have a... a pony inside of you..."

"Mom, I'm so sorry-"

Sunset shot Sunshine a mean glare, quickly silencing her.

"This was supposed to be a short trip, Sunshine." Sunset snarled. "Twilight said you'll have to give birth to your baby here, in Equestria. Your baby will be an Equestrian pony, and you will have to stay to raise it."

Sunshine's heart tore itself apart. Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack, Bic Mac, Dennis... She wouldn't be able to see them for... Who knows how long.

Sunset saw the pain in Sunshine's eyes, and her glare softened. She let out a heaving sigh.

"Pony pregnancies last for roughly eight months..." Sunset said softly. "You'll be here for at least a year, until your baby is strong enough to come to the human world through the portal..."

"A year..." Sunshine muttered in disbelief. "A whole year..."

Several long moments of silence passed inbetween the mother and daughter. Words expressing the situation could not be formed of spared. The silence is interrupted by the arrival of a nurse.

The nurse eyed Sunset Shimmer carefully.

"Um... Excuse me, ma'am, you cannot be in here while-"

"Don't bother." Sunset snapped. "She's my daughter, and I'll be by her side of I damn well please."

The nurse glared at Sunset before retreating from the ward.

"Wow, mom..." Sunshine chuckled. "That was... pretty hardcore."

Sunset brushed her mane out of her eyes and beamed at her.

"I should probably leave soon... Princess Celestia doesn't exactly know I am here..." Sunset admitted.

"Why does that matter?" Sunshine asked.

Sunset shook her head dismissively.

"That's not important. I only needed to see you for myself, Sunshine. Now that I have, we'll be on our way."

Sunshine cocked her head.

"We?" She asked quizzically.

Sunset gave her a silly look before making her way towards the door. She opened the door and motioned for somepony to enter.

Sunshine watched as a steel colored unicorn with a blond mane and tail walked into the room. When the pony saw Sunshine, his eyes widened, and a huge smile overtook his lips.

"Sunshine!" He exclaimed.

Sunshine's jaw dropped as the identity of the unicorn dawned on her.

"Dennis?!" She gasped, sitting up in her bed.

Sunshine's horn began glowing a hot pink hue.

The pony rushed forward to Sunshine's side.

Sunshine, still in disbelief, caressed the unicorn's cheeks and stroked his mane.

"Look... Look at you..." Sunshine muttered. "You're a..."

"I'm a pony..." Dennis finished for her.

He made a face as though the words he spoke sounded strange coming out of his own mouth. Sunshine began to laugh hysterically at her boyfriend's new look.

"Ahhhh! Ha! Ha! Ha! You're... Ha! You're a unicorn! Ha! That's... That's incredible!"

At last, Sunshine turned to her mother, her eyes filled with joyful tears.

"How?" She asked. "How did you do this?"

Sunset gave her a sly grin.

"Never you mind that. I just thought you two would want a few moments together before... your time apart..."

Sunshine smiled sadly.

"Thank you..."

Sunset nodded her head before stepping outside the room, leaving Dennis and Sunshine alone.

Dennis placed a gentle hoof on Sunshine's abdomen and caressed her.

"That's me... Isn't it?" He asked. "This is really happening?"

Sunshine nodded her head.

"Yes, Dennis... I'm pregnant... It's yours..."

The smile on Dennis' snout stretched from ear to ear. He leaned across the bed and planted a hot kiss on her lips.

"Oh, Dennis..." Sunshine muttered when he pulled away, cupping his cheeks in her hands. "I love you..."

Sunshine then pulled the pony back into a wet, tongue-filled kiss. The kiss broke with them both breathing heavily, wiping the saliva from their lips.

"Dennis..." Sunset hissed from the door. "We need to go, now!"

Dennis quickly retreated to the door. He looked back at Sunshine one last time and mouthed the words 'I love you' before Sunset took him by the hoof and pulled him into the hall.

Sunset poked her head into the room.

"I'll see you around, baby." She said with a subtle 'wink'.

With those words hanging in the air, Sunset and Dennis dissapeared from sight.

Moments later, the nurse returned to the room. Behind her stood Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. When they entered the ward, the nurse wore a confused look.

"There was another mare here..." The nurse explained to the princesses. "She claimed to be the patient's mother."

Princess Celestia waved her hoof dismissively.

"That is quite alright. Thank you for your assistance. May we be alone with Miss Sunshine?"

The nurse bowed and left without another word.

Celestia turned her attention to Sunshine. She wore a warm, friendly smile.

"You are the special girl I have heard so much about..." She said in a motherly tone. "I must say, it is a pleasure to finally meet you."

Sunshine couldn't help returning the princess' smile. Her voice was so warm and soothing, Sunshine felt at ease immediately.

"And such incredible news..." Celestia continued. "You must have had quite the exciting morning."

"Incredible, indeed..." Luna added. "You have my congratulations, Miss Sunshine."

Sunshine blushed timidly.

"Th-Thank you both..." She said in a soft tone.

Celestia's smile turned somber, and her gaze lowered.

"I am sorry to hear that you cannot return home to deliver your child, I truly am." Said the elder princess. "When I learned you were going to be a guest in my country, I envisioned our first meeting going quite differently."

"Yeah..." Sunshine groaned as she shifted in her bed. "Me too..."

Celestia managed a smile before continuing.

"I admire your determination. You truly are your mother's daughter."

Sunshine looked at the princess with wide eyes.

"You knew my mom?"

Celestia nodded her head.

"I did, many years ago. She was an ambitious student of mine. I... forget most of the details. It has been quite a long time."

Sunshine could tell the princess didn't want to talk about it any longer.

"Anyway..." Celestia continued, clearing her throat. "You are still a revered guest in my country, and I will ensure to the full extent of my power that your stay here adequate to your needs."

"Should there be anything you need, do not hesitate to ask for it." Said Luna.

Sunshine nodded her head.

"And should you need anything from the the human world, Twilight Sparkle will be more than happy to travle there and get it for you." Celestia added.

"What about Dennis?" Sunshine asked. "He... He's the father... Can he visit regularly?"

Celestia and Luna exchanged glances. After several moments, they both turned back to face Sunshine.

"Of course." Celestia said at last. "This... Dennis is more than welcome."

Satisfied, Sunshine fell back into her bed and let out a long breath.

"Thank you..." She said with an exhausted sigh. "Thank... you..."

Then, Sunshine drifted away into a restful sleep.

***Up Next: Trial By Motherhood***