Someday, or Maybe Tomorrow?

Rainbow Dash was feeling less and less like herself. If intimacy with Lightning was hard before, it was near impossible now. It was beginning to scare Dash, because it hurt just to kiss him, and after she heard the news that she was, indeed, pregnant, she felt guilty just looking at him. Dash hadn't even gone out for an early morning fly lately. She just laid in bed most of the time, and thought of the day she first talked to Caramel, not knowing what would happen later.

It was a sunny summer afternoon, and as usual, RD was practicing for the Wonderbolts. After two failed attempts, she was ready to try her trick again, but something kept distracting her. Thoughts about Lightning had been haunting her mind for 2 months, since the day she left.

At this rate, I'll never get any practice in! Rainbow thought. She needed a distraction.

Dash scanned the town below her. She spotted Caramel giving a caramel apple to a filly for free. He's sweet, and attractive? That sounds just like Lightning! That's just what I need right now. A supportive coltfriend.

Rainbow Dash swooped down and landed right next to the pony in one swift move.

"Hey, Caramel." Rainbow said casually.

"Oh! Uh, hey Rainbow." Caramel looked nervous. Rainbow thought that it was because he liked her. Now she knew it was all an act to shield his secret from the world.

"So, I noticed we never talk, and I wanted to talk with you. Maybe we could have a coffee of something?" Rainbow used her flirtiest voice.

"Sure!" Caramel, the great actor he was made a point of subtly letting his eyes drift around her body, and rest on her flank. He, very carefully, licked his lip. Dash blushed.

"See you around?" Dash said, very happy that this conversation went well.

"Sure." With that, Dash took off.

"Baby, are you okay?" Dash felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up into the eyes of Lightning. Guilt! She looked away.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little sick and a little sad." Dash said weakly. "I'm going out a little later, okay? I have a birthday party to go to."

"Good. You need fresh air." Lightning was relieved Dash was going outside for the first time in 5 months. Fluttershy, her only friend capable of flight, had come over multiple times, but Dash didn't want to see anyone.

"What would be a good gift for a baby dragon?" Dash wondered. She picked up a dumbbell and a ribbon, studying it. "Well he is a little scrawny. I'll give him this dumbbell."

Lightning laughed. He was starting to hear a flicker of old Dash.

"I'm glad I'm still able to fly while pregnant." Dash rubbed her belly, and a look of hurt and betrayal crossed her face.

Lightning couldn't stand seeing her in pain anymore.

"Rainbow, we need to talk." Lightning had a pinch of worry in his voice. "Look at me."

Dash looked, then turned away. "I can't. The guilt..."

"Stop being guilty. There's nothing to be guilty about. I love you, and I know you love me."

"I feel like I can't commit myself to you fully. I can't give you all of myself without feeling that pain, and it hurts me, knowing I'm hurting you."

"The only thing that hurts me is seeing you hurt, Baby." Lightning wrapped his forelegs around her waist, but it felt like piercing knives to Dash.

"I'm tired of hurting you. I'm tired of being hurt. I feel like all of my dreams for us as a couple are ruined. I dreamed we would have a family and our kids would be beautiful and we would have some way of claiming each other, but I know you don't like marriage. I feel like I'm to blame for this baby, who shares blood with the enemy, is now invading our family. I know you don't mind, but I'm struggling here. I wake up everyday feeling like I'm carrying the devil's baby, and I yell at myself for being so harsh on something that is my own flesh and blood. I just can't accept that and I feel so guilty!" Dash broke into a sob, collapsing on Lightning's shoulder.

A tear escaped Lightning's eye, seeing the mare he loved in so much pain. He knew what she needed and what he had to do.

"Marry Me, Rainbow Dash."