Pumpkin was late. Again. I swear, if that pony wasn't so good at her job, I'd have fired her months ago, but she always managed to make up for the time she lost from being late. She could be three hours late, and still get her work done in a timely manner. I just don't know how she does it. I suddenly caught a whiff of coffee floating into my office... was that... a latte I smelled? I love lattes... so I went out to investigate, because if somepony had a latte, I wanted to know where they got it... and why they had it when they should've been working, of course.

I went out to the main area, only to find Cranberry and Sweet Potato walking around with trays of coffee cups, offering cups to everypony. "What is going on here?" I yelled, and everypony stared at me, before I heard somepony speak up.

"It's national coffee day, sir, and my sister works at the place down the street, so I got everypony coffee." Pumpkin told me. "I even made sure to get you a latte." she added, levitating it over. One sniff and I was in. "Sorry I'm late, again, but-"

"Ah, don't worry about it. I know you'll get everything done anyways. Just wrap this up and get to work, alright?" I told her. She got my favorite latte... I wondered how she knew what my favorite was as I returned to my office, only to realize. Pumpkin got me a Pumpkin spice latte. My favorite. That mare... would she ever cease to make me smile?

"Sir? I... need to tell you something."

"What is it?"

"Um... the reason I'm always late. And the reason I'm going to have to leave."

I did a spit-take. LEAVE? Why would Pumpkin be leaving? "What do you mean, leave?" I yelled at her.

"Sir, I... you know when we first met?"

"Yes, I must say, you've certainly lost quite a bit of weight since then."

"Thank you, but... I wasn't exactly, fat... I... was pregnant."

If I'd been drinking my latte, I would've done another spit-take.

"Are you saying that you've been late, because you're taking care of a foal?" I quietly shouted. A foal... why didn't she say anything? I would've been more than willing to let her start later, so she wouldn't be 'late'! So why wouldn't she say anything? I'm not one of those old-fashioned nincompoops who think that mares require a husband to raise a foal, I just think it's an easier life-style. So... why?

"Yes, sir. I... I have."

"Why didn't you say so sooner? I'm not an old-fashioned nincompoop, you know! I understand that a single mare can raise a foal!"

"I... I'm not... proud of it..." she whispered, clearly uncomfortable, though I couldn't fathom why.

"Why not? A single mare needs to be strong to raise a foal, and you've done so well here, I can only imagine how well you're doing with a foal! You're easily the strongest pony I know!"

She blushed, before telling me why. "She's not an ordinary foal. She's half changeling."

I was shocked. A half changeling foal? I don't think anypony quite realized that was possible. Of course, it makes sense, when you think about it, but... half changeling? No wonder she kept it on the down low. Changelings were a bitter rival, and to have a half changeling foal... many ponies would no doubt be cruel to her, even if it wasn't her choice.

"How did it happen? I'm... not upset with you, and you are more than welcome to stay. I just... want to know... how?"

"I... I love him, and he loves me. We don't have to be enemies! And... I... I can't stay. I... I'm pregnant. Again." she sighed, and turned away. "I barely managed to keep Flitter a secret. Another foal? No... I'll be found out for sure."

"I don't care about the changeling thing. You are a wonderful pony, and a wonderful mare. If you say he can be trusted, then I trust you. In fact, let's work to change things. That's what we do, after all! We create an outlet for change! Tell your story! Not everypony will be onboard, but I'll protect you as best I can. Okay? Pumpkin, you're like a daughter to me. I... I love you. Like a daughter, that is." I winked. She laughed, and gave me a hug.

"I don't know, Mr. Draft. Ponies, for all the love they share with one another, aren't very loving towards other creatures, and ponies who are, well..."

"Then we should change that. Together. Are you in, or not? I'm going to do this with or without you, but I'm sure your story would make it a lot easier to accept." She smiled.

"...I'm in."

Author's Note

This has no direct relevance to Meta Sketch, but it has some... indirect relevance.

This story was written on the fly, on a whim, and may not make perfect sense. Enjoy.