In the Castle of Friendship, Princess Twilight Sparkle set down a tea set in the dining room. Six tea cups and saucers were artfully arranged to sit in front of the chairs, a china plate in front of each place setting for snack foods. There was a three-tiered tray full of cucumber sandwiches, cupcakes, cookies, scones, jam, and egg salad sandwiches. Surrounding this was a plethora of other items, including a spinach, onion, and cheese quiche, an apple pie, a tray of small assorted vegetables, and Spike’s famous cauliflower bites. Everything she needed for tea with her friends.
With their busy schedules it wasn’t often that they found free time, rarer still that they could spend it together. Everypony seemed so caught up in their own lives that it was hard to find time to reconnect as friends. But today, they all had. Pinkie had gotten the day off from Sugarcube Corner, Applejack had had her cousin Braeburn come in to help tend the farm for a day, Rarity had moved around several appointments in order to come, Fluttershy had gotten Treehugger to oversee her animals for a day, Rainbow Dash finally had a free Saturday after weeks of weekend practices, and Twilight herself had found herself having no royal obligations that required her attention. The only creature missing was Spike, who had taken the day to visit Thorax in the Changeling Hives. Though she was sad he would miss them all together, she was glad the two of them could see one another.
“Twi-light!” Pinkie’s soprano echoed through the halls.
“In the dining room, Pinkie!” She called, and hoped her friend would hear her. Though she did have the door open so the chances were better.
In mere moments, the pink party pony bounded through the entryway.
“Twilight!” She said, and tackled the purple pony in a hug.
Twilight laughed. “Hi Pinkie. I’m glad to see you too!”
“I’m so super excited for today! I brought a batch of brownies from Sugarcube Corner for our tea party!” She smiled.
“That sounds perfect, Pinkie! Put them on the table anywhere.” She smiled, and the curly-maned party pony grabbed a tray of brownies from her saddlebags, sliding them into an empty space. “Is anypony else coming?”
“Applejack wasn’t far behind me, and I think I saw Rarity after her!”
“Great! Then all we need is Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash and we’ll be all set! I did ask them to pick up the tea for us, so they might be a little late. The tea shop is usually busy on Saturday, or at least that’s what Fluttershy tells me.” She said.
“Or maaaaaybe they’ll be a little late because Dashie accidentally fell asleep again and Fluttershy could have to find her.” Pinkie pointed out.
“…That’s a fair point.” Twilight conceded.
“Either way, they’ll be here! You know they wouldn’t miss it!”
“And neither would we!” Came a southern drawl.
Applejack entered the room with Rarity close behind her, and neither Pinkie or Twilight hesitated to greet them.
“Darlings! It’s been far too long!” Rarity chirped, hugging them both.
“It really has. I reckon we got so caught up in our work that we haven’t made enough time for much else.” Applejack said, hugging them next.
“Tell me about it! Sugarcube Corner has been busy as ever! I haven’t even had time to think of some new treats!” Pinkie said.
“And I’ve been all over Equestria lately. Somepony always needs me at a conference and I miss being home.” Twilight sighed.
“Well, we’re together now. Isn’t it wonderful?” Rarity smiled.
“It would be if Fluttershy and Dash were here. Anypony know where the hay those two are?” Applejack asked. A round of shrugs was her answer.
Just then, the sound of hoof steps clacking on the floor sounded, and four heads turned in unison to see Fluttershy walking in, and behind her, Rainbow Dash, who seemed uncharacteristically cowed. She seemed to liven right up, though, when she saw her friends.
Hugs were had, and greetings were exchanged rather quickly.
“Sorry we were late, we had to make a little detour.” Fluttershy said.
“Don’t worry about it! Come on in! Everything’s ready.” Twilight said.
The six of them gathered around the table, as Fluttershy set about making the tea from the set Twilight had laid out. Each pony took their respective seats, beginning to fill their plates as much as they wished, as Fluttershy made sure the tea was steeped to perfection. That done, Twilight filled every cup with her magic while sugar and milk were passed to those who wanted them. Plates and drinks filled, the six of them could at last go about catching up with their daily lives.
“So, Applejack, how’s the farm doing?” Asked Twilight.
“Ah tell y’all, we ain’t seen a harvest this big since the summer after Apple Bloom got her cutie mark!” She said cheerily. “Cider sales last winter went up so much that we were able to fix up the barn! Finally got that leaky roof repaired. It wasn’t never the same after what happened with Tirek. Always seemed like it was leaking. Turns out some of the posts got shifted.” She explained. “Big Mac and Sugar Belle are doin’ just fine too. Just celebrated their first anniversary together last month. Apple Bloom is helping out more now that Granny Smith is havin’ a harder time gettin’ around. She and the crusaders are still at the school.”
“That’s so wonderful to hear, Darling! I’ve been positively fraught with worry over how Sweetie Belle has been ever since I went to Yakyakistan. She writes occasionally but not as often as I’d like. It’s a relief she’s doing so well.” Rarity smiled.
“How is it in Yakyakistan anyways, Rarity? Did you tell Prince Rutherford I said hi like I asked?” Pinkie asked.
“Of course I did.” Rarity smiled. “He sends his regards, by the way. Yakyakistan is simply divine at this time of year. The weather is just perfect for getting my winter line ready. I’m already ahead of the game in that department. Just finished a set of gorgeous new coats! Of course, I shall be sending each of you one when they’re done.” She smiled.
“That’s so generous of you!” Fluttershy exclaimed.
“Fluttershy, how are your animals doing?”
“Oh, they’re doing wonderfully. Constance just recently had her eggs hatch, and I’ve been busy helping her with the babies. Angel is doing great, too. He’s really become such a great helper when it comes to helping me keep my time spread evenly among all the animals.” She smiled.
“And Discord?” The question came from Twilight.
Fluttershy blushed. “He’s doing well. Just finished moving into the treehouse. It’s a big change for him, but he was able to make one of the closets a doorway to his dimension, so he can go home anytime.”
“That’s amazing Fluttershy!” Pinkie cheered. “Almost as amazing as when I helped Mr. and Mrs. Cake win the Canterlot Baking Competition this year!” She said.
“Congratulations, Pinkie. That’s wonderful.” Fluttershy said with a smile.
“Almost as wonderful as Pound and Pumpkin finally getting potty trained!”
“Goodness, those two are growing up so fast, aren’t they?” Rarity said, sipping her tea. “Seems like just yesterday they were born, doesn’t it?” She asked, before taking a bite of a cucumber sandwich.
There was a collective murmur of agreement among all of them but one.
Rainbow Dash, who had spent much of the time she was there staring into her cup of tea, hadn’t spoken a word since she entered. Twilight, who was seated across from her, took note of this.
“What about you, Rainbow Dash?” She asked.
Rainbow Dash jerked in her chair, nearly knocking over her teacup. “Huh? What?”
“I was asking what’s been new with you.” Twilight said. “You okay?”
“Oh. Um… I… Well…” She took in a deep breath before sighing. “No. Not really.”
“What ever is the matter, darling?” Rarity asked gently.
“I… I don’t know how to say it.”
“Just say it like I would say anything that pops in my head! No fear and no shame and is that egg salad? Yum!” Pinkie said, before grabbing a sandwich and shoving it into her maw.
“It’s… I mean, I know I should tell you all now, but… I don’t know how to make myself say it. I can’t even, you know, say it out loud. I haven’t ever.”
“Whatever it is, you know we’ll listen.” Twilight assured her, to nods of agreement from her friends.
“Just say it really fast and then it will be over!” Pinkie supplied.
Rainbow took in a deep breath, then spoke. “I’mpregnant.”
She said it so quickly and softly that none of them caught it.
“I’m sorry, dear, what was that? We didn’t quite catch it.” Rarity said quietly.
“I said… I’m pregnant.”
There was sudden stillness all around the table.
Rainbow went on to explain hurriedly. “It was a complete accident! I didn’t even plan for this! I don’t even know what I’m going to do about it yet!”
Twilight recovered first. “Calm down, Rainbow. Just… Tell us what happened.”
“You guys remember when we met up like two months ago and I told you that Spitfire was having a party to celebrate her decade of service to the Wonderbolts?"
Murmurs and nods of acknowledgment.
“Well, Soarin and I had kinda been flirting and Spits makes sure she has a lot of Cider when she’s hosting these things. And not all of it is non-alcoholic. So I drank one or two. Give myself a little liquid courage and all that. And it worked. Soarin and I were talking and we ended up making out on her couch before we… Went to the attic and… You know.”
“So Soarin is the father?” Asked Rarity.
“Not… Not exactly.”
“How can there not exactly be an answer? Normally I like mysteries but I’m not sure I’m gonna like this one.” Pinkie harrumphed.
“W-Well after we… You know, he left the party because he had to do paperwork and I just kind of kept drinking. I was really nervous about what just happened and I just wanted to not be, you know? So I was off my flank by the end of the night, and I couldn’t fly home. Thunderlane was named our designated flier for that party in case any of us couldn’t make it home, since he still had a month to go before he was legal to drink at that point. Anyways, he flew me home and I kind of started making out with him because his body is so hot, even though I don’t like him that way, and one thing led to another and…” She didn’t finish.
“So your foal has two possible fathers, and I’m guessing you haven’t told either of them yet since you’re only just telling us.” Twilight deducted.
“Y-Yeah.” Rainbow said. She felt tears welling up in her eyes. “I mean, I didn’t mean for this to happen. This wasn’t part of my plan, you know? I’m supposed to be the fastest flier in Equestria, and how am I supposed to be that if I have to hold a baby? I didn’t want to be a mom. I don’t know what to do.” She said, feeling tears run down her face.
Fluttershy, who was seated next to her, rubbed her back gently, as the other ponies at the table all gathered around her in a group hug. She sobbed into them, and felt the release of something she didn’t even know she still held. She hadn’t realized just how alone or scared she’d felt until then. Now, with her friends behind her, she felt the weight of that burden lifted from her, and it gave her a feeling of pure relief.
When she calmed enough, Rarity gave her a silk handkerchief, and she wiped her eyes and blew her nose into it.
“Thank you. I didn’t know what I’d do but you guys have made me feel a lot better about it.” She sniffled.
“What are you going to do, darling? Something like this does not stay hidden for long, I’m afraid.” Said Rarity.
“I… I don’t know.” She said. “I never imagined ever having to think about something like this, you know?”
“Well sugarcube, you have… options.” Applejack said.
The room dropped imperceptibly in temperature at the mention.
“I mean… I know I could get rid of it but I… I don’t think I could go through with it. I mean, I’m the element of loyalty. What kind of element would I be if I tried to… You know, do that to my own kid?”
“That’s not the only option there is.” Fluttershy said softly. “You could put the foal up for adoption if you wanted to. I’m sure it would go to a good home.”
Rainbow blinked. “Yeah… I guess so.”
Applejack spoke. “I think there’s a “but” coming here.”
“No, I mean, that’s probably true and everything… I just don’t know if I could do that. But I don’t think I could handle raising a kid either. I mean, with all of us protecting Equestria, that kid could be an easy target if anypony wanted a hostage.”
“But if you did keep the foal you’d have to tell Soarin and Thunderlane that they both might be the father. They have a right to know.” Twilight said.
“I know.” She said softly.
“Rainbow, have you talked to your parents about this?” Fluttershy asked gently.
“No. I mean, I know I probably should, but their enthusiasm about it before they even heard the whole story would probably be too much, you know?”
“I understand.” She said. “But they might be able to give you some good insight into what you should do.”
“A-And it’s not like I don’t want to tell them about this, but it’s… I don’t want them to pressure me toward any one decision. They’re always supportive of me, and I know that, but I’m just afraid that they’d support one choice more than the other and it would make it harder to decide for myself.”
“You could tell them about it in a letter?” Twilight suggested.
Rainbow gave a sardonic laugh. “Right. That’d go over well. “Hey mom and dad, you’re going to be grandparents but maybe not because I can’t decide whether I’m keeping the foal or not. Hope you’re well!”. Come on, Twi. We both know that’s the kind of thing you say in person.”
“How in Equestria did you even find this out, Darling?” Rarity asked.
“I was at practice one day and I had a really bad spin-out. Spits thought I might have been drunk because I wasn’t recovering quickly and seemed dizzy, but it was because I hadn’t been sleeping well at night. She had the doctor on the campus do a blood test to get my blood-alcohol level, and… Well, that’s how I knew.”
“Does that mean Spitfire knows?” Pinkie asked.
“The doctor told me that he only had to report back my blood-alcohol level. Nothing else. So she doesn’t know yet.”
“Did he say how far along you were?” Fluttershy asked.
“Five weeks.” She said.
“You know, Rainbow, if you can get cheek swabs from Thunderlane and Soarin, and see the doctor in two weeks, they can do a paternity test.” Twilight said.
“Really?”
Twilight nodded. “Really.”
“I mean… I think you were right earlier, Twi. About them having a right to know. But I don’t want to worry the other one about it. I’d have to get creative with how to get a cheek swab from both of them. How the heck would I even pull that off?"
“Ask the doctor to help you and see if he’ll pretend he needs cheek swabs for allergy testing?” Piped up Pinkie.
Every head in the room simultaneously whirled to Pinkie Pie, and for a moment there was a stunned silence.
“…Yeah. Yeah. I think that could work.” Rainbow said eventually.
“Well, at least that’s one problem solved.” Twilight said.
“Now the big question left is what will you decide?” Rarity asked.
“I… I don’t think I could ever get rid of it. That means either giving it up for adoption or keeping it. And if I’m gonna find out who the father is… Maybe that will make my decision. I mean, if they wanted to stay with me and be a part of the foal’s life then maybe… Maybe I could do it. But if not, then maybe it would be best to give them up. If I couldn’t give them a safe or good life, what kind of mother could I be?” She asked.
Rarity put a hoof on hers. “It’s a very brave thing you’re doing, darling. And giving up your foal if you thought you couldn’t provide for them is incredibly generous, because it could help another family who might not be able to have one.”
“Thanks, Rares.” She said softly. “Just being able to talk to you guys about this has made it so much easier. I finally feel like I can make a good decision.”
“Aw, shucks, Rainbow. We should be thankin’ you for tellin’ us all this in the first place. We know it couldn’t have been easy, but you did it. That’s a mighty brave thing to do if you ask me.” Applejack smiled.
Rainbow gave a smile that echoed of her usual self. “C’mon AJ, don’t tell me you’re going all soft on me now.”
“Nope.” She chuckled. “Just speakin’ the honest truth.”
“Whatever you decide, Rainbow, we’ll support you through it.” Twilight promised, to a cacophony of agreements from their friends.
“Thanks guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She smiled lightly.
“Now that that’s settled, I think we should get back to our tea before it goes cold.” Rarity said.
“Good point.” Said Fluttershy.
They all returned to their seats, beginning to eat and take sips of their tea again.
“Rainbow Dash, darling?” Rarity asked.
“Yeah, Rarity?”
“I hope you’re not offended by my asking this but… How were they? Soarin and Thunderlane I mean. You know, in the bedroom.” She asked, conspiringly.
Rainbow leaned back into her chair. “Magnificent.” She sighed. “‘Lane has an amazing body. Just touching it is enough to turn a pony on. He wasn’t all that great at kissing, but wow did he have a good body. He pressed me up against a wall during part of it and I could feel everything. His muscles were so toned and he was breathing heavy the whole time, and he was huge. I thought I was going to explode when he came in me. He knew what he was doing, that’s for sure.” She said.
Rarity gave a little giggle. “And Soarin?”
Rainbow took a bite of her egg salad. “He’s such a good kisser. ‘Lane has more fire and passion and junk like that, but Soarin knows how to make the tension build. He had his hooves all over my back and kept pressing me against him, but his lips went all over me. He tasted like wine, and it was absolutely hot, but also kind of romantic. I mean, we were on the floor of Spitfire’s attic and he made it feel like we were in some fancy hotel room. I’m not one for taking anything slow, and you guys all know that, but I think I could get used to slowing down if it was that great.”
“Sounds like you had quite a fun night.” Rarity smiled.
“Yeah… It was pretty great.” Rainbow sighed.
“I can imagine.” Rarity smiled.
“Sounds like the time Cheese Sandwich and I threw a party and had a fun night of our own at Sugarcube Corner. That closet didn’t know what hit it!” Pinkie chirped.
As one, every single one of her friends spat out their tea.
“WHAT?!”
Pinkie let out a giggle at the sight of her slack-jawed friends. “Guess that’s why they call sharing your secrets spilling the tea!"
Author's Note
For the edification of you readers who were wondering: Soarin is the father and yes, he was on board and she kept the baby.
I had a lot of fun with this. I wanted to end on a more humorous note because I think it's important that after we get the heavy things off of our chests we laugh again, and that's what best friends do.
Special thanks to my best bud Pip and my wife for being my pre readers! And another thanks goes to Toriandthehorse, because you know why.
Hope you all enjoyed!
