Chapters Seven years after having Shining Star, Rara is expecting once again. “Honey,” she says to Spotlight that night in bed, “I can’t believe we’re going to be parents again. “Our little Shining Star is going to be a big sister.”
“I know,” says Spotlight as he kisses his wife on the head, “I know. I’m so excited.”
“Well, I hope it’s another filly,” responds Rara. She yawns then turns over and falls asleep. Spotlight wishes his wife goodnight then turns over and falls asleep himself.
Off in her bedroom down the hall, Shining Star overheard everything. As she turns out her light and puts away her song journal for the night, she can’t help but think about it. “Wow!” She whispers to herself. “I can’t believe I’m going to be a big sister. Whoa! That’s wild! I can’t wait! I’m so bored of being an only child frankly. Oh so bored of it!” She lays down on her top hooves and soon falls fast asleep with all those thoughts of big sisterhood floating around in her dreams.
The next morning, Rara is up with the sun and soon greets her daughter. “Hey Shining Star, darling, did you hear mine and your dad’s conversation last night by chance?”
“Yeah,” responds the filly. “And I can’t wait to be a big sister!”
“Good,” responds a tired Rara. She goes over and plops down on the couch. Rara not long after falls back asleep...fast asleep. Shining Star not wanting to wake her mother goes upstairs and wakes up her father so at least some pony can walk her to school. After all, even though she’s a hit singer now, she’s still an elementary aged filly. She is only newly seven years old after all. Spotlight begrudgingly wakes up, gets a cup of coffee, then walks his daughter to school before heading into the studio.
“So,” he says as he walks with his daughter, “are you ready to be a big sister?”
“Yes!” Squeals Shining Star with excitement. “I can’t wait!” A few moments later, they arrive at the school and Shining Star trots up the stairs and heads inside where she is greeted by Mrs. Cheerilee Apple.
“Hello Shining Star,” says Cheerilee, “you look excited about something today.”
“I am!” Squeals Shining Star. “I just found out that I’m going to be a big sister!”
“Well, congratulations,” responds Mrs. Cheerilee with a smile. “You’re going to make a good big sister. Now, please take a seat.” Shining Star nods and goes and sits down with her deskmate Maple Stick.
Mrs. Cheerilee then begins the math lesson for the day. Alas, with the good news, Shining Star can’t focus on her work but pushes through and still accomplishes it, filling in all the correct answers. She’s just ready to be home. She’s ready to see her mom and dad again. Regardless, she pushes through and completes her school day. She enjoys reading, presenting her Kindness Day poster, and singing her new single for her classmates. She yawns her way bored through science as per usual. After five hours of school, the students are released and are picked up by parents and guardians. Since her parents aren’t available to pick her up, Cheerilee walks Shining Star home.
“So,” says Cheerilee, “you excited to be a big sister soon?”
“Absolutely!” Responds Shining Star. “Why do you ask though, teacher?”
“Because I remember being that excited like you were today when I found out I was going to be a big sister, too, is all,” responds Mrs. Cheerilee. “Scootaloo is the best little sister I could ever ask for.”
“That’s cool,” responds Shining Star. “I had no idea you two were related. I’m friends with Scootaloo’s daughter Conch Shell.”
“That’s so cool, I can tell by the way you fillies interact in class,” giggles Cheerilee with a smile. “Looks like we’re here.” Shining Star thanks Mrs. Cheerilee for the walk home and heads inside where she is greeted by her dad who just came home for lunch.
“Hey d'addy!” Says Shining Star as she embraces her dad in a hug. Spotlight thanks Mrs. Cheerilee then she leaves. Spotlight then looks down at his daughter.
“Honey, you know I need to get back to work. I just came home to check on your mom and grab some lunch, now go do your homework.” Shining Star nods and heads off to her room and does her homework and Spotlight heads back off to work. After finishing her homework, Shining Star goes into her mother’s room where Rara is lying awake in bed.
“Welcome home, darling,” responds Rara with a smile. Shining Star climbs up on the bed next to her mother.
“Thanks momma,” responds Shining Star. “School today was just so boring. The only fun things were reading circles and our Kindness Day presentations. I also got to sing my new single for the class. That was fun, too, I guess. I enjoyed it.”
“That’s great news! Sorry math and science bore you, love,” responds Rara as she hugs her daughter close and lets her feel the belly bump. “Do you feel that?” Says Rara as she holds Shining Star’s hoof over her belly. “That’s your baby sister or brother in there.”
“Well, I’d love a sister,” responds Shining Star.
“I know, and I too hope it’s another girl,” responds Rara. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to rest and maybe possibly sleep.”
“No problem,” says Shining Star with a nod. She kisses her mom on the forehead, gives her a hug and leaves the room and heads outside to journal in her song journal. As she writes, she sings a simple song to herself. “Little foal inside my mommy, I can’t wait to meet you. Please be a filly. I’m not being silly. I’d love to have a baby sister. Yes, indeedy, I’d love to have a baby sister. I can’t believe I’m gonna be a big sister and I can’t wait! I can’t wait!” She continues to hum the tune to herself as she works on writing songs for her next album. She may only be seven years old, but she’s a seven year old with several song albums and singles under her belt who is ready, eager, and excited to be a big sister and no longer be an only filly.
A year later, Spotlight and Rara welcome their second daughter, little Spectacle Dazzle into the world. “She’s the spitting image of her momma,” says Spotlight as he kisses Rara on the forehead.
“Yeah, awe thanks,” blushes Rara. “Go pick up Shining Star from school so she can meet her little sister, will ya?” Asks Rara. Spotlight nods and trots over to the school.
Once at the school, he is greeted by Mrs. Cheerilee. “Hello Mr. Spotlight, here to pick up your daughter I presume?”
“Yeah, it’s time for her to meet her baby sister!” Responds Spotlight. At hearing this, Shining Star’s ears perk up and she comes over to her father and Mrs. Cheerilee. Mrs. Cheerilee then dismisses the excited filly and lets her go home with her father.
A few moments later, the two arrive at home and go inside. Spotlight then leads his daughter to his and Rara’s room. There, he lifts her onto the bed. “Shining Star, meet your baby sister, Spectacle Dazzle.”
“Hi, little Spectacle,” says Shining Star with a smile.
“Do you want to hold her?” Asks Rara.
“Yes,” nods the filly. Rara happily helps her daughter hold her newborn baby sister. As she holds the filly, Shining Star whispers. “Hey little Spectacle, I’m going to be the best big sister I can for you, I promise.” Rara’s eyes well up with tears of joy. Their lives are perfect. They’re happy parents of two beautiful little fillies. How could they ever ask for more?!
Over the following weeks, Shining Star spends all her time outside of school and outside of the recording studio with her little sister. She is absolutely enamored with and in love with her little sister Spectacle Dazzle. “You are the best little sister I could’ve ever asked for!” Shining Star often says to her little sister. “The absolute best!” Spectacle just goos and gahs. “I could never imagine my life without you because I so very much hated being an only child!” Rara just smiles at her daughter. She’s so thrilled that Shining Star loves being and is such a great big sister to little Spectacle.
“Okay Shining Star, please go do your homework, it’s time for Spectacle’s nap,” says Rara to her daughter from the doorway. Shining Star nods and puts the filly back in her cradle. She then heads to the kitchen and does her homework. Rara walks over to the cradle and rocks Spectacle back and forth until she falls asleep. “How did I get so lucky?” Rara lets out a sigh. “I have two beautiful little girls! A husband and a job I love! How could I ever ask for more!” A few moments later, Spectacle is finally asleep and Rara heads off to the at home recording studio in their basement. After all, she still has an album due in a little under a month.
As she sits in her at home recording studio, Rara lets out a sigh before recording the next three songs for her upcoming album. As she does so, she doesn’t notice Shining Star watching on in awe from the window of the recording room. She just stares on enamored with her mother. “I know I can sing,” whispers the filly to herself, “but I sure can’t sing as good as mommy!” She then turns and runs out the studio before her mom even notices she’s there. Once back upstairs, she is greeted by a knock at the door which she promptly answers as it’s just her teacher Mrs. Cheerilee.
“Hello, Shining Star,” says Mrs. Cheerilee with a smile, “how are you today? Are your parents home?”
“Dad’s at work but mom’s here, she’s busy but she’s here,” responds the filly. “What do you need Mrs. Cheerilee?”
Shining Star unhinges the door and lets her teacher in. The filly then goes down into the basement where her mom has just finished up her three song recording sessions for the day and has exited the recording booth. “Mom, Mrs. Cheerilee is here to see you,” says Shining Star to her mother.
“I’ll be right up, thanks darling,” responds Rara. She removes her mic and headphones and follows her daughter up the stairs. Once upstairs she greets Mrs. Cheerilee. “Hey Cheerilee, nice to see you,” says Rara with a smile. “What brings you to our house on this fine day?”
“Not much, just wanted to check in on y’all and bring you a gift, for the new filly,” responds Cheerilee. She hands Rara a little bag full of gifts. Rara opens it with a smile. Her cheeks and smile beam with glee and joy as she pulls a small music box out of the bag. She thanks Cheerilee for the gift with a hug and they continue to chat and catch up for hours as Shining Star watches on just smiling all the while. By far, it’s been the most interesting day in awhile for the young filly.
Over the following months, things continue to change around the Rara and Spotlight home. Everything, absolutely everything, ends up getting foalproofed as little Spectacle Dazzle begins to crawl. On the bright side, at least none of the foals are unicorns or Pegasi or they really would have their hooves full. Lucky for them, their fillies ended up being earth ponies just like their parents. Everyday, Rara sits down her girls and they play the music box together. It’s a special time for them. It’s the only time in Rara’s day that isn’t an absolute hectic mess. “I love you my girls,” she says as she pulls them close to her. “You’re all I’ve ever wanted. I’m so grateful I get to be your mom. I’m so lucky. So blessed.”
“Thanks mom, that’s sweet,” responds Shining Star, “but when are we heading to Auntie Applejack’s?”
“In an hour or so,” responds Rara, “now go get ready.” Shining Star nods and heads to her room to get ready while Rara heads off to change baby Spectacle’s diaper. An hour later, the three head to Applejack’s where they’re soon happily greeted by AJ and her daughter Apple Tartlett. Tartlett squeals as she sees Shining Star.
“Cousin!” Squeal the fillies as they embrace in a hug. Rara and AJ smile on as they watch their daughters.
“How’s it going handling two little ones?” AJ inquires.
“Tiring, very tiring,” responds Rara. “But you know I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love being a mother.”
“Well, I only have the one, but Big Mack and Cheerilee have two of their own right now and are expecting a third,” responds AJ. “My daughter is my world.”
“As are mine,” responds Rara with a smile. “Shining Star also got my musical gifts and I’m sure Spectacle will be the same way someday too.”
“Oh I’m sure of it,” responds AJ with a giggle. The mares then head inside leaving their daughters to play outside in the orchard. Once inside, AJ happily takes Rara up on the offer to hold little Spectacle Dazzle. They then begin to talk and catch up. “So,” says AJ, “it’s been awhile.”
“Yeah, too long since I’ve last been here which is a dang shame,” responds Rara as she rubs her neck. “I should’ve come over sooner.” She giggles a bit. “I’m sorry about that.”
“No worries, I know how busy you are, also you have your hooves full,” responds AJ with a smile. “So, I’ve been following you and Shining Star on the charts. Your daughter is a very good singer, very impressive. When did she start releasing albums of her own?”
“When she was seven,” Rara responds with a smile. “Our manager Lime Light absolutely adores her!” She giggles. “She loves performing concerts around town and even for me, my husband Spotlight, and her little sister.”
“She’s got a musician and a performer’s soul just like her mom,” giggles AJ with a smile.
“Yeah,” responds Rara blushing. The two continue to talk for hours on end while Tartlett and Shining Star continue to play games in the orchard. Needless to say it’s a perfect day for the two friends. After all, there’s nothing better than a good catch up especially when they’re both busy with foals of their own.
