My Little Pony Tales Next Chapter

The drive back home felt long for Teddy. It wasn't because he had to tell his mom the news. Or that he was riding alone with Mr. Heart. It was the fact that Sweetheart had to stay overnight at the hospital. The doctor did reassure them that it was just to monitor her. And, they sounded confident that she would be released either tomorrow morning or afternoon. Teddy was happy knowing his girlfriend was okay. What he was nervous about was his mother's reaction to the news.

He wondered. “Will she be happy? Will she be upset?” His mind began to flood with questions.

Mr. Heart looked over at the stallion next to him. Poor colt looked like he was filled to the brim with worry. Although, he cared little about his mental state. He could understand his worry. After all, when he and his wife found out they were pregnant with Sweetheart. He was a nervous wreck not only telling his mom and dad but also when they told her parents. He could see his home in the distance. The drive would soon be over and he would be heading back to the hospital. Although the stallion made it clear he wasn't leaving her, and he was not going to make her give up their grand-baby. He still wanted him to stay away from his daughter for a couple of days. Or, at least until he could better resist the urge to strangle him.

The car stopped just in front of the house. Teddy looked over at Mr. Heart and thanked him. “Thank you, sir.” Mr. Heart only nodded but before he could drive away Teddy spoke. “Mr. Heart?”

He looked over and replied. “What?” The stallion may have earned a little respect from him. But, he was still angry.

Teddy, although he was extremely nervous. He asked. “Can you please tell Sweetheart I love her?”

Mr. Heart shot a glare at him; how dare this colt ask him to say that for him. But, his moment of anger died the moment he remembered what was said not too long ago. He stayed quiet for a moment before nodding his head. But, before Teddy could thank him. He said. “I'm still angry with you!” His voice sounded ruff. He continued. “Until I call and tell you. I don't want you near my daughter! Understood!?”

Teddy nodded and sadly complied. “Yes, sir.”

Mr. Heart quickly drove away; the vehicle's wheels screeched slightly from the sudden acceleration. Teddy watched as the vehicle left him there. He sighed heavily before he started walking towards his home. The walk up to the door felt long. He was worried about many things. But, what he was mostly worried about was Sweetheart. He stopped just in front of the welcome mat. He reached down and lifted one of the bottom corners. Underneath it was the key that he used to get into his home. After hiding the key underneath the mat and locking the door. He could hear the sound of hooves approaching. He turned to look just in time to see his mother.

She sighed heavily as she walked up to him. “Teddy.” She hugged him and he hugged her in return. She continued. “I'm so glad you're okay. When Mr. Heart called.”

Teddy held up his hoof causing her to stop talking. He had a serious look on his face; a look mixed with sadness. He spoke calmly. “Mom.” He paused a moment before he continued. “Sweetheart's.” He paused again; he was nervous and he felt like he was going to throw up. The look on her face was both caring and scared. He took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled. He told her. “Sweetheart....she's pregnant.” He hung his head in shame as he finished. “I'm the father.”

For a moment the two stood in the living in silence. The silence was starting to get to Teddy. The silence at the hospital, during the drive home, and now here with his mother. He just wished someone was yelling at him. That, someone, was chewing him out or just making some sort of noise.

His mother backed away from him; she was shocked to her very core. She looked at him with a look pleading for him to say it was a prank. To tell her this was just some sick prank. But, the way he looked at her said it all. Teddy couldn't take the silence anymore. He turned and quickly walked out of the house. The moment his hooves hit concrete he started running. He wasn't running away from his problems. He just wanted to get away from the damned silence. The silence that chased him from the hospital to his home.

Sweetheart slowly opened her eyes; at first, everything was blurry. But, after a few blinks, her vision cleared. She saw the ceiling of the hospital room she was in. She turned her head and looked at the IV hooked into her. She turned her head to look at her abdomen. She gently rubbed it; her mind still filled with wonder. She was pregnant with twins. She and Teddy were going to be parents.

She spoke in a soft voice. “Teddy.”

She turned towards the window and looked out it. Although she could only see the sky; she knew he was going through a lot of emotions. She knew he was blaming himself for all of this. She sighed as she turned and looked back at the ceiling. She knew the seriousness of the can of worms they just opened. But, at the same time, she felt excited. She turned to look out the window again. She felt a sense of dread and great worry. Along with it, she felt like she had just run a very long marathon.

She called out in worry. “Teddy?” She didn't know how she was feeling what he was. But, right now he was completely burnt out and exhausted. She didn't know where he was but she prayed that he was okay.

Teddy panted heavily as he lay on the ground. He had run from his home to some random destination. He didn't have any idea where he ran. He didn't even bother to focus on anything in front of him. He only wanted to get away from the silence. His heart hammered inside his chest. His lungs ached with every breath he breathed in and out. His muscles were sore. He was completely exhausted. But, all of that didn't compare to how he felt. Slowly, he turned himself and lay on his back. He stared up at the sky hoping to get some kind of answer.

He felt the wind cool his body; sighing heavily as he closed his eyes. He tried to forget how he was feeling. He began to wonder how Sweetheart felt. He assumed that she was scared and angry when he arrived at the hospital. But, the way she hugged him and how she spoke to him. He shook his head; that was so much like her. Worrying about others before worrying about herself. He opened his eyes again and looked at the sky. Watching clouds be moved by the wind. The thought of being a father was on his mind now. He didn't know how to feel about that information. He felt scared; scared that he wouldn't be good enough for them. After all his father didn't exactly set a good example for him.

He groaned loudly as he brought his hooves up to his forehead. He commented, “I'm such an idiot.”

A voice agreed with him. “That you are Teddy.”

He sat up quickly and looked around. Not too far away from him his friends Ace and Lancer walked toward him. He sighed as they walked up to him. He figured they were about to say all kinds of quirky remarks. But, to his surprise, they did the opposite. Both of them sat down beside him.

Confused he asked them. “Um, what are you two doing here?”

Ace answered. “Normally, we'd be practicing soccer here.” He saw Teddy look around; he must have not known he was at the public soccer field. He continued. “But, for now. Your mother had us looking for you.”

Teddy questioned. “My mom?”

Lancer nodded before saying. “Yeah, she didn't tell us why you ran off. But, she said you looked pretty upset.” He asked. “Is it about Sweetheart?”

Teddy asked immediately. “How do you know about that?”

Ace answered. “It happened in the cafeteria in front of almost everyone at school. It is the current gossip of the school.” He chuckled a little before finishing. “So, yeah. Everyone knows what's going on. We just want to know more details.”

Teddy watched as they stood up and Ace offered a hoof up. He grabbed hold of the hoof as he stood up. Lancer then suggested. “How about we talk more at the soda shop? You look like you need a pop.”

Teddy didn't say no to that; he only now felt how thirsty he was. The three started the walk to the building. Unlike the ice cream shop that Bon Bon worked at. The soda shop was more of a hole-in-the-wall pinball arcade. Mainly visited by the towns colts. The three sat at the counter and ordered three orange crème sodas.

Ace looked at his friend and asked. “Going back to earlier. Think you can tell us what's going on?”

Teddy looked at them; they were his friends and sometimes they would fool around with each other. But, this was a more serious matter and he knew they only wanted to know if he was okay. He took in a deep breath and said. “Ace......Lancer.” The two moved a little closer and he told them. “Sweetheart's pregnant.” Like before the silence he tried to get away from found him again. It was close to breaking his mind. He finished. “I'm the father.”

Like before he had the urge to run and get away from this silence. But, that urge was brought down as he felt a comforting hoof on his shoulder. He turned to look at his friend Lancer. He had a sad yet happy smile on his face. He heard him say. “Hey, congrats stallion.” The way his friend had said it was more happy rather than jokingly. He also noticed the caring look on his face. He felt a gentle arm go around his shoulders. He looked at Ace again just as he asked. “Boy or Girl buddy?”

Teddy answered with a slight smile. “Probably both. She's carrying two.”

The answer shocked Ace as he said. “Oh, wow.” He was tempted to say something. But, at the moment he felt things were still a little raw. So instead he asked. “How are you feeling?”

Teddy replied. “I'm worried. But, it's mostly about Sweetheart.” He looked up as the soda jerk placed their drinks in front of them. He thanked her. “Thanks.” She nodded and walked over to another customer. He took a quick sip of his soda and continued. “I'm worried about her and I'm scared for her.”

Lancer asked. “You're not scared?” He seemed a little shocked.

Teddy shook his head. “I'm completely terrified with a capital T.” He took another drink from his soda as he asked. “I mean I was not given a manual on how to be a dad.”

The two nodded and Ace asked. “So, she's gonna keep them?”

Teddy answered. “Both of us are.” He quickly said to the two. “If I hear either of you even suggest.”

Lancer quickly interrupted him. “No need to get defensive Teddy. Neither I nor Ace assumed you'd ever think that.” Ace nodded in agreement.

He thanked them. “Thanks, guys.” He smiled before turning back to the counter and laying his head on his folded hooves.

Ace asked him. “Tired?”

Teddy answered with a muffled voice. “Both physically and mentally.”

Lancer rubbed the back of his head; he nervously spoke. “Um, Teddy?” Teddy looked at him and he asked. “Don't have to answer. But, how did “IT” feel?”

Teddy looked at him with a deadpan expression. Before he said. “Lancer, if I was myself right now. I'd have already kicked your chair out from under you. And, we would already be brawling outside.” He took another drink from his soda before continuing. “But, since I'm not myself consider yourself lucky.”

Lancer chuckled and nodded before saying. “I won't ask again.”

The three sat in silence again each of them taking sips from their sodas. Lancer or Ace would glance at Teddy now and then. They weren't as worried for their friend as they were. But, they did wonder what else he was thinking. They already knew he was going to probably be a good father. He did almost yell at them and they hadn't even said or thought of the procedure. And, yes, they were still curious about how “IT” felt. But, out of respect for their friend they kept those questions out.

Teddy then commented. “This silence is killing me.”

Ace asked him. “What do you wanna do?”

He answered. “I just.” He paused a moment before he continued. “Really want to be with Sweetheart.” He crossed his arms on the counter and hid his face behind them. He tried his best to keep himself from breaking down. But, he started crying softly. He didn't sob or bawl. The tears simply fell and collected on the counter.

His friends gently wrapped a hoof around him and moved a little closer to him. They didn't care who saw them at the moment. A friend of theirs needed some form of comfort. When the soda jerk walked back. She was about to ask if everything was okay. But, Lancer simply looked at her and just nodded. She nodded and walked away; making a mental note to get them some refills after their moment.

The door to Sweetheart's room opened. She looked over and saw her father standing in the doorway. He smiled at her before saying. “Hey, pumpkin.” He stepped to the side and continued. “You have visitors.”

Sweetheart smiled happily as one by one her friends entered. Each of them had looks of worry as they approached her bedside. She tried to sit up; only to have Bon-Bon gently push her back down. Her parents looked at each other. Mr. Heart motioned for his wife to follow him. She nodded and stood up; before she walked out of the room. She walked over to Sweetheart and kissed her on her forehead.

As the two exited the room Sweetheart looked at her friends and asked them. “What are you all doing here? Isn't it a school day?”

Starlight answered. “Normally, yes. But, since yesterday everything at school has been a mess.”

Sweetheart asked her. “What do you mean?”

Starlight answered. “Someone were not exactly sure who. Said that the reason why you were taken to the hospital is because you were sick. Normally nothing like that would cause the school the close. But, the school our soccer team played against last week. Has several students out with the chickenpox.” She paused a moment shaking her head in slight frustration before finishing. “So, when the rumor got spread that you were sick. They closed the school for the day. Not, that I mind a day off from school. But, because of this we're gonna have to make this day up in summer.:

Sweetheart groaned as she rested her head back against the pillow. She was at the game last week; cheering happily for Teddy in the stands. She couldn't blame the pony who started the rumor. But, could they have at least gotten their facts straight first? She looked at her friends and said. “I'm glad all of you are here.” She then apologized. “I'm sorry if I made you worry.”

Bright eyes spoke up. “You don't have to apologize Sweetheart. You did nothing wrong.” The others agreed with her.

Melody added. “All of us wanted to know if you were okay.” She then asked. “Can you tell us what happened?”

At first, Sweetheart was nervous to say anything to them. But, these were her friends. Ponies that she had known since she was a foal. She took in a deep breath and exhaled before looking over at the stand next to her bed. The stand held the pictures of her two foals. She reached for them; only to have Patch grab it and hand it to her.

She smiled and thanked her. “Thanks, Patch.”

She looked at each of them before she looked down at the pictures. She was worried about how they would react. Would they be angry? Would they treat her like an outcast? She shook her head; why in the world did she think that?! These were her friends. No way they would think poorly of her. She then looked up at them and slowly turned the pictures around. She could hear them gasping in shock; she had her eyes shut as she waited for one of them to say something. She didn't expect to be caught in a group hug. Each of them held her as gently as they could. She cried a little as she tried her best to hug all of them back. After a moment they broke the hug; none of them had a dry face.

Clover spoke. “I can't believe the youngest out of us all is pregnant.” She chuckled a little as she held up the sonogram. She tried to see where the baby was, but it only looked like a strange black and white image. She moved closer to Sweetheart and asked her. “Where's the baby?”

Sweetheart could only giggle at the thought of their reaction. The others closed in around them as she pointed toward the image. She said. “Well, that's baby A”

Bon-Bon, Bright eyes, and Melody yelled. “What!?” While the others either screamed or squealed in both shock and joy. Did their friend just say what they thought she just said?

Sweetheart could only giggle as she heard various shouts of “No!”, “Are you kidding?!”, “You are not!”. She could only laugh as the news sank into her friends' brains. But, eventually, she was asked the question.

Melody was the one who asked. “Who's the father?”

Sweetheart at first didn't want to answer. But, she had a feeling they already had a guess on who it was. Again she took a deep breath and spoke. “It's.”

Bon-Bon interrupted her and said. “It's Teddy isn't it?”

Sweetheart was initially shocked; that was a really good guess. She only nodded and confirmed it. “Yes, he's the father.”

Starlight commented. “I knew it.”

Melody added. “Had a feeling it was him.”

Sweetheart could only shake her head as her friends talked amongst themselves. She smiled only to feel a tear fall onto one of her hooves. She was happy but at the same time, she felt sad. She felt like something was missing. No, not something someone. By the time her friends noticed what was happening. She was already crying heavily. She wasn't sobbing or weeping. She was just crying. Her friends got to her side and grouped hugged her again.