Am I Going to be a Mommy?
It was a super bright and sunny day in Ponyville, and Derpy Hooves' esotropic golden-yellow eyes darted with unease as she trotted down the colorful streets. Her mind was normally filled with thoughts of muffins and the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration. But today, something totally unexpected had thrown her for a loop.
Derpy stopped abruptly in front of Twilight Sparkle's library, her wings twitching nervously. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door with a hoof. "Twilight! Twilight! Are you home?"
Twilight, who was inside organizing her books, heard Derpy's familiar voice and smiled. "Come on in, Derpy!"
Derpy pushed the door open clumsily, almost stumbling inside. "Um, hi, Twilight."
Twilight noticed Derpy's flustered state right away. "What's up, Derpy? You seem a little... um, extra Derpy today."
Derpy shuffled her hooves on the floor. "Well, you see, I... I took this test thingy, and it showed something weird."
Twilight raised an eyebrow curiously. "What kind of test?"
Derpy hesitated, then pulled out a small piece of paper from her saddlebag. "Well, uhhh….I was going to the doctor’s, since the postal service said I had to get something called a yearly ‘mystical’, so they took some of my blood and then made me use this other test, they called it some sort of test with lots of letters... uh, like a pCG test."
Twilight blinked, trying to figure out what Derpy was getting at. "Oh, do you mean a pregnancy test as part of your yearly physical?"
Derpy nodded enthusiastically, her eyes wide with worry. "Yes! And it says positive, but I don't get it. What does that mean? How can that be? I don’t feel very positive right now…"
Twilight took the test results from Derpy and examined it closely. "Well, Derpy, this test usually means... well, you might be having a foal."
Derpy tilted her head, her ears flopping a bit. "A foal? Like, a little pony?"
Twilight nodded, trying to simplify her explanation. "Exactly! It means there might be a little pony growing inside you."
Derpy gasped, her wings fluttering with surprise. "Oh my gosh! But how did that happen? I didn't plan for this!"
Twilight chuckled softly. "Sometimes these things happen, Derpy. Even if you didn't plan for it."
Derpy paced back and forth, clearly overwhelmed. "But what do I do now, Twilight? I'm not ready to be a mommy!"
Twilight reassured her gently. "It's okay to feel scared, Derpy. We'll figure everything out together. We can go see Nurse Redheart, and she'll help us understand what's going on."
Derpy nodded slowly, still processing everything. "Okay, Twilight. But what about the daddy? Shouldn't he know too?"
Twilight hesitated, considering how to explain. "Well, um, yes, it's important to talk to the stallion involved."
Derpy looked worried. "Oh no, do I have to find him and tell him? I’m not even sure who he is…"
Twilight nodded sympathetically. "It would be a good idea to talk to him, yes."
Derpy sighed heavily. "This is all so confusing, Twilight. I just wanted to deliver my mail and eat muffins today..."
Twilight hugged Derpy gently. "I know it's a lot to take in, Derpy. But you're not alone. Ponyville is here for you, and we'll help you through this."
Derpy sniffled, wiping a tear from her eye. "Thanks, Twilight. I think I'll go get a muffin, I….I really need one now.”
Not wanting to feel like she was overwhelming Derpy with too much info too quickly, she let the gray filly get her dessert.
==========☼==========
After leaving Twilight's library, Derpy wandered aimlessly through Ponyville, her mind swirling with confusion and worry. She passed by Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie Pie was busy baking, and waved half-heartedly when Pinkie waved with a big smile.
As Derpy continued down the street, lost in her thoughts, she suddenly heard a familiar voice call out, "Howdy there, Derpy! What's got you looking so perplexed?"
Derpy looked up to see Applejack trotting towards her with a concerned expression. "Oh, hi Applejack. Um, I'm just... well, something weird happened."
Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Weird? What's goin' on?"
Derpy shifted uncomfortably, trying to find the right words. "Well, I... I took this test, and it showed something about... um, having a foal?"
Applejack's eyes widened in surprise. "A foal? You mean like, you're gonna be a mom?"
Derpy nodded slowly, her wings drooping. "Yeah, but I don't understand how it happened. And I'm worried because I don't remember who the daddy is."
Applejack frowned slightly, thinking. "Hmm, well, do you know anythin’ about him? Maybe we can figure it out."
Derpy shook her head sadly. "No, he was just a random pony I met. I didn't even get his name or anything."
Applejack sighed sympathetically. "Well, that does make things a bit tricky. But don't you worry, Derpy. We'll figure this out together. Maybe somepony saw somethin' or knows who he might be."
Derpy looked uncertain. "But what if he's mad at me for not knowing? I don't want anypony to be mad."
Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "Now, Derpy, listen here. It's always best to be honest about these things. The truth might surprise ya, but it's better than worrying about what might happen. That's the element of honesty talkin'."
Derpy nodded slowly, taking Applejack's words to heart. "I mean…I don’t even know what to say. I’m not so good with words…but I guess you’re right."
Applejack smiled warmly. "That's the spirit! Now, let's see if anypony in town knows anythin'. Maybe Rarity or Fluttershy might've seen somethin'."
They walked through Ponyville, stopping at various places and asking around. They spoke to Rarity at the Carousel Boutique, who listened intently but couldn't recall seeing anypony with Derpy recently.
“So sorry, darling, but I just don’t remember seeing anything of the sort.”
Moving on, they went to see Fluttershy at her cottage surrounded by her animal friends, though she was equally unsure.
As they continued their search, they bumped into Rainbow Dash, who was practicing her latest flying tricks near the town square. Rainbow Dash glanced at Derpy and Applejack curiously. "Hey guys, what's up?"
Applejack took the lead. "Derpy here's got somethin' on her mind, Rainbow. She's lookin' for a certain somepony, but we're not sure who."
Derpy shuffled nervously. "Um, yeah, I... I need to find the daddy, but I don't remember who he is."
Rainbow Dash scratched her head. "Whoa, a ‘daddy’? Are you pregnant or something?”
“Yeah…” Derpy responded, looking down at the ground bashfully.
“Hmm, well congratulations, first of all, but in terms of finding him without any more info…well, that's gonna be a tough one. Maybe you should ask around more. Somepony might've seen him."
Derpy looked hopeful but still worried. "But what if he's mad at me for not remembering?"
Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Eh, if he's a decent pony, he won't be mad. And if he is, well, he's not worth your worry."
Derpy nodded slowly, feeling a bit more reassured. "Thanks, Rainbow. I'll keep asking around."
As they walked away, Applejack turned to Derpy with a comforting smile. "See? Everypony's willin' to help out. We'll find him, don't you worry."
Derpy nodded gratefully. "Yeah, you're right, Applejack. Thanks for being so nice."
Their next stop was at the town square, where they found Pinkie Pie organizing a surprise party for no apparent reason. Pinkie bounced over to them with her usual exuberance. "Hey hey HEY! What brings you guys here? Need help with something super-duper fun?"
Applejack chuckled. "Not this time, sugarcube. Derpy here needs some help findin' somepony she met recently."
Pinkie Pie gasped dramatically. "Ooh, a mystery pony! I love mysteries! Tell me everything, Derpy!"
Derpy blushed, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Um, well, I met this pony, but I don't know who he is. Now I’m gonna have a foal, and, uh, now I... I need to find him."
Pinkie Pie nodded seriously, though her mane bounced with excitement. "I get it, I get it. You need to find the daddy pony! Hmm, did you see him at Sugarcube Corner?"
Derpy shook her head. "No, I don't think so."
Pinkie Pie tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, maybe he's a secret agent pony who only comes out at night! Or maybe he's a ninja pony who's really good at hiding! Ooh, the possibilities!"
Applejack chortled a bit. "Pinkie, what in the Sam Hill…I don't think he's a secret agent or a ninja. We just need to know if anypony saw them together."
Pinkie Pie pouted slightly. "Oh, right. Well, I didn't see any mysterious pony with Derpy. But don't worry! We'll find him!"
Derpy smiled weakly. "Thanks, Pinkie. I hope so."
As they left the town square, Derpy couldn't help but feel a bit overwhelmed by everything. Applejack walked beside her, offering support. "Don't you worry, Derpy. We'll keep askin' around. Somepony's bound to know somethin'."
Just then, they heard a commotion up ahead. Turning the corner, they saw a group of ponies gathered around, murmuring and pointing at something. Curious, Derpy and Applejack approached to see what was going on.
In the center of the group was Spike, the baby dragon, holding up a flyer and speaking excitedly. "Attention, everypony! Have you seen this pony? Derpy Hooves is looking for the father of her soon-to-be foal, and we need your help to find him!"
Derpy's eyes widened in surprise and embarrassment as ponies started murmuring and whispering. Applejack stepped forward, trying to calm the situation. "Now hold on, everypony. We're just tryin' to help Derpy out here. If anypony has seen her with somepony recently, I reckon you best speak up."
A timid voice spoke up from the crowd, it was an otherwise quiet pony with a mint-color coat. "Um, I think I saw Derpy talking to a stallion at the market last week..." Soon the crowd had turned to look at the voice, recognizing Lyra Heartstrings.
Derpy perked up, her heart racing. "Yes, that's right! At the market! Do you remember what he looked like?"
Lyra hesitated, trying to recall. "Um, he was a brown stallion with a blonde mane. Kinda tall?"
Derpy frowned, trying to picture him. "Hmm, that doesn't sound like anypony I know..."
Applejack nodded thoughtfully. "Well, it's a start. Thanks for speakin' up, everypony. Let's keep lookin'!"
The crowd dispersed, leaving Derpy and Applejack standing there with Spike. Spike grinned at them. "See, Derpy? Everypony's helping out! We'll find him in no time."
Derpy nodded slowly, feeling a bit more hopeful. "Yeah, I guess so. Thanks, Spike."
As they continued their search through Ponyville, asking at the market and various shops, Derpy's mind raced with thoughts. What if they never found him? What would happen then? She glanced at Applejack, who was steadfast by her side.
To help crack the case, Applejack wanted to get some help from her family, so she took Derpy over to Sweet Apple Acres. Crossing the property line of the Apple farm, Applejack saw a familiar red stallion.
"Big Mac!" Applejack called out. "We need your help with somethin'."
Big Macintosh turned towards them, his trademark stoic expression softened with concern when he saw Derpy's troubled face. "Eeyup, what can Ah do for ya?"
Derpy took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "Um, Big Mac, I... I need to find a stallion I met recently. But I don't know who he is, and I'm worried he'll be mad at me."
Big Macintosh furrowed his brow, thinking. "Well now, that's a tough one. Do ya know anythin' about him?"
Derpy shook her head sadly. "No, he was just a random pony I talked to for like 5 seconds. I didn't get his name or anything."
Applejack stepped in, placing a reassuring hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "We're tryin' to piece it all together, Big Mac. Any ideas?"
Big Macintosh scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm, well, did anypony see ya talkin' to him? Maybe somepony saw somethin'."
Derpy perked up a bit. "Yeah, somepony said they saw me talking to a brown stallion with a blonde mane at the market."
Big Macintosh nodded slowly. "Well, that narrows it down a bit. Let's think... did ya notice anythin' else about him?"
Derpy thought hard, trying to remember. "Um, he was tall? And... uh, he had a nice smile?"
Applejack chuckled softly. "I reckon like you noticed the important things, Derpy."
Derpy blushed slightly. "Yeah, well... I just want to find him and... and figure everything out."
Big Macintosh nodded sympathetically. "Eeyup, Ah understand. We'll keep askin' around, see if anypony else knows somethin'."
As they walked back towards Ponyville, Derpy felt a sense of relief knowing that she had friends like Applejack and Big Macintosh to help her. Back in town, they continued their search, asking ponies and checking places where Derpy might have been. The hours passed, and the moon rose high in the sky, casting its silvery light over Ponyville.
Finally, just as they were about to give up for the night, they spotted him. A tall, brown stallion with a blonde mane, talking to a group of ponies outside the town hall. Derpy's heart skipped a beat as she recognized him.
"Applejack, there he is!" Derpy exclaimed, pointing excitedly with her gray hoof.
Applejack grinned. "Well, let's go talk to him then!"
They approached the stallion nervously, who turned towards them with a curious expression and a distinct Jersey accent. "Can I help youse?"
Derpy took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "Um, hi. I... I think we talked at the market recently?"
The stallion blinked in surprise, then smiled warmly as recognition dawned on his face. "Oh! Yea, Derpy, right? Yea, we did talk. Is everything okay?"
Derpy nodded, feeling relieved. "Yeah, um, well, you see... I found out something… unexpected."
Applejack stepped forward, offering her support. "Derpy here found out she's gonna have a foal. And, uh, well, she wanted to find you and let ya know."
The stallion's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh... oh wow. That’s quite the curveball. Um, I didn't know..."
Derpy fidgeted nervously. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I didn't remember your name, and I was scared you'd be mad."
The stallion shook his head, smiling gently. "No, no, I'm not mad at all. I... I appreciate that youse went through all dis trouble in telling me."
Derpy smiled gratefully, feeling a weight lifted off her shoulders. "Thank you for being so nice about it."
The stallion nodded, glancing at Applejack and Big Macintosh. "And thank youse for helping her find me. I... I want to do the right thing."
Applejack grinned. "That's mighty kind of ya. Derpy here's lucky to have such a good pony by her side."
The three ponies stood outside the town hall, the stallion nodded slowly in response to Derpy's revelation. "I appreciate you telling me, Derpy. This is... a lot to process. I think I need some time to think things through."
Derpy nodded nervously, her wings twitching. "O-okay. I understand."
With a nod and a gentle smile, the stallion turned and trotted away, disappearing into the late evening. Derpy watched him go, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "He'll come around, Derpy. Just give him some time."
Derpy nodded slowly, her mind racing with thoughts. "I hope so, Applejack. I just... I don't know what to do next."
Applejack sighed softly. "Well, let's head back to Twilight's. Maybe she and the others can help us figure things out."
Together, they walked back to Twilight Sparkle's library, where they found Twilight deep in thought, pacing back and forth. As they entered, Twilight looked up with concern. "Derpy, Applejack, what happened? Did you find him?"
Applejack bobbed her head solemnly. "Yeah, we found him alright, but he needed some time to think. He ran off, Twilight."
Twilight frowned, her worry deepening. "Oh no... Do you think he'll come back?"
Derpy shrugged uncertainly. "I-I don't know. He said he needed time to ‘process’ everything."
Twilight sighed heavily. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, let's figure out how we can support you, Derpy."
Applejack nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we're all here for ya, sugarcube."
Twilight looked around Applejack and gestured for her to come closer. Pulling her aside, she said to her in a hushed voice: "I think we should call a meeting. The girls need to know what's going on and how we can help Derpy. For now, let’s let Derpy go home, she doesn’t need to get any more stressed than she already is."
“Agreed!”
Soon, the rest of the Mane Six arrived at Twilight's library. Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash gathered around, their faces reflecting concern as Twilight explained the situation.
"So, Derpy found out she's expecting a foal," Twilight began, "but the stallion she met ran off after learning the news. Derpy's feeling uncertain about what to do next, and we need to support her through this."
Rarity gasped softly. "Oh dear, how unexpected! But of course, we must assist Derpy in any way we can."
Fluttershy nodded gently. "Yes, poor Derpy must be feeling so confused and worried. We need to make sure she has everything she needs, as long as everypony’s okay with that…."
Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. "Ooh, ooh! Maybe we can throw a baby shower! Everypony loves baby showers!"
Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Slow down, Pinkie. Let's focus on helping Derpy first."
Twilight nodded thoughtfully. "Exactly. Derpy is... well, she's very naïve and might not fully understand what it takes to care for a foal. We need to make sure she's prepared."
Applejack spoke up. "I agree. Derpy's a great pony, but consarn it, she's gonna need some help figurin' things out. We gotta be there for her."
With a plan in mind, Twilight sent Spike to find Derpy and bring her back to the library. Soon, Derpy arrived, looking uncertain but grateful for the support of her friends.
"Um, hi everypony," Derpy greeted timidly.
Twilight smiled warmly. "Hi, Derpy. Please, come in and have a seat. We want to talk to you about... everything."
Derpy nodded and took a seat, fidgeting nervously with her hooves. "Okay, Twilight."
Twilight took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Derpy, having a foal is a big responsibility. There are a lot of things to consider, like... um, taking care of the foal's needs."
Derpy frowned slightly, trying to follow along. "Taking care of... needs?"
Rainbow Dash jumped in, trying to help simplify things. "Yeah, Derpy, like feeding the foal, making sure it's healthy and happy."
Derpy nodded slowly. "Oh, okay. Like feeding muffins?"
Pinkie Pie giggled. "Well, maybe not just muffins, Derpy. Foals need lots of different foods to grow big and strong!"
Fluttershy spoke softly. "And they need love and attention too, Derpy. You'll be the most important pony in your foal's life."
Derpy's eyes widened with realization. "I-I…I will?"
Twilight nodded. "Yes, you will. And we're here to help you every step of the way."
Rarity chimed in with enthusiasm. "Absolutely, darling! We can assist with preparing a nursery, selecting baby clothes, and all the delightful details!"
Derpy blinked, her mind overwhelmed by the sudden flood of information. "Oh... um, okay. But what if I don't know what to do?"
Applejack placed a comforting hoof on Derpy's back. "That's why we're here, Derpy. We'll teach ya everything ya need to know. An’ by Celestia, we’ll make right sure you get it all down pat!"
Twilight nodded in agreement. "And we'll make sure you have the support you need, whether it's from us or Nurse Redheart or anypony else in Ponyville."
Derpy smiled gratefully, feeling a bit more reassured. "Thanks, everypony. I'm glad I have…well, at least somepony looking out for me."
How Do You Care for a Foal?
A few weeks later, in the dead of night, Ponyville was once again silent. Twilight was peacefully asleep, having finally organized her books just the way she liked them. However, her peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by frantic knocking and the sound of a familiar distressed voice.
"Twilight! Twilight! Please, wake up! I need help!"
Twilight groaned, rubbing her eyes as she dragged herself out of bed. She opened the door to find Derpy once again, looking even more panicked than before.
"Derpy, what is it this time?" Twilight asked, trying to hide her frustration.
Derpy stumbled inside, her eyes wide with fear. "Twilight, I... I don't know if I can do this! I'm scared! What if I mess up? What if I'm not a good mommy?"
"Okay, Derpy, let's try to calm down," Twilight said, guiding Derpy to a chair. "Take a deep breath and tell me what's going on."
Derpy plopped into the hoofchair, her wings fluttering anxiously. "I was trying to sleep, but then I started thinking about the foal, and I got really, really scared! What if I mess everything up? What if I do something wrong and the foal doesn't like me? What if it hates muffins?!"
Twilight couldn't help but chuckle softly at the last part. "Derpy, it's normal to have worries. Everypony has doubts about being a parent. But you need to stay calm. Panicking won't help you or the foal."
Derpy's eyes filled with tears, and she sniffled. "But Twilight, I'm not smart or organized like you. I can't even deliver mail without messing it up. How can I take care of a foal?"
Twilight rubbed her eyes, trying to stay patient despite being woken up in the middle of the night. "Derpy, I understand you're scared, but bursting in here like this isn't the best way to handle things. You need to be more careful. Stress isn't good for the foal."
Derpy's face fell, and she started to cry. "I'm sorry, Twilight. I knew I'd mess up. I just... I didn't know where else to go."
Twilight's heart softened at the sight of Derpy's distress. She reached out and placed a hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "It's okay, Derpy. I know you're scared. But you have to remember, you're not alone. You have friends who want to help you."
Derpy looked up, her eyes filled with uncertainty. "Really? You think I can do this?"
Twilight smiled gently. "Yes, I do. I mean, it’s not rocket science… Plus, we'll all be here to help you every step of the way."
Derpy took a shaky breath, trying to calm herself. "Thanks, Twilight. I just... I don't want to mess up."
Twilight nodded. "I know, Derpy. And it's okay to be scared. But you have to believe in yourself, too. I can only do so much to lift you up.”
Derpy wiped her tears and managed a small smile. "Thanks, Twilight. I'll try to be more careful. I promise."
Twilight hugged Derpy gently. "That's the spirit. Now, how about we make some tea and talk about your worries? I guess I am fully awake now and my night’s sleep is going to be a wash at this point anyway. So let’s just talk; it's always easier to face things when you talk them out."
Derpy nodded eagerly. "Okay, Twilight. That sounds nice."
Twilight took a deep breath in, held it for a moment, then released it, trying to gather her patience. "Okay, Derpy, let's try to sort out some of the big things.” The purple unicorn paused for a moment. “Do you know what you need to eat when you're expecting a foal?"
Derpy blinked, her eyes crossing slightly as she tried to think. "Uh, muffins?"
Twilight rubbed her temples with her hooves. "Well, yes, you can eat muffins, but you need a balanced diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lots of vitamins."
Derpy's face lit up. "Ooh, I know vegetables, I like apples! And carrots! But what are vitamins? Are they like muffins?"
Twilight chuckled softly. "Not exactly. Vitamins are nutrients your body needs to stay healthy. Like, um, think of them as tiny helpers in your food that make sure you and your foal stay strong."
Derpy nodded slowly, but it was clear she was still confused. "Okay, so I need to eat tiny helpers. That sounds weird…but okay. Got it. But, um, what else?"
Twilight sighed again. "You need to be careful not to overexert yourself. Don't lift heavy things, and make sure you get plenty of rest."
Derpy's eyes widened. "Oh, oh! I lifted a big box of muffins yesterday. Is that bad?"
Twilight frowned slightly. "Yes, Derpy, that's not good. You need to be more careful."
Derpy's ears drooped. "I'm sorry, Twilight. I just really like muffins. And sometimes I forget."
Twilight placed a reassuring hoof on Derpy's shoulder. "It's okay, Derpy. Just try to remember that you're not just taking care of yourself anymore. You're taking care of your foal too."
Derpy nodded, but it was clear she was struggling to keep up. "Okay, Twilight. I'll try. But, um, what if I forget again?"
Twilight sighed, realizing she wasn't getting anywhere. "Let's just take it one step at a time, Derpy. For now, why don't you try to get some sleep? And remember to be careful."
Derpy smiled weakly. "Okay, Twilight. I'll try. Thanks for helping me."
Twilight watched as Derpy left, her heart heavy with worry.
==========☼==========
The next morning, Twilight confided in Rarity, hoping for some advice.
"Rarity, I'm really worried about Derpy," Twilight admitted. "She doesn't seem to understand what she needs to do to take care of herself and the foal."
Rarity frowned thoughtfully. "Oh dear, that does sound troubling. But we mustn't stress her out too much. Perhaps we could keep an eye on her from a distance, just to make sure she's okay."
Twilight nodded. "I think that's a good idea. We'll watch over her without making her feel pressured."
Over the next few weeks, Twilight and Rarity discreetly kept an eye on Derpy. They watched as she went about her daily routine, often noticing her eating muffins constantly.
One day, Twilight approached Derpy while she was munching on a muffin. "Derpy, I've noticed you've been eating…well, a pretty immense quantity of muffins.”
“What, what do you mean, ‘immense’?”
“I mean that I have been seeing you eat a lot of muffins lately. Are you feeling okay?"
Derpy looked up, crumbs around her mouth. "Oh, hi Twilight! Yeah, I just feel really hungry all the time. And I get these cravings for muffins. But don't worry, even though I eat a lot, I just hurl them up in the mornings. So, it's like I'm not really eating that much!"
Twilight's eyes widened in realization. "Derpy, that's morning sickness. It's normal to feel nauseous and throw up, especially in the morning."
Derpy's eyes went wide. "Morning sickness? Like, I’m sick every morning? Oh no! Is it bad?"
Twilight shook her head. "No, it's actually a common part of pregnancy. It's just your body adjusting to all the changes."
Derpy nodded slowly, still looking a bit confused. "Oh, okay. So, I'm not doing anything wrong?"
Twilight smiled gently. "No, Derpy. You're not doing anything wrong. Just try to eat a little healthier and make sure you drink plenty of water."
Derpy grinned, relieved. "Okay, Twilight. I'll try. But, um, can I still have muffins sometimes?"
Twilight chuckled. "Yes, Derpy, you can still have muffins. Just not all the time."
Derpy beamed. "Yay! Thanks, Twilight. You're the best!"
Derpy was about to leave, satisfied with the new info she received, but Twilight called out: “Wait one second Derpy…I have another thing we need to talk about.”
Twilight took a deep breath, ready to broach the next topic with Derpy; she cleared her throat. "Yeah, Derpy, there's something really important we need to talk about."
Derpy tilted her head, her eyes wide and innocent. "Sure, Twilight! What is it?"
Twilight smiled, trying to find the right words. "Well, it's about what happens after the foal is born. You see, foals can't eat solid food like muffins right away. They need to drink their mother's milk."
Derpy's eyes got even wider. "Wait, what? Foals drink milk? Like from a bottle? With cookies? I like cookies!”
Twilight grinned, half-tinted by annoyance yet somewhat maternalistically fond of Derpy’s innocence. "No. Not exactly. They drink from their mother's... well, from their mother's body. It's called nursing."
Derpy blinked, clearly confused. "Nursing? Like... like a nurse pony? Do I have to go to the hospital and see Nurse Redheart?"
Twilight shook her head, trying to suppress a giggle. "No, Derpy. Nursing means the foal drinks milk directly from you. Your body will produce milk for the foal to drink."
Derpy looked down at herself, her face scrunching up in thought. "My body makes milk? Like... how?"
Twilight took a deep breath, trying to explain. "Well, when a mare is pregnant, her body gets ready to feed the foal after it's born. It's a natural process. The milk comes from... um, your teats."
Derpy's eyes widened even more. "Teats? I have those? Where?"
Twilight's cheeks turned slightly pink. "Yes, Derpy, you do. They're…well, underneath you, kind of low on your belly, near your…nethers. That's where the foal will drink from."
Derpy abruptly tilted her head downward and looked at herself from a lower angle, trying to better visualize what Twilight was saying. “Ooooh, those things! I never knew they were called that. I always thought that they were just for stallions to play with.”
“What do you mean play with, Derpy?”
“Oh, you know! Like the wheelbarrow game.”
“What are you talking about? In all my years of study I have never heard of a game like that.”
“That’s weird, because it's really easy! So, in the wheelbarrow game, you stick your back end up and put your chest and face on the ground, like a wheelbarrow. That’s what happened with that one stallion.”
“Which stallion?”
“The stallion that Lyra saw me talking to! The daddy pony! He asked me for my name and I told him. But then, after that, he followed me along the road outside of Ponyville while I was delivering mail. He came up behind me and said he’d give me two bits if I played the wheelbarrow game with him. He told me how to play, so I stuck out my backside, put my face to the ground, and he put the ‘handle’ in the ‘wheelbarrow.”
“What? What handle?”
“The handle! He put it near where my legs meet and it went in without a problem. I wanted to ask him a question, so I turned my head and asked how long the game would take, since I was super busy, and he said to ‘shut up” since ‘wheelbarrows don’t have mouths and can’t ask questions’, so I just stopped talking and looked at the ground.”
“Derpy, did this stallion move his…’handle’ in and out?”
“Yeah, he did! Have you played this game before?”
“Well…no, not this way, but what happened in the end?”
“The stallion said that to make sure the handle would fit right, he would have to add some special oil, so in the end he just squirted some oil into the hole, put the two bits on the ground near my head, and walked away...I didn’t even know they made white oil, but I guess that’s because I haven’t played the wheelbarrow game before. It must be special!”
“Oh my Celestia. I think…I think someone may have taken advantage of you, Derpy.”
“Nooooo, don’t be silly! In fact, since then, whenever I teach other stallions how to play the wheelbarrow game, they all enjoy it. Everyone wins! I get two bits, and they always say they had fun!”
“Derpy, I…I would really recommend that you don’t play that game that anymore.”
Derpy looked around; her train of thought was clearly off its tracks and had moved on to the sights and sounds around her at the moment. Looking down between her legs again, she noticed her teats once more, as if she had never laid eyes on them before.
“Hmmm, I never knew that they had milk in them,” she remarked as she turned her gaze back to her friend.
Twilight brought her purple hoof to her face in frustration. “Yes, Derpy, they do have a pretty important function, both milk- and nutrition-wise for a foal.”
“But why two of them, and why have they been getting bigger over the last few weeks? Am I going to have TWO foals?”
“Well, not necessarily. I mean, you could…but it’s more of an evolutionary thing that comes from a long time ago.”
“Evolution, what’s that?”
“Yeeeaaah, I’m not opening that can of worms. Anyway, foals drink milk from them. Everypony does it when they're young.”
Derpy tilted her head, clearly struggling to understand. "But... I don't remember drinking milk from my mom like that."
Twilight smiled gently. "That's okay, Derpy. It's something we don't really remember because we're so young when it happens. But it's very important for the foal's health."
Derpy nodded slowly, still looking a bit puzzled. "So, no muffins for the foal?"
Twilight shook her head. "No muffins for a while. The foal needs to drink milk for the first few months, sometimes even longer, until they're ready for solid food."
Derpy's face lit up with realization. "Oh! So I have to eat healthy so I can make good milk for the foal?"
Twilight beamed, glad that Derpy was catching on. "Exactly! That's why a balanced diet is so important. Your body needs all the right nutrients to make sure the milk is good for the foal. You know, B12, riboflavin, folate…"
“Haha, foal-ate!”
“Haha, yes,” Twilight responded, trying feign being entertained. “Exactly! That’s why vegetables and fruits are so important.”
Derpy smiled proudly. "Okay, Twilight! I'll eat lots of fruits and vegetables! And maybe just a few muffins."
Twilight laughed. "That sounds like a great plan, Derpy."
Derpy leaned in, her expression curious. "So, how does the foal know how to, um, drink from me?"
Twilight smiled, remembering her own studies on the subject. "It's an instinct. When the foal is born, they naturally know how to nurse. You'll just need to help guide them a bit at first."
Derpy nodded, looking a bit more confident. "Okay, I think I get it. I'll do my best, Twilight!"
Twilight hugged Derpy gently. "I know you will. And remember, we're all here to help you."
==========☼==========
As the weeks passed, Derpy diligently followed Twilight's advice. She ate a more balanced diet, though she still indulged in her beloved muffins now and then. Twilight and Rarity continued to keep an eye on her, offering guidance and support whenever she needed it.
One sunny morning, Twilight noticed Derpy sitting on a bench in the park, a basket of muffins beside her. She approached with a smile. "Hi, Derpy! How are you feeling today?"
Derpy looked up, her mouth full of muffin crumbs. "Hi, Twilight! I'm okay. Just really hungry all the time."
Twilight sat down next to her. "That's normal. Your body is working hard to take care of both you and the foal."
Derpy nodded, then looked down at her belly. "Twilight, do you think the foal likes muffins?"
Twilight chuckled. "Well, right now, the foal is getting all its nutrition from you. So, as long as you're eating healthy, the foal is getting what it needs."
Derpy smiled brightly. "Okay! I'll keep eating my fruits and veggies. I have been doing it! Honest! And maybe just a few muffins."
Twilight nodded approvingly. "That's a great plan, Derpy. And remember, if you ever have any questions or worries, you can always come to me."
Derpy's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thanks, Twilight. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Twilight hugged her friend gently. "We're all here for you, Derpy. You're going to be a great mom."
