Spike Has Three Mommies

Chapter Thirteen

Fluttershy smiled as she heard Rarity and Spike coming downstairs. She turned to the twins and asked, “Ready?”

They nodded eagerly. She turned around and watched Rarity appear, carrying Spike in her arms. For once, Spike seemed entirely at peace about his situation. A delirious smile was spread across his face.

“You’re just in time,” Fluttershy announced. Her wings shivered with anticipation. “The twins have something very important to tell you.”

“Oh, really?” said Rarity as she gently set Spike onto his feet.

The twins exchanged a quick look. Then Pumpkin Cake spread her hands, using a tiny wave of bright pink magic to create a small cloud in the air above her head. Pound Cake leapt up behind her, furiously beating his miniscule wings to create a strong gust of wind. The wind split the cloud apart, creating a faint message in pink smoky letters.

Rarity pulled down her glasses as she read it. “‘We’re… sorry… Rarity…’” She stopped and smiled tenderly. “Oh, my. How very thoughtful, children! Apology accepted!”

Fluttershy cleared her throat, giving Rarity a pointed look. Her friend blushed and added, “But, of course, it really isn’t your fault. Not at all! I’m glad we understand one another now.”

With a bemused look on his face, Spike walked over to the twins and put his arms around their shoulders. “Come on, guys. I know a great place upstairs where you can play.”

“Yay!” the twins squealed, hoping up and down. They ran ahead of Spike, who gave Fluttershy a knowing wink as he trailed after him. She was impressed that he didn’t seem to mind the thin crinkle his new diaper made as he left the room.

Meanwhile, Rarity had drifted over to the kitchen. When Fluttershy followed her in, she found the young woman was sitting at the dining table, staring down at her hands. Without even paying attention, she had begun casting her magic to prepare a fresh pot of tea on her stove and set out a pair of white china cups.

Fluttershy tried to be very quiet as she approached the boiling teapot. She remembered the last time she’d seen Rarity in one of these dark moods; she could barely work on a single dress then. She wasn’t at all like Rainbow Dash, who needed to stay active even when depressed.

Maybe Rarity needed something to keep her active, too. Fluttershy made a mental note to ask Rainbow Dash about her neighborhood watch group. They probably needed some uniforms, and who better to create them than the most hard-working designer in town?

A sharp whistle pierced the air. The tea had finally boiled and was ready to brew. But Rarity didn’t seem to notice. Her magic aura had faded from the air.

Fluttershy quickly flew over and switched off the stove. Without hesitation, she poured the tea and searched through the kitchen drawers for a tray to carry the cups.

It wasn’t until Fluttershy had set the tea tray down on the table and taken a seat that Rarity finally lifted her head. She blinked and stared at the tea like she was waking up from a dream.

“Oh, Fluttershy,” Rarity sighed. She grabbed a spoon and began to stir in a measure of sugar into her tea. “You’re the best friend a girl could ask for. I haven’t said that enough, have I?”

“You don’t have to say it.” Fluttershy poured in some milk into her own tea before taking a sip. “I’m sorry I didn’t consider your feelings earlier. I know you were just trying to help.”

“It’s in our nature.” Rarity gestured to herself, then at her friend. “The Element of Generosity. The Element of Kindness. How could we ever work against each other?”

They shared a laugh. Then Rarity sipped from her tea, looking much more at ease. “Besides,” she added, “it’s funny. Here I was, thinking I didn’t have anything to work on, and then you and Twilight show up with this potty training catastrophe. It only took all day for me to realize…” She blinked and looked up at Fluttershy. “To realize that I love a challenge, and what could be more challenging for me than designing clothes for a child?”

“I’m glad we could help,” said Fluttershy. She looked out the window for a moment, noticing a pair of butterflies drifting past. It was such a lovely afternoon. Maybe they would have some time to take the kids outside—

However, her cell phone rang. Fluttershy pulled it out from her pocket and checked the screen. It was Twilight calling.

She smiled apologetically at Rarity, then answered her phone. “Hello? Yes, Twilight, we’re all fine now. No, no changes—well, unless you count all the diaper changes… yes. Oh, okay. See you soon!”

“Is she coming over?” asked Rarity.

Fluttershy was about to say so when she noticed a familiar violet storm cloud forming near the kitchen door. She and Rarity turned just in time to see a brilliant white flash.

When the smoke and light faded, Twilight Sparkle took in the kitchen, brushing off her sweater and skirt. Her hair was in disarray, but in one hand, she triumphantly held a very old book.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said, panting a little. “You would not believe the day I’ve been having.”