Spike Has Three Mommies

Chapter Seven

Rarity frowned at the mannequin. She’d gotten the diaper on again—without using her hands, she was pleased to note—but it was still sagging. Putting on a diaper couldn’t be that difficult if Fluttershy and Twilight could handle it. But what was she getting wrong?

She searched her memory for all the babies and toddlers she’d known. Rarity could recall when Sweetie Belle had been a baby, but Rarity had been a little girl herself and not responsible for her sister. Their mother had taken care of everything. Rarity had been free to play with the other girls and study new fashion designs.

“But what good are those designs if I can’t change a single diaper?” Rarity asked herself. She sighed and ripped the diaper off the mannequin.

Barely a moment had passed before she heard the sound of flapping wings outside her door. Rarity looked up as Fluttershy glided into the workshop, carrying a very glum-looking Spike in her arms. The pink-haired girl set her passenger down on the floor and circled around to land right beside Rarity.

“Sorry to intrude,” said Fluttershy, bowing her head and pressing her hands together. “You see, Spike had another accident and needs to change his, um…”

“Diaper?” Rarity lifted up the garment in her hand. “I just happen to have one handy.” When she noticed Fluttershy and Spike giving her an odd glance, she quickly tucked it behind her back. “Not that I was doing anything with it!”

Spike wandered over to the folding screen. “Can we just get this over with?”

Fluttershy nodded. “Go on ahead. I’ll be right there.” As Spike disappeared behind the screen, she reached into her pockets and pulled out a tiny bottle of talcum powder and a package of baby wipes. Taking these in one hand, Fluttershy turned and pointed at the diaper in Rarity’s hands. “Um, if you wouldn’t mind?”

“Are you absolutely sure I can’t be of any help?” Rarity gave the biggest, most reassuring smile she could think of.

Fluttershy shrugged. “I suppose I could use your help.” Rarity brightened, but then her friend added, “Maybe you can go downstairs and watch the twins for me.”

“The twins?” Rarity’s mouth clamped shut. She hadn’t counted on that. Taking care of Spike—that was different. He was older, more mature. More likely to do as he was told and not run around making a mess of things—

Just then, she heard something crash downstairs. Rarity blanched and whirled toward the door. “Oh. Oh, no.” She waved at Fluttershy as she started to run for the stairs. “Er, go ahead without me! Oh dear…!”

She wasn’t sure, but as she left, Rarity could’ve sworn she heard Fluttershy giggling behind her.

“It’ll be easier if you lie down,” Fluttershy suggested. She set down the powder and wipes on the floor beside the folding screen. Then she knelt down, giving Spike plenty of space.

The pre-teen fiddled with the hem of his t-shirt, which just barely covered the top of his diaper. It was really a nicely-designed garment. Fluttershy made a mental note to compliment Rarity on her latest sewing success.

With a sigh of resignation, Spike got down onto his knees and slowly laid down on the carpet. He spread his legs apart, but when his eyes met Fluttershy’s face, his whole face went red.

“It’s okay, Spike.” Years of animal care and babysitting had prepared her for taking care of anxious patients. She closed her eyes and concentrated. “Relax. Focus on my wings if it helps.”

“Why would I—?” Spike’s retort died as Fluttershy spread her wings wide and high above her head. Then, with a small amount of effort, they began to flap up and down, ruffling their yellow feathers to fan Spike’s face. He stared up at them, completely hypnotized.

Fluttershy smiled. “Much better.”

With a flick of her wrist, she undid the tapes and gently peeled the diaper away from Spike’s skin. It wasn’t as soaked as she expected. She hoped it’d stay like this until Twilight could find the right spell.

Stay like this? Fluttershy thought while she worked. Like Spike as a…

The word baby was on the tip of her tongue. With a frown, she shook the thoughts from her head. Spike wasn’t a baby. He was a wonderful kid, and adorable, too!

Not adorable like a baby, Fluttershy added mentally. Not really…

“Fluttershy?” Spike’s voice was low and dreamy. His eyes were half-shut as he stared upward. “How long have I been here…?”

“Not long, sweetie,” she reassured him. By now, she’d cleaned him up and had almost gotten the fresh diaper all the way on. It wasn’t any different from changing Pound Cake.

He’s not a toddler, Fluttershy told herself. He’s not…

But if that was true, then why did she have this overwhelming urge to treat him like one?