Spike Has Three Mommies

Chapter Nine

“I hope Rarity doesn’t feel too overwhelmed,” Fluttershy said as she flew down the stairs behind Spike. “Doesn’t she seem anxious today?”

Spike shrugged. “I’m sure she’s fine. She’s a hardworking artist, after all.” He hopped down the last few steps into the living room, ignoring the rustle of his diaper.

“Oh, okay.” Fluttershy’s smile returned. She sailed past Spike and into the kitchen. “Rarity,” she called out, “how’s everything…?”

Her voice trailed off into a squeak as she and Spike took in the kitchen. Pieces of egg and lettuce covered the windows and the floor. Sauce and lemonade dripped off the table, where Pound and Pumpkin Cake sat giggling. It took Spike a moment to realize that they were stuffing their faces with apple pie.

“Oh, dear!” Fluttershy hovered around the devastation, grabbing a towel from the kitchen sink. “How did this mess happen?” She looked around. “Rarity?”

Spike started to search for her, but he didn’t have to go far. The shuddering cupboard door above the sink was the only clue he needed. He reached for the handle and gently pulled it open.

Inside the cupboard crouched a very nervous young woman with frazzled purple hair, clutching at her knees and staring wildly at nothing.

She coughed and said, “I tried. Celestia help me, I tried…”

Fluttershy flew to her side and extended her arms. “I’m so sorry. Please come out. It’ll be fine. I promise.” It wasn’t lost on Spike that she was using the same motherly tone she’d given him earlier when he’d wet himself. He tried not to blush for Rarity’s sake.

By the time Fluttershy had gotten her friend out and back onto her feet, Rarity was frantically wiping away tears. “It’s no use! I’m… I’m no good at this, Fluttershy! I’m not like you! I haven’t a babysitter’s bone in my body!” Her voice cracked at the end into a sob. Meanwhile, the twins didn’t notice the drama and continued to devour their apple pie.

Fluttershy wrapped her arms around Rarity. “Shh. It’s okay. I know you did your best. Just let me take care of things, okay?”

Spike heard Rarity whimper and nod into Fluttershy’s shoulder. He sighed and looked over at the twins, who had finished eating and, judging by their closing eyes, were falling asleep.

Remembering that it was already after noon, Spike dashed out of the kitchen and straight to the bag that Mrs. Cake had packed for her kids. He unzipped it and took out a blue and pink pair of blankets. Their naptime blankets, she’d called them.

When he came running back into the kitchen, the cleanup was already in motion. Rarity, while still fighting back tears, was using her magic to wipe everything down and drop every dirty plate into the sink. Meanwhile, Fluttershy had gotten the twins out of their chairs and into her arms, rocking them to all the way to sleep. She hummed a lullaby that seemed familiar to Spike. He vaguely remembered when Twilight used to sing it to him on cold winter nights in Canterlot.

“Oh, good thinking, Spike!” Fluttershy shifted one hand free and took the blankets from him. “They’re going to need a long nap after this.”

He was about to add that he could use one, too. But the words died in his throat as he felt an all-too-familiar tingle between his legs.

“No,” he whispered, looking down. “No, not now. We just did this!”

“Spike?” Rarity set down her towel and rushed over to him. “Is everything all right?” When she took notice of the yellow spot on his crotch, her hands flew up to her mouth. “Oh, dear! D-don’t worry, Spikey-wikey! I’ll handle this!”

“Rarity, please.” Fluttershy kept her voice at an insistent whisper. “It’s not a problem. I can take care of Spike once I put the twins down—”

“Oh, no, Fluttershy.” Rarity stamped her foot in protest. “Not this time! I may not be the world’s greatest babysitter, but I’ll prove to you and all of Equestria that I can change a diaper!”

“I n-never said you couldn’t,” Fluttershy replied. She began to anxiously back away, holding the twins close to her chest. “Forgive me, Rarity! I shouldn’t have assumed—”

“No, you shouldn’t have!” Rarity glared down her friend. “But at least my little Spikey-wikey didn’t judge me! And that’s why I’ll be taking care of him from now on. Is that clear?”

As the yelling match went on, Spike felt his cheeks burn, but this was a deeper shame. He could forgive being called a kid. He could accept that he was having accidents and needed diapers. But Rarity’s tone was pushing it, even with all the love that burned in his heart for her.

“Excuse me!” Spike burst out, hands curling into fists. “But no one’s taking care of me! I am not a toddler!”

Rarity turned to him in surprise. Fluttershy continued to shrink back in dismay. And then the twins woke up crying. Spike watched as Pumpkin Cake squirmed out of Fluttershy’s arms and raced out of the kitchen.

“Spike, I—” Rarity shook her head. “I’m sorry….”

Spike turned away. He couldn’t bear to look at her. He couldn’t believe what he’d just said.

So he turned and ran, his diaper sagging and rustling behind him.