Welcome To The World

by Sweet Tale

Rating: everyone
Tags: Princess Celestia, Slice of Life, Human, Princess Luna, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 7881

Jason and Sarah enlist the help of their off-world friends.

A bond between friends can be weak or it can be strong. The one between Jason and Celestia can't be measured. One of life's many events decides to unfold at the worst time and Jason can only call for the Princesses to help.

The third story in the 'Jason & Celestia' line. This story follows Return To The Haven.

Published 2013-03-17 21:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-05-14 19:37:38 UTC

Chapter 1

*CRACK BOOM*

"Bloody useless bus service..."

*FLASH*

"Can't drive in the bloody rain..."

*CRACK BOOM*

"It's all for the best...it's what she wants.  And what she wants..."  I breathed out heavily.  "She gets..."

Cycling uphill in a torrential storm.  Well, I can't blame the world for being designed wrong but it seemed that Summer had buggered off for a while.  This storm had been going on for hours and there was no sign of it stopping.  And better yet, I had a backpack on, filled to the brim with an assortment of sugary snacks and bottles of a certain popular fizzy drink.

It was my turn to go shopping and I couldn't really argue with Sarah again.  But I swore every time it was my turn, more heavy items would show up on the shopping list.  Maybe I should try and learn how to drive.

"Phhbbtt...yuck..."  I spat out the rain that was dripping into my mouth from my hair.  It tasted awful but that could have been because of my shampoo.  Lime shower gel...smells nice but tastes terrible...

Powering away, I gradually climbed the angled slopes of the A66 towards Penrith.  I hated cycling up these roads but I suppose it's a good way of keeping fit.  The lightning illuminated the hills around me with the accompanying thunder providing such a beautiful song of nature.  The rain had soaked me to the bone and I knew I was going to get sick from it...I just knew it...

*BEEP BEEP*

A lorry barrelled past me and I lost my balance, wobbling slightly.  "HEY, WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING YOU..."

*CRACK*

"Oh no..."  I stopped the bike and went to pick up my mobile which had fallen out of my pocket.  Approaching it, I noticed it had split into various pieces.  The screen was cracked and the back and battery were seperated.  I put the phone back together and tried to turn it on...it didn't.  "Just brilliant..."  I put the broken mobile in my bag and got back on the bike, continuing my ascent to the hills.

Soon enough, my home came into view.  That tiny little place that offered me shelter from the outside world.  At the moment, some horrors lay within but nothing could be worse than being in this appalling weather.  I locked my bike up and took my assortment of keys out.  Unlocking and opening the door, the first thing I saw was Sarah, lounged out on the sofa watching TV...not that I could blame her.

"What took you?" she asked.

"You have seen the weather right?"  I took my coat off and let it flop to the ground.  "I...am...soaked."  I opened my bag and started handing her various items.  "Diet Coke...sour cream and chive flavour pretzels...and a bag of fun-sized Milky Ways.  Is that everything?" I asked with a smile.

She looked at her assortment, then gave me a glare.  "Did you get the Pringles?"  My face said it all - I completely forgot.  "Jason..."

"Sorry honey...I tried to remember everything."  I leant down to give her a kiss but she edged away.  "Fine." I grumbled.  "I'll just go and change."  I walked to the bathroom and took off my waterlogged clothes.  They fell to the floor with an audible splat.  Drying myself off, I went to the bedroom and put on some clean clothes.  Going back into the living room, I plopped myself down on the armchair and breathed out an audible sigh.

"What's wrong now?" Sarah annoyingly asked.

"Just this...so-and-so in a lorry.  He sped past me and made me drop my phone.  Now it's broken." I glumly said.

"Just more and more problems with you isn't it?"

I shook my head.  "Yeah, yeah, just pile it on why don't you?"  Sarah gave a 'hmph' and started eating a Milky Way.  I knew she wasn't mad at me but...but the way she said things really hurt me.  "Sorry...it's just...I want things to be normal again..."

"Well that's not going to happen is it?  Not with you forgetting things all the time." Sarah responded with a hint of anger.

"Oh come on!" I retorted, getting to my feet.  "I tried my best.  I mean..."  I sighed and sat back down.  "This will all be over soon and...and we'll be alright again.  Besides, this was only supposed to happen towards the end of this anyway."  Sarah refused to look at me.  I knew how to get her happy again.  "Come on...when this finally happens, we'll be as happy as larry."

Sarah looked down then up at me.  She smiled slightly and kissed me.  "I'm sorry I snapped at you.  You don't know what it's like..."

"I can only imagine..."  I got to my feet again.  "I'm gonna go lie down for a bit OK?"  She nodded and I retreated to the bedroom, flopping down on the bed.  That cycling had really taken it out of me and I was ready to fall asleep.  And before long, I found myself unable to keep my eyes open.

The world of slumber seemed very interesting right about--

"JASON!"

"Oh for..."  I slowly got off the bed and headed for the bedroom door.

"JASON...QUICK!"

She sounded angry.  I wonder what I did this time?  Going into the front room, I noticed Sarah was staring at a blank TV screen.  The bloody thing broke again.  "Don't worry, I'll get it fixed."  Ignoring her groans of protest, I pulled the cabinet out and started unplugging the wires.

"Jason...it's not--"

"I know it's not working, just give me a minute!"  Grumbling under my breath, I took out the scart cable and gave it a quick clean.  "These bloody wires...I swear they just break so we pay more money for--"

"JASON!  IT'S NOT THE TV!"

I rubbed my eyes and plugged everything back in.  Raising to my knees, I turned to Sarah.  "Well what's the..."  What I saw made me feel like a complete idiot.  "Oh...OH!"  I rushed to my wife who was staring at me.  "Is...is that?"

"It's happening!" she shouted at me.

"Alright, alright!  I'll call someone!"  I went to the landline and picked up the phone, only to be met with silence.  "Huh?"  I tried pressing a few buttons but nothing happened.  "Bloody storm's knocked out the phone!"  I reached into my pocket to get my mobile out...only to remember what happened.  "NO!  I've got no phone!  Where's yours?"

"I don't know!" she replied, sweating buckets.

"Don't worry, I'll call it from the..."  I slapped my forehead at my own stupidity.  But then a fear arised...just how the hell was I supposed to get help?"  "I don't know what to do!"

"Get..."

"Get?  Get what?"

"Get...Luna...and Celestia..."

My wife was a genius.  I leant down and kissed her forehead.  "Brilliant!"  I rushed to my bedroom and pulled out the scroll and quill, hastily writing a quick note and sending it to Her Royal Highness.  I returned to the living room and took a seat next to my pained wife.  "Alright, alright."  I put my arm around her.  "Just stay calm...she'll help us...I know she will..."

Today was a special day in Canterlot.  The love between two of her subjects was soon to be tied by marriage.  They stood before her looking stunning in their formal attire.  Celestia looked upon them and read out the sacred lines.

"My loyal subjects of Equestria.  You join us here today to celebrate the matrimony between Grid Iron and Summer Breeze."

Celestia continued her rehearsed speech before the families of both the bride and groom.  There wasn't a dry eye in the entire crowd as at least fifty ponies had turned out to see their family members become on.

"Grid Iron.  Do you take--"

*FLASH*

Before she could continue, a scroll appeared before her in a flash of light.  Knowing who this could only be from, she took it in her wing and looked at the couple-to-be.  "Please forgive me my subjects.  I shall only be a moment."  She unrolled the scroll and began to read.

To Celestia and Luna,

I need your help, RIGHT NOW!  This is a matter of utmost emergency.  We have no means of outside communication and we need help!  Please come as soon as you can!

Jason

Celestia rolled the scroll back up and turned to the couple again.  "Excuse me one moment."  She quickly teleported away, leaving a rather excited couple bemused and wondering what on Equestria was happening.  Celestia quickly returned but with Luna in tow.

"Forgive me my subjects but a matter of emergency has arisen and I must depart.  Princess Luna will continue the ceremony."  Before anyone could reply to her statement, Celestia disappeared once again.

"WHERE IS SHE?" Sarah screamed.

"I DON'T KNOW!"  It had been fifteen minutes since I sent the letter but it felt like much more.  Sarah was still screaming in pain as our latest life event began to unfold.  Deciding to take action, I stood up.  "Come on, we'll go to the road and flag someone down."

"I can't..." Sarah said through pained breaths.

"Yes you can!  I'm gonna help you!"  I put my arms around her and helped her to her feet.  She screamed in agony as we began to take steps towards the door.  The lightning flashed furiously outside.  "You're doing great honey, just keep it up!"  Before we could take another step, Sarah collapsed to the floor and landed on her knees.  "Babe!  Are you alright?!"

"It hurts!"

The lights in our home flickered as the lightning continued to perform the world's biggest light show.  "I'm sorry, but you need to get up now!"  As I tried to help my wife up, a flash of light eminated from the room and Celestia had finally appeared.  "YOU'RE HERE!" I screamed at her.

"Sorry for the delay my friends but..."  She stopped talking as she noticed Sarah on the floor, writhing in pain.  "Sarah?!  What's wrong?"

"He...he did this to...me..."

"Jason did..."  Celestia immediately thought the worst and glared at me.  "Jason..." she said angrily.  "Just how could strike your wife?!"

"What?!  I didn't hit her!"

"Then why is she in pain?!" Celestia angrily demanded, jabbing her hoof into my chest.

"The reason I brought you here!"

I pointed to her enlarged area.

"SHE'S IN LABOUR!"

Chapter 2

The world surrounding the three beings seemed to stop as my exclamation echoed throughout the house.  Celestia's jaw hung open as she looked back and forth between my eyes and Sarah's bulge.

"Labour?  You mean she's..."  The gears finally clicked and her grin turned to one that could match Pinkie Pie's.  "I'm so happy for you!" the Sun Goddess happily exclaimed, wrapping me up in her forelegs.  "This is truly a wond--"

"AAAAARGH!"

Sarah's agonised scream caught Celestia's attention and she quickly released my body and crouched down at Sarah's side.  "Oh my dear, I'm sorry."  The alicorn looked up at me again with a confused look.  "Haven't you tried to get help?"

"Did you not read my letter?!" I retorted.  "I mean, look out there."  I pointed to his window to which Celestia gave a look.  The sky was dancing with forks of power with nature's drum providing a follow-up.  "This storm has knocked out our telephone line.  My mobile phone is broken and I...I didn't know what to do."  I knelt down next to my suffering wife.  "No-one lives near us...and I couldn't make her walk in the storm...not really."

"OH!  You tell me that now!" came his wife's angered reply.

"Well I'm sorry but I couldn't leave you in pain!  I needed to do something!" I retorted with a pang of anger.

"So you would have made me walk in the storm?!  Some plan!"

"EXCUSE ME FOR--"

"SILENCE!"  Both of us held onto our ears as Celestia's royal voice boomed through the house.  "Stop arguing.  This is a time where calm is needed."

"IT HURTS!"

Celestia soothed Sarah by draping a wing over her hunched form.  "I know...please hold on for me.  Can you do that?"  Sarah continued clutching her stomach.  "Sarah...please answer me." Celestia demanded.

"I...I can." came here struggled reply.

"So can you help her, Princess?" I asked with hope.

"I wish I could but...I cannot."

"What?  WHY?!" Sarah screamed back at her.

"You're over a thousand years old!  Surely you must have seen at least one birth in your lifetime." I added.

"That is true.  I have seen countless pony births in my lifetime.  But NOT a human's."  Celestia sighed heavily.  "What happens in your event of birth could differ greatly from a pony birth."

"You're the only one who can help us now!" I desperately pleaded with her.  "Please Celestia...I can't see my wife in pain like this.  And this...child.  This bundle of joy we've been waiting for...for so long now...please Princess, please help her."  I literally begged her, tears forming in my eyes.

Celestia knew she couldn't do it herself and she daren't cause harm to her two human friends.  She couldn't leave them like this - she had to help one way or another.  "I'll do what I can."  Her words were met by the me clutching her forelegs and squeezing them tight.

"Thank you..."  Smiling, I let go of the white plushness and continued to look over my wife.  "So what are you going to do?  Are you going to deliver it?"

"Me?!" Celestia exclaimed with a chuckle.  "Goodness no.  Maybe...maybe I can take you to the nearest hospital."

"That sounds...wait...how would you get us there?" I asked.

"Flying.  I would teleport but I do not know the layout of your local area very well."

"In this storm?!  No way...I am not risking it.  We could fall or be struck by lightning.  Not gonna happen."

"Do not fear.  My magic will keep you safe at all times.  A protective shield will be placed around all of us to prevent anyone from harm." she explained.

"That...won't work..." came Sarah's voice.

"It won't?" I replied but then I noticed the lack of screaming.  "Did it stop?"

"For...now.  It still hurts but...the contractions are becoming less frequent..."  Sarah looked up at the alicorn with bloodshot eyes.  "What if someone sees you?  Even in this storm, surely you can't get around without being spotted."

"Hmm..."  Celestia held a hoof to her chin.  "You do make a fair point.  My existence should be kept secret after all."

"So...what then?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

A million things were rushing through Celestia's mind at that moment.  What can I do?  Will this idea work?  What about her child?  "I...I'm not..."  She scanned the room for anything that could provide an idea.  A buzzword.  Something that would trigger an idea.  There was the television, the sofa, the table, the candlesticks...  "Wait a second..."  Celestia stared intently at the candles.  They were half used and the wick was running low.  "Wick...WICK!  OF COURSE!"

"What is it?" Sarah asked.

"I know what to do!  I must return to Canterlot!"  Celestia started charging her horn.

"Wait!  What do we do now?" I asked, placing a hand on Sarah's shoulder.

"Sarah.  Please try and sit upright and remain calm.  I will return shortly."  With that, the alicorn vanished in a flash of light.

Back in Canterlot, Grid Iron and Summer Breeze were nearing the end of their wedding ceremony.  Princess Luna had taken over the proceedings as Celestia was called away for reasons unknown.

The yellow maned unicorn with the joystick Cutie Mark had never been happier.  Oh sure, her wedding was interrupted by royal duties but they are the Princesses after all.  Looking over at her Pegasus groom, she smiled greatly as Luna was about to read those immortal words.

"By the power vested in me and the Royal Family, I now pronounce you hus--"

*FLASH*

"LUNA!  COME WITH ME!" shouted a clearly ecstatic Celestia before they both disappeared with another flash of light.

Summer Breeze was speechless.  Was it over?  "Are we married?"  She turned to the crowd behind her.  "Anypony?!"  The families of the bride and groom all shrugged.

And it was that moment that the whole of Canterlot heard a strange sound - like a mare screaming.

"When is she coming back..." Sarah asked through teary eyes.

"Soon...I promise." I replied, kissing her on the forehead.

*FLASH*

"See, told you." I added smirking.  Before me stood not one, but two alicorns.  Celestia had brought Luna along with her.  "Princess Luna!" I exclaimed.

"SISTER!  I was in the middle of something!  That couple were just about to be married!" Luna berated her older sibling.

"I apologise sister of mine but you are needed for something of astronomical importance."  She pointed her hoof at the two humans - one of which was sat in a chair, panting.  The other was knelt by her side.  "Sarah is soon to give birth and I need to fetch something from Canterlot.  I leave you to take care of them."

Luna immediately felt a sudden feeling of responsibility.  "You have my word Celestia.  I will watch over them."  Once she said that, the older Alicorn disappeared once again, leaving the Lunar Princess to soothe the humans.  "I would ask you how you both are but..."

"Yeah...probably quite obvious isn't it?" I joked.

"Indeed."  Luna crouched down next to Sarah and placed one of her wings around her shoulder.  "How are you feeling right now?"

Sarah sighed heavily and gave an unexpected smile.  "The pains come and go...but I couldn't be happier.  We've been waiting for this for so long and..."  Her eyes started to tear up.  "I'll have my little baby soon..." she said, sniffling quietly.

"Birth is a wondrous event in your life.  Believe me when I say this - you're lives will only get better and better."  Luna looked down at the bulge and smiled.  "Do you know what sex it is?"

"We don't.  We thought it'd be best to just find out when it happens.  Whatever it'll be..."  I rubbed my wife's stomach.  "I'll be the happiest man alive."

*FLASH*

Celestia reappeared with a new pony in tow.  A brown unicorn with a black mane.  His Cutie Mark was of a syringe on a red cross.  "Doctor Haywick, these are the one I was referring to."

The doctor looked over at us and his eyes bulged out immediately.  "Do forgive me Princess but when you said you needed some medical help with a foreign species...I was not expecting this.  What exactly do you call this species?" he asked, not looking away from me and Sarah.

"This is Jason."  she said, pointing at me.  "And this is Sarah." she added.  "They are known as Humans and are a very advanced race."

"Hi.  Doctor Haywick was it?" I said.

The pony gasped for breath.  "They...they talk Equestrian?"

"We prefer English but I think our languages are the same." I replied, smiling."

The doctor cleared his throat a couple of times before turning to the Princess.  "Princess, I have to ask.  This place you have taken me to...where exactly am I?"  He looked around our home, staring intently at most of our possessions.  "I'm sorry but I do not recognise any of this equipment."

"Doctor Haywick, I am afraid I cannot tell you.  This place is an utmost secret location that only myself and Princess Luna know about."  She leant her head down to his eye level.  "Even though you do not know the name of this location, I must ask you to never speak of it.  Am I clear?"

"C-crystal.  You have my word Princess." Haywick replied.

Celestia then led him over to Sarah who was still panting.  "This is what I need you to help me with.  This human female is in labour and is about to give birth to her child.  Due to the storm outside, we are unable to take Sarah to the hospital at risk of injury."

Haywick caught on quick.  "You want ME to deliver a foreign species' child?!" he exclaimed, looking extremely shocked.

"Please Mr Haywick." said Sarah quietly.  Said pony stared curiously at my wife and approached slowly.  "You're the only one who can help.  I'm..."  She clutched her stomach in pain.  "Ow...I'm certain Celestia chose you because she trusts you."

"And trust you I do."  Haywick turned back to see Celestia smiling at him.  "You are the best medical practitioner

I have seen in so many years.  I have seen you perform the most complex of operations and watched you save ponies from the brink of death.  If anypony can help now, it's you."

Haywick looked visibly stunned by the Princess' moving words.  Clearing his throat, he stood up straight and smiled.  "Then I will do my very best."  Smiles adorned all of our faces as he agreed to help.  "But...I will need much equipment to be brought here."

Celestia groaned as she realised he was right.  "The time it would take to bring all of that over here..."  She paced back and forth searching for a solution before stopping dead in her tracks.  She turned to us both and knelt down near us.  "Jason.  Sarah.  The only way I can see this working is if we perform this procedure in a medical environment."

"But we already said we're not risking it here." I replied.

"I know.  Which is why I want to take you both to Canterlot.  Haywick and his team will be more able there." she explained.  She turned to Luna and nodded, to which she did the same.  Luna grabbed Haywick with her hoof and teleported them away.  "Are you ready?"

"Wait."  I stood up and focused on Celestia.  "I want you to promise me something."

"Of course."

"Promise me that no harm will come to Sarah or our baby by using strong magic."

"Jason I--"

"PROMISE ME!"  I held my hand over my mouth, surprised at my outburst.  "I'm sorry but...I cannot risk harm to them both.  What if magic causes something to go wrong?  What if the teleport takes us somewhere else?  Somewhere dangerous?  I can't allow them to be hurt."  I put my arms around my wife who was still in pain.  "Please Celestia.  Please promise me."

I felt two large wings wrap around us both as Celestia approached.  "Jason.  You have my word.  No harm will come to you, your wife or your child.  I promise."

"Thank you."

Our house was illuminated for a final time as Celestia teleported us both to Canterlot - the birth place of our first child.

Chapter 3

The horrible feel of weightlessness came back as the three of us were teleported to Canterlot.  I held onto my wife as the world around us transpired into one full of vibrant colours and magical creatures.  A sound of white noise filled my ears as we travelled between worlds and soon enough, the noise dimmed and it was replaced with audible gasps.

"Now there my subjects, I am certain that my sister has instructed you not to question.  Correct?" I heard Celestia say.  Lifting my head from Sarah's shoulder, I looked up to see Luna, Haywick and around four to five ponies all staring at me.  The moment I made eye contact with them, their facial expressions turned into fear.

My wife's eyes were shut tight.  "Sarah...honey."  She cracked open one of her eyes to look at me.  "Look."  She turned her view to where I was staring and I could feel her tense up immediately.  "It's OK.  It's alright.  They're here to help." I said in a calming manner.  Sarah wriggled out of my grasp and started to take in her surroundings; admiring the suitable décor of the throne room.

"It's...it's so beautiful..." she whispered.  I watched as she continued observing every possible thing she could lay her eyes on - from the tapestries to the stain glass decorations.  "I can't...believe..."  She turned back to me with her mouth agape.  "When you told me you went to Equestria...I...I thought you were pulling my leg."

"I wouldn't lie about this."  I slung my arm around her shoulder.  "Come on, let's get you off the floor."  Using my arm placed under her armpit, I helped her to her feet, being careful not to aggravate her pain further.  "How are you feeling?"

"Better.  Pain is there but it's not as bad now."  With my help, she lead me over to Celestia, who was watching her every movement.  "What do you want me to do?" she asked.

Smiling, Celestia looked over to the group of medical staff and they rushed over with a gurney.  "Please get into bed for me."  She brought a hoof to her chin, pondering something.  "Will you require assistance?"

"I got this.  Just like at home." I said.  Following our normal routine, Sarah placed her backside just on the edge of the bed.  Normally I would be able to lift her up but this bed had wheels.  "Um..."  I looked at one of the doctors who was still a bit fearful of us.  "Could you please hold the bed still whilst I lift her up?"

"Oh...um..."  The doctor, a light green unicorn, placed his hooves on the bed and pushed it against me.  "Is...is that OK?"

"That's perfect."  I put one of my hands under Sarah's right knee and my other arm around her back.  "On three.  One...two...three."  I lifted her knee and carefully guided her onto the bed into a seated position.  She lay back against the pillows and breathed a sigh of relief.  "Hopefully that's the last I have to do that..."

That earned me a smack on the head.

"Alright.  Buster and Baker on each side of the gurney." Haywick instructed his team.  "Gears, head down to the medical bay and inform them of our upcoming arrival."  He turned to the last member of this team.  "Finally, Steams, I need you to make sure that everypony stays calm if they see Sarah or Jason.  Given your field of expertise, I am certain you'll be able to handle it."

The chocolate brown Pegasus saluted.  "You can count on me."  She sped off out of the castle at breakneck speed.

"So...what's her profession?" I asked curiously.

"Psychatrist and therapy.  Mostly mental health."

"Ahhh...I see.  So she can calm ponies down if they get freaked out by yours truly."

"Exactly." Luna replied.  "Can we please move on?  You know, the reason why we are here?" she continued, concerned.

"Right, right, right..."  I held onto my wife's hand as the gurney was pushed along by two of the doctors.  Through the throne room doors we went, catching the eyes of various guards.  They remained steadfast but their eyes clearly showed confusion and a tinge of fear.

"How are the pains, Sarah?" asked Celestia, who was walking alongside the gurney.

Sarah still had her hand on her enlarged stomach, patting it softly.  "It wants out, I know that.  Doesn't hurt as much as...hng...it used to." she said through a strained voice.

We continued on through a long corridor which was decorated with a variety of vases and paintings.  Each one had an illustration of a pony on it - very similar to a portrait of the President or a member of the Royal Family.  "Who are these ponies?"

Luna pointed her wing to the left to a painting of a pony wearing a very large pointy hat with bells hanging from it.  "This is Starswirl the Bearded - one of the most important ponies in the history of magic.  But that is a story for another time.  Quickly now!"  Turning right, we came to a large set of double doors which were opened by a couple of guards.  "Be careful n...what is this?"

All of us were a bit confused as we saw that the interior of the medical centre was shielded by something white.  There was an opening which gave us a path to walk down.  Poking it with my hand, I felt the texture of it - smooth, almost like silk.  "Feels like a bed sheet.  Is this place normally--"

"Come on!  This way!" came the voice of Steams, the psychiatrist, who appeared at the end of the passage way.  "I put this up so nopony could see you!" she whispered.

"Good job Steams.  Right everypony, be gentle now." instructed Haywick.  Following Haywick, we slowly guided the gurney down the silk passage.  Looking at my wife, she showed a pained expression and grunted slightly.

"It'll be over soon...just hold on for me." I whispered to her.  Planting a kiss on her cheek, we stopped as we had reached another set of double doors.

"Buster, Baker.  Lead Miss Sarah into the ward.  Steams, I want you to be at her side to quell any fears she may have.  Gears, fetch the examination equipment and the sterilised gowns." Haywick ordered.  "Princesses, you are more than welcome to observe but I am afraid Mr Jason, I will have to ask you to wait outside for me."

"WHAT?!"  Sarah started to be led away into the ward with the doors closing behind her.  I tried to go in after her but I was stopped by Celestia placing her wing in front of me.  "Get out of the way!  I need to be there!"

"Jason stop!"  I kept on pushing and pushing but the wing wouldn't budge.  Using both wings together, Celestia pulled me close to her and leant her head on my shoulder.  "Jason...listen to me."  The way she spoke to me got me to calm down.  I stopped thrashing at the furry embrace and let my arms fall to my sides.  I watched as Haywick went into the ward and the doors closed again.  "This is just an examination.  Dr Haywick and his team are taking notes and deciding what the best course of action will be."

"B-but...I want to be there.   I need to...I don't want to miss it..." I said through ragged breaths.

"And you won't." Luna added.  "We would never allow you to miss the birth of your first child.  We will let the doctors finish their examination and then you can see your wife again."

Celestia folded her wings back to their normal position.  I sighed heavily and sat down on the floor next to the ward doors.  Looking up, I smiled at the both of them.  "Alright.  Thanks."

"Are you...coming with us?  We were going to go somewhere to wait." Celestia asked, confused.

"No."  I patted the doors.  "I'm staying right here."

"Jason...they know what they are doing.  Nothing will go wrong." Luna reassured me.

"And I believe you."  I closed my eyes, breathing slowly.  "I want to be as close to her as possible.  And if this is as far as I can get...then I'm waiting here."

"We understand." Celestia said.  "I will send someone to check on you on regular intervals."  She walked over to me and leant her head down so she was face to face with me.  "Try not to worry.  This will be the greatest day of your life."  I nodded slowly, only to be met with something soft on my forehead.  I watched as the Princesses walked away and left me to myself.  Only one thing was on my mind right now.

"Did she just kiss my forehead?"

Day had turned to dusk.  The sun was setting over the hills of Canterlot and the residents of the capital were returning home and putting their hooves up for the night.  Stalls were being packed up, shops were being locked.  The hustle and bustle of the city was slowly becoming quieter and quieter.

But one noise was getting louder.  This was the noise of a rhythmic beat - like a drum.  Maybe on of the members of the orchestra was getting some more practice?  Maybe it was something cleaning the dust out of a rug.

No.  This noise was in the castle.  This noise was making everypony nervous.  This noise was heading straight for the throne room.

And it did.  The throne room doors opened to reveal a VERY angry pony stomping the life out the floor beneath her.  Her hoofsteps echoed throughout the large hall.  "Can't believe I'm back here again..."

"HALT!"  A Pegasus guard descended in front of the seething pony and pointed his spear at her.  "How did you get in here?"

"The doorway?  It was ajar..." she said through gritted teeth.

"Oh those stupid...who are you and what business do you have here?"

The female unicorn shook with rage as she thought about why she was here.  Her yellow mane would have caught fire at the very moment if she continued raging but in a split second, she stopped.  A smile adorned her face as she stared at the guard.

"My name is Summer Breeze and the happiest day of my life has been ruined."  She got right into the guard's face and glared at him with a stare that could kill a pony at fifty meters.  "THE PRINCESS!  WHERE IS SHE?!"

Had it been one hour?  Or five?  I didn't know anymore.  The only thing that had changed was that it was dark outside.  Even with this white sheet covering my presence, I could still see the sunlight disappearing.  I hadn't moved from the spot I was in.  If anything was going to happen to Sarah, I was gonna know about it.

"Come on...why is it taking so long..." I said as I put my head in my hands.  Tiredness was starting to consume me.  I rubbed my eyes to try and wake myself up.

"Excuse me...are you Jason?"

I knew that voice.  I slowly pulled my hands away from my face and looked up to see none other than Twilight Sparkle.  Sorry...PRINCESS Twilight Sparkle.  "Y-yeah...I...wow, it's really you."  Even though she was now a Princess, she wasn't wearing a crown or a robe.  She was just herself...only with the addition of two feathery appendages.

Twilight smiled and sat herself down next to me.  "The Princess told me you might need some support during this."

"Oh they did?"  I looked up at the door and sighed.  "I just wish I could be in there right now.  Just wish I could speed up time just to get in there faster..."

"No, don't do that!  I remember the time when--"

"Future Twilight?"  She stopped talking and chuckled, nodding slightly.  "Celestia told me about it."  Probably best she doesn't know the truth.  "She talks a lot about you, you know?"

"She...she does?" Twilight asked, seemingly surprised.

"Of course!  Personal student, Element of Harmony, saved the world from Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis and Sombra and NOW is a Princess after finishing a spell that Starswirl could never finish.  What's not to talk about?" I finished with a laugh.

A blush grew on her face as I spoke.  "I guess there is a lot..."

"You know...giving what Celestia says about you, I'm surprised you're not freaking out around me.  You know, new species, alien and different planet and whatnot?" I asked.

"The Princesses already told me everything about you.  Remember last time you were here?" she asked with a wink.

"I..."  When she burst in.  "Ohhhh, of course, I remember."  We both shared a laugh which quickly died down.  I returned to staring at the door.

"You're worrying aren't you?" Twilight asked.

"Course I am...my wife's in there and I have no idea what's going on..."

I felt Twilight place one of her hooves on my shoulder.  "I can't imagine everything that's going through your mind right now but please trust the Princesses and myself when we say that she'll be fine."

"I know that...I do."  I turned to face the lavender Princess again.  "It's just...what if something does?  And I don't mean the examination.  I mean about the birth.  We're in a world full of magic and god knows how many miles from home.  What if something happens to the baby?"

"This is what you need to stop worrying about.  Try and think of the positives!  You're going to be a father!  A child who will grow up taking after you.  Just think of how you'll feel when he or she learns how to walk, how to speak, when they go to school.  Think of all the good times that are going to happen."

"A year from now, it could talk.  Two to three years...it can walk.  Five years and it'll be in school.  Happens so fast doesn't it?" I said slowly, earning a smile from Twilight.

A pregnant pause was held between us before Twilight broke it.  "Have you thought of a name?"

"Well, if it's a boy, we're going to name it G--"

"AAARRGHH!"

I shot to my feet as Sarah's screams sounded through the door.  "SARAH?!"  I started banging on the locked doors.  "SARAH, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"

The door unlocked and Haywick held it ajar with his magic.  "Jason, will you calm down?!"  I stopped banging but I could still hear Sarah's cries.

"What is happening in there?  What did you do?!" I shouted.

"Jason..."  He opened the doors slowly to reveal Sarah clutching her stomach in agony.  "It's time for you to become a parent."

Chapter 4

This was it.  This was the moment.  I stood in the doorway just staring at my wife who was writhing in pain on the bed.  Various nurses and doctors were trying their best to keep her calm by applying a cold cloth to her head or trying to hold her down.  The look on her face said it all.  It said 'Get this baby out of me!'

"Jason!"  I picked up my jaw from the floor and looked at Haywick who had returned to Sarah's side.  "Come over here!"  Following his orders, I shut the doors and ran over to my wife.  Clutching her hand, she turned to me and smiled.  "You're gonna be alright...everything's gonna be fine..."  I gave her a small kiss on the forehead.  "How are you feeling?"

Her smile grew and she tugged my hand to bring me closer.  "How am I feeling?" she whispered through gritted teeth.  I leant right down until I was face to face with her.  "Let me describe it to you.  Imagine your private area being run over by a steamroller then being trodden on by the longest marching band in the world who all decided to wear golf cleats."  She shoved me away from her with force.  "HOW DO YOU THINK I FEEL?!"

All I could think of was ways to protect my crotch from such agonising pain.  Sarah lay back on the bed, grunting at the pain she was still feeling.

Haywick pulled out two plastic rods and attached them to the end of the bed.  "Miss Sarah, if you place your hooves in these stirrups."  I leant down and whispered something in his ear.  "Oh...my apologies.  If you place your feet in these stirrups, that would make it easier for you."  Sarah did so, casting a glare at both myself and Haywick.

"Oh come on...I corrected him at least." I retorted with a huff.  "Oh god...I know what's coming now.  Are you gonna take a look down there?" I asked the black-maned doctor.

"We already did our examination earlier but yes, we will need to measure how much Sarah is dilating."  Haywick poked his head under Sarah's gown and made a shocked gasped.  Taking his head back out, he took a big gulp of air.  "Umm...this is much different to a pony's...area during birth.  N-nothing we can't handle..."

"What do you mean?" asked Buster.  Walking around to the end of the bed, the rest of the team followed suit and peeked under the gown.  "OH MY GOODNESS!" exclaimed Buster as he violently withdrew his head from the gown.  "What is that?!"

"I've never seen anything like it!" cried Baker.

"You guys never seen a woman's privates before?!" Sarah shouted, clutching her stomach again.

"Now team, let's just stay--" started Haywick.

"I am not happy with this!" Buster continued.

"We can't do this!  This is unknown to us!" added Baker.

"Listen here!  If you don't get this baby out of me right now, I will rip your tail off and shove it right up your--"

"ENOUGH!"  The entire room fell silent as Haywick lost his cool.  "I thought we were all professionals here? You lot seem to have forgotten that we have done this a thousand times before. Granted we've been delivering foals to mares, but the principle is still the same. Now control yourselves, because if Sarah doesn't rip your tail off first then I will - when I throw your flank out of the room!"

We all remained stunned at Haywick's speech.  But it seemed to have worked as Buster, Baker and Gears all had defiant smiles on their faces.  "We all good?" I asked with hope.

"Yeah!" the three medical staff said in unison.

"AAAARGH!"

Sarah's screams once again gathered our attention.  Steams immediately dashed to her side and grasped her hand.  "Sarah, you need to listen to me.  I need you to breathe, OK?  Breathe!"

"WHAT DO YOU THINK I'M DOING?!" she screamed, now breathing extremely fast and trying not to let the pain get to her.  "OHHHHHhhhh....get this baby out of me!"

I grasped her other hand and held it tight.  "It's coming babe, it's coming."  I glanced towards the end of the bed.  "Haywick, what does she need to do?"

Haywick removed his head from under the gown and smiled.  "She needs to start pushing.  Now."

"You mean...it's coming now?!" I replied.

"Come and have a look."  I let go of Sarah's hand crouched down next to Haywick.  "You see here?"

I looked under the gown.  "HOLY...wow...that's just..."  Even though I was staring at the most private part of a woman, I couldn't help but smile.  I poked my head out from the gown and smiled at my wife.  "Come on babe!  You can--"

"AARRGGHH!"

*WHACK*

"...ing to be alright?"

"He sh......to the head."

I opened my eyes and my vision was fuzzy.  I could make out a white blob and a smaller purple blob.  Soon enough, my vision returned and I was met with the smiles of Celestia and Twilight.

"Hello Jason." Celestia said.

"Are you feeling alright?" asked Twilight.

"Ugh..."  I sat up slowly and brought my hand to my face.  "What am I..."  I touched my nose.  "ARGH!  What the..."  The pain that emitted from my nose was agonising.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Celestia added with a giggle.

"I'm afraid Sarah's foot got loose during a contraction and...well...she lashed out.  Unfortunately, your face was in the way." Twilight murmured.

"She...kicked me in the face..."  Twilight levitated a mirror to me which showed me the extent of my injury.  My nose was bloodied and swollen and my left eye had a rather nasty mark on it.  "Bloody hell...trust Sarah to..."

*SMASH*

"SARAH!  I need to be there for the birth!"  I dropped the mirror as I remembered why I was in Equestria in the first place.  Jumping off the bed, I made for the door and ran out of it as fast as I could.

"Jason!  You need to rest!" Celestia shouted after me.

"NO!  I need to...need...WHERE IS SHE?!"  There were many corridors to choose from - Sarah could be down any one of them.  I chose a corridor at random and continued down it, ignoring the growing pain in my head.  "Come on...come on Sarah...sp-speak to..."  I started to feel faint and slowed my run down to a walk.

I keeled over and dropped to my knees as my vision started going blurry.  "Jason!" Twilight shouted.  I felt her hooves on my shoulders as she pushed me onto my backside.  "You need to stop.  After receiving a blow to the head, you aren't fit to be using so much energy."

I took slow, deep breaths.  "Then...you need to take me to her.  I need to see the birth."  I got to my feet.  "I can't miss it."

"Jason...you can't be there for the birth."

I froze at Celestia's words.  Surely she didn't mean..."What?"  I turned to face her, praying she was joking but all she had was a smile.  "What's funny?"

"Jason..."  She walked up to me and put a wing around my shoulder.  "You can't be there for the birth."  She used her magic to open the door in front of us.  "Because it's already happened."

There, in front of me, laying on the bed, was my wife.  And what was in her arms broke the emotional floodgates.  The room was silent, only for my footsteps to break that silence.  Walking across the tiled floor, I approached my wife but never took my eyes off the little bundle that lay in her arms.

"Jason." Sarah started.  She turned the bundle around to me.  "Say hello to your little boy."

I couldn't control my emotions as I slowly took the baby from her arms and cradled it.  Tears began to stream down my face as I held this beautiful creation.  "Hiya mate...h-hello..."  A tear dropped onto my hand as I couldn't tear myself away from staring at him.  "Look at you, eh?"  I leant down and planted a kiss on his tiny forehead.  Turning back around, I sat down next to Sarah and leant against her.  "Well done."  She raised her hand and wiped a few tears from my cheeks.  "Look at him...he's just perfect."

Celestia, Twilight and Luna all came over to view our newborn child as I held him tight to me.  "He's adorable..." Celestia said quietly.

"Did you decide on the name?" asked Luna.

"Yeah." Sarah answered.  "We decided to name him after a friend of ours who recently passed away."  Sarah took him from my arms and held him close to her.  "Welcome to the world Glen."

I noticed that Haywick was the only one of his team still in the room.  Getting off the bed, leaving the three Princesses to view the baby, I walked over to Haywick and leant down next to him.  "We couldn't have done this without your help.  You and your team."

"All in a days work." he said with a triumphant smile.

Still full of emotion, I put my arms around him and hugged him tight.  "Thank you...thank you so much."  I released the hug and saw that Haywick's eyes were teary.

"You...you are..."  He cleared his throat and wiped his eyes with his hoof.  "You are most welcome.  It was all part of the job."

"That and much more." said Celestia who was approaching.  "You and your team successfully performed a birth to an alien species with no knowledge of their anatomy and birthing procedures.  You just didn't do your job - you proved me right when I said you ARE the best doctor."

Haywick's smile couldn't get any bigger.  His eyes started to tear up again but before he showed any more emotion, he quickly bolted out of the room and out of sight.

"He'll be fine." I said.  We both returned to Sarah to see Glen being held by Luna.  "He's a cutie isn't he?"

"He certainly is." Luna replied, nuzzling the infant.  She passed the baby back to Sarah.  "I think the best course of action would be for you two...sorry, three, to return home."

"What?  So soon after giving birth?" I exclaimed.  "Surely that's not safe."

"I can assure you it is." Celestia replied.  "Certain spells were used on Sarah to speed up the recovery process.  You will find that she is perfectly fine."

"It's true."  She lifted up her clothes to show her belly.  "See!  No excess skin or anything!"

"That's incredible."  I helped Sarah out of the bed, making sure that Glen was being safely held at all times.  "So..."  I turned to the three Princesses who were smiling greatly.  "Listen.  I can't thank you enough for helping us in our time of need.  You helped us go through one of the biggest events of our lives."

"Is there any way we can repay you?" Sarah asked.

"Only one." Twilight replied, earning a look from Celestia and Luna.  "Promise to bring him back once in a while for a visit." she asked with a smile.

I leant over and gave his face a little stroke with my finger.  "I promise.  Right honey?"  Sarah nodded.

"Then we shall bid you farewell.  Please take care of your new addition and don't hesitate to contact us if you need help for anything." instructed Luna.  The solar and lunar Princesses' horns began to glow as that familiar feeling came back to us.  "See you soon."

And with a flash of light, we were back in our house.  There was only one difference.  The storm had finally stopped.

The three Princesses continued staring at the point where Jason, Sarah and Glen had just vanished from.  Sharing a glance with each other, they all nodded and teleported back to the throne room.

"That baby was so cute!" exclaimed a giddy Twilight.

"Indeed it was.  I do hope they come back soon." added Luna."

"..."

"What's wrong Cel.."

There, stood firm on the steps next to the throne was a unicorn mare and her Pegasus partner.  The unicorn was shaking and had an unmistakeable look of rage on her face.  "May I help you, my subject?" Celestia said.

"Help me?" the mare said quietly.  "Help...ME?  WHY NOT US?!" she screamed.

"Subject!  You shall not shout at...wait..."  Luna stared at the mare and then gasped loudly.  "Oh my...sister, we may have forgotten about something."

Celestia focused on the mare and Pegasus until it clicked for her as well.  "Summer Breeze...your...ohhh...your wedding." she groaned, holding a hoof to her face.

Summer's rage all but subsided as she noticed the Princesses' embarrassment.  Besides, it was what she was after anyway.

Celestia stepped in front of them and nodded towards Luna and Twilight who took a seat on either side of the couple.  "I am most sorry that this happened to you.  But I would like to make up for it now.  Given that both Luna and Twilight can act as witnesses, I can approve your marriage right now."

"But...we want our wedding!  Nothing fancy...just a wedding with our families." Summer replied, looking downtrodden.

"You didn't let me finish.  I can wed you now..."  She placed a hoof on Summer's shoulder.  "...and pay for an after-wedding party tomorrow.  How does that sound?"

Summer's mood picked up almost instantaneously.  She nodded vigorously, as did her partner, Grid Iron.  "Yes!  Thank you!"

"Then by the power vested in myself and the Equestrian Royal Family, I name Summer Breeze and Grid Iron husband and wife!"

*Three Days Later*

It was another miserable day in Keswick.  Living this far up North, you're sure to get horrible weather at this time of the year.  Despite the weather, the rain did supply a rather nice rhythm as it hit the windows.

Jason was sat in his armchair, cradling Glen as he quietly snoozed.  Jason was close to dropping off as well.

"Jason?"

Sarah's voice stopped said slumber.  "Yeah honey?"

"I'm filling out the birth certificate.  Erm...what should we put down for 'Location Of Birth'?"

"Erm...pass?"