The Grand Galloping Gala was next week and Twilight had called all her friends to help with the preparations, except for Rainbow Dash, as she and the Wonderbolts were part of the entertainment anyway. Applejack was to be in charge of the food, Fluttershy was to bring her songbirds, Pinkie Pie was to decorate and Rarity was to make every pony's dresses.
The four approached the palace gate and were let through, as the guards already knew them. Instead of Twilight, they were greeted by her brother.
"Hello, girls," Shining Armor said. "We're so glad you could make it. Twilie and the others are already having dinner. They asked me to escort you."
Applejack sighed in relief. "Thank goodness! I'm starved!"
Pinkie Pie bounced down the hallway. "I love having dinner with the princesses!"
"You love having dinner with any pony, darling," Rarity chuckled.
In the dining hall, Celestia sat at the head of the table, Twilight and Spike on her right, Luna and Cadence on her left. When she saw her friends, the purple alicorn forgot her manners for a moment, leaping out of her seat and attacking them with a hug.
"I'm so happy you're here!" she exclaimed. "I haven't seen you guys in weeks!"
"We're happy to be here," Applejack declared. "Now how 'bout we chow down?!"
As they ate, the friends caught up with one another. Twilight told them about the new spells she had learned, Rarity talked about the dresses she had in mind for the Gala, Applejack asked if the orphans could be invited to the event, and Pinkie babbled on about pudding. Fluttershy politely listened to the conversations and nodded when necessary. Then Shining Armor and Cadence had big news.
"Should I tell them?" the alicorn asked her husband.
"I think you have the right," he replied with a wink.
She smiled at all of them. "We're having a baby!"
Every pony gasped.
"Wait a second!" Pinkie cried. Then she took a sip of water and spat it out. "You're having a baby?! Congratulations! I get to play with it, right?"
Cadence laughed. "Of course, Pinkie."
Twilight clapped. "Yay! I'm going to be an aunt!"
"When are you due?" Rarity asked.
"Ten months," answered Shining Armor.
"How wonderful," Fluttershy complimented, speaking for the first time that evening.
"This calls for a toast!" Celestia announced. She lifted her goblet. "Here's to the new prince or princess!"
The others lifted their goblets and cheered in agreement.
"Wait," Spike paused. "I'm not gonna be the one to change its diaper, am I?"
Every pony laughed. Fluttershy only smiled softly. She was truly happy for the young couple, but for some reason, that happiness could not be reflected. Applejack was the only one who noticed Fluttershy's depression and stopped laughing. Her friend had been this way for quite a while now. While she engaged in social activities as much as possible, she never seemed to take pleasure in them. It bothered the cowgirl and she was determined to find out what was going on.
The next day, preparations for the Grand Galloping Gala began. Pinkie Pie brought her party cannon into the ballroom and fired balloons and confetti all over the place. Princess Celestia was sure the Gala was going to be less boring this year. Rarity called the girls in one by one to take measurements and ask their opinion on their dresses, though they knew to trust the unicorn's vision and to not make too many suggestions.
