The Silver Lining | MLP Fanfic

Chapter 1

~10 months later~

I played with my once vibrant, fire-like hair, turning my once lively tan head in every possible angle my thickening neck could tolerate, insecure with my current appearance. But no matter how much I twisted and turned my fattening facade, it was still incapable of concealing the despair that hid within the surface of my now baggy green eyes.

It's almost here... What am I supposed to do when she's here?

If only mom were here, I bet she would know what to do; she always gave great advice. If she were here, she would be able to give me advice on how to properly care for my filly. But, sadly, she's not here. All I can do now is remember how great of a mother she was and hope I'll be able to duplicate that greatness in order to give my filly the same love my mother gave when I was a filly.

She was always so kind and understanding and she was also incredibly selfless. She used to sing to me every time I got hurt or scared and every single day, she would help me with my school work even though it was late at night and even when all of my work was finished, she would stay up 'til midnight so she could study, so she could help me with my work for the next day. There were also times when she would lie to me. I remember her lying to me about us having unlimited bits, that it was okay to buy that teddy bear. I remember her lying to me that she wasn't hungry, that it was okay for me to eat the last cookie. I remember her lying to me that she wasn't tired, that it was okay for us to play tag.

I looked at myself in the mirror again, finding a tear slowly falling on my cheek. I had the urge to wipe it away, but my hoof was too slow. It fell to the floor.

I feel so weak...

Ever since that I found out that I was pregnant, my face, neck, wings, thighs, and even including my nostrils, grew bigger and exponentially fatter. To make matters worse, I can't even exercise because the doctor ordered that I shall not engage in any aerial or extreme physical activity during my pregnancy. He also added, to my dismay, that once the filly was out, I may have to retire as a Wonderbolt.

I freaked out.

~flashback~

~5 months ago~

"Is there anything she can do to decrease the possibility of her having to retire, doc?" Shaky asked, concern clear in his voice.

I felt a cold shiver down my spine. The situation feels so big and consuming; it's making me feel small and helpless.

What is this feeling? It feels so familiar...

Fear.

I haven't felt fear since we were all trapped in The Tempest's mind.

I started to shake in my seat, sweating. I went close to Shaky, hoping and desperately searching for comfort, burying my face in his chest while putting my hooves on his shoulders.

I felt a hoof running up and down my mane and another hoof around my waist.

"I'm terribly sorry, but, no," the doctor said, looking at me and Shaky pitifully. "Besides, the filly needs her mother to care for her. Even if Fire doesn't retire, she would be too busy taking care of the filly that she wouldn't have time to be a Wonderbolt," Shaky tightened his grip around me, getting flustered.

What on Equestria am I supposed to do? Being a Wonderbolt was my destiny, the purpose of my existence! And now, just because of this filly, I'm supposed to just... stop?

NO! I won't let it! I won't let anything stop me from flying with the Wonderbolts! I'll abort this worthless foul if I have to!!

~end of flashback~

Fire Shot, she's your filly.

My filly?

No, it's our  filly.

Me and Shaky.

Suddenly, a colt with bright, brilliant, blue eyes, charcoal hair that smelled like medicine, and a yellow cream coat that always reminded me of a sunflower petal bathing in the light of Celestia's sunrise, wearing a smile warmer than the fluffiest scarf in all of Equestria, filled my mind.

I looked at myself in the mirror again and found that I was wearing the most stupid, goofy smile. But, I'm not surprised, he always had this effect on me ever since I stumbled in his office, blushing the entire time like an idiot, and ruined everything.

Oh, I love him so much.

As long as he remains as his kind, understanding, smart, loyal, amazing, sweet, brave, funny self, everything will be alright.

I sigh in relief.

Everything's gonna be alright.

"Honey, are you in here??" he said as he peeks his head inside the master bedroom.

Speak of the devil.

"There you are!!" he said, half-running, half-flying towards me. "I've been looking all over this labyrinth for you!" he exclaimed, pulling me into an embrace in front of the mirror.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you come in; I wasn't expecting you to be so early. How was work, dear?" I asked.

Ever since Princess Celestia got him his own laboratory he has been going there every single day, doing who knows what, only to return extremely late at night. He's not home much, so that's why he gets lost so often.

"Well, since you asked, I've been making great advancements with the Ponyacillin vaccine..." he trailed on, speaking with words that only a medical professional would understand. I guess I only have myself to blame for not knowing what my own husband does for most of the day. But, then again, does anypony understand his scientific mumbo-jumbo? I mean, does he really expect for me to understand all of this? "Um, Fire, are you getting any of this?" he asked with a raised eyebrow, breaking my train of thought. I raised an eyebrow right back at him and smiled, "You know I'm not." 

He laughed and smiled back at me, running his hoof through my hair. "You know I love it when you do that."

"Anyway, why are you so early? Did something wrong?" I said, concerned. Luna hasn't even raised the moon yet, he's never been this early before.

"Ha-ha, no, my dear. I just figured, since my wife will become a mother anytime soon, that it will be wise to go home early. I don't want to miss a single thing." He said, pulling me into a warm embrace, wrapping his massive wings around me.

Suddenly, a pain shoots up my body, running through every fiber of my being. I pushed Shaky away, thinking he probably hugged me too hard. But then, I felt my waist cracking.

I can feel my water bursting.

A pained and shocked gasp comes out of my mouth.

The baby! She's here! She's here! She's here!!

"Sh-Shaky, the b-baby!!" Is all I managed to say.

I looked at the mirror again, seeing two shocked ponies. One lying on the floor in a pool of liquid and the other rushing towards her. The one on the floor starts to close her eyes, but I don't why she's doing that; she should really get up from that strange puddle. 

And then...

She...

Black.