A Long-Awaited Gift (Closed)

[Bellosh]

 

They say that a parent’s fondest wish is for their children to succeed in making their own way in the world. At least, until the time comes when that child does end up successful in finding their destiny. In Princess Cadence’s experience, the parents simply find a new fondest wish for their children. Nowhere has the princess found a more suitable case than the husband-and-wife duo who brought Cadence’s husband, Shining Armor, into the world. Ever since the big Canterlot Wedding, doting parents Twilight Velvet and Crescent Sparkle have strongly hinted, both subtly and overtly, at their desire to become grandparents. Since Shining’s little royal sister had not yet found somepony to marry, it was Shining and his spouse who instead bore the weight of these expectations; often to embarrassing ends.

Today, all the awkward explanations as to why the royal couple had not conceived a grandchild yet would end. For in fact, a little baby now grew inside the womb of the Love Princess, and she was visiting her in-laws in Canterlot to deliver the long-awaited tidings. Cadence and Shining agreed that their sister would be the first to know; they wanted the news to come as a surprise, which would have been extremely difficult had a pair of future grandparents been joyously writing to every family member and friend under Celestia’s sun. Thankfully, the announcement to Twilight was a complete success, and now Cadence and Shining were off to Canterlot!

Like Twily before, Mrs. Velvet and Mr. Sparkle had been earlier notified that a scheduled diplomatic conference would have pushed back the royal couple’s arrival date. As circumstance would have it, this didn’t turn out to be the case, so Cadence and Shining’s coming would be catching their parents off-guard. But as the pink princess and the love of her life trotted side-by-side down Canterlot’s cobblestone streets, Cadence thought only of the excited reactions that her in-laws would have upon hearing of the new baby.

Upon reaching their destination, the radiant Princess Cadence took the initiative of knocking on the door. She just couldn’t wait for what was about to come.....

​

[Hippo]

Shining Armor did not predict this feeling from himself. He always pictured this moment as a moment of having to yield to mom and dad's questionings and over-curious inquiries on the intimate dealings between Cadance and himself. Though even he would admit, they were nothing so encroaching that left them so eager to get away to the Crystal Empire. But today, the feeling was one he had never felt. He knew he would be happy, but he did not suspect that he would be so overwhelming pleased with the gift his bride carried that it would completely numb out any pestering emotions that get in the way of the most important things any pony could experience. Family.

Walking in pace next to Cadance, Shining could only smile at her, her face glowing with that new found joy, the unmistakable expression of prosperity, health, and love. And it wasn't because she was a princess. It wasn't because of her wealth. It wasn't even because she was with him. It was all about the seed, growing inside of Cadance, the first of many of a new generation of Sparkle pony princesses. Or a prince. That reminds me, I need to go to a sports department, see if there are some early training toys for strong young athletes. Also, I wonder if mom has made dinner yet.

​
 

[SteelEagle]

 

 

Crescent Sparkle had a specific ritual he liked to practice on days off. His work was usually so taxing mentally, even if it was equally invigorating, that he found himself completely unwilling on his days off to engage in anything approaching severe mental labor. Maybe a little stargazing in the evening but that was about where his intellectual pursuits ended for the day. Opportunities would come up and he, being a shameless lover of such things, would take advantage of them as they came regardless, but until such a time that something juicy fell into his lap, he'd be more than dandy sticking to his normal routine.

A longer than average jog. He was getting up there in his middle age and for all of his proper dieting and exercise, he knew he was slowing down. But what better way to get the blood pumping than a hearty jog through the cobblestone streets of his home city? Well, maybe next time he would try and find a way to work his hooves hard inside the house because it seemed a bit cold to him. Yes, cold. That was why he cut his jog short, just twenty minutes into the hour he had planned. And then he went in and took a bath, relaxing in the luxurious waters of the tub with essential oils and masking solutions for his pelt dancing elegantly...and it relaxed him.

After the bath he made sure to clean up properly, and play with Velvet some in what manners she deemed fit. She was a tease after all. But despite of all the blood-flowing excitement that could bring to the table, he was a tired stallion. He made his way into the main foyer and laid down in the couch, the hustle bustle of Canterlot just outside of his window. Nice and relaxing white noise for a nice and gentle rest in the early day. It helped him gather his thoughts. His son and daughter-in-law were due in just a day or so, and while it was delayed from when he had initially expected them it was nice either way. But what was it all about? He had his theories. Was his son finally going to invest in the creation of an official Crystal Empire hoofball team!? The mind raced!

Well, raced as long as he rested, which wasn't that long. Knocks at the door. He yawned, got up, stretched, and made his way to the door. Hopefully the mailpony was bringing this quarter's issue of Astrologia Equestria. “Hello-” his face lit up. “Shining! Cadance! You aren't supp- anything- welcome! HONEY, THEY'RE HERE!”
 

[Rosewind]

Velvet stood in her kitchen, her face twisted in a mixture of fear and worry. An empty cutting board lay in front of her, a sharp, clean kitchen knife resting on the clean surface. A basket of vegetables, freshly imported from Ponyville, sat to the side. Her horn glowed, and a carrot whisked from the basket onto the cutting board. She wrinkled her nose. This would be cake, right? Since her hubby was busy with whatever it was he was doing -- and they were expecting company from their children -- it fell to her, in most unfortunate circumstance, to prepare the homecoming meal. 

 

She eyeballed the carrot methodically. All she had to do was use the knife and cut the carrot into little bits, along with all the other vegetables, then put them in a soup pot, add water, seasoning, boil the thing, and done. Cressy was busy in another part of the house.

 

The motherly mare gritted her teeth, her horn glowing again. The knife rattled off the table top and performed a few haphazard swings in the air. Velvet nodded firmly. She had this. She motioned the knife forward, which immediately shot through the kitchen window. In the distance, a crash, followed by a few morose screams. She whipped her head around, causing the vegetable basket to fling itself into the air, scattering veggies well into the living room. A potato landed in front of a family portrait, while several onions lodged themselves into a candle sconce embedded in the wall. Ooops.

 

Just then, the door knocked. They were here! She galloped to the front door, nearly knocking Cressy over, flinging it open with careless aplomb. Her heart instantly filled with joy! She shook a turnip out of her hair, grabbing both of her kids with a loving, crushing hug that only Mom could pull off. 

 

"Shiny, Cadence!" She froze dead, looking from her son, to her daughter-in-law, back to her son, then to Cadence again. Her mare radar was in full activation. Velvet's jaw dropped to the floor. She immediately knew, as only a mare was apt to notice right away. "Oh my...oh my! OH MY! Don't stand out here, come inside! Do mind the zucchini on the floor!" She squeezed the two again, placing a hoof gently on the Princess' side. "Finally! How far along? Oh my word, this is just too exciting! We have to shop for all the things later! Tonight. I know the shops will be closed but we can probably break in and just leave the money..."

 

Velvet trotted around her living room, futsing about as she gathered the vegetable remains excitedly. "Sit, sit! I'll just finish up here, your Father will get you comfortable. Oh my, oh goody! Would you two like anything to drink? Mayhaps a virgin cider, Cadence love?"

[Bellosh]

 

“Mom! Dad!” Like a good daughter-in-law, Princess Cadence basked in the glow of Twilight Velvet’s loving hug. In times past, the alicorn would have returned that affection with just the tiniest amount of hesitation, with the understanding that an inquiry about grandkids was forthcoming. Not this time; today was Week 5 of a shiny new era, and Cadence didn’t hesitate one bit to wrap a foreleg around Mrs. Velvet. Ever since getting pregnant, the Crystal Princess’s magic had started feeling more perceptive of the love sent her way by friends and family, which in turn fueled Cadence’s desire to share the love with her mom-in-law.

Of course, the pink princess became keenly aware that something was up when Mrs. Velvet’s warmth turned cold, as if the motherly mare perceived something with a sixth sense of hers. It felt to Cadence as if the other’s mare love got clogged up, yet was ready to burst and cause an immerse flood at any moment. Wait- did she... YES. Velvet somehow knew. How was that possible? Cadence was left dumbfounded as she walked inside the doorway of Equestria’s most overly excited grandparent-to-be.

Dodging the mess of vegetables in the living room, the alicorn mare found a spot on the couch to lay on, still in a stupor over Mrs. Velvet’s unbelievable powers of perception. Cadence almost didn’t catch the mom asking what drink her daughter-in-law. “Oh- uhhh... a virgin cider will be good, Mom.”

While Velvet prepared the refreshments, the stunned Cadence asked Mr. Sparkle; “How did she know right away??? Seriously, we haven’t told anypony the news other than Twily and her friends.”

​

[SteelEagle]

 

Crescent could have competed in the Husband Olympics if such a thing existed, because nopony had a better “Get out of your wife's way before she smashed you with a door” game than he. Velvet entered with her usual explosive energy wherever the kids were concerned and Crescent half-pirouetted out of the way of the door by the end of the affair, coming to a stand in line with his wife as if nothing had happened. Very strong game indeed, very respectful, such poise. Ignore the ankles, no one liked those things anyway. Point was, he was just as happy to see the kids as she was. He was less enthusiastic in general about things until it came to the topic of the stars, where nopony else- save Twi- could match him. But as he looked on, none of the comparisons mattered.

Velvet took Cadance and Crescent hugged his son, in doing so missing “How far along?” .
That was going to come back to bite him somehow, but he was hugging his son- not even just giving a hoofshake, a hug!
“It's so good to see you, son,'' he looked at the both of them and his wife, who was now ushering them inside. Crescent nodded and shook his head inside, escorting the pair as Velvet went about to get drinks. He was about to ask for one- but nope, she was gone. He'd get one later somehow, even though he wasn't supposed to for at least a few weeks. Anyway. He motioned to the comfiest couch in the house and started to take his position on his chair. “Take a seat, take a load off. I'm sure even if you managed to surprise us you must still be tired! How was your trip? I-” he started before Cadance got real excited and amazed at Velvet's...something.

“Huh? What does she know? That you were coming now? Well, I wish she would have told me!” He laughed, absolutely missing all signals.

[Hippo]

Mother felt the signs.  Dad didn't.  There are vegetables on the floor.  Yup, this was home.  And though Shining's new home was with his bread-winning bride living in the castle in the North, this two story city villa in Canterlot was always what felt most like home to him.  "Uh, nothing Dad.  We told mom we might come early. No big deal, right?"  Shining gave a look towards Cadance.  The look of joy and simultaneous concern.  The surprise value was not as high as it was, but he supposed they could still have fun, and maybe dad's reaction would also be worth the suspense.  Although he might have to spell it out for dad.  He also was thinking about his sister Twilight, and how he might keep it a secret to her.  Cadance and he would have to schedule a staff meeting before they left for Ponyville to celebrate, and hopefully, surprise his sister and her friends.

Shining guided Cadance with his hoof towards the couch, and sat down himself.  The grace in Cadance was hard to detect, Shining felt, as Cadance was always graceful even when there was nothing baking in the oven.  But mommy instincts have apparently kicked in.  "So, Mom, what are you making, can I help?"