Fallen Eagle

Chapter 67: Built on Surprises

Hello and welcome back all my lovely readers! I know most of you are excited to learn exactly what Luna and Checkered's will be...well wait no further! You WILL find out whether their little bundle of joy will be a unicorn, pegasus, earth pony...or even possibly an alicorn. I'm so thrilled to have patient readers such as you guys, and I hope this chapter meets your expectations. There's also some other moments that I haven't written in awhile, and it was so fun to write them again.

Also, a HUGE thank you to EVERYONE for helping this story not only surpass 260 subs, but 800 reviews! I'm starting to see a real possibility of getting to 1000, but I know I'll need to update a little more frequently for that.

Anonanon-E-Mouse: Oh I understood what you meant, fret not! It's just me explaining that I wanted to avoid going the usual lemon route without a plot. Oh and yes, keep reviewing! We must keep those numbers up!

Gracie Ghost: Ah yes, Checkered had Rarity make him a costume that looked just like Luna's night sky, complete with her moon right over his heart :)

axelialea: Oh my god, I'm so sorry! :(

The Sleeping Library: Yes! Longer, longer, and longer still you shall wait! (Dr. Evil Laugh) But seriously, I love reading your reviews a lot man, and since Rainbow is the main prankster of the group as 28 Pranks Later showed, and as Fall Weather Friends showed, she likes a good teasing now and then. Just wait for this chapter! I still need to catch up on your story though

headreviewer mk2: Oh, I've a feeling Luna and Checkered will love it :)

SquirtlePWN: Thanks for the words, Squirtle! Yeah, after two pretty emotional chapters, let's lighten things up a bit again!

SkullRabbit775: Oh no, I'm not upset. But I don't really understand your question. Checkered is the father of Luna's colt.

OBSERVER01: Thank you! It was fun including Dr. Whooves in this one. Plus, Dashie likes a bit of teasing as Fall Weather Friends proved. And start placing your bets!

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(Luna's Chambers; Ivan's POV)

Unsurprisingly, the baby shower put on by Celestia for her baby sister was much better than I could've imagined. Luckily, it was a somewhat simple party with only close friends invited to not add any unnecessary stress on the expecting Luna. Heck, the only thing that did surprise us was Cadence and Shining Armor waiting for us to arrive in Luna's chambers. Of course….Luna was going through the motions of pregnancy, which included some tearing up at the company of friends, family, and the gifts we'd made or picked out for her and Checkered's colt.

"I-I can't thank you two enough for this," the midnight blue alicorn wiped a tear from her cheek as AJ and I presented the cradle to both her and Checkered Flag. Once Celestia saw it as she greeted us at the castle gates, she wanted to keep it a surprise more than anyone, casting an invisibility spell upon the gift.

"Well, Equestria's newest prince needs somethin' ta sleep in, yer highness," AJ replied humbly.

"It's no trouble, Luna. I was just glad to build something by hand again," I put a gentle hand to Luna's shoulder as she threw her forelegs around my own shoulders. I really had to balance myself a lot better now that she was really showing her baby bump. I wanted to be careful more than anything.

Even Checkered was having a hard time keeping his eyes dry. "This is just beautiful, guys," he summoned up a grin, gently pushing the cradle to make it rock back and forth. "It should go great with the mobile Celestia made."

"Luckily, Rarity didn't toss out an early version of your Nightmare Night costume," I smirked and helped Luna back down on all four legs. "So we at least had something to reference when painting it." One of the expecting parents' favorite parts of the cradle was the crescent moon painted as a checkered flag on the headboard to help symbolize both Luna and Checkered for their colt.

"Hmm, perhaps I shall keep this in mind for when Glock and I decide to have a foal of our own," Celestia's wing snatched the plain looking guard with her wing, cuddling him close to her larger body.

"Come on, auntie," Cadence giggled, "are you trying to give the poor stallion a stroke?"

"You're not teasing somepony about love? There's a shock!" Rainbow chortled as she stuffed her face with some of the deviled eggs that were prepared for snacks.

"We wouldn't want it to grow stale now would we, Rainbow?" Cadence raised an eyebrow, casually strolling over to the little snack table. "Although, I do recall a strong surge a few weeks ago, coincidentally with the timing of your healed leg." No one could warn Rainbow about what she was walking into even if they wanted. The cyan mare paused briefly, her cheeks barely turning red before returning to their normal color.

"Eh, I shagged Soarin's brains out, is anypony shocked?"

"RAINBOW DASH!" Both Twilight and Rarity screamed. Celestia, unsurprisingly, giggled up a storm at Rainbow's bold statement while everyone else's response was a mixed bag of face-hoofing, groaning, rolling of eyes, and, in Fluttershy's case, squeaking.

"Hey, I used the clean version!" Rainbow Dash responded to the yelling.

"I don't care how clean it was!" Twilight snorted steam out of her nose, her magic yanking a cup of punch and a deviled egg away from the Wonderbolt. "I am not discussing se- that in front of the princesses, my son, or my sister-in-law and brother!"

"Honestly Rainbow Dash," Rarity groaned, "a little maturity in the company of the princesses please!"

"Twilight and her friends liven everything up!" Celestia whispered in my ear.

"This doesn't happen often at baby showers, right?" I asked back.

"More often than you'd think, Cougar," Pinkie patted my shoulder. I simply curled my lips over the the rim of the punch glass in my hand, taking in a sip as the three mares continued to bicker back and forth with no one eager to stop them.

"Oh give me a break you two. Cadence brought it up, and I answered. Besides, none of you were forced to miss mating weekend because of an injury!" Rainbow Dash jabbed her hoof in Twilight's chest.

"Well, you could've just dropped it, you know," Twilight smacked the hoof away. "This isn't the place for that kind of talk; we're here to celebrate Luna and Checkered's baby as close friends and family."

Luna stepped forth, chuckling at her fellow alicorn's aggravation. "I appreciate your concern, Twilight Sparkle. However, we are all adults here."

"Ha!" Rainbow stuck her tongue out at Twilight whose right eye was now twitching.

"Some more than others," I could hear Rarity mutter under her breath. "Ahem, but how about a change in the subject?" The unicorn thankfully suggested and lured Luna away from Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Spike quickly jogged over and led his mom away from the pegasus to save her sanity for the day while Rainbow shrugged in victory, stuffing more food in her face.

"Glad that's all settled," Starlight remarked.

"Now Princess Luna-"

"What's your colt gonna be!?" Pinkie blurted out, completely cutting Rarity off from what I could only guess was her plan to ask Luna if she could make a line of clothes for the baby, even though Cadence and Shining Armor showed up with a few sets for Luna and Checkered. "I mean, it's been months since we found out your foal was gonna be a colt; we just wanna know what kind of pony it will be!"

Rarity groaned, not even attempting to lecture Pinkie on the rudeness of interrupting someone, and politely departed from the pregnant princess back to where Twilight, Flash, and Spike were. Of course, we were all curious, but I was expecting Luna and Checkered to announce it themselves, hence why I never wanted to ask. Luna turned back to face the rest of us, motioning for Checkered to join her at her side.

"Well," Checkered began as he was once again at his wife's side, "we did have another visit with the doctor in the infirmary a few days ago."

"Just a routine check up," Luna assured all of us. "But one where the doctor was finally able to deduce what kind of pony our little colt would be," she announced. I could feel the intense excitement welling up just standing next to Celestia, who at some points seemed more eager about the upcoming foal than his parents!

"Aaaaaaaaaaaannnnnndddd!?" Pinkie asked in a drawn out, high strung way. The pink mare was gnawing on the ends of her hoof from anticipation.

"We don't know!" Luna declared….proudly?

"WHAT?!" Twilight exclaimed before slapping her hoof over her mouth.

"Aunt Luna?" Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean you two don't know?"

"Was the colt at such an angle during the ultrasound that it was impossible for both of you to tell if it was a unicorn, pegasus or earth pony?" Dr. Whooves questioned curiously.

"Ah think Ah know what they're gettin' at," a sly smile appeared on AJ's lips. I was about to ask her what that meant when Checkered calmed everyone down and took hold of the conversation.

"No, no, it wasn't anything like that, Dr. Whooves," Checkered laughed. "Lulu and I understand that this is slightly unorthodox, but we asked the doctor to keep the race of our colt a secret, even from us."

'Of course!' I thought, figuring out what Applejack was talking about.

"But why, your highness?" Cheerilee chimed in. She, Big Mac, Lyra, and Bon Bon arrived in Canterlot with us, but the quartet had to sit in a different train car when the one everyone else was riding in became full.

"Other than his health, which the doctor said was as good as it could be," Luna replied, "Checkered and I don't wish to hold any expectations from our son. We will love him no matter what he may turn out to be," the alicorn's wing snuck off of her husband's back and rubbed her distended belly lovingly. "And we decided that we wanted to be surprised when he finally comes into the world so that it may make the day even more memorable."

"Our whole love was built on surprises," Checkered agreed. "Luna surprised me by showing up at the Charity Bowl."

"Checkered surprised me by how selfless and loving he was to his fans and everypony else," Luna continued.

"And of course, our foal was one heck of a surprise," Checkered gently touched his hoof to his wife's belly, "why not keep it a tradition?" He smiled sweetly before sharing a kiss with Luna.

"Aww," pretty much all of the mares in the room cooed, though I admit that it was a sweet concept myself.

"It might be little unorthodox, but I am willing to admit that it's a rather touching idea," Blueblood finally chimed in after being somewhat silent the whole baby shower. I suppose he didn't want to draw any attention away from his aunt and step uncle.

"I guess it's sort of a surprise for everypony then," Fluttershy smiled.

"Exactly! Though, Checkered and I do understand the precautions we need to take for whatever our colt turns out to be."

"Don't forget, you have an overeager big sister willing to shirk her duties for her nephew," Glock smirked, only to have Celestia's wing smack him on the back of the head, though the alicorn failed to suppress a snort from coming out of her nose.

The alicorn exhaled, "A bit of an over exaggeration Glock," she rolled her eyes at the off duty pegasus guard, "but I'm still here for you, baby sister, for any help you need with the newest addition to the family."

"Plus, friends who are more than happy ta lend a helpin' hoof," Applejack added, sporting a huge ear to ear grin. It didn't surprise me that everyone else in the room nodded in agreement, seeing as how much of a tight knit group we all were. In fact, I didn't mind helping out Carrot and Cup Cake with their twins on the rare occasions when I'd visit their bakery while they and Pinkie were busy filling an order. And although I'd probably never admit it to anyone, Adam's kids were pretty much the only human kids I'd ever liked; for some reason, I adored practically every filly and colt I'd met, with a few exceptions.

"Hmm?" I shook my head when I felt AJ gently nudge my arm with her hoof.

"Trust us, Applejack, we'll be glued to those books Twilight got us," Checkered's remark made Twilight smile proudly and me refocus on the conversation. "But since you and your brother have experience with raising foals, Luna and I might be asking for some advice from time to time."

"Don't be shy, then," AJ chuckled.

"Eeyup," her brother quickly agreed.

"Ooh, I can't wait to arrange a playdate with Pound, Pumpkin, and….and," Pinkie stopped herself once she realized that both Luna and Checkered had yet to tell us a name they'd picked out for their colt. Now that I thought about it, they hadn't even come out with any possibilities as far as I knew.

"You know, Luna," Celestia giggled, "that reminds me, have you and Checkered come to a decision about the name of your colt?" The elder sister questioned with heightened anticipation. This instantly sparked the memory of the day all the guys hung out at Twilight's castle playing that role playing game; I remember this topic being brought up with the expecting father, and now it looked like we'd finally have an answer to that question. However, Checkered and Luna's response was something quite odd. The duo's sweetened expressions ever so slowly evolved into that of near anxiety.

Checkered's blue eyes shrunk to about the size of a pea. "Uh, hehe," he chuckled forcefully as a trickle of sweat rolled down his face. "L-Lulu?" He stammered. Luna could hardly move; the alicorn was giving everyone the thousand yard stare.

"Luna, are you okay?" I asked worriedly. Having seen that look before from hundreds of other people in the military, I wasn't going to take it lightly.

"Princess?" Starlight asked.

"Auntie?" Cadence asked at the same time as Starlight. Luna finally gulped, snapping herself out of her trance and grinned nervously.

"W-well, you see…"

"Sister?" Celestia stared at the princess of the night incredulously.

"We wish to keep it a surprise as well?" Luna poorly lied. Chewing on his bottom lip, Checkered Flag gently patted Luna's shoulder.

"You haven't come up with a name at all, have you?" Celestia flatly inquired. Both the alicorn and earth pony in question shuffled their front hooves uncomfortably before shaking their heads in unison. Pinkie, without much surprise, gasped as if she was witnessing a murder while Cadence's eyebrows about shot up to her hairline.

"Uh no, we haven't, Celestia," Checkered replied, laughing anxiously.

"WHAT?!" Pinkie hollered, grabbing the sides of her head in mortification. "B-b-b-but….why?!" Luna and Checkered flinched at Pinkie's near glass shattering voice. I took a step to the side just in case the pink earth pony started flailing her forelegs around.

"Luna," Celestia exhaled.

"It isn't exactly simple, dear older sister," the smaller alicorn replied defensively. "This isn't like naming a new pet, or perhaps a musical instrument," Luna's wing slipped off Checkered's back as she advanced toward Celestia. My eyes darted back and forth between each sister as if I were witnessing a tennis match at Wimbledon.

"I understand, Luna, but your due date is down to within a month!" Celestia exclaimed, not budging from her spot, though Glock had no problem taking a step to the side away from his marefriend. The elder sister brought her hoof to the bridge of her nose and rubbed it gently. "I do not wish to rush you or your husband, Luna, but have you at least come up with any ideas?"

"We'd be happy to help you discuss any ideas you've thought of!" Cadence beamed, thankfully putting one of her wings in between Celestia and a starting to look annoyed Luna. I didn't have a hand in naming any of Adam's kids, but I did know that it was actually one of the more stressful jobs of the expecting parents, especially if they didn't have any ideas yet.

"Or even come up with new ones if you'd like," Lyra's eyes glistened with excitement while Bon Bon shook her head. Checkered and Luna's silence was the only answer everyone needed.

"You haven't even thought of anything yet?" Rarity's jaw about came unhinged.

"Well now," Luna flattened her eyebrows, "the two of us have indeed sat down and tried several times, but nothing has sparked within either of us," the alicorn explained, becoming a bit more annoyed as the conversation continued. I felt a little bad for both her and Checkered; they obviously would give more love than their hearts could hold to their colt, but here, most everyone was overreacting just because the future parents hadn't decided upon a name yet.

"As Lulu already said, it's not easy," Checkered joined in defense of his wife. "We appreciate your enthusiasm to help us, but it's not the end of the world just because we haven't picked out a name. Besides, as you pointed out, Celestia," the earth pony didn't hesitate to call out his sister-in-law, "we still have a month left," he stepped forth and gently caressed Luna's tummy.

"Yeah," Shining Armor chirped, "but that last month could fly right by. Wouldn't it be just a tad degrading if all you called your colt was 'the baby', or 'our baby' without a proper name?"

"It's more respectable than rushing things and calling their colt something stupid like Seven," Glock's gravelly voice interjected, having been silent the whole time. As if we were rehearsing for a play, nearly everyone raised an eyebrow in sync at Glock's statement.

"Uh, Ah don't think Luna or Checkered would allow a name like that fer their baby," Applejack snorted, thankfully being much more polite and understanding than a few of our friends about the subject.

"Thank you!" Checkered sighed, growing just as exhausted of talking about this as Luna.

"Still," Pinkie suddenly slipped in between Checkered and Luna before grabbing both the earth pony and alicorn's necks to pull them close. "It can't hurt anypony to toss any ideas around to ya know, take the pressure off?" Both Pinkie's eyes and grin grew to…..painful and creepy sizes as she stared into the eyes of Luna and Checkered. Most of the more feminine members of the group nodded, a few of them going, "Mhmm," at the same time. Meanwhile, the rest of us like myself, Bon Bon, AJ, Rainbow, Spike, Flash, Glock, Blueblood and Big Mac more or less kept to ourselves. Shining Armor was the only one who seemed to be on the fence. Sure, it sounded like fun to drum up ideas for the name of Equestria's soon to be newest prince, but if the mother and father weren't too worried, then what right did we have to push them?

At the risk of sounding like a jerk, I sighed and stood up for the stressed out couple. "Guys, come on," I announced to get everyone's attention. "I know this is exciting; I'm excited and happy for Luna and Checkered too, but," I paused to bite my lip and stroke the back of AJ's mane to soothe myself. "Could we just please get off their backs about this?" I asked as politely as I could, even bracing myself for a few party members to be offended.

"I'm sorry, but what do you mean by get off their backs?" Cadence immediately asked in a suspicious tone. Applejack craning her neck up to look at me almost made my heart stop, but I had to be honest with everyone.

"You all mean well, and I completely get that, but seriously? I think you're overreacting and being a little too pushy to Luna and Checkered. A month left before she gives birth isn't much time, I agree, but is it really such a sin that they haven't decided on a name yet?"

"I don't think we're treating it as harshly as a sin, Cougar," Celestia lowered her head a bit.

"We're just offering some help if they want it," Twilight added with her furrowed eyebrows. I wasn't too surprised that out of everyone in here, Twilight was off put at my words. "You know, like friends do?" The asked rhetorically.

"And that's fine, but do they look like they want help?" I motioned toward the aforementioned couple, both still looking slightly aggravated from all the 'help' they were receiving. It wasn't my intention to make those who threw their hats into the ring feel bad, but I was still glad to get their attention.

"Luna, I-I'm so sorry," Celestia and Cadence frowned, looking up at Luna and Checkered apologetically. The elder alicorn gently nudged her sister's neck with her own, trying to hug her. "I didn't mean to pressure either of you."

"Nor did I," Cadence agreed as Pinkie let out a little whine and slipped out from in between Luna and Checkered. Luckily, as I predicted, the expressions of Celestia's sister and brother-in-law softened.

"It's okay, everypony," Luna smiled as she nuzzled her big sister while Checkered offered an accepting hoof to Pinkie Pie. However, Luna was taken aback as Celestia sharply pulled away, shaking her head.

"No…it's not, Luna. I let my excitement get the best of me and tried to push my help onto you when you did not request any," the alicorn put on an regretful smile. "If you and Checkered Flag need more time, then the only help any of us can give is to allow you that time and space."

"I'm sorry too!" Pinkie exclaimed, putting poor Checkered into a death grip by his neck while letting a few tears slip out of her eyes. At least the stallion had been around Pinkie long enough that he could adjust himself so that he wouldn't choke.

"Listen, sis- er, everypony. We aren't angry with you. Your excitement and willing to help is understandable, and Checkered and I love how much all of you are excited for the birth of our colt," she levitated Checkered away from Pinkie, ruffling his mane with her wing. "But, how about I go fetch us some more food so we can relax and start our minds fresh?" She suggested. As if on cue, Twilight's stomach growled like a wolverine, causing her to blush.

"I think that sounds like a wonderful idea, Luna," Celestia held a hoof up to her mouth to cover her giggle.

"Ooh, ooh!" Pinkie swung her foreleg around, "Rarity and I can go get some more food for you, right Rarity?" She yanked the seamstress toward her. Rarity had to blink a few times to clear her head from the sudden movement.

"Oh, uh why yes of course!" She grinned. "I'd be honored to get it for you, Princess Luna." That seemed all fine and good until Luna appeared to get a little more miffed? The midnight blue mare even snorted and rolled her eyes at the unicorn and earth pony.

"And pray tell, Ms. Rarity and Ms. Pinkie, why do you wish to go instead of allowing myself to go?" Luna asked sternly like a school principal.

"Well, to make it up to you for putting pressure on you and Checkered for one," Pinkie explained, tapping her chin a few times. Luna shifted her gaze over to Rarity, seemingly burrowing her eyes into Rarity's soul.

"Ahem, and well because of your…condition?" Luna's glare only stiffened. "Your highness," Rarity gulped, "we don't wish to add any physical stress to your body along with the mental stress we just accidentally put you through," she tried to explained. The larger mare scoffed and strolled past the two friends and her older sister, heading towards me and AJ.

"Ms. Rarity, Ms. Pinkie?" She called over her shoulder as soon as she reached where AJ and I were standing.

"Yes, princess?" The duo replied questionably.

"I am pregnant, not incapacitated," she sharply explained. "I am following the doctor's orders by using as little magic as possible, and not doing much in the ways of heavy lifting. I am more than capable of going about my day in my normal routine with the exception of lowering and raising the moon; refreshments are foal's play."

"Do you want me to go with you, Lulu?" Checkered offered, preparing to join his wife at her side. Luna cooed, but gently pushed her wing against his chest.

"Sorry Checkered, but no," she said sweetly. "You can keep our guests and my sister company whilst Cougar joins me." That definitely caught me off guard.

"M-me?" I stuttered.

"Yes of course! You're my friend are you not?" Luna grinned slyly.

"Well, yeah, but-"

"Excellent!" Luna's other wing took my cup out of my hand and set it on an end table. "Let us make haste towards the royal kitchen!" She declared, pushing past me.

"O-okay," I continued to stammer, still trying to glean why she'd chosen me specifically when she could've had her own husband join her. But before I journeyed with the princess, I stopped and knelt down beside Applejack, wrapping my arms around her shoulder and neck. "I'll be right back, hun," I hugged the mare and kissed her cheek.

"Ah'll be waitin', Sugarcube," she returned both favors before lightly smacking my back to get me to join Luna. With a grunt, I stood up and adjusted my Drive to End Hunger cap before giving everyone a little goodbye wave and met up with Luna in the hallway.

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(Hallway outside Luna's Chambers; Ivan's POV)

Strangely, there were no guards in the hallway outside Luna's chambers. Since there were four princesses, including one that was pregnant, and a prince inside the room, I would've thought that maybe Bat Fang and Venom would be standing outside the door. Then again, all of my friends could hold their own against practically anything that'd try to get in. The alicorn more or less slamming the door shut behind her jerked me from my own thoughts as she took a few steps forward before exhaling quite loudly. "Hey," I reached out and grasped her shoulder.

"Cougar, I cannot thank you enough for standing up for myself and Checkered," she came to a sudden stop, swooping her neck around to look at me. I never really noticed how tired she looked until I was this close to her. Of course, that could've been from her sister, niece, and a few of her friends practically harping on her.

"Oh, that," I bit my lip. Luna gingerly sat down on her haunches, right in the middle of the hallway as she rubbed her silver plated hoof around her temple. It didn't seem to discomfort her to sit like that, so I didn't put up any protest over it, but instead squatted down next to her. Since no one really needed the hallway at the moment, I didn't even try to get her to move to either side of the corridor. "You know, I just thought they were overreacting a bit and it was a little unfair to you and Checkered."

"Forgive me, but I'm just a little exhausted right now, Cougar," the alicorn apologized, her ears gradually drooping.

"And that little scene didn't help much did it?" I guessed and moved my hand in between her dark blue wings to comfort her.

"No, but at least that's the only time Tia has done something like that. I know she's excited to have a new nephew around the castle, and thank goodness she can keep her overzealousness to a minimum, or else this would be even more stressful." The mare softly whinnied as I gradually ran my hand up and down her back.

"Eh, at least you'll always have Checkered to keep you sane," I smiled.

A soft sigh replaced Luna's whinny. "Oh, I couldn't ask for a better husband or father to my colt, Cougar," Luna twisted her head around to look at me. "He's been such an angel through all of this, but never once has he become overbearing or too helpful to the point he thinks I'm helpless. Even between my mood swings, strange cravings, midnight and morning sickness, he's always been at my side," a small tear streaked down Luna's cheek which I gladly wiped away. "H-he even took a year long break from racing to be with me," the mare sniffled, turning her head away. "By his own decision," she added.

"You're both lucky to have one another," I put my hand back between her wings. "Which is kind of what prompted me to snap at everyone back there." Luna's ears twitched curiously, but she still kept her head turned away. "Here's the thing, I knew everyone meant well, but to me, I don't think it really matters that your and Checkered's colt has no name yet."

"And why do you feel that way?" She softly asked, barely cocking her head to the side to look at me.

"Because I've seen how much you two love each other. Checkered went berserk when you were taken from your bedroom; I felt how happy you two were when you were reunited, and I could feel how much you wanted to be the perfect wife for Checkered; how scared you were to disappoint him before I walked you down the aisle. And what you two meant to one another during your vows. To me, as long as you and Checkered love one another and can pour all of that into the love for your colt, a name is almost nothing. I know that you will be a fantastic mother and that Checkered will be a great father; that's all your colt will need," I chuckled, remembering how ecstatic and emotional the two got over the cradle AJ and I made. "Your reactions to the present AJ and I gave to you is all the evidence I'll ever need to know the new prince will be in loving hooves."

Luna's teal eye began welling up with tears. "F-forgive me, Cougar," she wiped her foreleg across her eyes. "Th-these times are just a little emotional for me."

"Hey, it's all right, Luna," I gently stroked down her ethereal mane like I did for Applejack, though it was such a strange sensation.

"Such a hard and brute exterior, yet a soft and caring interior," the alicorn smiled. "You truly are a complex creature, Cougar, but I am so thankful to have a friend such as yourself in our midst." More and more tears began to pour from the mare's eyes. I knew it was because of the baby and the stress of motherhood hitting, so of course I couldn't blame her.

Still crouching, I maneuvered myself in front of the emotional alicorn, outstretching my arms. "Come here," I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, hugging her as tenderly as I could to avoid harming her. Luna didn't hesitate for a second and put her forelegs around my torso, laying her head against my neck. I could feel the wetness of her tears on my shirt.

"I-I'm sorry," she apologized again, but I wasn't bothered by it. "There's just so much going on right now. Of course we are thrilled to bring a new foal into the world, but a part of me is absolutely terrified, Cougar," she admitted, reminding me of the very first conversation I had with her. I tried to pull back to look at her and comfort her, but Luna's grip held me down. Sighing, I gently ran my fingers over her wings.

"No need to apologize, Luna. I can't truthfully say I understand how you're feeling, but if you want to talk about it, I'm hanging on every word," I promised the alicorn. She sniffled and rubbed her cheek on my shoulder, which I assumed to be a nod.

"Oh Cougar, what if…..what if I'm not ready to be a mother?" She asked bluntly.

"Luna-"

"Checkered I know in my heart is ready to be a father with how well he deals with fillies and colts around Equestria in any type of situation. But myself? I know a vast majority of citizens have warmed back up to me since my return, but I'm well aware that my nighttime appearance is frightening to some."

"So?" I asked supportively. "Those who actually take time to get to know you or know of what you do to protect ponies from their nightmares or help certain ponies in the middle of the night aren't scared of you."

"But what if my own child is frightened of me!?" She bellowed, nearly making me jump out of my shoes from how quiet it had gotten in the hallway. Luckily the mare still sat there, softly crying to herself while I tensed up in case someone had heard her outburst. After about a minute or two, I felt confident no one from Luna's chambers would appear to see what was wrong, so I resumed trying to comfort the poor mare. "Or what if no matter how hard I try-"

I gently squeezed the back of her head, moving my hand down her neck and massaged it, silencing her. "Luna, I don't know how much this will mean to you since I've never been a parent, but do you remember my friend, Adam?"

Luna sniffled and replied in a strained voice, "Yes."

"Well, he went through something similar when his wife was pregnant and even talked to me about his worries. It's natural to be afraid of parenthood and having a kid; it's an unknown. I don't think you're overreacting or acting paranoid at all," I assured her.

"Y-you don't?"

"Of course not. The way I see it, if you're anxious about becoming a mother, it means you actually care to be a good one. You want to be a good mother, don't you?" She finally let me go, only to give me a rather unamused look. "My point," I grinned. "Checkered will always be there for you for every step; you have a sister and a nephew in the castle most of the time to help if you need it; and you have a limitless number of friends in Ponyville and the Crystal Empire for support, including the one right here."

Luna looked down at her belly and caressed it with one of her wings as a tear dripped down from her eye and onto the floor. "I told you before, and I'll say it again, Luna," I brought her head back up to look me in the eye. "I don't have any doubts or concerns for either you or Checkered, and I certainly don't think your colt will be afraid of you. Applebloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle told me how you helped them in their dreams overcome an obstacle in their path that they needed help on. If you can do that to the little sisters of friends, then your colt will have one of the wisest mothers in Equestria leading and teaching him."

"Cougar," she breathed with a quivering mouth.

"If there's one thing any of you have taught me since I've been here," I began by placing my hand on her shoulder. "It's to have faith in yourself; that's something I severely lacked my entire life, but now I'm happier than I've ever been because I learned to believe in myself and to be a good friend. If you have faith that you'll be a good mother, then you'll have a better chance at obtaining that goal."

The alicorn then lunged at me, re-wrapping her forelegs around my torso and cuddling her neck against mine. "Th-thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She repeated over and over again.

"Anything for a friend," I chuckled. She fell silent once more, yet continued to hold me for comfort. I felt a warm surge well up in my chest rather than a sense of awkwardness that I would usually feel. I've always felt good about helping my friends, but this time it just felt more…..special.

"Cougar," Luna swallowed her tears and looked me in the eye. "May I be personal with you?" Now the awkwardness reared its ugly head as I felt my cheeks heat up.

"…You're not gonna kiss me again, are you?" I cocked an eyebrow at her. A heartfelt giggle escaped her lips, making me feel a little better knowing that her stress had gone down and she was returning to normal.

"Hehe, no," she assured me. "I was just wondering if you would like to be the official foal sitter for my little colt?" She asked with a huge grin on her face.

"M-me?" I stammered the same question for the second time today.

"Do I even need to explain why?" Luna rolled her eyes. "You are selfless, caring, attentive, and even saved my life; I'd feel no anxiety about the safety of my baby if he were in your hooves, er, hands."

"What about your sister? I'm pretty sure she'd be more eager than anyone to watch your son if you and Checkered were busy."

"Tia would be of course, but she has her own duties to attend to, and she enjoys spending time with Glock more and more each day. There will be some points where even she has no choice but to decline." I had to think about it for a minute. On one hand, I did like the fillies and colts around here more than I liked human kids, but I too had responsibilities on at Sweet Apple Acres and as a new authority figure for Ponyville. Plus, I'd hate to have to choose between babysitting Checkered and Luna's kid or spending an evening with Applejack, even if all we were doing was cuddling out in one of the fields and watching the stars.

"Well, I'd probably have to run it by AJ first," I grimaced, preparing for Luna's disappointment.

"Oh, well having you and one of the Elements of Harmony keeping a watchful eye on the baby would put me and Checkered at even more of an ease," Luna happily smiled. I shrugged in response.

"I guess I'll have a talk with AJ when we get back home tonight," I stood up with a grunt. "How about we go get some food?"

"Now that you mention it, I'm feeling a bit peckish once again," the alicorn giggled and put her front hooves on the ground to stand up. "Oh….um," she blushed as she attempted to get up onto her hooves. "…..Cougar? It appears I may need some assistance," she said, embarrassed.

"No problem," I chuckled, squatting back down and curling my arms under her forelegs. "Ready?" I asked. After a nod of confirmation and bracing her forelegs on top of my shoulders, I counted to three and slowly but surely lifted the pregnant pony up onto her hind legs, gently setting her back down on the floor.

"Ahem, thank you for your assistance," the blush was still present on Luna's cheeks. "I've attempted to not rest in that position for obvious reasons, but I couldn't help myself this time."

"It's all right Luna," I winked and patted her in between her wings again. With a content sigh, she lead the way down the maze of corridors to the kitchen in search of more food for the baby shower.

"You know, Cougar?" Luna remarked.

"Yeah?"

"I know I've said this before, but since you reassured me several times about my ability to be a mother, I feel I must say this once more," she announced, offering me her wing for some reason. I didn't want to be rude, so I took the end of her wing in my fingers, even though I had no clue what she was getting at. "Applejack is certainly blessed to have a special somepony like yourself."

I couldn't help but smile like a lovestruck idiot at her compliment. "Well, believe you me, Luna, but I feel blessed to have her as my girlfriend," I grinned just thinking about the mare who not only loved me, but continues to challenge me to be honest with myself and have faith in myself day after day. Sure, my other friends have helped me learn multiple things about myself, but AJ was really the one who I related with the most when I fell here, and she was the one I could share my heart with like I couldn't with anyone else. "I always valued people who were honest with each other my whole life," I continued. "I just needed to open up and let others teach me how to be honest with myself; AJ was the one who got me to crack."

"Hmm," Luna pouted her lip as she pondered what I had to say. "Well, don't let her go, Ivan," Luna called me my real name, easily grappling my attention even more. "I understand your relationship is still fairly new, and I am not my niece Cadence, but I do foresee the two of you taking your love a step further," she winked.

"Further?" I paused, thinking about what she had just said before jogging after the mare down the hall.

End Chapter 67

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Now, I hope you all can tell how much I love writing in Luna and Ivan as friends. Truthfully, I would like to have them tell each other they love one another as close friends, but I'm still concerned some people will misconstrue that and want Ivan to have both Luna and AJ as mates. But, this scene was so enjoyable to work through, as was this whole chapter really.

And by the way, see if you can catch the Seinfeld reference I threw in there ;)

Next chapter, the end of this arc, which includes a certain topic that includes Rarity and Spike! What could it be?