Chapter 3:

Now

“Sleep now little filly, put your cares away, laughy with a happy face, tomorrows another day...” I sang softly to Candy. We were walking the hallways of the medical wing, it was 6am, Ruby had passed out from exhaustion about two hours earlier, CB was asleep in the chair beside Ruby's bed, everyone had come and seen the baby and been so happy and excited, but eventually they had turned in for the night and now I found myself alone with my new daughter...who wouldn't stop crying!

“Wah! Wah! Wah!” Her tiny and yet so powerful voice echoed through the halls, absolutely miserable with life and I had no idea what was wrong. She wasn't hungry, she didn't need to be changed, she was warm in her blanket and I was holding her against me with my magic so she could feel my warmth and heartbeat, just like the nurses had said, and even the nurses had tried and failed to find a problem, she was just cranky it seemed, so since no one else was around to be annoyed by her voice I carried her through the hospital trying to calm her.

Finally we wandered downstairs and outside, after grabbing my bag from the room and leaving Ruby a note. There was a cool breeze, but it was quiet, amazingly quiet, no explosions or gunfire off in the distance or anything, just the sound of a very upset baby.

“Uh-oh, sounds like somepony doesn't like the big scary world.” A voice said, making me jump, and Ebony and Ivory leap from my pack. The blue mare from earlier wandered up, another pony behind her, a brown Earth pony with an hourglass cutie mark.

“Oh, TT right?” She nodded, “yeah, this is Candy, she's not even 6 hours old and already she's miserable...” I sighed.

“Awe it's not as bad as all that.” The brown stallion said, he spoke with a similar accent to TT, coming over slowly. Candy stopped crying, looking at him curiously. “No, I promise you, I know it's cold out and you miss the free food, but you'll be alright.”

“What's he doing?” I asked TT.

“Oh, I speak baby.” The buck replied.

“Uhh...right...”

Candy cooed happily at him and he laughed. “That's not nice, this is your dad, he loves you and he's going to protect you. What? Oh, well I guess. She doesn't like the name Candy. Says it's too sweet.”

“Does she now?”

“Yes, prefers Lelandra.”

“Well the two of us can talk about it when she's older. For now I'm gonna stick with Candy.”

“Your loss. Sorry Lelandra,” he shrugged, “now you behave for your Mum and Dad alright? I don't want to find you causing all kinds of havoc down the road.”

Candy made some whining noises at him but he just smiled. “Good girl.”

“Come on Doctor, we should go.” TT said. “Places to meet, people to see.”

“You're absolutely right.” He said. She started off away from the hospital and he moved to follow, but paused a moment, “here, a birthday present.” He dug into his bag and pulled out a small plush robot doll and tucked it into the blanket beside her.

Candy kind of rolled her eyes a little trying to see the new thing beside her.

“Uhh, thanks?” I said, looking up from her, but the two of them were already moving away from the hospital and into the early morning sunlight.

I wasn't really sure what had just happened, but Candy had stopped crying and seemed back to her quiet content self. I went back inside and returned to the hospital room.

“Hi Daddy...” CB said tiredly, waking when we came back into the room.

“Hey sweetie, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up.”

“It's okay. Candy finally stopped crying?”

“Yeah she's fine now I think.”

“Good, she's too noisy.”

“That's how babies work.” I flopped on the couch on the wall opposite Ruby's bed and cuddled Candy happily. “Until they can talk how else are they going to tell you something is wrong?”

“I guess.”

Candy finally drifted off to sleep so I floated her up and into the simple plastic bassinet that sat beside Ruby's bed and happily fell asleep myself.

/////////////

11 Months ago:

“I'm going to go to my lab and start setting up for the link to the facility.” I said to my friends as we got off the sky wagon. “You gonna come help?” I asked, looking at Venture.

“Oh, yeah, of course.” He smiled, nodding to me. Brutus rolled his eyes and headed off with Crackshot and CB.

“He really doesn't like me.” Venture sighed.

“He doesn't like a lot of folks.” Ruby said, coming out of the cockpit and leaning against me, sighing heavily.

“You okay babe?”

“I feel kind of nauseated...” She said. She groaned and started breathing heavily out of her mouth.

“Ruby?” I reached out to touch her cheek but she yanked away from me, running over to a trash bin and throwing up hard.

“RUBY!” I ran to her side and used my magic to pull her mane back

“Ugh...” She groaned, spitting the remnants out of her mouth. “Sorry...musta been something I had at...” She trailed off and threw up again.

“Maybe you should go see a doctor...I heard a few are setting up shop here for the long haul. This might become a full fledged hospital again so we have lots of ponies at our disposal.”

“No no, I'm sure it'll pass...” She said, sitting slowly and just breathing deeply. I pulled a bottle of water out of my pack and held it out to her. She washed her mouth out and smiled weakly. “Thanks Sugar.”

“No problem.” I smiled, tossing the now empty bottle into the garbage. I pulled the bag out of the bin and tied it shut, then, as I had done in the past, pulled Ivory out and shot the bag, which burst with red energy and turned to ash. “Mint?” I asked, pulling one of the small wrapped candies from my pack.

“Yes.”She nodded, popping it in her mouth happily.

“You guys okay?” A tech asked, coming over to see what all the commotion was.

“Oh yeah, we're fine.” Venture said. “She's just got morning sickness.”

“Come again for big fudge?” Ruby asked flatly, glaring at him.

“Sick out of the blue, didn't eat anything really bad today to warrant getting sick, got over it in moments...I'd say it's morning sickness, I saw a lot of mares going through it over the decades, and at the beginning I even cared about it because I was still flesh and blood and not totally bat shit insane.”

The tech looked at him as though he wasn't sure if he was serious.

“We'll be fine Tack.” Ruby said, smiling at him. I could tell it was forced, but she didn't waiver.

“Alright...” He said slowly, nodding and backing away, still watching Venture for a moment before finally turning and starting off again.

“You should probably go see a doctor.” I said to her again.

“Yeah...I guess.” She nodded, sighing deeply. “You two go do your work, I'll go find out about seeing a doctor.” She leaned in and kissed my horn. “I swear if you knocked me up on our FIRST try I'm gonna be pissed.”

“Technically it's our SECOND try...remember the night before we went to battle?”

“Doesn't count and you know it.” She sighed.

“I suppose...I think it still kinda counts though.” I said.

“Well we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.”

“And besides, do you think I wanted to hit a home run on my first time at bat?” I asked. “I was hoping to take a few swings, maybe take a base or two before I got benched for the whole season.”

“That analogy doesn't really follow.”

“I think Sugar is saying that he wants to try to take four balls.” Venture offered, smirking.

“Sugar? Is that what you mean? DO you want to try taking four balls?” She asked, putting on an excellent concerned face, putting all the polite and well meaning tones she could into her voice. “S...Should I get Brutus? I bet Lily would be happy to change into a buck for you too...” She offered, smiling warmly.

Finally Venture cracked up and Ruby followed suit, the two of them falling back, howling with laughter.

“Yeah, you two are hilarious.” I rolled my eyes, putting on a good indignant face and started out of the area.

//////////

The door to my lab opened and Venture came in, looking around the room slowly. “Nice set up.” He said, looking at the rows of computers.

“It's all scavenged from our other facilities.”

“I can see that.” He nodded. “So where are we at with the link?”

“I finished installing the wireless transmitter and receiver and I've tied it into the M.A.S. Network. So DJ Pon3 and his assistant will have access to it too, I assume you don't mind that?”

“Nope, not at all. I'm an open book from now on,” Venture said, coming and sitting down beside me, “this still feels weird you know...back in a flesh and blood body, feeling emotions besides rage and anger, guilt, good grief the guilt...”

“You've been in a pony body for almost eight years, I'd think you'd be used to it by now.”

“Weren't really many chances to stretch my legs or put myself through my paces when I was locked up. No magic for almost as long too...I'll probably have to go back to magic kindergarten to relearn it all.” He laughed.

“I don't know that they have specific kindergarten for it anymore. CB's class is a mix of all the pony races, and I heard that they might have a gryphon in the class starting in a week or two, if his dad signs on to join The Collective's medical department.” I said, turning back to the computer slowly when it chirped at me to let me know the new hardware was online.

“So what can I do to help?”

“You can either write the wireless transmission protocols or you can write the interface software.”

“I'll do the interface,” he nodded, “race you?” He asked knowingly.

I couldn't hide my smirk. “Oh you know it.” I nodded. Damn, I had missed this...

“Standard wager?”

“You don't have any money, how are you going to buy me dinner?”

“The Collective was nice enough to advance me my first pay. I also keep a decent stack of caps in the safe in my office just in case.”

“Well aren't you just the luckiest pony on the planet. Fine, you can use that bank.” I said, pointing to a computer set up along the right wall.

“Sounds good to me.” He moved to the computers and started booting them up.

I started up my computers and cued up a play list of classic rock.

“On your mark?”

“Get set...”

“GO!” We both shouted and started typing away in a flurry on the computers as the music kicked in, filling the lab. I had really REALLY missed this.

//////////

“What the hay are you guys doing?!” I heard CB shout over the music.

“PAUSE!” I yelled, the music stopped, plunging the lab into almost shocking silence. Venture and I stopped typing at the exact same time and I turned to look at the filly. “We're writing the computer programs we need to make the link to Venture's computers work.”

“And you feel it's necessary to go deaf blasting music while you do it?” She asked, looking very irritated.

“Sorry mother,” I said, smiling a little, “it's just how we work.”

“Well work quieter.” She said seriously. “I had to stand right beside you before you even heard me.”

“I said I'm sorry, what else can I say?”

“Nothing, just work QUIETER,” She said.

“Thank you sweetie.” I heard another voice say and I realized Ruby was standing in the door of the lab.

“No problem Ruby.” She smiled at the mare and started for the door again. “QUIETER.” She said to me again before heading back out of the room.

“You two really know how to have fun.” Ruby smirked, coming over and leaning against me, looking at the code half scrawled on the screen, and the notepad I had beside me covered in half pieces of code.

“So...what did the doctor say?” I asked her, trying to steer away from explaining what I was writing in any kind of detail.

She just smiled happily.

“Really?” I asked, my eyes lighting up with excitement. She just nodded and laughed softly.

“Oh Ruby that's wonderful!” I grinned, scooping her up in a big hug and kissing her happily. “We have to tell everyone! Lily's going to be SO excited.”

“I know, I've heard CB talk about how she wished she had a sibling, I'm sure she'll be so happy.” She agreed, moving back to stand beside me again. “Lets go tell them.”

I started to get up from my desk, then looked over at Venture. “You mind suspending the contest till tomorrow?”

“Do you mind if I do one last thing?” He asked. “Just want to finish this last line of code?”

“Yeah go for it.” I said.

He typed out a few more symbols and then hit both keys at once. “DONE!” He cackled.

“What?!” I watched in amazement as his code started to compile. “You bastard! I can't believe you were almost done.”

“Well we still have to see if the code will function.” He shrugged.

“Wow, and humble too.” I laughed.

“So does that mean we can go?” Ruby asked.

“For now yeah. My code is far from done I need another day or two to finish.”

“Perfect lets go.” She said, heading for the door.

I followed her out into the hall, turning to lock the lab when I noticed Venture was still sitting at the desk, watching his code compiling. “You coming?” I asked him.

“Oh, well, it's a family thing, I didn't want to intrude...”

“Dude seriously? You are LITERALLY my only direct family, even CB is so far removed from my gene pool she barely counts.”

“Yeah but...”

“No buts, come on mister, “Ruby ordered, “CB would be upset with us if you were left out.”

“Alright...” He said, getting off the stool and turning off the monitor before following us out of the lab. I closed and locked the door and we started off to tell everyone the good news.

//////////

Now:

“Daddy...Daddy wake up!” The soft voice cut through my dreams and I opened my eyes to find Candy dangling above me, giggling happily, wrapped in CB's yellow magic. “Daddy! Daddy! My diaper is poopy!” CB said in the little voice. Ruby was laying in the bed watching us with a grin.

“Gross...so it is my little pony...” I sighed, taking the baby from CB. “Come on sweetie...” I sat up and carried her over to the bed. If I had to do it Ruby at least had to bear witness.

“Aww, my big strong stallion, changing his first poopy diaper.” Ruby cooed.

“First nothing. I've changed dirty diapers before. Used to baby sit for my neighbors from time to time.” I said, my horn lighting up again as diapers, wipes and powder flew through the air towards me. It was a blur I'm sure as I puffed out some of the powder in a big cloud before setting to work changing Candy. I was quick, but I was careful. I had read over and over about how to change a baby's diaper but I had never done it before, so this was all just a very careful bluff. It only took about a minute and she was clean and ready to go again, the dirty diaper tossed into the waste bin by the door.

“You did a damned fine job.” Ruby nodded. “'Cept you put the diaper on backwards Mister Expert.” She laughed, grabbing Candy up in her hooves and flipping the diaper around. “Some of us have ACTUALLY changed a baby before.”

“Can confirm,” CB nodded, “was said baby.”

“Fine, you caught me, I still think I did a good job.”

“You certainly did babe.” Ruby nodded, leaning in and kissing my horn. “Give Daddy a kiss.” She said, holding Candy out to me. The baby looked at me curiously for a moment, then stuck the tip of my horn in her mouth and started sucking at it.

“Good try.” I laughed, pulling back slowly. Ruby pulled Candy back in and pulled her blanket up, tucking the baby away from sight so she could feed her.

“Uhh, I'm gonna go meet up with Xem for breakfast.” CB said.

“Alright, but you better get your butt to school. If I find out you two cut class to 'explore' again I'm gonna be angry.” I said seriously.

“Yeah of course, it was just the one time.” CB nodded, turning and running out of the room before I could say anything more, already a bright red.

“They're young and in love, it's hard not to want to be close.”

“Yeah well they're too young to be that close. I don't care if they are soul mates.”

“You're telling me you never snuck around with a mare?”

“Uhh hello? Have you even MET me? I was a geek, I have had THREE girlfriends in my life. One when I was about 10, then Rosa, who I should remind you, made the first move, and you, who kind of fell into my lap because we got drugged and I got molested.”

“Are you saying we'd never have gotten together if that hadn't happened?” Ruby asked, giving me big sad eyes, but I was too clever for that.

“Uhh, yes, yes I am,” I nodded, sitting down beside the bed in the chair and shrugging idly.

“Yeah you're probably right.” She sighed, her guilt attempt foiled. “Oh well, we are together and look what we have to show for it.” She lifted Candy back up and held her close, patting her back until the baby burped quietly.

“Yeah, it's something else isn't it?” I asked, nuzzling the back of Candy's neck gently.

“SO...what are we gonna do about the wedding?”

“Reschedule?” I offered. “I mean aside from some food that everyone ate anyway we didn't really lose out on anything, and besides, now Candy can be there too.”

“True, true.” She nodded, laying back and holding Candy up over her head. “What do you think my little olive filly? You wanna be at the wedding?” She cooed. Candy giggled happily and squirmed around. “That's what I thought.” She brought the baby down again and held her close, sighing happily.

There was a knock on the door and I looked over to see Hail Storm standing in the doorway. “Hey you two. I heard the good news when we got in earlier this morning, I thought I'd come visit.”

“Of course,” Ruby grinned, sitting up again properly, “this is Candy.” She said, holding the baby up carefully.

“Aww she's very cute.” Hail smiled, coming over to stand beside the bed, a box on her back. “I told you that you'd have your own some time.” She said to me. “I brought you this too.” She said, setting the box down. Inside was her baby carrier. “The twins have long since grown out of it and I was mostly just holding onto it for sentimental value, but you can't carry something like this around forever when you are a traveling merchant so I'm glad to be able to give it to somepony else that'll make good use of it.”

“And I'm happy to have it,” Ruby said, “I don't know that we're going to be traveling a whole lot, but I feel better having an armoured baby carrier than a normal one.”

“Yeah, well Bullet and I have been talking about maybe settling down in Maneville...maybe open a store or something. I guess he's been talking to a lot of ponies there and it seems the weapons market there never really recovered after the Pyro attack on the town. We have really made a name for ourselves so setting up a store might be a good thing.”

“Well if you decide to go forward with it I'd be happy to set you guys up with a computerized inventory system, and alarms and such. Anything computer based.”

“Oh thanks, I'll tell Bullet,” She nodded, “well I'll leave you two to bask in your baby.” She smiled.

“Thanks Hail. We'll talk later.” I said and she started off. “So what do we do now?”

“We could go for breakfast. I'm ready to get out of here.”

“Already?”

“Yeah already. I was good to leave last night but they insisted I stay to make sure I was 100%, but they discharged me earlier while you were still sleeping.”

“Alright, breakfast it is.” I nodded, helping her out of the bed. We packed up a few things, double checked with the doctors and then we were on our way.

Footnote: 25% to level up

Author's Notes:

So just a note for anyone that might be curious. Candy's birth, and Candy herself to some extent, is a hybridization of human and pony birth elements. Ponies don't suffer from morning sickness, and the only sure way to know if a pony is pregnant is by having a vet examine them, so I combined things like morning sickness as a tell with the fact that a pony carries an infant for a year before the foal is born. Also, much like the Baby Cakes, Candy is going to be mobile fairly quickly, though she's still gonna get carried around a lot, she's not going to be walking/trotting/running within a few hours like a real pony does.