Months seemed to pass by in a flash in Canterlot, all of them fraught with activity. Shine had managed to keep his word to the queen of the Changelings and within weeks after the almost disastrous negotiation with Chrysalis, a peace treaty was signed, cementing a hoof of trust between ponies and changelings alike.

It took a lot of effort on both Shine and Celestia's parts, as well as the rest of the royal family, to help the Changelings acclimate to living among the ponies, and there had been resistance and hostilities from nay-sayers and stubborn ponies and Changelings who didn't want to change, but with perseverance and patience, Changelings had been heard to have found homes within many towns and had made nice with other ponies. Chrysalis herself had even managed to find a piece of land that would suit her 'children' more than a danky cave could ever do.

From that day forward, confidence in Shine's ability as a prince had grown greatly, his success in reasoning with the Changelings earning praises from the rest of the royal family (especially Shining and Cadance, who had the worst experience with Chrysalis in the past). Being the only prince of the family to have not been born in Canterlot, his down-to-earth and calm demeanor as well as his past as a farmer pony made him easy for his subjects to relate to than the other royals.

Of course, it helped that he was married to Celestia. The two had become quite a pair when it came to ruling their country with a fair hoof, and in the process, their already powerful love becoming much stronger than ever before. When they were not busy with dealing with royal affairs, the two would spent each waking moment in each other's wings, taking part in activities reserved for married couples and married couples alone, and the days would always end with the alicorn and the pegasi resting in each other's hooves, after a bout of cuddling... among other 'activities.'

However, in the midst of all the busy months the two had, Shine had begun to notice something different about his mate. Celestia began to suffer from stomach pains, shortness of breath, backaches and headaches, not to mention feeling tired. At first, Shine just chalked it up to it being stress, given how being a ruler was no easy task.

That idea was disproved when Shine woke up one morning to find Celestia keeling over and upchucking in their bathroom. Immediately concerned, Celestia decided to consult the castle's physician that afternoon. Shine was waiting nervously outside the infirmary's doors, alongside Luna, Gothic, Constell, Mist, and Blueblood, having observed the changes in Celestia's behavior as well.

"Darn it, she's been in there for a while." Shine groaned, pacing in front of the door, "I sure hope that she isn't sick."

"Don't worry, Shine, I'm sure that Celestia is fine." Gothic soothed.

"Dad's right. Aunt Celestia just might have the flu or something. No biggie." Constell added.

"Of course. She might had caught something from Mist over here." Blueblood suggested.

"Hey! Just because I get sick easily doesn't mean I get other ponies sick!" Mist growled, affronted.

"It was just a suggestion." Blueblood flinched, "Geez..."

"Look, we all just need to calm down." Luna suggested, "That's goes for you too, Shine. Those carpets you're wearing a hole in aren't cheap."

Shine sighed as he did as such, when the infirmary's doors open, and Celestia walked out.

"Celestia!" Shine gasped, as he quickly went up to her, "Is everything alright, cherryblossom? You aren't sick, are you?"

"Oh no, dear, I am completely fine. In fact, the doctor had just told me some important news." Celestia smiled.

"Important news?" Shine repeated, raising his brows.

"Yes..." Celestia nodded, as she glanced lovingly at her husband, "Shine... I'm carrying your foal."

Shine's face went through a myriad of reactions, going from his initial concern to a bout of confusion... before turning to one of complete and utter shock.

"...Care to run that by me again, cherryblossom?" Shine squeaked, his voice holding in breath.

Celestia just chuckled, "You are going to be a father."

Shine's jaw went slack and pupils dilated.

"You're pregnant?!" Mist gasped, as she and Constell both went into a high pitched squeal, with Mist cheering, "I'M GOING TO BE AN AUNT!"

"I'M GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER COUSIN!" Constell chirped.

"That is wonderful, big sister!" Luna joined in with the cheering, hugging her sister tightly.

"Congratulations, Celestia!" Gothic nodded.

"Wow, looks like you and Auntie will be bringing in more royalty to the family, eh, Uncle?" Blueblood jabbed, elbowing Shine with a wink.

Shine remained in a shocked state, "What...when...how...did this happen?"

"I hope you mean rhetorically." Blueblood frowned, "Otherwise, we would have to raise the rating of this story."

However, Shine did the only practical thing most guys would do when they learn they're going to be fathers... he began to faint, his body suddenly leaning towards Blueblood.

"Shine!" Blueblood gasped, catching the pegasi's body, but not being physically adept, he began to fall as well, "No, no, no, NO! GAH!"

*THUD!*

Shine woke up minutes later in his and Celestia's room, bleary-eyed, when he noticed Celestia and the others were looking at him with concern.

"Oh...what happened?" Shine groaned.

"You fainted." Celestia stated simply.

"And nearly crushed Blueblood in the process." Luna quipped.

"Did I? Oh boy, he's not hurt, is he?" Shine asked with concern.

"No, but you did a number on his pride." Gothic joked.

"It seemed like you were quite overwhelmed with the news." Celestia mused.

Shine immediately felt guilty as he defended, "Cherryblossom, don't think because I fainted that I'm not happy. If anything, I'm overjoyed! It's just..."

"It's fine, dear." Celestia nuzzled Shine, "Your reaction was as expected."

"I know, but..." Shine sighed, as he glanced at Celestia's belly, "It's the fact that there's a little foal growing in there now...and I have little to no idea as to how to be a father."

"Neither do I as in being a mother." Celestia admits, "But do not forget that we are not in this alone. We have our little family right here to help us." She gestured to Luna and the others.

"My sister is correct, Shine." Luna smiled. "And I had just sent word to the rest of the royal family. I'm sure they will be pleased to know there will be a small addition to their clan."

Suddenly, there was a clambering of shouts, as well as sounds of guards outside the room.

"'Scuse me! Pard'n me! Father of Prince coming through!"

In a blink, the doors burst open, revealing none other than Big Red, panting heavily, as he leaned against the door frame.

"Sorry... Ah didn't... get here... sooner. There was... traffic." Big Red panted.

"Big Red?!" Shine and Mist asked in shock.

"Who were ya expectin', Discord?" Big Red joked as he caught his breath.

"What brings you here in such a hurry?" Luna questioned.

"Ain't it darn obvious? Mah son and daughter-in-law are havin' a bouncing foal!" Big Red cheered.

"How in Equestria did you know?!" Gothic asked in shock, "We all had just found out a few minutes ago!"

"And I had only told the royal family about my sister's pregnancy!" Luna explained, mystified.

"Well, shoot, princess, Ah needed no letter. My leg started twitching when Ah was bucking cherries. That either meant Ah was getting a grandfoal, or somepony just got squashed by another pony!" Big Red stated proudly.

"You were right on both accounts..." Constell muttered.

"Anyway, as soon as mah leg began twitching, we hopped the first train to Can-tur-lot and stampeded all the way here!" Big Red remarked.

"Wait, we?" Shine asked.

His question was answered when soon, holding two travel packs and panting like crazy, came Cherry Jubilee.

"Oh my, darlin'... for a big pony, you sure run like a bat outta Tartarus." Cherry gasped, trying to catch her breath.

"Jubilee!" Mist cheered.

"Mah bad, Cherry. Lemme take care of that." Big Red apologized, as he lifted the bags off her back.

"Thanks, hun." Cherry smirked, as she then glanced at Shine. "By the way, congratulations! I can't believe our little Shine is going to have a little one of his own."

"Wow... you two came all this way, just for us?" Shine asked, touched.

"Yer darn tootin' we did!" Big Red smirked as he wrapped a hoof around Cherry. "In fact, we plan tah stay here till the little guy is born!"

"Really? Are you sure you want to stay with us that long?" Shine asked. "I mean, the foal won't be coming in months, and what of the ranch?"

"Don't you worry, darlin', we have good ponies watching over it while we are away." Cherry smiled.

"Besides, there's more important things than cherries... namely, yer foal and how you are going to deal with it." Big Red declared.

"Me?" Shine gulped.

"Yeah, you." Big Red nodded. "Pregnancy is no trot in the park, especially for the father. That's why Ah'm making it mah responsibility as 'foster father' to coach you on 'what to expect when you're expecting'... hey, that would make a good name for a book or something...

"What about Celestia?" Shine pointed out. "She's the one having the foal."

"Yup, but yer the one who'll have to contend with the cravin's and mood swings." Big Red told him.

"But are you even qualified for something like this?" Shine inquired.

"Sure am!" Big Red chuckled. "Shoot, me an' Cherry helped your folks when yer ma was pregnant with you and Mist. Trust me, you need all the help in yer corner you can get."

"Thanks, Red." Shine smiled. "I appreciate it."

"Shoot, it ain't nuthin'." Big Red nudged Shine playfully.

Just then, Twilight Sparkle rushed into the room.

"I came as soon as I heard." She wheezed. "Celestia's you're really-" She cut off as she took notice of the massive Big Red. "Oh, my."

"Howdy, li'l lady." Big Red tipped his hat. "Big Red, Shine's adoptive pappy. Nice ta meet ya."

"Likewise." Twilight nodded curtly, before turning to her former mentor. "Celestia, you're really with foal?"

"I certainly am." Celestia nodded.

"Well, congratulations!" Twilight beamed. "Just so you know, I'd be happy to help you with any problems you might have. As a mother of two myself, I have extensive experience. Just consider me your nurse-maid and pregnancy coach for the next eleven months!"

"So, you're saying you want to be... my teacher in this matter?" Celestia smiled wryly.

"In so many words, yes." Twilight nodded.

"And so the student becomes the master." Celestia joked. "What will the first lesson be?"

"The basics, of course." Twilight declared. "Please, feel free to take notes."

"Hey, Shine." Big Red wrapped a hoof around Shine's neck. "Walk with me."

Big Red led Shine outside.

"Ah know how yer feelin' right now, Shine." He smiled. "Ya suddenly got fatherhood thrust upon ya. It's tough to get a grip on, that's fer sure. When Ah took you and Mist in, Ah barely knew what Ah was doin'."

"Really?" Shine asked. "Didn't seem like that to me."

"That's cuz Ah was a fast learner." Big Red smiled. "That bein' the case, Ah got some words of parentin' wisdom to impart ta ya. First off, stay alert. Ya turn away fer even a second, and that kid could crawl away on ya, an' get up ta who knows what kinda mischief."

"Well, that's... comforting." Shine said sarcastically.

"An' now for a more immediate bit a' advice: don't get all stressed out over the foal." Big Red declared. "It ain't good fer ya, and it don't help the sitchey-ation none. Try an' stay calm."

"I'll try." Shine sighed.

"Good." Big Red nodded. "Ah got more words a' wisdom fer ya, but I'll be spreadin' 'em out. Don't wanna overload on paternal info."

"Thanks, Red." Shine smiled.

"Ya'll do great, kid." Big Red beamed. "Ah know it."

Over the coming months, Celestia's stomach grew larger and larger, and Shine's anxiety grew with it.

One morning, Shine raced through the castle in a panic.

"RED ALERT, RED ALERT!" He called. "The foal's coming! Repeat, the foal's coming! This is not a drill!"

The staff, visitors, and royal family all followed Shine to Celestia's room, where the pregnant princess was lying on a cushion, reading a book.

"It's alright, everypony." Celestia declared, as she rubbed her stomach. "The baby only kicked. False alarm."

The entire staff let out a groan, while Shine let out a heavy sigh of relief. Blueblood however was furious.

"Are you serious?! I cancelled a hooficure appointment for this!" Blueblood snarled as he stormed off.

"And I thought Flash was bad at this..." Twilight sighed.

"Ah thought Ah told ya to relax!" Big Red groaned.

"Sorry, everypony." Celestia apologized, "Please go about your business as usual."

Everypony did as such, although downtrodden.

"Wow, I guess I kinda jumped the guns there." Shine nervously chuckled.

"That is understandable, dear. But it would be wise for you to not go shouting... you know what, whenever I feel something." Celestia dryly quipped.

"I know, I know..." Shine sighed, as he leaned towards Celestia's belly, as he began to talk to it in a childish tone. "You gave daddy quite a scare, fella. Yes you did, kiddo."

"Uh..."

Shine stopped, as the guards and remaining servants looked at the prince oddly. Realizing what he was doing, he quickly straightened up and cleared his throat. "Carry on."

Celestia stifled a laugh.

Soon, the tenth month had strolled by, and the foal was due anyday. Everypony in the castle was on high alert, ready to act the very moment somepony mentioned 'water breaking' or 'baby's coming'. Shine, the most anxious out of everypony, made it his mission to be by Celestia's side as much as possible. But as prince, he had his own responsibilities that he couldn't afford to shirk off. In response, he made Celestia swear to never venture anywhere without a trusted pony nearby should he not be around.

One warm afternoon, Celestia had decided to take a stroll through Canterlot. Shine would have joined her, but he had an important meeting with other pony officials regarding the Changelings' recent claim of peace back at the castle. The rest of the family were busy as well, Luna and her family were visiting the Crystal Empire, Twilight had to make sure the castle was running smoothly while both princesses were absent, and Big Red, Cherry, and Mist were at a Wonderbolts show being held in Canterlot. Therefore, the responsibility of Celestia's 'trusted pony' fell to none other than Blueblood.

The two royals were now sitting at an outside cafe, enjoying the weather and their meal.

"So... how is the little guy?" Blueblood asked.

"Well, according to the doctor, the foal should be coming any time now. It's hard to believe that this little one has everypony so tense." Celestia mused, absent-mindedly rubbing her distended belly.

"In their defense, you are holding very precious cargo." Blueblood chuckled. "I can only imagine how Shine is taking things."

"Big Red has been a great asset to him through the past months." Celestia declared. "But Shine still has his worries. It took a lot of convincing to make him let me have this free time."

"Yeah... good thing I didn't really have anything this afternoon to do." Blueblood shrugged.

"Oh?" Celestia raised her eyebrows. "I heard you've been spending a quite bit of time with somepony as of late. A mare to be exact."

Blueblood immediately blushed, "Well... uh... that is true... but..."

"But what?" Celestia was interested. "You were never one to keep secrets, nephew."

"I know, and it is true, I am seeing a mare...but if I told you who she was...you and the others would never let me live it down." Blueblood explained.

"Try me." Celestia playfully challenged.

The prince sighed, "Fine. If you must know, this pony I am seeing... she is... she is... oh geez, this is hard... she's not a noble."

"Gah!" Celestia suddenly gasped in pain.

"Don't you dare start with me, Auntie!" Blueblood barked, "If you can love a commoner, so can I!"

"No, not that!" Celestia gritted her teeth in pain. "I... I think my water just broke."

Blueblood's anger instantly disappeared. "Wait... you mean the foal is coming? Now?!"

"No, next year... OF COURSE NOW!" Celestia snapped, before groaning in pain.

"Oh my, oh my... GUARDS! GUARDS! WE NEED HELP OVER HERE!" Blueblood ordered, trying to not panic.

Two Pegasus guards flew over.

"Is it time?" One asked.

"Yes!" Blueblood yelped. "We need to get her to the hospital, right now!"

"Yes, sir!" The guards relayed in unison.

The two Pegasus carefully lifted Celestia up and carried her to the royal carriage, which was instantly pulled up by other guards. Iron Hooves happened to be among them.

"You, Captain Iron! Inform Prince Shine that his wife is in labor…this time for real!" Blueblood ordered. "And while you're at it, send guards to fetch the others!"

"Right away, Prince!" Iron Hooves saluted as he took off like a bullet, as did the carriage itself as it headed towards the hospital.

The moment the royal carriage landed outside the hospital, Blueblood hopped out.

"Come on, hurry!" He yelled at the guards.

As the guards carried Celestia inside, Blueblood waved his hooves at the passing ponies.

"Move it!" He shouted. "Princess in labor here! Gangway!"

Once inside, Blueblood almost rammed into Dr. Stable.

"Ah, there you are!" Blueblood smiled. "Celestia is about to give birth!"

Dr. Stable looked upon the gasping and groaning Celestia.

"So I see." He turned to some orderlies. "Prep a delivery room, stat!

Celestia was quickly placed into the nearest available delivery room. As her pain grew greater, Blueblood was doing all he could to keep himself from collapsing in anguish and panic.

"It'll be okay, auntie." He babbled. "You just wait and see, it'll be okay, it'll be okay..."

"That's... not... helping!" Celestia puffed.

Shine suddenly rushed into the room, followed by Big Red.

"I came as soon as I heard." Shine wheezed.

"Me too." Big Red panted. "Cherry and Mist and all the others are still at the castle. They'll be along shortly."

"About time you got here." Blueblood huffed. "I've been holding down the fort all by myse-"

"Out." Celestia grunted.

"Excuse me, auntie?" Blueblood asked.

"Please leave!" Celestia yelled, her face contorted by another pain spasm.

"Yes, auntie." Blueblood quivered, departing soon after.

"I'm gonna have to ask you to leave too." Shine told Big Red.

"Pardon?" Big Red asked.

"Your help's been invaluable, but this is my foal." Shine declared. "I'm the one who needs to be by Celestia's side."

"Fair enough." Big Red nodded. "Git 'er done, boy."

As Big Red left, Dr. Stable returned.

"Alright, let's get to work." He said, snapping on some rubber gloves.

And thus began the many of agonizing hours, as Celestia was having trouble coping with the pain, which was reaching a new high.

"GAH! Why, why does it hurt so much?!" Celestia screeched, tears streaming down her face.

"Just take it easy, Cel..." Shine said soothingly, at the same time intertwining his hooves with Celestia's. "You're doing fine."

"Fine?! FINE?!" Celestia roared, her composure out to lunch. "I am in complete and utter pain because of you! If I ever make it through this alive, I will banish you to the moon quicker than you can say 'Friendship Is Magic'!"

"No, you won't, cherryblossom." Shine said passively. "You'd miss me too much."

"Miss you?! You are sorely mistaken, Paladin!" Celestia tightened her grip on Shine's hooves. "In all my years, I have never met a pony-"

Celestia's anger suddenly turned to anguish as she howled in pain.

"Come on, princess, you can do it!" Dr. Stable declared. "You're getting there!"

"Please, no more!" Celestia gasped. "I just want the pain to stop, please!"

"Celestia, I know it hurts so much, but you gotta keep going." Shine encouraged her.

"No! I can't! I can't do it!" Celestia wept.

"Yes you can! Just think of our child, Cel." Shine gave her a reassuring nuzzle. "Just think of how beautiful our foal will be, lying in his or her's equally beautiful mother's hooves. Just think of that."

Celestia managed to calm down a bit from Shine's words, but then she screamed once more as she pushed.

Hours passed by, Celestia's screams filtering through the hospital's doors. Blueblood, Luna, and Constell sat together on a bench, waiting intently. Mist and Cherry were sitting on another bench. Gothic leaned against a wall. Twilight was pacing feverishly, resisting the urge to go in, while Big Red just sat in front of the doors, worried. However, those worries were soon laid to rest, as Celestia screamed one last time, followed by the crying of a newborn. Back in the delivery room, Celestia panted heavily, Shine rubbing her neck and mane softly as the doctor smiled.

"Congratulations, your majesties, it's a filly." Dr. Stable announced.

Shine and Celestia let out sighs of relief and joy, Celestia tearing up. The doctor passed a small white alicorn to Celestia. The little filly had a tuft of blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Hello there, little one. Celestia said, all choked up.

"She's... she's beautiful." Shine whispered.

Soon after, the rest of the family came in, catching a glimpse of the newfound parents and their foal.

"Well, I'll be..." Big Red smiled.

"Oh my gosh, Celestia..." Twilight gushed. "She's perfect."

"Absolutely darling." Cherry agreed.

"She's so cute." Mist added.

"Utterly adorable." Constell added.

"I'm so happy for you, Celestia." Luna beamed.

"Thank you, Luna." Celstia beamed back.

"Same goes for you, Shine. You did good." Gothic declared.

"Thanks." Shine grinned. "That's means a lot."

"So... have you two thought of a name for my brand new niece?" Mist asked.

"Of course." Shine nodded. "Allow me to introduce you all to the newest member of the Equestrian Royal Family... Miracle Morningstar."

"That is a beautiful name for such a beautiful filly." Blueblood smiled.

"Hey, don't hog the li'l bundle a' joy." Big Red chuckled. "How 'bout giving the rest of us a chance ta hold her?"

"Okay, just mind her head." Celestia gingerly passed Miracle to Big Red.

"Oh mah... she's so tiny." Big Red cooed, bits of 'liquid pride' shedding from his eyes. "Our little Miracle."

Big Red passed Miracle to Luna.

"Hello there, Miracle." Luna smiled. "I'm your aunt Luna. Welcome to Equestria."

"Don't forget me!" Mist leaned over. "I'm your other aunt, Mist. You can call me Aunt Misty if you want."

Luna passes her to Twilight.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miracle." Twilight smiled. "I see great things in your future."

"Such a darling little foal." Cherry sighed. "Seeing her gives a gal ideas, if you know what I mean..."

Big Red gulped as Cherry winked at him, causing him to fidget with his hat. Gothic then took Miracle.

"Hello, little one." He smiled. "Welcome to the family."

"Oh, dad." Constell sighed. "Isn't she just perfect?"

Blueblood was the last in line. He looked upon his cousin with reverence.

"Wow...I never thought beauty such as this would come naturally." He admitted. "She's perfect for royalty, hooves down."

"I'm glad you think that." Celestia beamed.

"Because we would like you to be her godfather." Shine smiled.

"Me?" Blueblood gasped, shocked.

"Why not?" Shine shrugged. "It was you that got Celestia to the hospital when she went into labor, and stayed with her till I got there."

"And a part of me felt bad for casting you out afterwards." Celestia added. "Besides, Miracle already seems to like you."

Blueblood glanced at Miracle, who gave him a small smile. Blueblood felt tears welling up in his eyes.

"It would be an honor." He sniffed. "A true blue honor."

Within days, after introducing Miracle to the rest of the royal family (who had all come soon after the birth) Celestia was discharged, the couple had brought their young foal home, and placed her in her own little cot in their room, the young filly already swept up in dreamland.

"Wow... it's so hard to believe that it was us that created this beautiful young foal." Shine beamed, his eyes growing a bit misty.

"Indeed, and I am thankful that she will have a loving family all around her to look after her." Celestia smiled.

"Yeah. Before we know it, I will be teaching her how to fly, and you will be teaching her how to raise the sun." Shine chuckled.

"I believe potty training comes before that." Celestia joked, prompting the two to laugh softly.

Deciding to let their child rest, the two stepped out onto the balcony, as the sun began to set, creating a beautiful view in the horizon. The two cuddled together, as Celestia leaned against Shine's shoulder, Shine's wings wrapped around her.

Celestia let out a content sigh, "If only moments like these would last forever...it makes life all the more precious."

"Yeah." Shine nodded, as he then let out his own sigh, "Celestia, there is something I had been thinking about..."

"Yes, Shine?" Celestia asked.

"Well, as you may know...since you and Miracle are both alicorns... that means at most, I only have eighty some years before I... well, kick the bucket." Shine explained.

The alicorn frowned, knowing very well what he was talking about. "Yes. That is how it is... that is what makes all the time we have together special."

"Of course, and believe it or not, eighty years is a very long time." Shine nodded. "Nonetheless, I believe it is important that I give you something..."

"What?" Celestia asked, mystified.

Shine did not answer, as he unfurled his wing from around Celestia and slipped behind her. Before the alicorn could ask what he was doing, she felt something slipped around her neck. Celestia glanced down and stifled a gasp.

Her neck, just above the chestpiece of her regalia, now donned a golden necklace, and attached in the middle, was a heart of the same color, with wings sticking out the sides.

"You like it?" Shine asked. "I had the jeweler make a replica of my own locket, with a few adjustments, of course."

"I... I love it, Shine." Celestia smiled, tears coming to her eyes. "But... I don't understand what-"

"Open it, cherryblossom." Shine requested.

Celestia did as such, as the heart piece open up. Inside of it revealed a picture of her and Shine on their wedding night, wrapped in a loving embrace.

The Alicorn was speechless, touched beyond all belief, as Shine spoke up.

"A hundred years from now, when I can no longer be with you and our child, I want you and Miracle to look to this locket and remember all the wonderful times we had together." Shine explained.

Celestia glanced at Shine, tears brimming her eyes as she kissed him.

"I love you, Shine Paladin... forevermore..." Celestia smiled.

Shine returned with a loving nuzzle, "Yes... forevermore..."

And the two remained there, watching the sun set. Although mortality lingered as a boundary between the two of them, and might even keep them apart when that 'day' comes... it would never stop them from continuing blissfully towards their small yet perfect piece of forever...

The End