One morning in Canterlot, Mist woke up in bed, her coltfriend, Blue Blazes, still asleep beside her, his hooves wrapped around her body. The night before, Mist had come over to Blue's apartment for a quiet evening in with her coltfriend... at least, that was the plan. They started with ordering some Mexicolt-style food. Once that was down, they moved on to light cuddling, which quickly escalated. They moved into the bedroom, and capped things off in style. Suffice to say, they had had quite a night.

Mist couldn't help but reflect on how... amorous their relationship had gotten lately. In the beginning, it was a soulful connection, steeped in mutual admiration. Blue's athleticism seemed to have resonated with her bookish personality, and his brash and cocky nature, offset by a kind, caring core, only served to make him more attractive. Likewise, Blue was drawn to Mist's sweet, down-to-Earth personality, making them a near-perfect match.

Most of their early relationship involved long walks and lying on clouds together. But slowly, it grew to become more physical. Mist had often been told by Big Red that she was turning out to look like her mother, who was considered to be one of supermodel-standard beauty, and that she was quite a fan of "shaking the sheets," as he put it. Of course, she chalked it up to Big Red overexaggerating, though she did find it a bit flattering. She would not lie, she had really grown into a gorgeous looking mare. However, as her and Blue's relationship grew, it went from them sharing kisses, cuddles and makeout sessions to heavy petting, sensual massages, and finally, increasingly wild romps of the bedroom variety.

Their first time was more than Mist could have hoped for. Blue was so gentle, yet so forceful, while she found herself falling into synch with his movements with little effort. It was heavenly.

"Wow." Mist sighed, as they lay in bed together, exhausted by their efforts.

"'Wow' is good." Blue smirked. "You were just great, by the way."

"It was nothing compared to you." Mist admitted. "You were amazing."

"What can I say?" Blue shrugged. "As the son of two Wonderbolts, I guess it's in my nature to be quite the performer."

"Well, you did put on quite show." Mist purred, nuzzling against him.

"We put on a show, you mean." Blue chuckled. "Speaking of which, you up for an encore?"

"So soon?" Mist gasped.

"Can you blame me?" Blue grinned.

"...No, not really." Mist beamed. "Okay, time for round two."

"C'mere, gorgeous!" Blue growled.

Mist pounced on Blue, pulling the covers over them.

In the present, Mist had found herself spending the night at Blue's with increasing frequency, and their late night trysts had become wilder and wilder.

"Blue?" She whispered, shaking him awake. "Time to get up."

Blue grunted awake.

"Well, good morning." He grinned, as he laid his eyes on Mist. "Thanks for last night. You were amazing."

"You weren't so bad yourself." Mist chuckled, lightly kissing Blue on the nose. "I've got to get to the castle. Studies, y'know?"

"And I've got to open the bar before the morning rush." Blue declared. "A lotta foals love those smoothies I've started selling."

"I told you they'd be a great seller." Mist teased him playfully.

"Just one of the advantages of dating a genius." Blue smirked.

"Flatterer." Mist nudged him lightly. "Hey, you ready for our one year anniversary?"

"You know it, babe." Blue chuckled. "Even with a week still to go, I've already got a present for you, all ready to go."

"Really?" Mist asked. "What is it?"

"Sorry, can't spoil the surprise." Blue smirked.

"You just love teasing me, don't you?" Mist nudged him playfully.

"Only because you make the cutest face when you're mad." Blue booped her on the nose.

"Well, I've got a present in mind for you, too." Mist grinned. "You're going to love it, trust me."

"Always." Blue nodded.

After taking turns using the bathroom, washing and grooming for the day ahead, Mist prepared to depart for the castle. As she brushed her mane, she felt a painful churning in her stomach.

"Ughhh!" She groaned, almost dropping the manebrush.

"Whoa, what was that?" Blue immediately rushed to her side.

"It's probably nothing." Mist said, as the pain subsided.

"You sure?" Blue asked worriedly.

"Yeah." Mist nodded. "It was probably that red bean enchilada I had last night. Never did have much of a stomach for spicy food..."

"Sure doesn't sound like it." Blue smiled, relieved.

"Have a good day, sweetie." Mist smiled, as she and Blue shared a deep kiss.

"See you soon, beautiful." Blue smiled.

"Not before I see you." Mist joked.

Mist left Blue's apartment, and made her way to the castle. Not long after, Blue traveled to his bar, Blazin' Blues, and opened it up, ready to accept patronage from the citizens of Canterlot.

On her way to the castle, Mist passed a couple of stallions who were in the midst of washing some windows.

"Looking good, pretty lady!" One of the stallions wolf-whistled.

"You busy tonight?" The other added.

Mist rolled her eyes, knowing full well that the two were only half-serious. Everypony in Canterlot knew who she was, and that flirting with the student of a Princess wasn't the smartest idea. Nonetheless, it was a solid indicator of how beautiful she had become over the years.

Not long after, Mist was in the castle library, working on her studies. In the middle of her reading, Celestia entered the room.

"Good morning, Mist." Celestia smiled. "Hard at work as always, I see. You do your teacher proud."

"That's what Twilight keeps telling me." Mist smiled. Just as she finished that sentence, she experienced a churning pain in her stomach. "Ughhh..."

"Mist?" Celestia frowned. "Is there something wrong?"

"I... I feel... kinda sick." Mist groaned, feeling as if she was about to vomit.

"Perhaps you should go home and rest." Celestia suggested.

"No, it's passing." Mist declared, straightening up. "Just like it did before."

"Before?" Celestia asked.

"Yeah." Mist nodded. "It happened earlier this morning. Probably just some stomach bug I've come down with. No big deal."

"Probably." Celestia mused. "Funny, I felt a similar pain during the early days of my pregnancy with Miracle."

"...You don't say?" Mist said, a little unnerved.

"Yes." Celestia nodded. "Every morning, without fail, I'd get this burning pain in my stomach."

Mist froze, realizing that Celestia was describing her very symptoms.

"Well, I shouldn't keep you from your studies any longer." Celestia shrugged. "I'll see you later, Mist. Get well soon."

"Yeah, thanks..." Mist mumbled, as Celestia left the room. "It can't be... can it?"

For the rest of the week, Mist couldn't take her mind off what Celestia had said. Every morning, without fail, the burning in her stomach returned. She was struck by the worry that she was actually pregnant. The thought terrified her. She was too young to have a foal. She was barely out of her teens, for crying out loud! She knew nothing about being a mother, and she had a feeling books wouldn't be much help.

And then there was Blue. She had no way of knowing how he would react if she turned out to be "with foal." That was why she decided to put on a brave face whenever she felt the pains while staying over at his apartment. She didn't want him to know, out of fear that he would somehow reject her for it. She couldn't bring herself to tell anypony else, either. Not Celestia, not Twilight... not even her brother, Shine.

As both royalty and the student of royalty, she felt a sense of shame about her possible pregnancy. A mare of her standing shouldn't have gotten pregnant by accident. It seemed unseemly, like she had disgraced the whole family. And Shine... for him to learn that his dear baby sister was suddenly carrying the foal of her lover would be especially jarring.

Shine had always been protective of her, due to her weak immune system, and to this day, considered her his "baby sister." Mist had always looked up to him, wanting to make him proud. She wasn't sure accidentally falling pregnant would help in that regard.

She couldn't shake the feeling that he would be ashamed of her for it, and the last thing she wanted was for him to be ashamed of her. Not to mention what he'd think of Blue. Though Shine had taken a liking to Blue, his admiration could go right out the window if he learned Blue had gotten his little sister pregnant. In fact, Mist couldn't be sure Shine wouldn't react in the worst way possible, blaming Blue for getting her pregnant, and possibly even driving him away. She knew it would be greatly out of character for him, but she couldn't shake the possibility.

For all those reasons, and more, Mist kept her worries to herself for a short time.

But the burden of keeping the secret was getting to be too much to bear. As Mist and Blue's anniversary neared, she couldn't keep it to herself any more. She had to tell him...

At the end of the week, Blue and Mist met in their favourite café to celebrate their anniversary. Mist had arrived first, having to wait a minute or two for Blue, who was coming from work, which meant he had farther to go to reach the cafe.

"Hey." Blue smiled, as he joined Mist at her table.

"Hey." Mist kissed him on the cheek. "Happy anniversary, handsome."

"Happy anniversary." Blue nuzzled her. "The first, but hopefully not the last."

"You took the words right out of my mouth." Mist beamed. "Okay, present time."

From under the table, Mist pulled out her present for Blue: A vintage wine bottle.

"Is that... a '67 Chateau de Cheval?" Blue gasped. "How did you-"

"Big Red knows a stallion." Mist smiled.

"Oh, I've been looking for one of these forever!" Blue cheered. "Thank you so much, babe!"

"My pleasure." Mist chuckled.

"Okay, my turn." Blue grinned, pulling a book out of his saddlebag.

"Oh, wow." Mist gaped. "'The Complete Works Of Heart-Horn the Great'?"

"First edition." Blue said proudly. "Remember that trip my folks and I took to Trottingham? I found it in this little old book shop. Figured it was right up your alley."

"Oh, you know me so well." Mist hugged the book. "You're the best, Blue."

"But wait, there's more." Blue grinned suggestively. "I got you another present. Open the book."

Mist opened the book, discovering a quartet of blue-striped socks inside.

"Are these... socks?" She gasped. "Why, you saucy fella..."

"Bet you'll look great in those..." Blue smiled. "And the feel of that cotton on my hooves... Ooh, I can barely wait for tonight."

"Well, you learn something new every day." Mist chuckled. "I never took you for the sock type..."

"What can I say?" Blue smirked. "I have a taste for the... adventurous side of love-making. Whattaya think?"

At the mention of love-making, Mist's face fell, her situation being brought back to her.

"Yeah, that sounds... great." She said flatly.

"What's up, Mist?" Blue asked. "You look a little... distracted."

"Oh, it's nothing." Mist lied.

"Come on, babe." Blue urged. "You can tell me anything."

"I don't know about that." Mist frowned. "Trust me, this may not be the kind of thing you're ready to hear..."

"I'll be the judge of that." Blue said firmly.

"Well..." Mist muttered, still unsure.

"Whatever it is, I'll understand." Blue told her. "And I'll help you any way I can."

"Are you sure?" Mist asked.

"Never been surer." Blue smiled. "Just tell me, please."

Mist looked into Blue's smiling face. She gained strength from his supportiveness. Enough to say what was on her mind...

"...Blue, I think I might be pregnant." Mist confessed.

Silence ensued, as Blue glanced at Mist in growing shock.

"Um... okay..." Blue frowned. "I guess the socks were a little too far, no need for excuses..."

"N-no!" Mist stammered. "I really did like them! Trust me, I'm being serious about this. I think I really could be pregnant,"

"You're serious?" Blue gulped. "W-why the buck would you think something like that?"

"I'm been having this sick feeling in the mornings lately." Mist declared.

"Th-that doesn't mean anything." Blue countered. "You probably just have... a stomach bug or something. Yeah, that's it. It's just the flu! We all know you and your immune system..."

"Either way, I'm going to the doctor's to have it checked out." Mist declared, "Hopefully you're right, and we go back to business as usual, right?"

"Yeah, you do that." Blue said nervously. "Then you'll see that it's just nothing. I mean, it's not like we haven't been in bed together all that much. We do it all the time. And we use protection, so it's pretty much impossible that you could be pregnant."

"Yeah, maybe." Mist shrugged, slightly swayed by his logic. "Still, I think it's best I make sure."

"That's the way." Blue nodded confidently. "In the meantime, let's just enjoy our anniversary."

"You don't have to tell me twice." Mist beamed, sharing a kiss with Blue.

"Aw, yeah." Blue grinned, before snorting. "I mean, you, pregnant? Please. That's crazy!"

"It is kind of hard to believe." Mist agreed. "Besides, what would we even do if I was pregnant? We're so not ready for kids."

"That's for sure." Blue shuddered. "We're just kids ourselves. Having foals is something older ponies do. My parents were way older than us when they had me."

"Mine too." Mist nodded. "Though they did have Shine first..."

"Either way, that won't be happening to us." Blue said confidently. "Now, let's get some food. I am starving!"

"Me too." Mist grinned.

After their anniversary celebrations, Mist made an appointment with the local doctor. As the day of the appointment drew near, Mist's stomach pains grew worst. And worse, she started experiencing an increase in appetite. Both she and Blue began to worry that she was indeed pregnant, though neither of them could bring themselves to actually say it out loud.

On the morning of Mist's appointment, she awoke in Blue's bed. Though she had stayed the night, neither one of them had felt very amorous, so they chose only to cuddle. They went about their morning routine in silence, knowing full well what life-altering revelations could possibly be brought to life by the end of the day. It wasn't until Mist was about to depart, that they started talking.

"Well... this it." Mist said quietly. "In a couple of hours, we'll know for sure what's going on with me."

"I'm sure it'll be fine." Blue declared, his voice quavering with worry. "It's probably just a stomach bug. Or an ulcer, or maybe an inflamed appendix..."

"Whatever it is, we can handle it." Mist said, her own voice overlaid with uncertainty.

"Here's hoping." Blue sighed. He planted a kiss on Mist. "For luck."

"Thanks, Blue." Mist smiled despite her fears.

"I'll be at the bar for most of the day." Blue told her. "Come straight there after the doc's looked you over. I wanna know as soon as possible."

"You will." Mist hugged him.

With some apprehension, Mist left Blue's apartment and made her way to the Canterlot General Hospital. Along the way, she reflected on what Blue had said. Surely it was just some minor malady that ailed her. It couldn't possible be pregnancy. It was more likely that it was an ulcer, or inflamed appendix, or something that could be taken care of quickly and easily.

Before Mist knew it, she had reached the hospital. She entered through the doors, and walked up to the front desk.

"Hello, I have an appointment with Dr. Corral." She told the receptionist. "Mist Paladin?"

"Of course." The receptionist checked the listings. "He'll be right with you."

Mist sat down, forcing herself to endure what felt like an eternity of soul-burning tension (though it was only a minute or two) before the door to Dr. Corral's office opened. Dr. Corral, a middle-aged Unicorn stallion with a deep brown coat, pale red mane, brown eyes and a stethoscope Cutie Mark emerged.

"Mist Paladin?" He called. "Please, come in."

Mist walked into Dr. Corral's office.

"First, I'd just like to say that it is a true honor to have you here, miss Paladin." Dr. Corral smiled. "A member of the royal family, in my office-"

"I know, I know." Mist growled irritably. "It's a real treat. Not to be blunt, but can we please get down to business? I've been having these stomach pains for the last few days, and I need to know the cause."

"Well, you've come to the right place." Dr. Corral said professionally. "Please lay on the bed, and I'll give you a once-over."

Mist complied, laying on the medical bed. Dr. Corral ran his glowing horn over her.

"Hmm..." Dr. Corral mused, his medical magic in full swing. "Everything seems normal, stomach wise. Perhaps if I checked elsewhere, I could- Oh."

"'Oh'?" Mist frowned, afraid of what was coming.

"I have a diagnosis." Dr. Corral announced. He walked over to his desk, and started writing.

Mist got off the bed and approached the doctor, dreading the answer to her question.

"Give it to me straight, doc." She said resolutely. "I can take it."

"Miss Paladin, I am delighted to tell you that you are... well, pregnant." Dr. Corral smiled.

"...Pregnant?" Mist gulped.

"That's right." Dr. Corral nodded, passing her the slip of paper with his diagnosis. "It's still in the early stages, but you're on your way. Congratulations!"

"No." Mist said flatly, as she took the piece of paper. "No, no, no! Check me again, please!"

"But I-" Dr. Corral started.

"Just do it!" Mist yelled.

"Y-yes, ma'am!" Dr. Corral gulped.

Dr. Corral checked Mist again, yielding in the same results. She demanded a third check, with an identical outcome.

"I'm sorry, Miss Paladin, but you can't change the truth." Dr. Corral told her. "You are pregnant."

"I am, aren't I?" Mist finally gave in. "Guess I've just gotta accept it..."

"Will you be needing anything else, your highness?" Dr. Corral asked.

"No, I'm fine." Mist sighed. "Thank you for all your help, doctor."

"My pleasure." Dr. Corral declared.

Mist trudged her way out of the hospital, and slowly headed toward Blue's tavern.

'So it's true.' She thought. 'I really am pregnant. It's really happening. What's Blue going to say? What are the rest of my family going to think? What will Twilight think? And to think, everything was going so well... then this happened. How can I be a mother? How can Blue and I raise a foal? It'll be a disaster!' She sighed deeply. 'Well, I'd better go break the news to Blue. Get that over with, at least...'

Mist continued her path to Blue's tavern, ready to tell Blue the truth. As she entered the tavern, lost in thought, she was greeted by her niece Miracle, and her friends: Vito, Pureblood and Hurricane.

"Hey, aunt Mist!" Miracle waved.

"Huh?" Mist snapped out of her reverie. "Oh, hey, kids..."

"Are you okay?" Miracle asked, confused.

"Yeah, you're lookin' a little green..." Vito noted.

"You're sure?" Pureblood squinted. "Because she's still light blue to me..."

"Maybe turquoise?" Hurricane offered.

"Everything's fine." Mist insisted, before turning to Blue. "Blue, can we talk for a bit... alone?"

"Of course, babe." Blue left the counter. "I'll be back, kids. Make sure to not burn anything while I'm gone."

Blue entered the back room with Mist. It was filled with crates and empty bottles

"Blue, I-" Mist started.

"Hang on a sec." Blue stopped her. For a few moments, he cleared away some of the clutter, leaving enough room for them to move around.

As she waited for him to finish, Mist gazed out of the small window in one of the walls.

"Okay, done." Blue nodded.

'Finally.' Mist thought, turning to face him. 'If I didn't know better, I'd think he was deliberately holding off from finding out...'

"So, did you do it?" Blue asked.

"Yes, I checked with the doctor..." Mist said.

"And?" Blue asked nervously.

Mist pulled out the paper with the diagnosis on it and showed it to Blue.

"It's official..." She glanced at Blue with worry. "...I'm pregnant."

(For more on this and the following events, please peruse the chapter "Mist's Big Surprise" of Cutie Mark Crusaders Royale.)

Fortunately, things turned out better than she had hoped. Though they were unsure of things at first, they quickly came around to the idea of having a foal. Their family showed nothing but positivity... except for Big Red, who threatened Blue with serious bodily harm before calming down

Of course, acceptance of their situation was only the beginning. Mist and Blue still had a long road ahead of them...