>It’s been several months since your first visit to the spa.
>There have been quite a few more visits since then, and each time, they’ve taught you many new things.
>The other colts thought it was a little weird that you visited the spa so often, but you didn’t care. They didn’t know the reason why you kept going back there. And you would never tell them or anyone. You’ve kept your promise.
>Well… Rarity knows. You think she probably always knew. But no one else does.
>Keeping secrets isn’t always easy, and you feel bad whenever you have to lie to someone. But it is worth it.
>For the sake of the two mares that have introduced you to a new world of experiences, all of it is worth it.
>At first it had kinda felt like a game, a very special game, but the more you saw them, the more it started to feel… different. A good kind of different… You think...
>It slowly became more than just pleasure, just the thought of being with them would set your heart pounding and fill you with warmth. You’re not sure what these feelings mean, you just knew they felt good, and in a different way than when you had sex.
>Yes, you’ve learned it’s called sex. Aloe and Lotus explained the most of it to you, the rest you read in books.
>You should’ve visited the library more often before. Do ponies know you can read about this kind of stuff? Maybe that’s why some adults read so many books?
>”I still don’t understand how this could happen…”
>Lotus mumbles, shifting around in the large cushion on the floor, trying to get into a more comfortable position as her forehead creases slightly in thought. A pillow levitates down to rest at her back, joining the many others strategically placed around her, helping her slightly prop herself up into a lounging position as she leans against it with a relaxed sigh.
>”Surely you don’t need me to explain the birds and the breezies for you, darling?”

>Rarity tuts as she gives the pillow one last fluff with her magic before letting go. A hint of pink makes its way across Lotus’ cheeks and her lower lip juts out to show her displeasure. Rarity is probably the only pony you know that can make Lotus flustered; normally you would find some humor in seeing her be on the receiving end for once, but your mind is too preoccupied.
>Eyes glued on her belly, you’re only partially aware of what they are saying as you stare, mesmerized, at the large bulge that has grown there, her hooves absentmindedly rubbing along it.
>One day, she and her sister had just left Ponyville months ago. The only explanation they had left was that they were taking an extended vacation away. With them missing, you stopped going to the spa, and as time passed, you missed them more and more.
>The only contact you had was through letters you would send each other from time to time, though you would send them through Rarity. If ponies knew you were in contact with them, they might get suspicious, but no one would find it strange for them to keep in touch with their favorite customer. You’re really grateful to her for that.
>After almost two months, they returned. By then, they were already starting to show the signs.
>And now, you were in their apartment above the spa, sitting on the floor between two mares that mean alot to you and just staring at the changes to their bodies that have grown over the months after.
>”You know what I mean, Rarity,” Lotus grumbles then turns to you, her lips forming into that teasing smile of hers as she meets your eyes, “Who knew you had it in you, kid? Knocking two poor mares up like a stud.”
>She shakes her head a little and looks down at her swollen belly. Your gaze wanders to the other side of you to look at Aloe, laying in her own bundle of pillows.

>Her belly is in the same shape as her sister’s and she is gingerly trailing her hooves along its curves, almost cradling it as it holds all her attention. There is a tender smile on her lips, but you can make out a hint of sorrow or worry in her eyes.
>Reaching out, you gently place your hand over one of her hooves, curling your fingers around the appendage in a soft grip. She blinks, as if awoken from a dream, and lifts her face to look at you in surprise with her big, blue eyes.
>You smile reassuringly at her, squeezing her hoof in your hand. She looks at you for a moment, before her lips slowly curve upwards in silent thanks. No matter their changes, they still look beautiful to you; you’d almost say even more so in some strange way.
>”We’ve been able to hide who the... father is; our vacation was a good cover story.”
>Father… Hearing those words from Lotus sends your mind floating in the clouds. Shifting your attention over to her, she is no longer rubbing her belly, her hooves coming to rest on top of it, her brow knitted in deep thought.
>”Once they are born though… There will be no hiding it anymore…”
>The room falls silent. Your thumb rubs along Aloe’s hoof, brushing the soft, pink hairs. The thought is still having some trouble sinking in. Father.
>Even though you realized what was happening to them - you had seen pregnant mares before - it hadn’t really connected with you how you were involved until not long ago, and it took quite a while before the reality of it all set in and you knew you weren’t just dreaming.
>Your eyes wanders over their bellies again, your mind reeling from the thought of the precious futures that are growing within. Lifting your gaze to look at Aloe’s face, you can’t help but squeeze her hoof a little tighter.
“S- so… I’m really going to be a daddy?”

>The dumbfounded awe in your voice is palpable. Aloe meets your eyes, and you can feel the other’s gaze on you as well. She looks at you strangely for a moment before giving you a warm smile and nod her head.
>”Yes, sweetie, you’re gonna be a daddy.”
>You breath hitches in your throat as you stare dumbly at her, mouth slightly ajar. A daddy, you? Slowly, your eyes lower again to her stomach. Tentatively, you lift your free hand, reaching out to very carefully press your palm against her coat, feeling the taut skin of her bulge, trying to find your words.
“Wow…”
>You half whisper the words at the magnitude of the idea. Three sets of giggles pull you out of your daze, looking around to find all three of the mares looking at you with bemused expressions. You feel some heat build on your cheeks under their collective gaze and you remove your hand from Aloe’s belly.
>”You know, most guys would freak out from something like this,” Lotus says with a smirk on her lips, snickering to herself, “You’re keeping together pretty well though. All proud of yourself for bagging two hot mares like ourselves, hmm?~”
>You lower your eyes to the floor, your cheeks growing a little warmer, but with a smile on your face, shuffling around a little where you sit on your knees. You were kinda used to her teasing by this point, even starting to enjoy it on some level, even if it did make you a little embarrassed still.
>She reaches out and rustles your hair with her hoof, with you only putting up a half-hearted resistance, fidgeting under her touch without pulling away until she’s satisfied and stops on her own.
>In the corner of your vision, you notice Aloe’s face falling, once more rubbing her free hoof over her stomach.
>”What… What do you think will happen to us? When they are born… Will they be taken from us?”

>Her voice falters slightly as she looks up at Rarity with scared, soulful eyes; even Lotus is looking at her expectantly, her confidence gone to be replaced with worry.
>Rarity moves over to Aloe’s side, and sitting down next to her she places a hoof on her shoulder. She does her best to smile comfortingly at them both, but you can see the sadness in her eyes.
>”I don’t know, dear. Seeing as how your children will be something unique in Equestria’s history, they might not risk separating you from them, but…” She bites her lip and gives you a quick glance, her face falling a bit, “There will be most likely be an uproar once ponies realize who the father is.”
>”But you know princess Twilight!” Lotus pipes up, looking a little bit hopeful, “Couldn’t she do something? A royal decree or something?”
>Rarity slowly shakes her head and it hurts you to see Lotus’ hope disappear from her eyes.
>”Twilight wouldn’t misuse her title like that, and I couldn’t ask her to.” She gives a defeated sigh, “I guess it will all come down to what’s best best for the children, who should take care of them and-”
“I’ll do it.”
>All their eyes quickly turn to you as you speak. A heavy silence falls over the room as they just stare at you in shock. You kinda want to shrink away from their gaze, but instead you find yourself meeting their eyes with a strange sense of confidence.
“I’m gonna take care of them.”
>Aloe places her free hoof over your hand, which is still gripping her other hoof tightly, a sad smile on her lips.
>”Sweetie… I don’t think it’s that simple…”
“I’m their dad. I’m supposed to take care of them, that’s what dads do, and I don’t want them to grow up without their mommies. It’s not right.”
>You try to look determined, but you fear it comes off more as a pout.
“We’re gonna raise them together and that’s final!”

>The room goes silent again. The girls just stare at you, not uttering a word. You keep waiting, but still nothing. As the seconds tick away, you think over what you just said. Feeling your blush spreading across your face, your eyes dart to the floor and you nervously twiddle your fingers through some locks of your hair.
“I- I mean… If you two w-want to…”
>You mumble the words bashfully, not daring to meet their eyes. It’s silent for a few more seconds, making you just want to disappear through the floor, but then they start giggling heartily.
>Your face is burning and you keep your eyes downwards, but after a while, you can’t help but smile as the mood in the room becomes lighter from their laughter. You can feel Aloe’s belly bouncing slightly with every giggle, making your smile grow bigger until you also can’t hold it in any more, joining in the giggling.
>Two full minutes of laughter later, all of you begin to calm down, a small chuckle here and there. Lotus wipes away a tear from her eye before turning to you with her impish little smirk.
>”You’re quite something, cutie. You’ve really grown that attached to us?”
>You nod your head firmly, averting your eyes a little as some of the heat returns to your cheeks.
“Of course! I really like you, both of you! You’re kind and beautiful and I want to be with you. I don’t care what others might think, even if I have to climb to the top of town hall and shout it, I won’t let anyone take our babies away.”
>Her smirk grows, but you can actually see some hint of red on her cheeks as well now.
>“My my, I think you might have fallen in love with us, Anon~”
>You’re about to return your attention to the floorboards at her teasing tone, when you feel Aloe’s hoof grip a little firmer around your hand.
>When you meet her eyes, you notice she too has gained some red on her pink cheeks as she smiles brightly at you.
>”Don’t worry, sweetie. We love you too.”

>Caught of guard, you blink and look at her quizzically for a few seconds. She seems to have a glow about her as she gives you a firm nod of her head, big smile still splayed upon her lips.
>You look back over to Lotus, who looks unusually bashful, cheeks blazing crimson and rolling her eyes in exasperation before looking back at you with a tender smile, giving a nod as well.
>You feel your heart soar as you lips crack open into a huge toothy smile, looking back and forth to peer into their deep blue eyes.
>Lotus flinches with a little gasp before looking down at her belly, clasping it with her hooves and the smile quickly returning.
>”It’s kicking.”
>Her voice is so tender it’s almost a whisper. Your jaw drops a little and you instinctively start to reach out with your free hand. As the tips of your fingers are about to make contact with her, you pause and glance up at her face, a little unsure if it was safe to do this.
>She meets your eyes, and with another nod you have all the encouragement you need.
>You gently press your palm against her stomach, feeling around the soft curve of her belly. First there is nothing, but then… You feel it. A tiny little thump against the flesh. A giggle makes its way out of you, sensing the little life growing inside.
>”So, what do you think? A colt or a filly?”
>You only think for a second before answering.
“I hope we have one of each.”
>”Oh?” She asks with amused curiosity.
“Yeah, I hope yours is a filly, and Aloe’s a colt.”
>She and her sister look at each other curiously for a second before turning back to you.
>”How so?”
>You purse your lips and frown a little.
“If you have a colt, then he might get a pink mane like you. I think the other colts would tease him for that.”

>Lotus blinks, staring at you dumbfounded in silence for a few seconds. The sight, and the thought of getting the better of her, makes you crack up again, giggling at her reaction. She quickly regains her composure, trying to scowl but unable to keep herself from smiling as well as she playfully swats at you.
>”Oh ha ha!”
>Aloe and Rarity brings a hoof to their mouths as they try to stifle their own chuckles, with only marginal success.
>The room soon goes quiet again, but it is a comfortable silence. You just sit there on the floor, stroking each of their bellies with either hand, a feeling of joy and contentment washing over you. It goes on like this for a few minutes before Rarity speaks up again.
>”Well, I have to say, you girls are lucky to have found such a loving and caring colt.”
>They don’t lift their eyes, keeping them glued to their bellies, watching your hands trailing across their coats with little smiles on their faces; they just hum softly and nod their heads.
>”Maybe we could get Twilight to help us, or perhaps convince the town, if you told them how you felt?” There is a small hint of hope in her dainty voice, but it then grows a little more concerned as she continues, “It won’t be easy though, Anon. Taking care of foals, and dealing with what ponies will think and say about you all, are you sure-”
“It doesn’t matter.”
>You cut her off. Lifting your hands off of them, you lean over to Aloe, lowering your head until your ear is pressed against her belly. You don’t really hear anything, except the distant beating of Aloe’s heart, but you imagine that you can hear the child, your child, growing strong inside of her.
>You close your eyes and smile.
“It’s worth it.”
>She might be right, the future might not be easy. But as you thought about playing with the foals, teaching them things like how to kick a ball really far and protect them from anything that might try to hurt them, you only cared about one thing right now.
>You were going to be the best dad ever