Little One on the Way!

[stephanie]

The mare stood in the paddock... She lowered her head and ate grass, though it did not soothe her aching stomach. She had no idea why she was so sick, but her Mistress did not seem to care. She was all smiles and happy as ever when she saw Glory lately. Sunset Glory's chestnut pelt shined in the sunlight. She snorted lightly, the air was hot and sticky. Lately she had not been feeling well, and the place had been lonely.. There were not too many other horses around, except for her one encounter with Soul Eater, whom she called Soul. He was a great fella, and she was now torn away from him, back in her own paddock and him somewhere far, far away...

Stephanie Grewell walked down the aisles of the barns that morning. The vet should be here soon! Then they would get to know for sure if there was a baby inside of that horses belly. Stephanie could not wait for the news! The sire was a great stud, and she had recognized his excellent potential and form right away. He would definitely produce a winner for her mare. Sighing with delight, she headed towards the paddocks.

Glory's head shot up when she heard fast footsteps approaching, growing louder and changing in sound. This change in sound told the mare that Mistress was out of the barn and on the grass now, probably heading this way. Where else would she be heading? She was probably coming to feed her. But, looking to her trowel, it was full of food and her hay net full of hay. A cup was on the side of the trowel with pellets in it, which she supposed she was supposed to eat as well. They smelled tasty enough. This change in diet was all new... And she wasn't sure she was very hungry at the moment.

She came to the barns door and grabbed a bridle and lead, then headed off onto the grass. She sighed with delight as she saw her mare. "Glory! Glory! Here girl!" She called with delight. Slight frustration came to her when Glory did not come forth. Then she felt bad about it... She wondered what the mare was going through, what she thought of it. But did a horse even have feelings remotely close to hers?

Glory put her head back down and heard her Mistress call for her. Her muscles tensed slightly, as if she was ready to move. But she did not move towards the gate. She merely lifted her head. This was all new to her.. why was Mistress calling to her now, before she had eaten? Was she really going to take her for a ride this early and without breakfast?

[stephanie]

The vet had come and gone.. Now Stephanie waited by her phone impatiently for the phone to ring. She was fiddling with her food on her plate before her, poking and prodding it with her fork, she jumped as the phone rang. The call was the one she had hoped for. Sunset Glory was pregnant!

Sunset Glory's ears perked as she heard a cry from the house. It sounded happy... It sounded like Mistress. "Odd... She doesn't usually act like a foal. Then again... She could be in danger." She paced back and forth and whinnied loudly.

Stephanie rushed out to the paddock, throwing open the gate and shutting and locking it in one motion. "Yes! Good, good girl, Glory! You're the best!" She said happily, jumping up and down before hugging Glory.

Glory jumped as her Mistress jumped up and down. This was weird behavior! But maybe Glory had done something right? Maybe Mistress was happy with her ride a few weeks ago.. Glory doubted it, but whatever made Mistress happy made Glory happy. She searched her for carrots... Maybe there was a treat in it for her? But then her thoughts went elsewhere... Mistress was happy with her, and no matter how much she ached, that made Glory happy too. And then... Sunset Glory nestled her head against Mistress's chest, nuzzling her gently. And this time it was not for carrots.

Several months later...

The legs of a trembling mare walked warily back and forth. This is it.. My big moment... This time I'm sure! She cried out, whinnying loudly. She paced back and forth, then finally let her legs bend slowly, gently... She sighed as a kind of snort of relief as she felt the soft hay beneath her legs and all around her belly. She rolled onto her side, breathing heavily...

Up inside her big house was a rich, slightly snobby woman.. She never intended to be snobby, but it just came off that way. She had to be if she was to make good choices... Eyes were shut, her soft snores coming as she sat slumped over at the kitchen table. Her eyes opened and she heard a faint sound from her tv... it sounded like... "GLORY!" She screamed and got to her feet quickly, still dressed. The mare was late delivering, so she had had a feeling that tonight would be the night.

Sunset Glory laid in her new stall. The area was all new to her... she could not imagine ever being in a stall as big as this one regularly... But she figured that the humans had a reason... She knew that she had something in her, something weighing her down that kicked on occassion. She had no idea that it was a tiny bundle of joy! Slowly, the foal was born...

Stephanie rushed into the barn just as the foal slid out of the mare, and she gasped when she saw it. Its mane was as white as snow, its coat dark.. It would be a silver bay! A rarity among rarities... "A filly?" She said but that did not matter to her, even though for a moment the thoughts raced through her mind that a filly had less of a chance at winning then a colt due to muscle structure. But she had the thick and muscular body of her sire, built like a strong colt. She looked like a big, muscular ball of fur with splindely legs... She knew she'd take shape. She had awesome lineage; She'll be a winner for sure!

The mare looked behind her as she heard a soft, barely audible noise. She realized that she was not alone. Startled, she scrambled to her hooves and turned around to face the intruder. But her eyes softened as she saw it was just a little thing, and she realized that that little thing must have been inside her all this time. A soft understanding came and the foal stood on its legs for the first time... She looked at her little baby with awe. She looked at it, then realized that the bulky, yet beautiful baby was a girl. A girl... "Perfect..."