It was a quiet afternoon - a bit of a rarity in the Dash household. The incredibly pregnant, still awesome, but insanely tired Rainbow Dash had been sitting in the living room, a book in hoof with Tank napping nearby. It was frustrating how her already-beloved second son slowed her down, and the discomfort in her back, and hooves, and wings…well, her entire body almost felt like it was falling apart at this point. Her little “bun in the oven,” as Pinkie Pie so eloquently put it, was very nearly cooked, and so Dash was finding herself counting down the days to her little guy’s arrival…and the relief she’d feel afterwards.
 
 
However, she and Tank weren’t alone for long. Rainbow Dash glanced up from her novel to see two rose-colored eyes, exactly as her own, peeking around the corner with a bit of a sad expression.
 
 
“Hey there, champ. You okay? I thought you were napping.” She said gently, her oldest giving a small nod and making his way across the living room towards his very-round mother. Reaching out with a hoof, Dash pulled Jetstream up onto the couch beside her, giving his multicolored mane an affectionate rustle. His expression remained solemn, not exactly looking at his mom, or…talking, really. Rather unusual for the four-year-old.
 
 
“Jet? You okay, little dude? You don’t look so hot,” the mare said in concern, placing the back of her hoof against his forehead. He leaned away, shaking his muzzle.
 
 
“No, I’m okay.” He said, fidgeting slightly. Before Rainbow Dash could speak again, however, he looked up at her and asked, “Mom? Can I ask you a question?”
 
 
“Of course! Lay it on me.” She encouraged, giving a small smirk. She probably needed to go and banish the manticore that lived in his closet. Again.
 
 
“Did I do something wrong?”
 
 
Wait. What?
 
 
Rainbow Dash looked down at her son, slightly shaking her head and brow furrowing. Lifting a wing, she gently pulled Jetstream closer. “Where in Equestria did you get that idea, Jet? We ate breakfast together before Dad left, and you’ve been playing with your toys. Do you need a sandwich? I won’t tell Dad we ate before lunchtime, Pinkie promise.”
 
 
“No, Mom.” He gave a sour glance towards her taut, round tummy. “You guys wanted another kid. Did I mess up? Am I…” he trailed off, lifting a hoof and rubbing his forearm, looking away from where his future baby brother rested and instead down to the still-sleeping tortoise nearby. Rainbow, however, immediately realized what her son was trying to convey, and (damn these pregnancy hormones) her eyes filled with tears.
 
 
“Jetstream, look at me.” She said, wrapping her forearms the best she could around her boy. Her wonderful, amazing, almost-oldest boy. Her firstborn. His eyes met hers, leaning into her hug as if in relief.
 
 
“I never, ever, EVER want you to think that. Babies are funky. Sometimes moms and dads can plan and expect them to come, and sometimes, they just sneak up on ya. But we’re so excited for him to come, because I just know this little guy is going to be your best friend, Jet.” She stroked his mane, tenderly wrapping a fetlock around his own. “I didn’t get to have any big brothers or sisters. Your aunts are the first time I ever felt like I had something like that. But you get to be the pony he will look up to. We’re big ponies, Jet. We get to take care of him. But you? You get to teach him how to be a cool dude. I mean, Dad and I mostly get to do that. But you guys get to learn to fly together, you guys get to see me and Dad in shows together. You get to help him make friends, and get to grow up and experience all the cool stuff in life.”
 
 
Rainbow smiled widely at her son, pulling his hoof to where it rested on her stomach. The corners of Jet’s mouth rose a bit, then fell as he gently rested his cheek against his mother’s tummy, giving a big sigh. The two pegasi rested quietly for a moment, Jetstream feeling slight, gentle movements beneath him.
 
 
“Everything is gonna change. You’re gonna ha’fta pay all your attention to the baby. You’ll forget about me. ‘Cause I’m a big stallion now.” Jet mumbled dejectedly. Rainbow had to hold back a snort of laughter, instead patting the little colt’s head.
 
 
“That could never happen, Jet. You’re the coolest guy I know. And your brother is going to be the coolest. I am going to love you both with all of my heart, two-hundred-and-ten percent. Dad and I may have to help your brother out more in the beginning, but its won’t last forever. Ya know how sad we were the first time we put Tank to bed for the winter? Well, he came back only a few months later, and we were so happy. And, in some ways, your brother may end up depending on you too. You’re going to be a very special pony in his life. And I am already so proud of you, big guy.” Rainbow Dash reassured Jet, placing a slightly clumsy kiss against his head (this belly was hard to navigate around).
 
 
Jetstream finally cracked a soft smile, sighing again and looking at his mother’s tummy with a thoughtful expression.
 
 
“I guess I can give it a try.”