“Opie, don’t ‘cha think we’ve got enough boulders here?”

”No!” Fire Opal nudged a large, crystalline rock into the growing pile surrounding her wife and child. “Isn’t this what parents are supposed to do? Protect their young? Build a nest? Feed them?”

Acapella Apple chuckled. “Yes, Opie. That’s what parents do. But buildin’ nests? Feedin’ them rocks? That must be a dragon thing, but we don’t even know if lil’ Jaspy can eat rocks.”

“Aunt Marble built nests for Beryl all the time! How is this any different?”

”I bet ya it was a nest of pillows and blankets, not rocks-“

”And how do we know she doesn’t eat rocks? She’s still half dragon!”

”We don’t know. But ya can’t just raise her like she’s all dragon and no pony, y’know?She’s got some needs that only lil’ ponies do…”

Banded Jasper squirmed and whimpered.

“Like nursing.” Pelly shifted her body to allow the baby to nurse.

Opal stared down at the baby as she suckled, and let out a soft, puppy-like whine. “I just wanna be a good mom. I don’t know how to do it like a pony. I can’t nurse her, or clean her, or any of that pony stuff. Hay, I can’t even hold her without almost crushing her.” She sighed sadly. “I only know what dragons do, even though I’ve never even met another dragon. I-it’s like…there’s this voice in my head telling me this is how I should do it. And what else CAN I do? I’m not built for this!”

Pelly frowned at the sight of her distraught wife. “Opie, yer doin’ all you can do. I know it’s different for you. I know ya can’t do everything we ponies can. I can’t lie, it’s hard bein’ a momma to a creature that ain’t like ya…” She looked down at the little dragony. “But I know you can do this. I’ve known since I moved here to be with ya, and I’ve known since we had Jaspy. Why, I just might be the luckiest mare in the world to be raisin’ a baby with ya.”

”R-really?”

”Eeyup,” Pelly nodded reassuringly. “Yer instincts may not be like mine, but they’re just tellin’ ya to be a good momma. Why, with yer dragon strength, I don’t think any danger’s gonna come our way if you have anythin’ to say about it.”

Opal perked up a little and they shared a chuckle.

“You really think I can do this?” Opal asked hopefully.

Pelly stroked Opal’s snout lovingly. “I know ya can. Dragon or pony, lil’ Jaspy has two mommas who love her an’ that’s all that matters. She’s gonna turn out just fine, even if she grows up in a nest of rocks,” She smirked teasingly.

“I can’t help it-“

All of a sudden, Jasper sneezed loudly and sprayed milk all over her parents.

”Pelly! Jaspy! You’re all wet!” Opal jumped up and started fussing over her wife. “I’ll get something to dry you off! Just wait there!” She frantically flew away towards her parents’ house.

”And more crystals!” Her voice echoed.

Pelly laughed and started wiping her baby down with her bandana. “That’s my Opie…”