All That Glitters

by The Princess Rarity

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Applejack, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rarity, Other, Slice of Life
Length: 6462

[family oneshot... again!] -- When Rarity and Applejack have a fight about how Rarity goes on one too many business trips, it makes Rarity see everything in a new light.

What with having a job that's demanded all across the nation, especially in big cities, Rarity finds it difficult to live life in a small town. Yet, she's been managing all this time.

Time has passed by, she and Applejack have another child, their daughter has grown up and their family is more than content.

...however, when Rarity comes home from another business trip, the welcoming she gets is far from sweet and calm.

It's rude, and very blunt, but it makes her see things in a whole new light.

Published 2014-05-02 13:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2014-05-02 13:20:02 UTC

Oh, Manehatten, what have I done? The thought of fashion week was fun...

All That Glitters

by The Princess Rarity

Rarity had a small content smile as she looked out the window and watched the world whiz by from her train car. Behind her, the city was long gone and not that up ahead was her home, the small town near nowhere -- Ponyville. It was dusty and worn-out, but perhaps one could call it vintage. After being trapped in the rush of her thriving business, Rarity was delighted to be free of it all and knowing she could finally relax.

While there was more than she could ever dream of in the city, she had somehow learned to appreciate the simpler ways of life. Years had passed, and something had wiped away her material girl image. That something just so happened to be the most powerful sort of magic she had ever encountered...

...as cliche as it was, love slightly switched her views.

At home, there was no mansion or exquisite manor awaiting here. Just a small cabin on a farm. It was no dream castle, but it worked for her.

Plus, the pony whom she lived with was a force to be reckoned with.

The locomotive ceased to a stop, and Rarity practically giggled with joy like a child might as she got up from her seat. She levitated her rolling suitcase better, and filed out of the train with the rest of the passengers. It took a minute, but the sight on the platform was one worth waiting for.

"Welcome back, Rares."

"Hello to you too, my dear Applejack," Rarity declared as she rushed towards her wife, wrapping her hooves around her beloved. She let out a breathless laugh. "I tell you, the past four months were torture."

Applejack laughed softly. "Were they now?" she mused.

Rarity smirked. "Oh, never mind that," she whispered. "I have you now."

She was about to lean in to kiss her wife, when a chipper voice interrupted them with a loud ahem.

With a chuckle, Rarity looked down, melting at the scene before her.

"Didja forget about me?"

"Oh, I could never!" Rarity beamed. She picked up the little filly standing next to her. "My goodness, jewel, you're growing up too fast. What happened to my baby girl?"

"She's still here! I promise!"

Rarity's expression melted at the cuteness and she kissed her daughter's cheek. "I'm sure she is," she murmured. "Now, Sonya, tell me the truth, you have been behaving for your mother, haven't you?"

The little filly called Sonya nodded. "Uh-huh! Tell her, Mama!" she said proudly.

"I'll take your word for it," Rarity teased.

Then, the sweet moment was disrupted for a second time, with a light babble. Rarity smiled wide, and looked up, taking a few steps across the platform. There was a stroller -- with an adorable baby unicorn colt inside. He was cooing and fussing, all the while biting on his blanket.

"Hello, Alexandrite," Rarity murmured. "You're still not talking, are you?"

With a whine, her son waved his hooves.

Rarity released a deep breath of relief. This was it -- her happiness, her solitude. She had her wife, her children and this small town.

"Come on," she declared, as she placed her daughter down. "Let's go home."

Sonya cheered, and practically dragged Rarity off of the platform. The filly began talking a mile a minute, as if the smallest detail was extremely crucial, and Rarity was holding onto every word anyway. She looked over her shoulder and gave her wife a playful smile as if to say "A little help here?" -- and all Applejack could do was grin back.

...however, Rarity couldn't shake the strangest feeling that it wasn't the same smile she had grown to love over the years...

It didn't take long for Rarity to realize that she had missed her home dearly. The few messes she had seen didn't even seem to bother her, all she could do was smile in satisfaction that she was back. She was making up for lost time and now, it was all clear as crystal. This life was slower than the city, but so much more calming. She loved the rush and bustle, but the simple side of the farm and small town was what she could easily get used to.

"And I made ya this!" Sonya proclaimed, as she held up a piece of paper splattered with glitter and paint. "It kinda got mucky but that's 'cause Alex stomped on it."

Rarity took the picture and gave a halfhearted smile. Despite the mess, it was still nice to know that her daughter had taken time to do something so sweet. After all, there wasn't much that a five-year-old could do, but the smallest gesture was enough.

"It's still very nice," Rarity assured.

"I dunno," Sonya mused. "Don'tcha think I woulda gotten my cutie mark in art by now?"

"Maybe you just need to hit a certain opportunity," Rarity spoke up.

"I guess," the filly said, with a shrug. She then let out a whine, as a pillow hit her in the face. "Alex! Quit hittin' me!"

Her little brother burst into a fit of giggles and clapped his hooves. The pillow fell out of his magic, which caused him to whimper, but Rarity immediately picked her son up and kissed his forehead.

"Don't fret, darling," she chuckled. "Your magic is just fine. But don't hit your sister."

"Yeah!" Sonya protested, as she lifted up the pillow, but her mother's glare stopped her before any actions happened. "Well, he's the one who caused all o' the trouble when you were gone."

Rarity chuckled. "Did he now?"

Sonya nodded -- and was about to reply, when Applejack briefly cut her off as she suddenly entered the room. She knocked on the door, and beckoned Rarity over.

"Hey, Rares, hon, can I talk to ya fer a minute?"

Rarity didn't even hesitate. She placed her son back on the floor, and walked out of the living room, following her wife into the kitchen. It took a minute, but suspicion won over her emotions as she looked at Applejack for a moment.

"So, yer havin' fun with the kids," Applejack said simply.

"Why wouldn't I?" Rarity declared.

"Well," Applejack hesitated, and brushed past her wife to close the kitchen door. "I just kinda realized somethin'--"

"--don't tell me I accidentally got you pregnant again," Rarity said quickly. "Because let's not forget you were all for that horn kink and I told you there was a chance that--"

"It ain't that," Applejack muttered.

"Oh," Rarity murmured. "Then what is it?"

A moment of deafening silence echoed between the two of them, only before a frustrated sigh escaped Applejack, and she kicked the kitchen table in aggravation.

"It just ain't fair, Rares!" Applejack spat.

Rarity backed away for a minute, and raised an eyebrow.

"Darling, are you alright?" she asked hesitantly.

"Alright? What makes ya think I'm alright?" Applejack argued. "Ev'ry few months, you gotta run off -- and then when ya come back, ya act like nothin' happened! How is that fair?"

Rarity hesitated, lost for words as her wife continued.

"And while yer gone, what do I end up with? Nothin'. That's what. I gotta work too, y'know, but now, I hafta to slack off a bit in order to do all of th' housework too. How in the hay is any of that fair? I'm stuck at home, while yer runnin' off workin' at Bridleway and hanging out wit' ponies who wouldn't know hard work if it came up and punched 'em in the face?"

Rarity was in shock for a moment. She scoffed. "I assure you, my colleagues didn't just have their careers handed to them--"

"--who gives a damn 'bout them? That ain't what I'm talkin' about, and ya know it. I wanna know why you keep runnin' off," Applejack demanded. "What -- are there no jobs here in Ponyville for ya to take?"

"No, there are," Rarity replied. "And I take them, but they pay very little, as compared if I were to make costumes for a theater production of Marespray."

"Still, it don't make sense why ya can't work at home an' deliver the outfits," Applejack muttered. She let out a huff, and rolled her eyes as she looked away from her wife. "Sometimes I wonder if yer ev'n really workin' all the way out there."

Rarity let out a light gasp. "And what is that supposed to mean?" she hissed.

"What do ya think?" Applejack said, with a shrug. "I mean, Manehatten, it's a fancy city -- you like them kinda things, so who knows?" She rubbed the back of her neck. "There's plenty of pretty mares out there too, so--"

"--well, thank you for thinking so highly of me, Jacqueline!" Rarity snapped. "Yes, because ten years of hopeless devotion to you isn't enough proof!"

Applejack snorted. "I wouldn't call what yer doin' devotion," she retorted.

"I'm trying as best I can to help support this household and make time for you all," Rarity defended. "Isn't that all you need? You know that I care, so--"

"If ya cared, you wouldn't go runnin' off like some kinda gypsy!" Applejack spat.

Fire went ablaze in Rarity's sapphire eyes and her expression went stiff with no emotion. Instead of ranting and raving or having the last word, all she did was turn around and storm out of the house, slamming the screen door behind her. She bolted off of the porch and started heading down the driveway -- but she stopped herself.

Was she really going to run away from her problems, when in fact leaving was her problem?

She hesitated, and went around the house, slipping through the back door quietly, and swiftly heading up the stairs unnoticed for the most part. She headed straight for her work room. As expected, nothing was in order as she had left it.

Drawings and broken crayons scattered the floor, along with a few dress-up clothes -- obvious evidence that Sonya had been in here more than once. Not that Rarity minded, of course. She only hated disgusting messes, but a few marks from her daughter, that was more than fine. She didn't mind the clutter for the time being, and she sat down at her desk. This wasn't really the time to create, but instead, she had to let off steam.

Rarity let out a deep breath, and opened a drawer. She pulled out a pen, a notepad and a small box that she hadn't touched in a long, long time.

"Just one," she muttered.

She opened up the box, and levitated up a single cigarette, causing it to light up with her magic. It was a nasty addiction, she couldn't deny that -- but she had quit, for the most part. It was only when she was stressed, and now was most definitely one of those times.

She closed the door of her study with a flash of a magic, inhaled the nicotine and began to mindlessly doodle in her sketchpad.

It wasn't anything worth of design, just repeats or recolors, even non-related fashion things, but it helped her get rid of the rage in her mind. She wasn't sure who exactly to be mad at, but it didn't matter, she had to let it out.

But nothing was coming to her.

Not even the stupidest scribble, all she could do with scratch her pen on the border of the paper.

Little lines decorated everywhere. Rarity's mind was blank, and she pushed the book away. She sat back in her seat, looked up at the ceiling and let the smoke slip out of her lips. She wrinkled her nose at the smell, and frowned. She had promised to break this addiction, but old habits always came back in one way or another.

Rarity tried to think -- but she came up with nothing.

Silently cursing to herself, she got up from her chair and walked over to the window, looking out at the acres. It was beautiful, peaceful... and the exact opposite of what she had been constantly seeing for the past four months.

The smell of smog, the screaming of run-down neighborhoods, the bright lights.

It was gone.

Rarity felt a smile make it's way across her expression. This was where she belonged.

...so why did she always leave?

Her thought was interrupted, as there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Mommy," Sonya called from the hall. "We're goin' out for dinner."

Rarity frowned. Applejack never went out to eat -- not unless she didn't feel like cooking. Then again, Rarity couldn't blame her wife for feeling that way.

With a sigh, Rarity stubbed her cigarette out on the steel railing under the window and walked over to the door, swinging it open. She looked down and gave a half-hearted smile to her young daughter. "I'm not feeling like it, dear," she explained. "Have fun, though."

Sonya pouted. "You sure you don't wanna come with us?" she said.

"I'm positive," Rarity said.

After just yelling at her wife, she didn't think she could sit across from Applejack for a good hour or so without saying something she would most likely regret later. It would be best to walk away from a problem that could easily be avoided.

"Well, ok," Sonya said, with a shrug, as she bounded off.

Rarity let out a deep breath and screwed her eyes shut as she shut the door again, slumping up against the wall and sliding to the floor. She sat down and crossed her forelegs, staring up at the ceiling. Her first day back home from her business trip...

...and it wasn't what she expected.

Despite the commotion of her family she could hear, Rarity refused to go back downstairs. She had spent the entire time up in her study -- eventually finishing off the last few cigarettes she had in her box, scribbling worthless designs and pacing the floor. She should have been with her wife, cherishing the long-awaited reunion they needed, along their daughter, playing dress-up, and finally connecting with their son, teaching him how to talk and use magic, yet here she was, all alone.

Just like she had been, for months now.

But now that they were all within reach, isolating herself only felt worse.

As Rarity laid back on her fainting couch, she was about to close her eyes and try to get some rest, when she heard voices in the hall.

"C'mon, Mama, do I hafta go to sleep now?" Sonya's sweet voice begged.

"It's eight 'o clock, hon," Applejack replied. "Y'know that means it's time to go to bed."

Sonya whined -- and Rarity nearly laughed at how much it sounded like her own. "But Mama--"

"I'll read ya one 'o them pretty fairytale books if'n ya want."

"Deal!"

Rarity frowned. When was the last time she had done anything for this household -- aside from bring in money to help pay the bills? Granted, she had stopped by for holidays and the sort, with more than enough gifts to spoil her children rotten, but that was the behavior of somepony who was almost forced to spend time with their children.

She definitely wasn't that.

Those two precious little gems were the light of her life. She never would have thought in a million years she could be a parent, but she wouldn't trade a thing now.

It was just proving difficult to work and be there for them...

Letting out a sigh, Rarity closed her eyes.

Just for a little while longer, she could escape the harsh reality.

Rarity suddenly awoke to the sound of a loud thump on the wall of the other room. She let out a yawn, and rubbed her eyes, looking around. Nopony was in her work room, aside from her, so she was puzzled for a moment, until another thud was heard.

She realized it was from the other room...

...and that room just so happened to be her's and Applejack's.

With a slight frown, Rarity hesitantly got up from her seat, and pressed an ear to the wall, listening in carefully.

All she could hear was faint murmuring, but one statement stood out clear as day.

"Who cares if she ain't 'ere? I can do jes' fine on mah own, let her have fun in that dumb city with all o' them snooty bastards. Why was I stupid enough t' think she really liked this simple, backwoods life? Can't keep a moth from light, an' Rares is the same way with her job."

Maybe it was possible, or maybe not, but Rarity could have sworn her heart literally shattered.

Now more than ever, she wanted to right her wrongs -- so why did she find it so hard?

With tears brimming her eyes, Rarity cautiously stepped over to the door, and opened it. She walked into the hall, and looked over to the bedroom. A debate went on in her mind, pros vs. cons, and she couldn't bear having Applejack yell at her again.

Better to let the storm calm down, and then talk.

Shuffling downstairs, Rarity headed into the kitchen and opened up the icebox. Drowning her sorrows in food seemed like the best option at the moment.

There wasn't much, just a box of Japonese takeout that was scattered among a few containers of leftovers that looked almost radioactive.

Well, that wasn't going to do at all.

Releasing an exasperated sigh, she closed the fridge and was about to head over to the cupboards, when the sound of little hooves shuffling along the floor. A light squeak was heard, and Rarity looked back to see her daughter standing in the doorway.

Sweet, adorable little Sonya -- with her curly navy mane all frizzed out, lopsided smile shining even when she was tired and her pink nightgown a little loose on her.

The definition of cute.

"Sonya? Darling, what are you doing up this late?" Rarity murmured. "Was it a nightmare?"

Even if she hadn't been around for a while, it didn't mean that she forgot things. Besides, she could remember cold, lonely nights in Manehatten, when the phone would ring and on the other line, there would be endless pleas from Sonya for Rarity to calm her down.

The little filly shook her head. "No, I don't have 'em anymore," she said, with a proud smile. "Aunt 'Cora taught me somethin' called media-tation, and it helps."

"I think you mean meditation," Rarity chuckled.

"That too," Sonya piped up. "And I taught Mama the words to your lullaby, so she can sing it for me if I want her to." She giggled. "But she always messes up. Don't tell her I said that, though."

Rarity gave a small smile and nodded. "That's nice," she mused. "So what are you down here for?"

"Alex started crying, but I didn't wanna bother Mama 'cause I think she's asleep," Sonya explained. She slightly frowned, and kicked at the carpet. "I tried doin' something but I don't think he likes me... can you go see what he wants?"

Walking over to her daughter, Rarity tousled the little filly's mane. "I'm sure he likes you plenty, he's probably just fussy," she assured.

"I dunno," Sonya said. "I kinda colored on his face once."

"And why would you do that?" Rarity asked, holding back a laugh.

"He tried eating my smelly markers," the filly defended.

Rarity shook her head. "What am I going to do with you?" she murmured, as she nuzzled her daughter. "Need I remind you that you can only draw on paper?"

Sonya bashfully smiled. "Yeah, Mama said the same thing," she laughed.

The crying from upstairs was now heard from down in the kitchen, and Rarity sighed. "Well, I better see what he wants," she said. She looked down to her daughter and slightly nudged the little one. "Besides, you need to get back to sleep."

"But Mommy, I'm not tired," Sonya argued. "See?"

She attempted to twirl around, but fell flat on her rump, and pouted.

Rarity let out a soft laugh, and levitated her daughter up, placing the filly on her back. "Well, tired or not, it's past your bedtime, and you need your rest," she declared.

Sonya whined, but quickly gave in. She wrapped her hooves around her mother's neck and hugged Rarity. With a bittersweet smile, Rarity made her way upstairs to the second floor and winced as the sound of her son's crying got louder. She walked down the hall and into the nursery, where little Alexandrite was practically shaking the bars of his crib.

Letting out a deep breath, Rarity looked back and noticed her daughter was out like a light.

So much for not tired, she thought as she placed the little filly on the floor for a moment.

Rarity walked over to the crib and gently picked her son up. "What is it?" she said softly. "Shh, Alex, sweetheart, calm down."

From the looks of it, he was completely fine, but he was still wailing his little lungs out.

She frantically looked around for something -- anything -- to put him to rest, and her eyes were set on a stuffed animal on the floor. She levitated it up, and waved it in front of her son, who's crying slightly diminished when he saw it. Then, his cute little expression lit up, and he reached out to grab it, giving the toy a hug.

"There we go," Rarity murmured, as she gave a small smile and placed her son back into his crib.

However, the second he was laid back down, little Alexandrite went back to whining and crying.

It took a minute, but the pieces of the puzzle soon clicked together in Rarity's mind. She frowned, and levitated her son up, and his priceless little smile was back. It was almost painful, but at the same time, heartwarming.

"You just wanted to see me?" she said, as she held the little colt.

Some sort of baby nonsense syllables and babbles escaped Alexandrite, but Rarity was going to take it as a yes.

Her expression went blank for a moment, and in a sudden flash, she had a bittersweet smile.

"Alexandrite Jackson, I made a promise to you six months ago, when I held you for the very first time," Rarity whispered, as she gently rocked her young son. "Unfortunately, I seem to have broken that promise, where I said that I would never let you out of my sight and I would be there for you, no matter what." A rueful laugh escaped her. "Look at how that turned out." She let out a deep breath and kissed the little colt's forehead. "You're young, so you'll forgive me, but if only you knew how sorry I am. When news of your sister came to light, I was worried sick that I would do something wrong while raising her. Now, years later, here you are, and here I am -- making a mistake by leaving you."

The infant unicorn held his stuffed toy tight and he looked up as his mother continued her rant.

"Everytime I think I can stay, I get called for a job, and it kills me," she muttered. "I know your mother doesn't believe it by now, and I really do feel horrible when I have to leave, but the city is where I'm needed, so there's no other choice."

Rarity swallowed down her slight urge to cry and she looked over to her daughter - innocent five-year-old Sonya - who was fast asleep, looking adorable as ever. This was wonderful. Better than any bright lights and big city with fancy fashions and high class socialites. It was a horrible paradox, Rarity had her demanding job, but her family was much more valuable, and she never knew which way to go. Sadly, she always chose the wrong path.

Heaving out a sigh, she shook her head in disbelief.

What was wrong with her -- trying to choose between her career and her family?

Applejack was right. Rarity was a fool, as she kept endlessly trying to get the best of both worlds. It was a constant cycle; she would be happy at home, and everything was alright for a little while, but then calls came in, and she had to leave for whatever matter came up. Another store was opening, customers demanded rush orders, shows needed to be put on to promote new lines, it was always something.

"It's funny, you know," Rarity said to her son, who was still looking at her. "I expect you and your sister to ignore me, what with my slacking off on my job of being a parent, but you both still care. It's almost baffling how you don't understand what's going on... not that I expect you to, of course. It's just--" She let out a sigh. "I want to stay here, with you, and Sonya, and most importantly, your mother, but I always seem to drift away." She choked on her words for a moment. "And bless your poor mother, she's been doing all of the dirty work. I'm surprised she held it in this long. I almost feel as if I've failed her, in a way. Everything I promised her eight years ago on our wedding day, I forgot about it. I ran off to the city and that was it. So much for 'til death do us part, it seems my career did that job."

Little Alexandrite let out a yawn and his shining emerald eyes fluttered close. He curled up to his mother in a cute manner, and Rarity smiled as she gave him a nuzzle.

"I don't blame you for thinking it's boring," she sighed. "Growing up and becoming an adult isn't any fun. If only I could have it all without working, but that's a fool's dream." She let a single tear fall. "To think, if I was able to do so, I would bring all of you to the city with me. It's not fun as it used to be -- not without my precious little gems to liven things up. Even if your mother despises the cities, it would still be a pleasure to hear her complaining about it."

"I don't despise it, I jes' don't like it," a voice spoke up.

Rarity's eyes went wide for a moment, and she looked back, surprised to see her wife standing there in the doorway. "Applejack," she said hesitantly. "How long have you been standing there?"

Applejack let out a light snort. "Long 'nough to know ya really like ventin' on our kids," she teased.

"You heard it all?" Rarity inquired.

"Yeah, most o' it," Applejack admitted.

Rarity stammered, and looked back down to her son, with her eyes drifting over to her daughter. They were worth more to her than anything, and yet she still insisted on working. Money helped fund things, but she didn't value it as much as her children.

"He's a lot like you, y'know," Applejack added. "In the whole stickler fer details, anyway. Don't think I ev'r seen a foal that young try to organize somethin'."

Rarity let out a soft laugh through her tears.

It was sweet but at the same time sad.

She was missing moments of her children's life, while lying to herself and saying that overworking would help the family when it was really tearing them apart.

"Rares, list'n, some o' the thangs I said, I didn't mean 'em," Applejack muttered. "I was jes' upset. I miss ya, that's all. Sometimes I do almost think it's bett'r for ya to stay away, than rather keep comin' back, only to leave us again."

"No, you're right," Rarity responded. "It hurts me more than it hurts you. I wish I could stay here, really, I do. But I have stores to manage, shows to put on, customers to service and-" She let out a sigh. "I just don't know what to do, so I stick with the usual. I show up here for a while, then return back to the city."

"Were ya serious? 'bout bringin' us to the city with ya?" Applejack questioned.

"If it were possible, I don't see why not," Rarity said. "The apartment above my store has enough room, and nearby, there's an all-fillies school Sonya could go to. Granted, it would be a bit of a hassle, but it would be worth it -- seeing how I would have something to look forward to at the end of my work day." She met her wife's gaze and shook her head. "Yet, you love this farm so much, and you don't like Manehatten, so we deal with what we have to, I suppose. I'll deny a few jobs if I must, but staying here for you -- and for our children -- is what I need to realize is the most important task of them all."

Silence echoed in the room, and no words were needed to say the fact that Rarity's statement was true. Work was work, she had to do it, and if leaving long-term was part of it, then it wasn't worth it, not if their family was strained because of it.

"C'mon," Applejack spoke up. "Why don'tcha put the kids back to bed and I'll meet ya downstairs so we can talk things out?"

Rarity gave a small nod, and levitated her son up, careful to not wake him as she placed him back in his crib. Then, she picked Sonya up from the floor and cautiously carried her out of the room, across the hall to her bedroom.

It had been a while since she had been in here...

She took note that the walls were now pink, instead of the previous purple, and the bunk bed was now gone. Applejack had told Rarity that it was a waste of money, but those were the breaks. The mess had gotten only worse - with paint stuck in the carpet, papers taped to the wall and toys scattered everywhere. Rarity could barely find the floor, but managed to do so as she placed her daughter down on the comforter.

She kissed Sonya's forehead, and smiled as she watched the little filly fidget in her sleep.

Rarity levitated over Sonya's custom hoofmade music box - courtesy of Sweetie Belle - and wound the key to play the sweet little melody. As, the instrumental harmony of Defying Gravity echoed in the small room, Rarity exited the bedroom and heaved out a sigh.

It was nice, almost a burden flying off of her heart...

But at the same time, it felt crushed.

"For so long, I deserted her," Rarity whispered.

Her firstborn - her precious little girl, was lacking a mother on and off.

It just wasn't healthy for a child.

"Never again," she muttered.

Running a hoof through her mane, Rarity made her way downstairs -- preparing for the worst, and hoping for the best. After all, the only bad outcome was that Applejack was still mad. If that were the case--

--well, Rarity would cross that bridge when she came to it.

She made the last step, and turned the corner into the kitchen. She gave a halfhearted smile to her wife, who was standing by the stove, awkwardly leaning up against the wall.

"So," Applejack muttered. "All o' those thangs ya said--"

"I really meant every word," Rarity assured. "I'll say it again, if you want."

Applejack's expression threatened to show the smallest of grins, and she shook her head. "I believe ya," she said. "I know yer doin' what you think is right."

Rarity frowned. "But deep down, it isn't," she finished.

"Well--"

"Oh, come now, darling, don't try to make me feel better," Rarity argued. "I know I should be here, and not wasting most of my time in the city."

A moment of silence passed, only before Applejack suddenly stepped forward and pulled her wife in. Rarity squeaked as her lips met Applejack's in a kiss -- one that was meant for their reunion. It was like every kiss they ever shared: sweet and cautious, like a first kiss, but with undertones of experienced passion that was surprising. Rarity wrapped her forelegs around her wife's neck, pulling her in closer and enjoying the embrace.

The kiss ended sooner than expected, but Rarity noticed Applejack was genuinely smiling now.

"Yer a silly mare, y'know that?" she whispered. "D'ya know why I married you?"

Rarity let out a stammer, still lost in the sensation of the kiss, and simply shrugged. "Something along the lines of how you thought I was the best looking mare in Ponyville and the only one who could manage to tolerate you?" she teased.

"Well, that's two reasons," Applejack chuckled. "But yer a fixer upper. Ya always have been."

"Diamond in the rough?" Rarity said. She let out a soft laugh. "I'm sorry, that was a terrible pun."

Applejack smiled. "Call it whatcha will, but I like findin' the scratches and dents, that's all," she murmured. "And one 'o them flaws is ya don't wanna know when to quit. What's the fancy name fer somepony who dunno how to stop workin'?"

"Workaholic?" Rarity muttered, with a bashful smile.

"That sounds 'bout right," Applejack mused.

"I just don't want to feel like a failure, so I work relentlessly at my job, but... now I have a family, and I can't fail on that either," Rarity sighed.

"So don't," Applejack declared, as she comfortingly ran a hoof through her wife's crumpled and frizzy mane. "Now, I know it's easier said than done, but why didn't ya ev'r ask me fer mah opinion?"

Rarity raised an eyebrow. "Applejack, darling, you clearly stated in our wedding vows, that no matter how big my dreams were, you would want for me to pursue them," she retorted. "You wouldn't want me to choose."

Applejack nodded. "Yeah, sure, I said that, but who said ya had to face it on yer own?" she said.

"We did travel together," Rarity countered. "For the first three years of our marriage, you followed me wherever I went and helped me, but then... well, we became parents. You wanted to stay at your home, and then, I knew I couldn't deny you of the place you belonged. So I went everywhere on my own." She swallowed. "To be honest, it's not as memorable without you."

"Memorable sure is a word fer it," Applejack chuckled. "I remember the time we went to Los Pegasus, and you ran off to the casinos. Next thang I knew, you were gambling away all o' our money like a drunken sailor. Then as I dragged ya back to the hotel, I found out ya had too many drinks when you started rantin' and ravin' about who knows what."

Rarity let out a groan, followed by a laugh. "That was one time," she muttered.

Applejack shrugged. "It was still funny," she defended.

"You're the worst sometimes," Rarity teased, as she kissed her wife briefly.

"Yeah, I know," Applejack said, with a smile. "But back to what's between us--" Her emerald eyes met her wife's sapphire ones. "I know ya like workin' hard. It's in yer blood. That's 'bout the only thang we got in common, and I meant it when I said I'd support ya no matt'r what. Mah opinion still stands, Rares. But who said ya had to keep doin' it alone? Why didn't ya ev'r consider maybe we could travel again?"

"I can't take you away from here," Rarity frowned. "And our children need a firm home, they can't keep drifting back and forth from city to city. It isn't healthy."

Pursing her lips, Applejack took a minute to think. "Ya said yer store in Manehatten has got an apartment big enough for the four 'o us -- me, you, Alex and Sonya," she said. "We'll stay there, that's where most o' yer work is, right?"

Rarity nodded. "But I love you, and this dusty little town is where you were meant to be. I can't tear you away from that."

"I got family out in Manehatten," Applejack countered. "Plenty o' cousins out there, it'll almost seem like home. They got a store in the downtown area, I'll work there."

"But-"

"Quit being stubborn and jus' lemme make ya happy."

Rarity shook with every breath, and tears brimmed her eyes. Her heartstrings were beating in an erratic rhythm and she bit her lip, looking down to the floor.

Applejack took note of this. "Rares? Are ya ok?" she muttered.

With a light scoff, Rarity kissed her wife powerfully. Again, they shared a firm, sweet, passionate embrace for quite sometime -- lips locked, bodies close and two hearts as close as they could get.

"And to think, I'm the Element of Generosity," Rarity said.

"What're ya talkin' about?" Applejack asked.

"You--" Rarity replied, as she poked her wife in the chest. "--are unbelievable. You want to make me happy, after I deserted you and our children. And alright, I'm sorry, you forgive me, we kissed and made up, but still, you would be willing to change for me."

"Ponies do crazy thangs when they're in love," Applejack said simply.

"You just... love me, though," Rarity said. "You always have, even before we were married. It's been unconditional, and I can never find an explanation why."

Applejack smirked. "Yer too sappy sometimes," she declared, adding a sweet little kiss for good measure. "How's 'bout you and me jes' go back upstairs and forget 'bout this fer a bit?"

Rarity's smile was sweet, and she nodded. "I'd like that," she whispered.

Their lips locked one last time. They held hooves, and just for now, in this moment, all they had and needed was tonight. Apologies had been made, forgiveness was distributed and the blooming of love was back. Over the years, they had learned that marriage was all about give and take.

But sometimes... when push came to shove, it would be somewhat messy, but in the end, most of the time, it worked.

~ la fin ~

Author's Note

I have so many projects to work on... so naturally, I write something completely off-topic.

GAH - LONGEST. ONE-SHOT. EVER.

Anyway, sudden future jump 'cause why not -- and we suddenly find out Sonya has a baby brother. Yeah. I need to write the story about him too. Then the sequel to this where they decide whether or not to move. Ay, ay, ay, I keep digging myself deeper.