Big macintoshs day off

"Well, Caramel is coming, and so is Wiz. They both have worked with us, and are good friends. Seeing as no proper relative can come, they'll do the job... speaking of job, I think I'll see with Wiz on doing the rites as well. He's a lot better with words than any other pony I know. He may also know is someone else is free to be a pallbearer as well."

Applejack nodded, and began putting away the paperwork. When Big Mac left to speak with the unicorn, she went upstairs to Apple Bloom's room. Poor filly's taken it worse than me and Macintosh combined. Opening the door, Applejack could only see a lump on the bed, and the sharp intake of breath of someone trying very hard to halt crying. Applejack walked over to the bedside, and pat the lump in the sheet.

"You holdin' up there sugarcube? You ain't said a word since the day before yesterday."

The covers were thrown off, revealing a red eyed little filly, her face covered in tears and mucus from heavy sobbing. She wiped her face on her hoof, and looked miserably at her sister.

" 'ow am Ah 'oldin' up? Granny's gone Applejack! You and Macintosh are all frazzled, on top of Macintosh still 'as bruises from the fight. At school, everypony is trying to be nice about it, even Diamond Tiara, but that just makes it worse! Why do they have to keep reminding me Ah'm never going to see Granny again?"

Applejack hugged her baby sister as a fresh wave of sorrow overtook the Crusader. It was a true child's cry, howling in anguish with tears, snot, and spittle flowing freely. Applejack pat her back, a few more tears of her own slipping out to land on top of Apple Bloom's head.

Apple Bloom calmed down by the time Big Macintosh came home. She'd taken a bath and was feeling slightly better, if only because being clean was a lot better than possibly becoming a filly shaped booger. Applejack was in the tub, so Big Macintosh took the chance to talk to Apple Bloom himself.

"You're hurting bad, we all are. But you stay tough, like the big mare you're growing up to be. An Apple doesn't let themselves be dragged down. We get up and buck back, harder and stronger than we ever were. We'll get through this, together."

Apple Bloom smiled softly and hugged her massive brother's front leg, the best she can honestly manage. Big Macintosh kissed the top of her head, and nudged her towards the kitchen. Words definitely has a way of speaking that helps bring ya up, doesn't he? I gotta thank him for helping me with that little speech. And for being willing to speak for Granny. Inside the kitchen, there was a bag from Sugarcube Corner.

"I know you ain't been eating too much, but I think this will definitely be worth a bite."

Opening the package, there were some fresh apple fritters, some blueberry muffins, and a big shoofly pie. Apple Bloom's stomach rumbled loudly, some of her favorite treats present. Sitting at the table, Mac put her share on a plate and let her start eating. She chewed merrily, her face turning into a sticky, sugary mess by the end of the meal. Big Macintosh got her a towel moistened with hot water and she cleaned her face. Heaving a sigh of contentment, the filly then yawned loudly, evoking a chuckle from her brother.

"Well, seems you're plum tuckered out aren't you? Let's get you up to bed, tomorrow is going to be a long day for us Apples..."

Nodding, the normally energetic filly went up to bed with no fuss. She said good night to her sister as they passed in the hall, while Applejack went into the kitchen. She and Mac ate in silence, and got back down to business.

"Any luck finding the last pallbearer?"

"Seeing as she was there, Gilda offered to help. I figured I owed it to her to let her prove how much she does respect our Granny after... my tantrum. She's grounded for a while, so her and Dash can't live together right now, but Dash visits with her a lot. Matter o' fact, Dash and Cheerilee were over there too. Looked like they were all eating dinner, but something didn't feel right in the air, so I left pretty quick.

Words will also be speaking for free, so at least we don't need to hire someone. He's not officially trained, but seeing as he's handling the Library while Twilight and Trixie are out of town, he'll just look up some of the basics. I just told him to say what we needed to hear. He's good at doing that."

Applejack nodded wearily, finished her dinner.

"Ah'm glad they agreed, with all the bills and such we'd put this off to the last minute. Well, you best warsh up yourself. Get some sleep too, we're going to have to work before the service, Granny would have liked to be put to rest just as the sunset. Good night, Big Mac."

Big Macintosh nodded and went to the bathroom. He drew a big, steaming hot bath and slid in. Staring up the ceiling, his mind wandered as the vapors enveloped him. Granny's going to be put right next to Pawpaw Brown Snout, just like they should rightly be. But in all this, I still can't help but feel a bit happy inside.

This time next year, I'll be raising up my own little sapling Apple. Course, I'll have to do right by Fluttershy first. We ain't had much time to talk about it, but she'd dead set on the wedding being the day after Winter Wrap-up. She wants all her little critters bright eyes and bushy tailed. We'll need to actually tell everypony first, but I figure most of them know we'd be doing this anyway. Ah well, my hooves are getting pruney, time for bed.

Big Macintosh dried off, and took a moment to walk into each of his sisters rooms. They were both asleep, and not wanting to stir them, just gave them each a good night kiss to the forehead and tucked them in better. He was about to get in bed, when an old urge hit him. Kneeling at the bedside, he lowered his head.

"Celestia and Luna, I figure you don't hear this sort of thing anyway, and I wouldn't want you to actively get into Apple family business much besides. I just want to say Thank You, for giving me the days and nights I've got to spend with my friends and family. My favorite memories will forever be walking into that kitchen to see either of the two mares I loved, one as a family, the other as lover, taking the time and effort just to make me happy.

Princess Luna, I have something to ask of you though. Tomorrow's sunset will be the last one Granny ever sees. If you have the whim to, could you make it even more beautiful, to honor the kind soul we put to rest? Good night, sorry to keep on like that..."

Crawling into bed, Big Macintosh was blessed with instant, dreamless sleep. Unknown to him, his words did carry. The Princesses stood next to each other, sleep never really being much beyond a time waster for the Alicorns.

"Well, what do you think I should do sister? She was the grandmother of one of the Bearers who came and rescued me from myse- from Nightmare Moon's influence. Do you think, perhaps, you could help me weave the sky for them, just this once?"

Celestia nuzzled her sister softly, a thin smile curling the ruler's lips.

"Of course, if I refused, I'd send myself to the sun."

In the morning, the Apple family set out to buck like they never had. They needed to do a full day's work in a few hours, because they needed to get ready before the service. They were surprised, but appreciative when Caramel, Words, Gilda, Dash, Fluttershy and even Angel Bunny arrived to help. The fillies set about bucking while Words used his magic to pick up stray apples, allowing a constant train of carts to lug the produce. Angel met with some of the other wildlife, and informed them of the loss. They agreed to leave the Apple family alone longer, the sauce debt having almost run out.

Everypony drank a quick glass of tea, sans Words who just took a quick swig of water and set about preparing the eulogy. They rinsed off their sweat, and had just barely dried before Granny's casket arrived. They took it, closed, into the barn, where chairs were set up for the guests. Opening the top, everypony looked down sadly at the frail looking body resting on the pillows. Not long after, half of Ponyville began filing in. Rarity and Pinkie Pie stood with the group, while others like Ditzy, Dinky and the Mayor just took their seat with little more than a knowing nod of the head. Soon, the seat were filed and Words got behind the podium.

"We are gathered here today to honor the life of Annie Smith-Apple, called Granny Smith by friends and loved ones. She was born, raised, and died, right here in Ponyville. Although she only married into the Apple family, she was loved dearly by her family, which includes her three sons, their wives, eight grandchildren, two great-grand children, and countless nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and blood. Sadly, most could not attend today, but as you see, they do so only because to leave their work means the harvest would be ruined."

In place of flowers, Granny was surrounded by letters, every one of them from relatives sending their grief and promise of visits as soon as they can. Words nodded at a grey mare with a big stringed instrument.

"Miss Octavia will now play a piece for us, about the joy of life, the sorrow of parting, and the hope of reunion in the worlds beyond. Take this moment for introspection, and offer your prayers and support to the Apple family. If you so desire, come up to say a more personal goodbye to Granny."

The mare put bow to string, and soon a long note dragged out across the barn. Some, like Ditzy, began to cry silently, the sadness of the service finally pushed over the edge by the addition of music. The Mayor walked up, and muttered a farewell to the elder. Many more came, gazed into the coffin, and sat back down. Finally, the Apple siblings rose as one, and walked up. Big Macintosh picked up Apple Bloom so she could see. Reaching in, she pat granny's mane, a tear rolling down her face to land on her grandmother's nose.

"Goodbye Granny. We love you, and we're gonna miss you somethin' fierce."

The casket was closed, and the pallbearers took position. Shouldering the weight, they marched out into the orchard, the throng of ponies following behind. A grave was dug at the base of a Brown Snout tree, and they gently lowered the coffin. Words stood beside the tree to give one final speech.

"I admit, I am not one for poems, or artistic turns of phrase. I try to be blunt, if supportive, to everypony around me. But if no one objects, I would like to try one I think will help us remember that this is not suppose to be a sad day."

There was a mild murmur of confusion, but that stopped when Apple Bloom spoke up.

"Ah.. Ah want to hear it, Mr. O'Wisdom. Granny liked yer little stories, she'd... she'd probably love this."

Words smiled warmly at the filly, and cleared his throat.

"Life is not how long you live,

The hours, days and years

But how many smiles you give,

Teeth showing 'tween the ears.

And Happiness is not your own

But what you give to peers.

You're born, you live, you someday die

But never fear the end

Many have gone before you

Maybe me, my friend

But stay strong, move with the weight

Never snap, but bend.

Forgive my words and how they seem

To not quite match a tempo

But life must have its ups and down

Not knowing where to go

But when you're finally put to rest

I'd like you just to know

That our bond will be eternal

The moments in the sun

Our time spent enjoying life

And having lots of fun

We love you with all our hearts

But now the poem's done."

There was utter silence, many dabbing their eyes, though some were doing that anyway. Apple bloom sniffed, and smiled sadly at the unicorn.

"Thank you, Ah'm sure she loved that."

Everypony left shortly after the hole was filled in. Big Macintosh, his sisters, and Fluttershy stayed behind. After a moment, they turned around, and went into the house. Behind them, the sun had set, the majestic purples, blues, and reds painting the sky a glorious end to signal the end of the life of a glorious pony.