Single Parent Problemsby KiraOnlinePonyChaptersApplejack's blind dateJackpot, Ah need ta talk to ya...And the Winner is...!EpilogueApplejack's blind dateIt had been three months since Applejack legally became Jackpot's mother and she did not regret one second of it. She loved Jackpot more than anything and was determined to be the best mom she could be. "Wait a sec, Jackpot!" Applejack called, seeing him about to run out the door with Shadow and Applebloom, "Yer homework finished?" "Yes, Mom." "Chores done?" "Yes, Mom." "What're you and Applebloom doin?" "Jackpot's the first ever Cutie Mark Crusader Adviser!" Applebloom explained, "He's gonna help the rest of us find out what our cutie marks are gonna be!" Applejack couldn't help but chuckle. "Nuthin too dangerous, ah hope?" "No, Mom. They're gonna try and groom Shadow." "Ok, buddy, be careful." she smiled, kissing her son's forehead. After watching her sister and son disappear over the hill, Winona let off a sigh of relief. "Ah can't believe you, Winona!" Applejack chided, "Shadow's been here three months and you ain't used ta him yet?" She rolled her eyes and went out to get her buckets. Applejack was on her fourth rotation of buckets when Pinkie Pie bounced up. "Howdy, Pinkie." "Hi, Applejack! I set you up with somepony!" she giggled. Applejack stopped midbuck. "Excuse me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "You have a date!" "That yer gonna cancel!" "What?" Pinkie asked. Applejack sighed. "If ya haven't noticed, Pinkie, ah'm a momma now! Ah can't jes go gallivantin with every stallion out there!" "Jackpot likes his Aunt Pinkie Pie! I'll watch him!" "No, Pinkie!" Ooh, Maud's in town! I can-" "Landsakes, Pinkie Pie! What part o' NO was unclear?!" Applejack yelled, causing Pinkie to flatmane, "Look, ah'm sorry ah yelled atcha. But ya gotta understand. Ah'm a mom now. Jacky needs me more than some guy." "But you need to go out now and then! Have some Applejack time!" "A-Ah guess..." Applejack sighed, scratching the back of her head. "Will you at least give the stallion a chance?" Pinkie asked. "Only ifen ah can find a sitter fer Jackpot." Pinkie gave her the big blue eyes. "Oh fine." Applejack relented, "Ya can watch Jackpot. Of all his aunts, Ah think he prefers you almost as much as Rainbow Dash." "Wahoo!" Pinkie cheered, "Oh and Rarity's expecting you!" "Wait what? Why?" "You wanna look good for the stallion, don't you?" Applejack rolled her eyes. Checking her work, she carried the barrels back to the barn. "You remember the rules, right?" Applejack asked Pinkie. "Make sure he's well mannered, keep the sweets to a minimum, no soda, in bed by nine if you're out late." Pinkie recited from memory. "Wow. Ok, then. Wait, here he comes now." "It's not that bad. He could stink." Jackpot said to Applebloom. "Sweetie Belle used honey when she meant to grab the dog shampoo." Applebloom said. "True. Hey Mom, Aunt Pinkie." "Hold it, Jacky." Applejack called, "Ah'm goin out fer a bit. Aunt Pinkie is gonna be watchin ya, ok?" "Ok, Mom." Jackpot smiled. "Ok, Ah'm goin ta visit Aunt Rarity fer a sec, then ah'm out. You be good, ok?" she hugged Jackpot. "Sure thing!" he returned the hug. "Now where am ah meetin this feller, Pinkie?" Applejack asked. "Over by the lake! Now, go! Jacky and Aunt Pinkie are gonna have a lot of fun, huh, Jacky?" Pinkie asked, literally pushing Applejack out the door. "Rarity, you home?" Applejack knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique. "Why, yes darling! Come on in!" Rarity was hard at work on a green, backless dress. "Whoa, Rare, who's this number fer?" "Why, you, Applejack!" "...wut...?" Applejack asked, her ears folding back, "Rarity, ah can't wear this! It's too showy! There ain't no back, the chest plunges like crazy, and don't get me started on the frills." "Oh Applejack, once your stallion sees you, he won't be able to take his eyes off of you! Will you at least try it on?" Rarity batted her eyelashes at Applejack. "Them falsies don't work on me." Applejack deadpanned, striking a lowblow. "How DARE y-" Rarity cleared her throat, "Now is not the time for petty anger, Rarity. Applejack, just try it on. You loved your Gala dress, didn't you?" Applejack mumbled. "Oh jes gimme the dang thing." she growled, grabbing the dress and walked into the changing room, "Hold mah hat. Anything happens ta that, all of Ponyville will know of yer lashes." Applejack slipped the dress on over her head. Now that she was actually wearing the dress, her opinion of it was changing. The shade of green complimented her orange coat nicely, the neck hadn't plunged as far as Applejack originally thought, only going down to her collarbone, the hem stopped at just above her hooves, it was sleeveless and it had a ruby cut, possibly by Spike, in the shape of an apple on the collar. Once she saw herself in the mirror, even she thought she looked simplistically sexy. "Wow." "You like?" "Yeah, ah do, actually. Kinda tight on the chest but it'll be ok. Does it come with a hat?" "I hate to reuse material but this was short notice." Rarity explained, magiking over the hat Applejack wore to the Gala, "Now, there's a few hours before your date. I'd like to do your hair." "Rarity, ah ain't no Dress Me Daisy." she sighed. Eventually, she relented but swat away any possible chance Rarity had of applying makeup to her. "Jes the hair." she ordered. "Of course, deary." Rarity had untied Applejack's ponytails, revealing a rather wavy mane and tail. "Why do you tie your hair back, Applejack? Your waves are gorgeous!" Rarity said. "Jes get it over with." Rarity had Applejack in curlers in a matter of moments. "Now, we'll leave them in for an hour and-" "An hour?" "You want the curlers to work or not?" "What am ah supposed ta do fer an hour?" "I have books." "Ya got romance novels. No Daring Dos." "Honestly, I cannot see what you, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and now my little Jackykins see in that series." Applejack glared at Rarity. "Jackykins?" "Well you aren't the only one who cares deeply for the boy. He's my favorite little model! I used him to help me design my young colts line!" Applejack chuckled at how eager to help Jackpot always was. Eventually, moaning out of boredom, Rarity gave Applejack the tv remote and urged her not to move around. At long last, the curlers were removed and Applejack's hair had the bounce that Rarity was looking for. "Gah! Rarity!" Applejack scolded, after being assaulted with hairspray. "Do you want your curls to stay in?" Rarity tried once more to apply makeup but Applejack wouldn't have any of it. "Ah said no!" "At least let me put on some around your eyes, make them pop!" "Pop?" "Stand out more, make them more alluring then they already are." Applejack tilted her head, a curl falling in her face. "You comin on ta me 'r somethin?" "Well I won't deny that you've got amazing natural good looks." "Fine... But JES the eyes, nuthin else!" Applejack relented. Applejack laid back as Rarity worked her talent for makeup. When Applejack looked up, she wore a smoky gray eyeshadow, a thin layer of eyeliner and her eyelashes looked thicker and fuller. "Uh... Wow." Applejack blushed. "You see? A little makeup now and then isn't so bad, is it?" "Ah guess not. But ain't no need fer it on a farm." Applejack replied, "Thanks again, Rarity. What do ah owe ya?" "Perish the thought, my dear!" "C'mon, at least, ah dunno, twenty bits 'r somethin." "No, probono. But if you insist, we could have a girls night in. Just us!" "Deal. Ah'll see ya later, Rare!" Applejack smiled as she walked over to the lake. "Oh you gotta be kiddin..." Someone, possibly Rarity and Twilight, had set up a table, candles, a proper meal and a cd player playing Octavia Melody's latest love album. Rolling her eyes, she sat at the table and waited for her mystery stallion. She'd let her mind wander to Jackpot, wondering what her son was doing as a smile graced her face at the thought. "Hi, Applejack." A familiar voice jerked her out of her daydreams. "Caramel?" Jackpot, Ah need ta talk to ya..."Ah hate ta be rude, Caramel but... Ah'm actually waitin on somepony. So...-" Applejack began. "Yeah, me." Caramel said. "Wait what?" "I contacted Pinkie and asked her for a favor..." Applejack scratched her head at the thought. "Why not jes ask me outright?" she asked. Caramel's eyes looked right at her. "I... I was nervous you'd say no." "Well ah ain't gonna lie, Caramel, yer a real sweet guy but... Why me? Ah been a straight bitch to ya fer years." Her statement wasn't wrong. The last two Winter Wrapups, for example, Caramel misplaced the grass seeds, causing Applejack to lose her temper at him. "Well, you're smart, you're hard working, strong, beautiful. And you're great with kids, apparently." he chuckled. "Yeah, 'bout that..." her head hung low, "There's another reason ah adopted Jackpot, one ah didn't tell'em..." "Oh?" "The doctors say... that... Ah'm infertile... that ah'll never have a baby o' mah own. So when ah started seeing Jacky as mah son... Ah saw it was an opportunity ta experience bein a momma..." Applejack sighed and rested her face in her hooves, "So ifen it's kids ya want one day, it ain't gonna be with me..." Applejack felt her hooves leave her face. "Applejack, you think I see you as a baby factory? You're wrong. I see you as an awesome young mare. I'm not gonna lie, AJ... I've actually had it bad for you for a while..." "Well don't get yer hopes up. Ah still ain't made up mah mind on this." she said. "That's fine," Caramel replied, "I just have to earn your trust." "It ain't so much that, ya got mah trust already. It's mah son. Ah ain't gonna date nopony, not even Rainbow Dash were the rumors true, that Jacky don't approve of. He comes first." Applejack ordered. This was her one chance at being a mother. She wasn't going to let her hormones ruin it for her. "That's fine, I understand. But for now, I don't see why we can't eat, maybe have a drink." Caramel smiled, sitting across from her. Applejack pulled off the metal domed lid over her plate to reveal barley risotto with fava beans, corn and mushrooms. Rarity had apparently also set up a bucket of ice. Knowing Applejack's style, where a bottle of wine would be were several cans of her favorite beer. She chuckled. "Ah swear, mah friends know me too well. So what's yer story, Caramel? Ah never bothered ta ask." she requested, cracking open a beer. "Ladies first." "A gentlecolt. Nice. Well, you basically know it all. Normal upbringin, mah folks died shortly after Applebloom was born. Big Mac dropped outta school ta take the farm. Then Twilight moved in and everything since then. Then ah meet mah son. Yer turn." "Ok. Drunk dad, abused mom." "This took a turn fer the dark." "Same situation every other night. Dad gets drunk, beats mom and me then apologizes, promising to never do it again." Applejack suddenly felt bad about drinking in front of him and threw out her can. "No, Applejack, it's fine. It doesn't bother me if you have a drink." "Really? Cause ah don't wanna offend ya." "It's fine. So anyway. One night in my mid teen years, he finally, totally goes nuts. He grabs a knife. I see this and jump into the fray. 'Get away from her, you bitch!' I scream. He just laughs. 'What's a little squirt like you gonna do?'" So I did the first thing that came to mind. As he's laughing drunk, I kick him in the balls. He goes down and I grab the knife. I pin him down and hold it to his throat." Caramel said. Applejack couldn't believe her ears. The normally sweet and quiet Caramel had been pushed past his breaking point. "I have the knife to his throat. 'You're not gonna hurt Mom anymore, you son of a bitch!" Caramel looked down at the table. Applejack could tell he was flashing back. She jumped when he slammed the table. She grabbed his hoof. "Caramel, come back to me. Yer fine, ah'm right here." she cooed to him. "Then Mom pulls me off of him, the house phone in her hoof. She'd called the cops. Bastard is still locked up." Caramel's blue eyes looked full of pain. Applejack got up and pulled him into a hug. "Caramel, ah am so sorry..." "For...?" "Had ah known about yer past, ah'd never've laid inta ya as hard as ah had..." "Y'know, it's weird..." He stepped back to look at Applejack, "When my dad yelled at me, I wanted to kill him. When you do, I don't mind it." Caramel held Applejack's hoof and began to dance with her to the music. As they danced, Applejack rested her head against his chest. On his hindlegs, he was considerably taller than her. She had a perfect spot to listen to his heart and how fast it beat when he was with her. When the last song on the cd had played, Caramel had walked Applejack home. "Well... this is me..." she blushed. "Can we go out again?" Caramel asked. A second date. Applejack never got this lucky with stallions! "Sure!" she smiled, kissing his cheek, "Jes pick a time and place!" "Ok, I'll let you know, Aj. Goodnight." he smiled. "Night, Caramel." she smiled back. When she closed the door, she squealed with excitement as her heart pounded ten miles a second. But her motherly duties kicked in as she went to see if Pinkie put Jackpot to bed. "Eeyup, ya did, Pinks." she whispered to herself, smiling. She'd gone upstairs to check on Jackpot and found him in bed, snuggled up to a sleeping Pinkie Pie. She walked over and kissed her son's forehead then went to bed, herself. The next morning, she woke up first and started an eggs and tofu breakfast for the family. "Mornin, y'alls!" Applejack sang. "Well, somepony's happy!" Pinkie noticed. "Eeyup." Big Macintosh also took note. "The date went good?" Pinkie asked. "We're meetin up again!" "Awesome!" "Eeyup! Oh, hey Jacky, ah need ta talk to ya..." His ears perking up, he looked at his mom. "Yeah?" "Ya remember mah friend Caramel? Real forgetful feller, yellow coat and brown hair?" "Yeah?" Jackpot repeated. "What if... what if he became Momma's special somepony?" Jackpot stroked his chin for a second. "Go for it!" he said. She hugged her son. "Thanks, Jacky!" she smiled, kissing her son's forehead, "This means ya get ta hang out with Aunt Pinkie more! Seein as how ah think ya got a little crush on her." she smirked at her son's blushing. "I do not!" "Then why was ya cuddlin her last night?" "Jackpot like Pinkie? This is good!" Applebloom laughed. "It's ok, Jackpot. I know I'm hot." Pinkie giggled. "Not helping! Besides, Scoota-" He stuck his hoof in his mouth. "Oooh, mah son likes Scootaloo, huh?" she laughed along side the Apples, "Nah, ah'm jes teasin ya, Jacky. But fer real. This means ya get ta hang out with Aunt Pinkie, or any of yer other aunts if she's busy." "Awesome!" As the day progressed, all she could think about was Caramel, then Jackpot, then yelling at herself for putting her date ahead of her son. Then repeat the process. She got so frustrated with herself, she bucked a tree too hard and cracked the trunk. "Uh... oops." "You, ok, AJ? Ah ain't never seen ya this flustered." Big Mac walked up to her. "No, yeah, ah'm fine. Ah'm jes... Ah'm beatin up on mahself fer thinkin o' Caramel 'afore Jackpot." She answered. "Jackpot's fine. Ya need ta focus on you." "What kinda mother would ah be if ah focused on mahself all the damn time?" Applejack snapped. Big Mac sighed. "Well, what would Ma do?" Applejack's eyes widened. "You did not jes play that card." she snarled. "Uh..." Big Mac backed up a bit, forgetting how touchy an issue their parents were with her. "You did NOT jes play that card on me, dammit! You think ah know what Momma would do? NO! But ah'm tryin mah best here!" "Applejack, ah didn't mean-" "Stow it! Ya said enough!" she growled, storming off. She deposited her buckets and went to the school to pick up Jackpot since they'd be getting out soon. She needed to see her son's face. "... Ok, Scootaloo, I'll see you later!" Jackpot said to his best friend as they parted ways, "Huh? Mom, are you ok?" Jackpot asked. "Ah'm fine, Jacky. Yer uncle was jes a bonehead, is alls." she smiled, hugging Jackpot, "So what's on mah buddy's plan taday?" she asked. He thought for a second. "Well, Sweetie Belle was telling me that Aunt Rarity needs me to model for her again. Then I thought I'd visit Aunt Twilight or Aunt Fluttershy." "After yer homework, right?" "I don't have any." "Huh? What, Twist help you out with it, already?" She had hired Twist to be Jackpot's tutor since he hadn't had a proper education before and the school work was proving to be hard for him. But he greatly improved with her help. "Yeah, Twist and I finished it during recess." "Well, ok, Jacky. Ah'm seein Caramel tonight so ifen ah ain't home or if Uncle Big Mac is still at Aunt Rainbow's, you stay with Aunt Fluttershy 'r Aunt Twilight. Or Aunt Rarity. Yer choice." "Ok! Say, Mom? Why's Uncle Big Mac always with Aunt Dashie?" "You didn't know? Uncle Mac and Aunt Dashie 'r datin." "Wow... I had him pegged for Miss Cheerilee or something." She walked Jackpot over to Rarity's and watched as Rarity hugged her nephew. "How's my little Jackykins, sweetie? Don't worry, Applejack, I shall make sure that he's fine. I promise, darling!" she smiled. "Ok, Rarity, ah trust ya. Ah'll see ya later, Jacky. Ah love you, buddy." "Love you too, Mom!" he smiled. "Go on, Applejack! You don't want to keep Caramel waiting!" Rarity winked. Taking the hint, she left for the train station. "Howdy, Caramel." she smiled, kissing his cheek. "Hey, Applejack. You ready?" Applejack nodded. "When you are, big guy." she smiled as they intertwined their tails, boarding the train. And the Winner is...!Applejack had fallen asleep on the train. "Hey, wake up, AJ." Caramel nudged her awake. She opened her eyes, rubbed the sleep out and looked around. "Appleoosa?" "Yeah, there's a festival here. I figured you'd like to come." Caramel answered, helping her up. "You figgered right, big boy." she chuckled and followed him off the train. Spotting the clock tower, she gasped. "Is it that late already?!" They had left Ponyville at three and gotten to Appleoosa at seven. "Ah need ta make a call!" She ran over to the clock tower's payphone and got a few bits from Caramel and dialed. "Rarity?" "I'll get her." The voice of Sweetie Belle answered, "RARITY, PHONE FOR YOU! IT'S APPLEJACK!" Applejack had to hold the receiver away from her from Sweetie Belle's yelling. "Was that necessary?" Applejack asked. "Quite... Anyway, Applejack, what's up?" "Is Jackpot still there? Can ah talk to'em?" the concerned mother asked. "I'm sorry, Applejack, he asked my permission to sleep with Pinkie Pie." Applejack rolled her eyes. "That boy really must have a crush on Pinkie. Ok, thanks, Rarity." "Anytime, darling." Applejack dialed Pinkie. "Hello?" "Pinkie, it's AJ. Is Jacky there?" Applejack waited a second before Jackpot answered. "Hello?" Applejack released a sigh of relief. "Oh thank Faust. Why'd ya leave Aunt Rarity's?" "I like hanging out with Aunt Pinkie. Besides, I can never breathe at Aunt Rarity's. Too much perfume." Applejack burst out laughing at his answer. "You really are mah child. Listen, Caramel and me 'r prolly gonna stay here in Appleoosa fer a day 'r two. You ok with that, buddy?" "Sure, Mom!" Jackpot answered. "I don't mind watching him for two more days, Applejack! Besides, it's nice having a little snuggle buddy!" Pinkie giggle snorted, causing her to roll her eyes. "Ok, we'll be stayin at Braeburn's ifen ya need us, Pinkie! Later. Love you, Jackpot!" "Love you too, Mom!" Click. "Ready to go?" Caramel asked. "What's the rush? We could crash at Braeburns, get a fresh start tomorrow mornin." "Good idea." he smiled as Applejack led the way to Braeburn's. The next morning, the town was as lively as ever with the festival going on. "So what do you wanna do first?" Caramel asked. "Let's see how good yer aim is, pardner." Applejack smirked, leading him to the shooting gallery. "You're on." he grinned. "Step on up, folks, shoot the targets win a prize!" the attendant called out. "We want a private match. One on one." Applejack called out to the attendant. "Very well, step on up and grab a gun!" he told her. Applejack grabbed her gun and examined it. "You ready, Caramel?" "Ready!" Applejack was on fire with the rifle. Shot after shot landed! She'd only missed once, thus losing to Caramel. "And we have a winner, mares and stallions! Pick your prize, my boy!" Caramel looked over at Applejack and asked for the dog. Applejack took a second to examine it. It was a border collie, like Winona. Brown fur, white socks and white tail tip. Caramel gave her the dog and she refused to let it go. "Ok ya won that one but how's about some food?" she asked. "Why not pie?" Applejack blushed. "Caramel! We're in public!" He facehoofed and showed her the saloon. The saloon had a sign out front of it, advertising a pie eating contest. "Uh... Oh..." "You have got a dirty mind." Applejack rolled her eyes, her cheeks still red as she walked in. "Howdy, folks! Mah name is Sundance. There's still room fer the couples' pie eatin contest!" Sundance said. She was an older mare, around Granny Smith's age, give or take a few years, her coat was an earthy brown, her eyes were amber and her curly mane had gone gray. She wore a burgundy sundress that went to her hindhooves. "Well?" "Well, what, Caramel?" "Couples contest. We a couple?" "Well o'course we are! We-" Applejack's words were cut off by the Appleoosa Pie Eating Wall of Fame. Her eyes widened at one particular picture. "That's Pappy... And Granny Smith!" Applejack exclaimed. Sundance came over to examine the photo. "Granny? You mean Betty and Alderman Apple?" she asked. The picture in question was a black and white still of a mare who had her mane tied back in a braid and a smear of pie filling on her nose and an older gentlecolt wearing a stetson, Applejack identified it as the one on her head, and a little bit of pie crust sticking out of his mouth. Despite the messiness of each other, they were all smiles. "Yeah, thems mah grandparents. Pappy died of a heart attack a few years ago but Granny? Shoot, she's still kickin." "Yeah, Betty always was a feisty one. Ah'm surprised she became a grandma, though." Sundance said, thoughtfully. "Why's that?" Applejack asked. "Ol' Betty was a wildchild, sorta. Always restless, always on the move. Ah known her since we was kids. She never pegged me the type ta settle down." This caused Applejack to laugh. "Granny Smith? Settle? Please. Ifen it weren't fer her looks, ya'd think she was still a young mare. Say... ah wanna put a wager on." "Shoot." Sundance said. "Ifen we win, ah take that photo back ta Granny. She won't say it but her heart's been hurtin since Pappy died." Applejack looked back at the photo. "No deal." Applejack's head snapped back to Sundance. "Why you no good-" Applejack started, her temper flaring. "Ah'll jes give it to ya." the older mare smiled. "Oh... Sorry, and thanks. Granny'll love it." she smiled and went along the table to take her seat next to Caramel. "You ready?" Caramel asked. "Boy, ah got five stomachs. Whatcha think?" she laughed. "I think the food bills are going to be expensive as sin." he teased. Applejack looked down the table to see the competition. The first three couples, she didn't recognize. The forth one was Derpy Hooves and Doctor Whooves. "Are the couples ready? Get set... EAT!" Applejack took off like a bat out of Tartarus. She devoured the cherry pies left and right. By the time Caramel had finished his second, Applejack was putting away her fourth. She took a second to breathe, being so far ahead. When she was ready, she started on her fifth as Caramel finished his third. "Aaaaand... Time!" Sundance called out at the end of ten minutes, "Count out your team's pie trays and the winner will be decided!" Between Applejack and Caramel, they had eleven empty trays, the majority of them being Applejacks. "Whoowee, we got us a landslide winner here! Applejack Apple and Caramel! Smile fer the photo!" Applejack looked over to Caramel. He'd gone out of his way to provide the best possible mini vacation for her despite her treating him like dirt for years. "Oh buck it." Applejack said, pulling Caramel into a kiss, throwing her forelegs around his neck. Once he regained his senses, he returned the kiss, throwing his around her waist. All they saw was the camera flash. "Well, ain't that the sweetest thing ever." Sundance said, admiring the photo. Applejack didn't realize how much of the cherry filling she was wearing. Her entire snout was covered, some of it landed on her chest and on her forehead while Caramel was relativity clean. "Wow, Applejack." "Shuddup, Caramel." "Didn't know you were such a messy eater." he smiled, looking at the picture of their first kiss as a couple. Applejack rolled her eyes and walked with him back to Braeburn's. "You wanna go back out after this? Ah jes need a shower somethin fierce." "If you'd like." Caramel smiled. "Hey, cuz! Sheesh, you had fun." Braeburn chuckled. "Oh quit yer yammerin. Ah'm jes takin a shower then goin back out." "Ok. Oh, hey, Jackpot called fer ya." That got her attention. "He say what fer?" "Jes checkin in." he answered. Applejack thanked him and went upstairs. She cleaned herself off, taking more care towards her appearance than normal. When she got out, she ran a brush through her mane and tail, taking slow, careful strokes. Once she was satisfied, she made sure to call her son. "Hi, Sugarcube Corner. Where your sweet tooth comes to die!" Pinkie answered. "Ya need to work on that slogan, Pinkie. Jackpot called fer me?" Applejack asked. "Sure! Jacky! Mom's on the phone!" She called out. There was a solid fifteen seconds of silence before that soprano voice she loved hearing answered. "Hello?" "Hey, sweetheart, you called earlier?" Applejack asked, "Ah'm sorry, Jacky, Ah was out with Caramel. What's up, buddy?" "Nothing, just checking in. When are you coming back?" he asked. "Day after tamarra, big guy. Ah promise." she smiled to herself, "Yer homework done?" she asked. "Eeyup." "Ok, smart guy," She chuckled, "Now it's gettin late. Go snuggle up with Aunt Pinkie." She teased, "Ah love you, Jackpot." "Love you too, Mom." he said, before he hung up. Caramel entered her room. "Hey, everything ok?" he asked. Applejack nodded and followed him back out. When they got back to the festival, they went for the Ferris Wheel. Caramel held Applejack close to him as she watched Luna raise the moon. "Caramel, can ah tell ya somethin?" "Of course, Aj. Anything." he replied. Applejack sat up and looked at him. "You asked me earlier ifen ah wanted ta be yer special somepony... and... mah answer really is yes. We been tagether a short while and yer all ah think about. What ah guess ah'm sayin, Caramel, is..." Applejack gulped in nerves, "Ah love you." Caramel gently pulled her into a kiss. "I love you too, Applejack. I want this... I want you... For as long as possible." Applejack's eyes watered as she heard him talk. She laid back against him as the two began talking about their future. EpilogueIt had been a year since the festival in Appleoosa. In that time, Caramel had gotten Granny Smith's blessing to marry Applejack whereas Big Mac got the blessing of Prism Dash to marry his daughter, Rainbow Dash. Soon after, she had the shock of her life as she had proven the doctors wrong in that sterile Applejack was, in fact, pregnant. As soon as she had one hundred percent conformation that she was actually with child, she paid a visit to her parents' graves in the western orchard. By the time of her most recent visit, she was in her last trimester. "Howdy, Momma... Poppa... so... ah'm pregnant... y'alls're gonna get yer third grandchild." She smiled, with a tear in her eye. Over the year, Big Mac had gotten Rainbow Dash pregnant before the wedding. Rarity worked some magic into the dress so that Rainbow Dash didn't show that she was four months along at the wedding. A sound caught Applejack's ear. "Mom?" she heard. "Over here, Jacky." she called out to the now twelve year old pegasus. He trotted his way over to Applejack and sat next to her. "Whatcha doin here, buddy?" she asked her son, wiping her eyes. "I was gonna ask you the same, Mom." Jackpot replied. Applejack hung her head and took off her hat. "Ah come here when ah need ta... ah dunno, be alone 'r ta think about mah life. See, these two ponies here? They'd be yer grandparents." Applejack said. "But Granny Smith-" "Is yer great grandma." Applejack explained, "These here are mah momma and poppa." "What happened to them, Mom? If it's ok to ask." Applejack nodded and began her story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (28 years ago) Alderman Apple was securing the trees for the upcoming storm. He had a cherry red coat, a wine red long mane and tail, orange eyes, an alderman apple cut in half for a cutie mark and was very well built from working the farm his whole life. Upon his head sat a brown leather stetson hat which he was never seen without. He looked over to his 9 year old son, Macintosh. "You got it, Mac?" Alderman asked his son. Macintosh was tying the trees together as his father taught him. "Eeyup!" the colt answered. Alderman smiled as he saw his wife of ten years, Dewdrop, exit the farmhouse, holding their new daughter, Applebloom. Dewdrop had a long, wavy orange and yellow mane that looked like a sunset, eyes as blue as the afternoon sky, freckles on her gorgeous face, a toasty brown coat and a pitcher of orange juice as her cutie mark. Her family were orange farmers in Mareami down south. The two had met at a competition and became friends. Soon, lovers. Then husband and wife. "How's my little Applebloom, taday, huh?" Alderman tickled his youngest daughter's belly with a smile. Applebloom squealed with laughter. "And how's mah beautiful wife?" he smiled, kissing Dewdrop. "We're fine, Al. Somepony just woke up from a nap, didn't she, Applebloom?" Dewdrop giggled, "How's Macintosh doing?" she asked. "The boy's fine. Real natural when it comes ta the farm." "Mac, sweetie! Don't overexert yourself! Don't want you getting hurt, ok, honey?" Dewdrop called to her son. Her reply was met with a nod and a "Eeyup!" "Al, have you seen Applejack?" Dewdrop asked her husband. "Right here, momma!" the 5 year old filly called, running from the west orchard, "Ah was grabbin any apples that fell!" She indicated her wagon full of apples. "That's mah good girl!" Alderman hugged his middle child, "Now, go on inside and see ifen ya can help Granny with dinner. Oi, Stinky! Go take a shower 'afore dinner!" Alderman joked with his son. "Ok, dad!" Macintosh replied. Macintosh trotted past his parents and inside while Alderman looked to the storm clouds. "It's gon be a bad one, they say." "We DO need the rain, Al." "That's true. Ah guess all we can do is wait it out. C'mon, let's go inside." Alderman led his wife and daughter into the house. "Like this, Granny?" Applejack asked, baking an apple pie with Granny Smith. "That's right, Applejack. jes kneed the dough, nice and soft. Softer dough means a tastier pie! Alderman! Ah want you in the shower after Macintosh!" "Yes momma." Dewdrop chuckled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Applejack sniffled at the memory, trying not to cry. "You ok, Mom?" Jackpot asked. "Eeyup, ah jes miss mah parents is all, son." she smiled, continuing the story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that night, Alderman was checking the farm one last time before the storm hit. The thunder clapped and Dewdrop heard a shriek. Rushing upstairs, she burst into her oldest daughter's room. "Applejack, are you ok, sweetheart?" she looked down at her daughter who was under the covers, shaking. "E-Eeyup... the thunder jes scared me is all, Mama..." Applejack blushed. Dewdrop giggled and snuggled into bed with her daughter. "It's ok, Appleseed. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. I promise." she smiled, stroking her daughter's mane. Dewdrop had laid there for hours. Once she was convinced Applejack was sleeping, she snuck back downstairs and made some coffee. Alderman burst through the door. "Dewdrop! C'mon, we gotta go! NOW!" "Huh? What's- "It's the Belles! Magnum and Pearl got out but Rarity got separated! The storm affected the building! If we don't get Rarity out now, the building will collapse on her!" Alderman explained. "Oh Faust..." Dewdrop exclaimed. She left a note for Betty, Granny Smith and followed Alderman. Pearl was inconsolable. "PLEASE!!! SOMEPONY HELP!!! MY BABY IS STILL IN THERE!!!" The roof looked like it was about to cave in! Dewdrop convinced Pearl that everything would be ok and followed Alderman inside without hesitation. "RARITY!!!" They both called. They searched the one floor home until they'd heard crying. "RARITY!" Dewdrop called out. "In here!" the scared filly answered. The Apple Parents bolted to the sound and found Rarity clinging to a Dress Me Daisy doll, scared out of her mind. "Rarity, it's me, Applejack's mother. C'mon, we're gonna get you out, I promise!" reaching out for the filly. Rarity grabbed Mrs. Apple and held on to her for dear life. As they were making their escape- "OW, FUCK!!!" Dewdrop screamed. Alderman looked back to see Rarity trying to lift a beam off of Dewdrop. "Rarity, git outside, now! Go find yer parents!" "But Mrs. Apple-" "Is gon be ok, go!" Without being told a third time, Rarity ran as fast as her little legs could go. Then Alderman went to try. "Al, no! Go on without me!" "Yer outta yer Faust dammed mind, woman!" he yelled as he tried to lift her free. "Our children need parents!" Dewdrop started, "If anything, at least let them have one!" "No, both!" He pulled Dewdrop into a kiss as Dewdrop was finally freed but- The morning came and rescue ponies were digging through the site. The whole town was there. Granny Smith tried to turn Applejack and Macintosh away but it was too late. They had seen the corpses of their parents, who had tragically died saving Rarity's life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "That's what happened, buddy." Applejack sighed. "Wow... they're like Spidercolt!" Jackpot said in admiration, causing Applejack to laugh at her son's comparison to his favorite comic book hero. "Eeyup." They'd heard a familiar SWOOSH overhead and heard a raspy voice call out for Applejack. "DOWN HERE!" Applejack yelled. Rainbow Dash flew down and hovered for a second, holding her earth pony son, Alderman. Alderman had Rainbow Dash's blue coat but Big Mac's red hair and green eyes. He looked up at his aunt and giggled. "Howdy, partner. How ya-" "You gotta get to Ponyville General. It's Caramel!" Without being told a reason why, Applejack tried to go as fast as she could. She couldn't wait for her daughter to be born so she could have her body back. "Doc, ah'm lookin fer Caramel!" Applejack asked a doctor. "Of course, this way." The doctor had led her to room 421 and she cried when she saw her husband. "C-Caramel..." Caramel opened his eyes. "Hey, you..." he smiled weakly. "Doc, whatsamatter with'em...?" "Caramel was born with a naturally weak heart. As such, he had a slower heartbeat. He was on medicine to regulate it. However, Rainbow Dash informed me he had toppled over at lunch when he was with her. He showed signs of a heart attack. Applejack... you don't want to hear this but... I think it's time to say... goodbye." Applejack sobbed into her husband's chest. "Caramel, don't you do this! Our baby's gon be born soon, she needs her daddy!" "I'm... I'm sorry, Applejack... But... I love you with all my heart..." Caramel pulled her into a kiss as his heart monitor slowed to a flatline. "... Caramel...? Caramel! CARAMEL!!!" Applejack screamed. She doubled over! "Oh Faust, she's in labor! Get her to a delivery room, now!" Doctor Whooves demanded. Applejack was escorted out of the room. Rainbow Dash had flown in to get her friends and found Jackpot sitting on a bench, looking scared out of his mind. Pinkie held him. "What's wrong, buddy?" she asked. "He's possibly worried about Applejack d- Ow! Rainbow!" Rarity exclaimed, having been punched by Dashie. "Your mother is going to be ok, Jackpot. I promise." Princess Twilight said, smiling at him. "Of course she will. She's Applejack." Fluttershy said. Jackpot still didn't look convinced. Pinkie continued to hold him as she sang to him for what seemed like years. At long last, twelve hours later, the Doctor came into the hall. "Excuse me, all." The sleeping ponies had woken up. But Jackpot sat bolt upright. "She's fine. The baby is healthy and you can go see her." Jackpot didn't wait for anypony else. He bolted past the Doctor and ran into the room. "Mom?!" Jackpot looked over to Applejack, who was lying in bed, holding a bundle of pink blankets. "Jacky, c'mere..." she smiled, "Ah got somepony ah wantcha ta meet..." Jackpot flew over slowly to see the filly. She looked exactly like Applejack except for the eyes. Those were that of her father's. "Say hullo ta yer baby sister, Jersey Mac." she smiled, "Wanna hold her?" Jackpot took the pink bundle from his mother carefully. Jackpot examined her and she booped his nose. Jackpot fell in love with his baby sister instantly. As Applejack watched the hug, she caught herself thinking. You should see her, Caramel... she's so beautiful... Applejack shed a tear for the fact was that Jersey Mac would grow up never meeting her father.
Applejack's blind dateIt had been three months since Applejack legally became Jackpot's mother and she did not regret one second of it. She loved Jackpot more than anything and was determined to be the best mom she could be. "Wait a sec, Jackpot!" Applejack called, seeing him about to run out the door with Shadow and Applebloom, "Yer homework finished?" "Yes, Mom." "Chores done?" "Yes, Mom." "What're you and Applebloom doin?" "Jackpot's the first ever Cutie Mark Crusader Adviser!" Applebloom explained, "He's gonna help the rest of us find out what our cutie marks are gonna be!" Applejack couldn't help but chuckle. "Nuthin too dangerous, ah hope?" "No, Mom. They're gonna try and groom Shadow." "Ok, buddy, be careful." she smiled, kissing her son's forehead. After watching her sister and son disappear over the hill, Winona let off a sigh of relief. "Ah can't believe you, Winona!" Applejack chided, "Shadow's been here three months and you ain't used ta him yet?" She rolled her eyes and went out to get her buckets. Applejack was on her fourth rotation of buckets when Pinkie Pie bounced up. "Howdy, Pinkie." "Hi, Applejack! I set you up with somepony!" she giggled. Applejack stopped midbuck. "Excuse me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "You have a date!" "That yer gonna cancel!" "What?" Pinkie asked. Applejack sighed. "If ya haven't noticed, Pinkie, ah'm a momma now! Ah can't jes go gallivantin with every stallion out there!" "Jackpot likes his Aunt Pinkie Pie! I'll watch him!" "No, Pinkie!" Ooh, Maud's in town! I can-" "Landsakes, Pinkie Pie! What part o' NO was unclear?!" Applejack yelled, causing Pinkie to flatmane, "Look, ah'm sorry ah yelled atcha. But ya gotta understand. Ah'm a mom now. Jacky needs me more than some guy." "But you need to go out now and then! Have some Applejack time!" "A-Ah guess..." Applejack sighed, scratching the back of her head. "Will you at least give the stallion a chance?" Pinkie asked. "Only ifen ah can find a sitter fer Jackpot." Pinkie gave her the big blue eyes. "Oh fine." Applejack relented, "Ya can watch Jackpot. Of all his aunts, Ah think he prefers you almost as much as Rainbow Dash." "Wahoo!" Pinkie cheered, "Oh and Rarity's expecting you!" "Wait what? Why?" "You wanna look good for the stallion, don't you?" Applejack rolled her eyes. Checking her work, she carried the barrels back to the barn. "You remember the rules, right?" Applejack asked Pinkie. "Make sure he's well mannered, keep the sweets to a minimum, no soda, in bed by nine if you're out late." Pinkie recited from memory. "Wow. Ok, then. Wait, here he comes now." "It's not that bad. He could stink." Jackpot said to Applebloom. "Sweetie Belle used honey when she meant to grab the dog shampoo." Applebloom said. "True. Hey Mom, Aunt Pinkie." "Hold it, Jacky." Applejack called, "Ah'm goin out fer a bit. Aunt Pinkie is gonna be watchin ya, ok?" "Ok, Mom." Jackpot smiled. "Ok, Ah'm goin ta visit Aunt Rarity fer a sec, then ah'm out. You be good, ok?" she hugged Jackpot. "Sure thing!" he returned the hug. "Now where am ah meetin this feller, Pinkie?" Applejack asked. "Over by the lake! Now, go! Jacky and Aunt Pinkie are gonna have a lot of fun, huh, Jacky?" Pinkie asked, literally pushing Applejack out the door. "Rarity, you home?" Applejack knocked on the door of Carousel Boutique. "Why, yes darling! Come on in!" Rarity was hard at work on a green, backless dress. "Whoa, Rare, who's this number fer?" "Why, you, Applejack!" "...wut...?" Applejack asked, her ears folding back, "Rarity, ah can't wear this! It's too showy! There ain't no back, the chest plunges like crazy, and don't get me started on the frills." "Oh Applejack, once your stallion sees you, he won't be able to take his eyes off of you! Will you at least try it on?" Rarity batted her eyelashes at Applejack. "Them falsies don't work on me." Applejack deadpanned, striking a lowblow. "How DARE y-" Rarity cleared her throat, "Now is not the time for petty anger, Rarity. Applejack, just try it on. You loved your Gala dress, didn't you?" Applejack mumbled. "Oh jes gimme the dang thing." she growled, grabbing the dress and walked into the changing room, "Hold mah hat. Anything happens ta that, all of Ponyville will know of yer lashes." Applejack slipped the dress on over her head. Now that she was actually wearing the dress, her opinion of it was changing. The shade of green complimented her orange coat nicely, the neck hadn't plunged as far as Applejack originally thought, only going down to her collarbone, the hem stopped at just above her hooves, it was sleeveless and it had a ruby cut, possibly by Spike, in the shape of an apple on the collar. Once she saw herself in the mirror, even she thought she looked simplistically sexy. "Wow." "You like?" "Yeah, ah do, actually. Kinda tight on the chest but it'll be ok. Does it come with a hat?" "I hate to reuse material but this was short notice." Rarity explained, magiking over the hat Applejack wore to the Gala, "Now, there's a few hours before your date. I'd like to do your hair." "Rarity, ah ain't no Dress Me Daisy." she sighed. Eventually, she relented but swat away any possible chance Rarity had of applying makeup to her. "Jes the hair." she ordered. "Of course, deary." Rarity had untied Applejack's ponytails, revealing a rather wavy mane and tail. "Why do you tie your hair back, Applejack? Your waves are gorgeous!" Rarity said. "Jes get it over with." Rarity had Applejack in curlers in a matter of moments. "Now, we'll leave them in for an hour and-" "An hour?" "You want the curlers to work or not?" "What am ah supposed ta do fer an hour?" "I have books." "Ya got romance novels. No Daring Dos." "Honestly, I cannot see what you, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and now my little Jackykins see in that series." Applejack glared at Rarity. "Jackykins?" "Well you aren't the only one who cares deeply for the boy. He's my favorite little model! I used him to help me design my young colts line!" Applejack chuckled at how eager to help Jackpot always was. Eventually, moaning out of boredom, Rarity gave Applejack the tv remote and urged her not to move around. At long last, the curlers were removed and Applejack's hair had the bounce that Rarity was looking for. "Gah! Rarity!" Applejack scolded, after being assaulted with hairspray. "Do you want your curls to stay in?" Rarity tried once more to apply makeup but Applejack wouldn't have any of it. "Ah said no!" "At least let me put on some around your eyes, make them pop!" "Pop?" "Stand out more, make them more alluring then they already are." Applejack tilted her head, a curl falling in her face. "You comin on ta me 'r somethin?" "Well I won't deny that you've got amazing natural good looks." "Fine... But JES the eyes, nuthin else!" Applejack relented. Applejack laid back as Rarity worked her talent for makeup. When Applejack looked up, she wore a smoky gray eyeshadow, a thin layer of eyeliner and her eyelashes looked thicker and fuller. "Uh... Wow." Applejack blushed. "You see? A little makeup now and then isn't so bad, is it?" "Ah guess not. But ain't no need fer it on a farm." Applejack replied, "Thanks again, Rarity. What do ah owe ya?" "Perish the thought, my dear!" "C'mon, at least, ah dunno, twenty bits 'r somethin." "No, probono. But if you insist, we could have a girls night in. Just us!" "Deal. Ah'll see ya later, Rare!" Applejack smiled as she walked over to the lake. "Oh you gotta be kiddin..." Someone, possibly Rarity and Twilight, had set up a table, candles, a proper meal and a cd player playing Octavia Melody's latest love album. Rolling her eyes, she sat at the table and waited for her mystery stallion. She'd let her mind wander to Jackpot, wondering what her son was doing as a smile graced her face at the thought. "Hi, Applejack." A familiar voice jerked her out of her daydreams. "Caramel?"
Jackpot, Ah need ta talk to ya..."Ah hate ta be rude, Caramel but... Ah'm actually waitin on somepony. So...-" Applejack began. "Yeah, me." Caramel said. "Wait what?" "I contacted Pinkie and asked her for a favor..." Applejack scratched her head at the thought. "Why not jes ask me outright?" she asked. Caramel's eyes looked right at her. "I... I was nervous you'd say no." "Well ah ain't gonna lie, Caramel, yer a real sweet guy but... Why me? Ah been a straight bitch to ya fer years." Her statement wasn't wrong. The last two Winter Wrapups, for example, Caramel misplaced the grass seeds, causing Applejack to lose her temper at him. "Well, you're smart, you're hard working, strong, beautiful. And you're great with kids, apparently." he chuckled. "Yeah, 'bout that..." her head hung low, "There's another reason ah adopted Jackpot, one ah didn't tell'em..." "Oh?" "The doctors say... that... Ah'm infertile... that ah'll never have a baby o' mah own. So when ah started seeing Jacky as mah son... Ah saw it was an opportunity ta experience bein a momma..." Applejack sighed and rested her face in her hooves, "So ifen it's kids ya want one day, it ain't gonna be with me..." Applejack felt her hooves leave her face. "Applejack, you think I see you as a baby factory? You're wrong. I see you as an awesome young mare. I'm not gonna lie, AJ... I've actually had it bad for you for a while..." "Well don't get yer hopes up. Ah still ain't made up mah mind on this." she said. "That's fine," Caramel replied, "I just have to earn your trust." "It ain't so much that, ya got mah trust already. It's mah son. Ah ain't gonna date nopony, not even Rainbow Dash were the rumors true, that Jacky don't approve of. He comes first." Applejack ordered. This was her one chance at being a mother. She wasn't going to let her hormones ruin it for her. "That's fine, I understand. But for now, I don't see why we can't eat, maybe have a drink." Caramel smiled, sitting across from her. Applejack pulled off the metal domed lid over her plate to reveal barley risotto with fava beans, corn and mushrooms. Rarity had apparently also set up a bucket of ice. Knowing Applejack's style, where a bottle of wine would be were several cans of her favorite beer. She chuckled. "Ah swear, mah friends know me too well. So what's yer story, Caramel? Ah never bothered ta ask." she requested, cracking open a beer. "Ladies first." "A gentlecolt. Nice. Well, you basically know it all. Normal upbringin, mah folks died shortly after Applebloom was born. Big Mac dropped outta school ta take the farm. Then Twilight moved in and everything since then. Then ah meet mah son. Yer turn." "Ok. Drunk dad, abused mom." "This took a turn fer the dark." "Same situation every other night. Dad gets drunk, beats mom and me then apologizes, promising to never do it again." Applejack suddenly felt bad about drinking in front of him and threw out her can. "No, Applejack, it's fine. It doesn't bother me if you have a drink." "Really? Cause ah don't wanna offend ya." "It's fine. So anyway. One night in my mid teen years, he finally, totally goes nuts. He grabs a knife. I see this and jump into the fray. 'Get away from her, you bitch!' I scream. He just laughs. 'What's a little squirt like you gonna do?'" So I did the first thing that came to mind. As he's laughing drunk, I kick him in the balls. He goes down and I grab the knife. I pin him down and hold it to his throat." Caramel said. Applejack couldn't believe her ears. The normally sweet and quiet Caramel had been pushed past his breaking point. "I have the knife to his throat. 'You're not gonna hurt Mom anymore, you son of a bitch!" Caramel looked down at the table. Applejack could tell he was flashing back. She jumped when he slammed the table. She grabbed his hoof. "Caramel, come back to me. Yer fine, ah'm right here." she cooed to him. "Then Mom pulls me off of him, the house phone in her hoof. She'd called the cops. Bastard is still locked up." Caramel's blue eyes looked full of pain. Applejack got up and pulled him into a hug. "Caramel, ah am so sorry..." "For...?" "Had ah known about yer past, ah'd never've laid inta ya as hard as ah had..." "Y'know, it's weird..." He stepped back to look at Applejack, "When my dad yelled at me, I wanted to kill him. When you do, I don't mind it." Caramel held Applejack's hoof and began to dance with her to the music. As they danced, Applejack rested her head against his chest. On his hindlegs, he was considerably taller than her. She had a perfect spot to listen to his heart and how fast it beat when he was with her. When the last song on the cd had played, Caramel had walked Applejack home. "Well... this is me..." she blushed. "Can we go out again?" Caramel asked. A second date. Applejack never got this lucky with stallions! "Sure!" she smiled, kissing his cheek, "Jes pick a time and place!" "Ok, I'll let you know, Aj. Goodnight." he smiled. "Night, Caramel." she smiled back. When she closed the door, she squealed with excitement as her heart pounded ten miles a second. But her motherly duties kicked in as she went to see if Pinkie put Jackpot to bed. "Eeyup, ya did, Pinks." she whispered to herself, smiling. She'd gone upstairs to check on Jackpot and found him in bed, snuggled up to a sleeping Pinkie Pie. She walked over and kissed her son's forehead then went to bed, herself. The next morning, she woke up first and started an eggs and tofu breakfast for the family. "Mornin, y'alls!" Applejack sang. "Well, somepony's happy!" Pinkie noticed. "Eeyup." Big Macintosh also took note. "The date went good?" Pinkie asked. "We're meetin up again!" "Awesome!" "Eeyup! Oh, hey Jacky, ah need ta talk to ya..." His ears perking up, he looked at his mom. "Yeah?" "Ya remember mah friend Caramel? Real forgetful feller, yellow coat and brown hair?" "Yeah?" Jackpot repeated. "What if... what if he became Momma's special somepony?" Jackpot stroked his chin for a second. "Go for it!" he said. She hugged her son. "Thanks, Jacky!" she smiled, kissing her son's forehead, "This means ya get ta hang out with Aunt Pinkie more! Seein as how ah think ya got a little crush on her." she smirked at her son's blushing. "I do not!" "Then why was ya cuddlin her last night?" "Jackpot like Pinkie? This is good!" Applebloom laughed. "It's ok, Jackpot. I know I'm hot." Pinkie giggled. "Not helping! Besides, Scoota-" He stuck his hoof in his mouth. "Oooh, mah son likes Scootaloo, huh?" she laughed along side the Apples, "Nah, ah'm jes teasin ya, Jacky. But fer real. This means ya get ta hang out with Aunt Pinkie, or any of yer other aunts if she's busy." "Awesome!" As the day progressed, all she could think about was Caramel, then Jackpot, then yelling at herself for putting her date ahead of her son. Then repeat the process. She got so frustrated with herself, she bucked a tree too hard and cracked the trunk. "Uh... oops." "You, ok, AJ? Ah ain't never seen ya this flustered." Big Mac walked up to her. "No, yeah, ah'm fine. Ah'm jes... Ah'm beatin up on mahself fer thinkin o' Caramel 'afore Jackpot." She answered. "Jackpot's fine. Ya need ta focus on you." "What kinda mother would ah be if ah focused on mahself all the damn time?" Applejack snapped. Big Mac sighed. "Well, what would Ma do?" Applejack's eyes widened. "You did not jes play that card." she snarled. "Uh..." Big Mac backed up a bit, forgetting how touchy an issue their parents were with her. "You did NOT jes play that card on me, dammit! You think ah know what Momma would do? NO! But ah'm tryin mah best here!" "Applejack, ah didn't mean-" "Stow it! Ya said enough!" she growled, storming off. She deposited her buckets and went to the school to pick up Jackpot since they'd be getting out soon. She needed to see her son's face. "... Ok, Scootaloo, I'll see you later!" Jackpot said to his best friend as they parted ways, "Huh? Mom, are you ok?" Jackpot asked. "Ah'm fine, Jacky. Yer uncle was jes a bonehead, is alls." she smiled, hugging Jackpot, "So what's on mah buddy's plan taday?" she asked. He thought for a second. "Well, Sweetie Belle was telling me that Aunt Rarity needs me to model for her again. Then I thought I'd visit Aunt Twilight or Aunt Fluttershy." "After yer homework, right?" "I don't have any." "Huh? What, Twist help you out with it, already?" She had hired Twist to be Jackpot's tutor since he hadn't had a proper education before and the school work was proving to be hard for him. But he greatly improved with her help. "Yeah, Twist and I finished it during recess." "Well, ok, Jacky. Ah'm seein Caramel tonight so ifen ah ain't home or if Uncle Big Mac is still at Aunt Rainbow's, you stay with Aunt Fluttershy 'r Aunt Twilight. Or Aunt Rarity. Yer choice." "Ok! Say, Mom? Why's Uncle Big Mac always with Aunt Dashie?" "You didn't know? Uncle Mac and Aunt Dashie 'r datin." "Wow... I had him pegged for Miss Cheerilee or something." She walked Jackpot over to Rarity's and watched as Rarity hugged her nephew. "How's my little Jackykins, sweetie? Don't worry, Applejack, I shall make sure that he's fine. I promise, darling!" she smiled. "Ok, Rarity, ah trust ya. Ah'll see ya later, Jacky. Ah love you, buddy." "Love you too, Mom!" he smiled. "Go on, Applejack! You don't want to keep Caramel waiting!" Rarity winked. Taking the hint, she left for the train station. "Howdy, Caramel." she smiled, kissing his cheek. "Hey, Applejack. You ready?" Applejack nodded. "When you are, big guy." she smiled as they intertwined their tails, boarding the train.
And the Winner is...!Applejack had fallen asleep on the train. "Hey, wake up, AJ." Caramel nudged her awake. She opened her eyes, rubbed the sleep out and looked around. "Appleoosa?" "Yeah, there's a festival here. I figured you'd like to come." Caramel answered, helping her up. "You figgered right, big boy." she chuckled and followed him off the train. Spotting the clock tower, she gasped. "Is it that late already?!" They had left Ponyville at three and gotten to Appleoosa at seven. "Ah need ta make a call!" She ran over to the clock tower's payphone and got a few bits from Caramel and dialed. "Rarity?" "I'll get her." The voice of Sweetie Belle answered, "RARITY, PHONE FOR YOU! IT'S APPLEJACK!" Applejack had to hold the receiver away from her from Sweetie Belle's yelling. "Was that necessary?" Applejack asked. "Quite... Anyway, Applejack, what's up?" "Is Jackpot still there? Can ah talk to'em?" the concerned mother asked. "I'm sorry, Applejack, he asked my permission to sleep with Pinkie Pie." Applejack rolled her eyes. "That boy really must have a crush on Pinkie. Ok, thanks, Rarity." "Anytime, darling." Applejack dialed Pinkie. "Hello?" "Pinkie, it's AJ. Is Jacky there?" Applejack waited a second before Jackpot answered. "Hello?" Applejack released a sigh of relief. "Oh thank Faust. Why'd ya leave Aunt Rarity's?" "I like hanging out with Aunt Pinkie. Besides, I can never breathe at Aunt Rarity's. Too much perfume." Applejack burst out laughing at his answer. "You really are mah child. Listen, Caramel and me 'r prolly gonna stay here in Appleoosa fer a day 'r two. You ok with that, buddy?" "Sure, Mom!" Jackpot answered. "I don't mind watching him for two more days, Applejack! Besides, it's nice having a little snuggle buddy!" Pinkie giggle snorted, causing her to roll her eyes. "Ok, we'll be stayin at Braeburn's ifen ya need us, Pinkie! Later. Love you, Jackpot!" "Love you too, Mom!" Click. "Ready to go?" Caramel asked. "What's the rush? We could crash at Braeburns, get a fresh start tomorrow mornin." "Good idea." he smiled as Applejack led the way to Braeburn's. The next morning, the town was as lively as ever with the festival going on. "So what do you wanna do first?" Caramel asked. "Let's see how good yer aim is, pardner." Applejack smirked, leading him to the shooting gallery. "You're on." he grinned. "Step on up, folks, shoot the targets win a prize!" the attendant called out. "We want a private match. One on one." Applejack called out to the attendant. "Very well, step on up and grab a gun!" he told her. Applejack grabbed her gun and examined it. "You ready, Caramel?" "Ready!" Applejack was on fire with the rifle. Shot after shot landed! She'd only missed once, thus losing to Caramel. "And we have a winner, mares and stallions! Pick your prize, my boy!" Caramel looked over at Applejack and asked for the dog. Applejack took a second to examine it. It was a border collie, like Winona. Brown fur, white socks and white tail tip. Caramel gave her the dog and she refused to let it go. "Ok ya won that one but how's about some food?" she asked. "Why not pie?" Applejack blushed. "Caramel! We're in public!" He facehoofed and showed her the saloon. The saloon had a sign out front of it, advertising a pie eating contest. "Uh... Oh..." "You have got a dirty mind." Applejack rolled her eyes, her cheeks still red as she walked in. "Howdy, folks! Mah name is Sundance. There's still room fer the couples' pie eatin contest!" Sundance said. She was an older mare, around Granny Smith's age, give or take a few years, her coat was an earthy brown, her eyes were amber and her curly mane had gone gray. She wore a burgundy sundress that went to her hindhooves. "Well?" "Well, what, Caramel?" "Couples contest. We a couple?" "Well o'course we are! We-" Applejack's words were cut off by the Appleoosa Pie Eating Wall of Fame. Her eyes widened at one particular picture. "That's Pappy... And Granny Smith!" Applejack exclaimed. Sundance came over to examine the photo. "Granny? You mean Betty and Alderman Apple?" she asked. The picture in question was a black and white still of a mare who had her mane tied back in a braid and a smear of pie filling on her nose and an older gentlecolt wearing a stetson, Applejack identified it as the one on her head, and a little bit of pie crust sticking out of his mouth. Despite the messiness of each other, they were all smiles. "Yeah, thems mah grandparents. Pappy died of a heart attack a few years ago but Granny? Shoot, she's still kickin." "Yeah, Betty always was a feisty one. Ah'm surprised she became a grandma, though." Sundance said, thoughtfully. "Why's that?" Applejack asked. "Ol' Betty was a wildchild, sorta. Always restless, always on the move. Ah known her since we was kids. She never pegged me the type ta settle down." This caused Applejack to laugh. "Granny Smith? Settle? Please. Ifen it weren't fer her looks, ya'd think she was still a young mare. Say... ah wanna put a wager on." "Shoot." Sundance said. "Ifen we win, ah take that photo back ta Granny. She won't say it but her heart's been hurtin since Pappy died." Applejack looked back at the photo. "No deal." Applejack's head snapped back to Sundance. "Why you no good-" Applejack started, her temper flaring. "Ah'll jes give it to ya." the older mare smiled. "Oh... Sorry, and thanks. Granny'll love it." she smiled and went along the table to take her seat next to Caramel. "You ready?" Caramel asked. "Boy, ah got five stomachs. Whatcha think?" she laughed. "I think the food bills are going to be expensive as sin." he teased. Applejack looked down the table to see the competition. The first three couples, she didn't recognize. The forth one was Derpy Hooves and Doctor Whooves. "Are the couples ready? Get set... EAT!" Applejack took off like a bat out of Tartarus. She devoured the cherry pies left and right. By the time Caramel had finished his second, Applejack was putting away her fourth. She took a second to breathe, being so far ahead. When she was ready, she started on her fifth as Caramel finished his third. "Aaaaand... Time!" Sundance called out at the end of ten minutes, "Count out your team's pie trays and the winner will be decided!" Between Applejack and Caramel, they had eleven empty trays, the majority of them being Applejacks. "Whoowee, we got us a landslide winner here! Applejack Apple and Caramel! Smile fer the photo!" Applejack looked over to Caramel. He'd gone out of his way to provide the best possible mini vacation for her despite her treating him like dirt for years. "Oh buck it." Applejack said, pulling Caramel into a kiss, throwing her forelegs around his neck. Once he regained his senses, he returned the kiss, throwing his around her waist. All they saw was the camera flash. "Well, ain't that the sweetest thing ever." Sundance said, admiring the photo. Applejack didn't realize how much of the cherry filling she was wearing. Her entire snout was covered, some of it landed on her chest and on her forehead while Caramel was relativity clean. "Wow, Applejack." "Shuddup, Caramel." "Didn't know you were such a messy eater." he smiled, looking at the picture of their first kiss as a couple. Applejack rolled her eyes and walked with him back to Braeburn's. "You wanna go back out after this? Ah jes need a shower somethin fierce." "If you'd like." Caramel smiled. "Hey, cuz! Sheesh, you had fun." Braeburn chuckled. "Oh quit yer yammerin. Ah'm jes takin a shower then goin back out." "Ok. Oh, hey, Jackpot called fer ya." That got her attention. "He say what fer?" "Jes checkin in." he answered. Applejack thanked him and went upstairs. She cleaned herself off, taking more care towards her appearance than normal. When she got out, she ran a brush through her mane and tail, taking slow, careful strokes. Once she was satisfied, she made sure to call her son. "Hi, Sugarcube Corner. Where your sweet tooth comes to die!" Pinkie answered. "Ya need to work on that slogan, Pinkie. Jackpot called fer me?" Applejack asked. "Sure! Jacky! Mom's on the phone!" She called out. There was a solid fifteen seconds of silence before that soprano voice she loved hearing answered. "Hello?" "Hey, sweetheart, you called earlier?" Applejack asked, "Ah'm sorry, Jacky, Ah was out with Caramel. What's up, buddy?" "Nothing, just checking in. When are you coming back?" he asked. "Day after tamarra, big guy. Ah promise." she smiled to herself, "Yer homework done?" she asked. "Eeyup." "Ok, smart guy," She chuckled, "Now it's gettin late. Go snuggle up with Aunt Pinkie." She teased, "Ah love you, Jackpot." "Love you too, Mom." he said, before he hung up. Caramel entered her room. "Hey, everything ok?" he asked. Applejack nodded and followed him back out. When they got back to the festival, they went for the Ferris Wheel. Caramel held Applejack close to him as she watched Luna raise the moon. "Caramel, can ah tell ya somethin?" "Of course, Aj. Anything." he replied. Applejack sat up and looked at him. "You asked me earlier ifen ah wanted ta be yer special somepony... and... mah answer really is yes. We been tagether a short while and yer all ah think about. What ah guess ah'm sayin, Caramel, is..." Applejack gulped in nerves, "Ah love you." Caramel gently pulled her into a kiss. "I love you too, Applejack. I want this... I want you... For as long as possible." Applejack's eyes watered as she heard him talk. She laid back against him as the two began talking about their future.
EpilogueIt had been a year since the festival in Appleoosa. In that time, Caramel had gotten Granny Smith's blessing to marry Applejack whereas Big Mac got the blessing of Prism Dash to marry his daughter, Rainbow Dash. Soon after, she had the shock of her life as she had proven the doctors wrong in that sterile Applejack was, in fact, pregnant. As soon as she had one hundred percent conformation that she was actually with child, she paid a visit to her parents' graves in the western orchard. By the time of her most recent visit, she was in her last trimester. "Howdy, Momma... Poppa... so... ah'm pregnant... y'alls're gonna get yer third grandchild." She smiled, with a tear in her eye. Over the year, Big Mac had gotten Rainbow Dash pregnant before the wedding. Rarity worked some magic into the dress so that Rainbow Dash didn't show that she was four months along at the wedding. A sound caught Applejack's ear. "Mom?" she heard. "Over here, Jacky." she called out to the now twelve year old pegasus. He trotted his way over to Applejack and sat next to her. "Whatcha doin here, buddy?" she asked her son, wiping her eyes. "I was gonna ask you the same, Mom." Jackpot replied. Applejack hung her head and took off her hat. "Ah come here when ah need ta... ah dunno, be alone 'r ta think about mah life. See, these two ponies here? They'd be yer grandparents." Applejack said. "But Granny Smith-" "Is yer great grandma." Applejack explained, "These here are mah momma and poppa." "What happened to them, Mom? If it's ok to ask." Applejack nodded and began her story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (28 years ago) Alderman Apple was securing the trees for the upcoming storm. He had a cherry red coat, a wine red long mane and tail, orange eyes, an alderman apple cut in half for a cutie mark and was very well built from working the farm his whole life. Upon his head sat a brown leather stetson hat which he was never seen without. He looked over to his 9 year old son, Macintosh. "You got it, Mac?" Alderman asked his son. Macintosh was tying the trees together as his father taught him. "Eeyup!" the colt answered. Alderman smiled as he saw his wife of ten years, Dewdrop, exit the farmhouse, holding their new daughter, Applebloom. Dewdrop had a long, wavy orange and yellow mane that looked like a sunset, eyes as blue as the afternoon sky, freckles on her gorgeous face, a toasty brown coat and a pitcher of orange juice as her cutie mark. Her family were orange farmers in Mareami down south. The two had met at a competition and became friends. Soon, lovers. Then husband and wife. "How's my little Applebloom, taday, huh?" Alderman tickled his youngest daughter's belly with a smile. Applebloom squealed with laughter. "And how's mah beautiful wife?" he smiled, kissing Dewdrop. "We're fine, Al. Somepony just woke up from a nap, didn't she, Applebloom?" Dewdrop giggled, "How's Macintosh doing?" she asked. "The boy's fine. Real natural when it comes ta the farm." "Mac, sweetie! Don't overexert yourself! Don't want you getting hurt, ok, honey?" Dewdrop called to her son. Her reply was met with a nod and a "Eeyup!" "Al, have you seen Applejack?" Dewdrop asked her husband. "Right here, momma!" the 5 year old filly called, running from the west orchard, "Ah was grabbin any apples that fell!" She indicated her wagon full of apples. "That's mah good girl!" Alderman hugged his middle child, "Now, go on inside and see ifen ya can help Granny with dinner. Oi, Stinky! Go take a shower 'afore dinner!" Alderman joked with his son. "Ok, dad!" Macintosh replied. Macintosh trotted past his parents and inside while Alderman looked to the storm clouds. "It's gon be a bad one, they say." "We DO need the rain, Al." "That's true. Ah guess all we can do is wait it out. C'mon, let's go inside." Alderman led his wife and daughter into the house. "Like this, Granny?" Applejack asked, baking an apple pie with Granny Smith. "That's right, Applejack. jes kneed the dough, nice and soft. Softer dough means a tastier pie! Alderman! Ah want you in the shower after Macintosh!" "Yes momma." Dewdrop chuckled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Applejack sniffled at the memory, trying not to cry. "You ok, Mom?" Jackpot asked. "Eeyup, ah jes miss mah parents is all, son." she smiled, continuing the story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that night, Alderman was checking the farm one last time before the storm hit. The thunder clapped and Dewdrop heard a shriek. Rushing upstairs, she burst into her oldest daughter's room. "Applejack, are you ok, sweetheart?" she looked down at her daughter who was under the covers, shaking. "E-Eeyup... the thunder jes scared me is all, Mama..." Applejack blushed. Dewdrop giggled and snuggled into bed with her daughter. "It's ok, Appleseed. I'll stay with you until you fall asleep. I promise." she smiled, stroking her daughter's mane. Dewdrop had laid there for hours. Once she was convinced Applejack was sleeping, she snuck back downstairs and made some coffee. Alderman burst through the door. "Dewdrop! C'mon, we gotta go! NOW!" "Huh? What's- "It's the Belles! Magnum and Pearl got out but Rarity got separated! The storm affected the building! If we don't get Rarity out now, the building will collapse on her!" Alderman explained. "Oh Faust..." Dewdrop exclaimed. She left a note for Betty, Granny Smith and followed Alderman. Pearl was inconsolable. "PLEASE!!! SOMEPONY HELP!!! MY BABY IS STILL IN THERE!!!" The roof looked like it was about to cave in! Dewdrop convinced Pearl that everything would be ok and followed Alderman inside without hesitation. "RARITY!!!" They both called. They searched the one floor home until they'd heard crying. "RARITY!" Dewdrop called out. "In here!" the scared filly answered. The Apple Parents bolted to the sound and found Rarity clinging to a Dress Me Daisy doll, scared out of her mind. "Rarity, it's me, Applejack's mother. C'mon, we're gonna get you out, I promise!" reaching out for the filly. Rarity grabbed Mrs. Apple and held on to her for dear life. As they were making their escape- "OW, FUCK!!!" Dewdrop screamed. Alderman looked back to see Rarity trying to lift a beam off of Dewdrop. "Rarity, git outside, now! Go find yer parents!" "But Mrs. Apple-" "Is gon be ok, go!" Without being told a third time, Rarity ran as fast as her little legs could go. Then Alderman went to try. "Al, no! Go on without me!" "Yer outta yer Faust dammed mind, woman!" he yelled as he tried to lift her free. "Our children need parents!" Dewdrop started, "If anything, at least let them have one!" "No, both!" He pulled Dewdrop into a kiss as Dewdrop was finally freed but- The morning came and rescue ponies were digging through the site. The whole town was there. Granny Smith tried to turn Applejack and Macintosh away but it was too late. They had seen the corpses of their parents, who had tragically died saving Rarity's life. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "That's what happened, buddy." Applejack sighed. "Wow... they're like Spidercolt!" Jackpot said in admiration, causing Applejack to laugh at her son's comparison to his favorite comic book hero. "Eeyup." They'd heard a familiar SWOOSH overhead and heard a raspy voice call out for Applejack. "DOWN HERE!" Applejack yelled. Rainbow Dash flew down and hovered for a second, holding her earth pony son, Alderman. Alderman had Rainbow Dash's blue coat but Big Mac's red hair and green eyes. He looked up at his aunt and giggled. "Howdy, partner. How ya-" "You gotta get to Ponyville General. It's Caramel!" Without being told a reason why, Applejack tried to go as fast as she could. She couldn't wait for her daughter to be born so she could have her body back. "Doc, ah'm lookin fer Caramel!" Applejack asked a doctor. "Of course, this way." The doctor had led her to room 421 and she cried when she saw her husband. "C-Caramel..." Caramel opened his eyes. "Hey, you..." he smiled weakly. "Doc, whatsamatter with'em...?" "Caramel was born with a naturally weak heart. As such, he had a slower heartbeat. He was on medicine to regulate it. However, Rainbow Dash informed me he had toppled over at lunch when he was with her. He showed signs of a heart attack. Applejack... you don't want to hear this but... I think it's time to say... goodbye." Applejack sobbed into her husband's chest. "Caramel, don't you do this! Our baby's gon be born soon, she needs her daddy!" "I'm... I'm sorry, Applejack... But... I love you with all my heart..." Caramel pulled her into a kiss as his heart monitor slowed to a flatline. "... Caramel...? Caramel! CARAMEL!!!" Applejack screamed. She doubled over! "Oh Faust, she's in labor! Get her to a delivery room, now!" Doctor Whooves demanded. Applejack was escorted out of the room. Rainbow Dash had flown in to get her friends and found Jackpot sitting on a bench, looking scared out of his mind. Pinkie held him. "What's wrong, buddy?" she asked. "He's possibly worried about Applejack d- Ow! Rainbow!" Rarity exclaimed, having been punched by Dashie. "Your mother is going to be ok, Jackpot. I promise." Princess Twilight said, smiling at him. "Of course she will. She's Applejack." Fluttershy said. Jackpot still didn't look convinced. Pinkie continued to hold him as she sang to him for what seemed like years. At long last, twelve hours later, the Doctor came into the hall. "Excuse me, all." The sleeping ponies had woken up. But Jackpot sat bolt upright. "She's fine. The baby is healthy and you can go see her." Jackpot didn't wait for anypony else. He bolted past the Doctor and ran into the room. "Mom?!" Jackpot looked over to Applejack, who was lying in bed, holding a bundle of pink blankets. "Jacky, c'mere..." she smiled, "Ah got somepony ah wantcha ta meet..." Jackpot flew over slowly to see the filly. She looked exactly like Applejack except for the eyes. Those were that of her father's. "Say hullo ta yer baby sister, Jersey Mac." she smiled, "Wanna hold her?" Jackpot took the pink bundle from his mother carefully. Jackpot examined her and she booped his nose. Jackpot fell in love with his baby sister instantly. As Applejack watched the hug, she caught herself thinking. You should see her, Caramel... she's so beautiful... Applejack shed a tear for the fact was that Jersey Mac would grow up never meeting her father.
