Chapter 2: Breakfast Bash

***Part 1: The Restless***

Sunset Shimmer felt a heavy mass resting on her left arm. She tried to lift it, but the heavy mass had her arm pinned against the bed. At last, Sunset's eyes fluttered open. She looked to her left to investigate the cause of the loss of blood circulation in her arm. She found herself face to face with a sleeping Applejack, who snored softly. Sunset looked around the bed room, then she looked back at Applejack. Sunset wanted to let Applejack sleep, but she needed her arm.

*Alright... Let's try it this way.* Sunset thought to herself as she tried to slide her arm out from underneath Applejack's body.

Valiant attempts were made, but none were successful. Sunset let out a silent growl, signaling her frustration. She was hungry, and she needed to get up, but she couldn't do that with her arm suck underneath Applejack.

"Applejack..." Sunset whispered softly. "Aaaaaplejack. Wake up, Applejack."

Applejack stirred in her sleep, but she did not wake up. Sunset then tried to shake her friend awake. Sunset placed her free hand on Applejack's shoulder and rocked her gently.

"Applejack, you need to get off..." Sunset pleaded as she continued to shake the sleeping Applejack.

The new tactic proved to be about as effective as the first one, frustrating Sunset even more. Sunset's shaking of Applejack's shoulder grew more aggressive and violent.

"Wake up, Applejack." Sunset said aloud. "You need to get off."

Finally, Sunset gave one last push, and she threw Applejack over the other side of the bed. The startled Applejack let out a terrified scream as she hit the floor with a loud 'thud'.

"Ow..." Applejack groaned. "Wha- How did I end up down here?" She asked.

Sunset rolled her eyes as she slid out of the bed.

"Oh, uh... I don't know. I guess you must have rolled off in your sleep..."

Applejack considered the possibility as she collected herself off of the floor. She watched as Sunset made her way out of the bed room and into the kitchen area.

"Are ya' makein' breakfast?" Applejack asked.

Sunset nodded her head as she reached the refrigerator. She opened the door and peered inside. Applejack followed her out of the bed room and made her way to the sofa next to the kitchen area.

"Anythin' good?" She asked curiously.

"No..." Sunset said sadly. "Not much of anything, really..."

Applejack quickly stood up and made her way over to the refrigerator. Applejack let out a sharp 'gasp' as she observed the lack of content inside the appliance. A bag of baby carrots, some cream cheese, and a half emptie gallon of milk that was probably spoiled was all that filled the refrigerator. Applejack's jaw hit the floor. Sunset grabbed the bag of carrots and popped a few into her mouth. After a moment of chewing, she determined they were safe to eat, and she began eating another.

"Sunset..." Applejack said. "This... This is... not right."

"I don't spend a lot of time here." Sunset admitted as she continued to eat the carrots.

Applejack shook her head, and she snatched the bag of baby carrots from her.

"No, Sunset. I will not stand for this." She said as she stormed for the door. "Let's go."

"G-Go?" Sunset asked. "Go where?"

Applejack quickly walked bag and slammed the refrigerator door shut.

"We're gonna get you a real breakfast, one you and the baby can enjoy."

"Waffles?" Sunset suggested as she followed Applejack out of the flat. "I have been dying to get some waffles for the past month."

Applejack cocked her head and looked back at her.

"We had waffles two days ago at Pinkie Pie's place, Sunny." Applejack said.

"Oh... Well, it feels like it's been a month..."

Applejack chuckled as they made their way out of the abandoned apartment complex and onto the sidewalk. There was a breakfast dinner a few blocks down. In a matter of minutes, the hungry girls had crossed several lanes of traffic and battled their way towards the dinner.

"This will be my treat." Applejack whispered to Sunset as she held the door open for her. "After what you did for me last night, it's the least I can do..."

Sunset blushed bright red as she walked inside. A few early customers gave them some strange looks, but Appejack pushed Sunset along. They made their way up to the counter, where Applejack gently knocked her fist against the register.

"Howdy, Joe!" Applejack greeted happily.

The scruffy-looking man behind the counter turned around. When he saw Applejack, his mouth broke into a huge grin.

"Well, I'll be darned... Applejack, you are a sight for these sore eyes of mine." The man named Joe said before he turned his attention to Sunset. "Is this... Is this the girl you've been telling me so much about?"

Sunset is surprised when Joe extended his hand over the counter. It was an open palm, signaling a 'hand shake'. Sunset carefully extended her own arm to meet his. Only when her hand reached Joe's did she realize how strong his grip was. Sunset winced at the sound of her fingers popping as Joe shook her hand.

"I'm Elija Amia Joseph," The man said through the hand shake. "But you can call me 'Joe'. Most folks think it's a lot easier to say than my full name."

"N-Nice to meet you, Joe..." Sunset said as she retracted her arm. "I'm Sunset Shimmer."

Joe chuckled as he rubbed his hands through a wash cloth.

"My... You told me she was somethin', Applejack, but I didn't expect her to be this beautiful." Joe said with a cheery grin as he set two mugs in front of the girls. "You really lucked out with this one."

Now, it was both girl's turn to blush.

"Yeah... I suppose I did..." Applejack muttered as her eyes darted back and forth between Sunset and the emptie mugs.

"Well, enough of this chit chat." Joe said dismissively. "You two cuties didn't come here to talk to an old man like me. What is it I can do for ya'?"

Applejack and Sunset looked at each other before turning their attention back to Joe.

"Coffee." They both said in unison.

"Right on." Joe said as he took the mugs away to be filled.

Seconds later, he returned to the counter with ordering menus and mugs willed to the bring with steaming, hot coffee. Sunset's eyes lit up at the sight of the creamy, brown liquid. She turned to Applejack, grinning sheepishly.

"Thank you..." She whispered.

Applejack grinned from ear to ear before replying with a quick kiss.

"Any time, Sunny..."

***Part 2: Baby Names***

Joe had to refill Sunset's coffee three times before her mind was ready to function properly.

"Applejack," He muttered. "I'm afraid I'm gonna have to cut your girlfriend off."

Applejack knew Joe's words were a joke, but she took them seriously anyway. She turned to Sunset, who was halfway through her fourth coffee, and she took the mug from Sunset's shaking hands.

"Hey!" Sunset objected.

"It's time to order out food." Applejack explained as she placed the mug on the other side of the counter. "Food, Sunset."

The word 'food' instantly captured her attention, and Sunset forgot all about her stolen coffee. Joe arrived with a pen and paper in hand. Sunset's eyes eagerly scanned every option on the menu. Everything looked delicious. She even got a little teary-eyed at the sight of Joe's special, the breakfast supreme combo. It consisted of a stack of five pancakes, two eggs, hashbrowns, three strips of bacon, and a muffin roughly the size of her forehead.

"I'll have the egg and toast combo..." Applejack said before looking over at Sunset. "And she'll have... everything, I guess."

Sunset handed the menu back to Joe as she aggressively gestured towards the special.

"Right on." Joe said cheerfully. "I'll be just a few minutes. You cuties sit tight."

Joe gathered Applejack's menu with Sunset's and left for the kitchen. Sunset's stomach growled violently as she watched Joe disappear through the door.

"Foooood..." She moaned.

"You'll get your food, Sunny." Applejack said comfortingly. "Why don't ya' try to think 'bout somthin' else 'till he gets back."

Sunset looked up at her.

"Like that?" She asked, sadly rubbing the bulge on her abdomen.

"I dunno... How 'bout baby names?" Applejack asked. "The last time I mentioned it, you said you hadn't given them any thought. Why don't we try to find a name for your baby? She'll be here in just a couple of weeks, anyway. That's right 'round the corner."

Sunset sighed as she laid her chin on the counter.

"I have tried to give it some thought, A.J." Sunset said. "My mind always goes blank. I've tried to come up with a name that would suit a... well, a baby from both worlds, Equestria and this one."

Applejack pondered this.

"Equestrian names, huh? How 'bout somthin' like... Rosebud?"

Sunset cracked a weak smile.

"Rosebud... That sounds cute. What else do you have?" She asked, lifting her chin.

"How 'bout somethin' apple related?" Applejack suggested with a light chuckle.

Sunset laughed as she took her friend's hand in her own. Applejack grinned and began rubbing her hand against Sunset's bulging belly.

"Maybe, Chief should get a say in what the baby's name will be." Sunset said wishfully. "I'd love to see him again..."

Applejack shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Sunset, but we both know it's too late for that. There aren't any hospitals close enough to Sweet Apple Acres in case you were to pop out a baby there. We need to stay close to the city."

"Yeah..." Sunset said with a frown. "But I want Chief to meet his daughter as soon as possible.

Applejack nodded her head.

"Of course, Sunset. Ya' might have to be in the hospital for a little bit, but as soon as ya' get out with your daughter in your arms, we can go see Chief."

Sunset managed a weak smile.

"Thank you, Applejack." She said before planting a quick kiss on her lover's lips.

"What for?" Applejack asked as Sunset pulled away.

Sunset rested her head on Applejack's shoulder. She snuggled against her friend's neck.

"Thank you for being there for me..." Sunset muttered. "Thank you for being there when I needed you more than anything..."

Applejack turned her head to hide her watering eyes.

"Well, shuckes, Sunset..." Applejack said as she tried to dry her tears. "That's mighty... sweet of ya' to say."

"Wait, are you crying?"

Applejack was saved by the arrival of Joe, who carried several plates filled to the brim with food along the lengths of his arms.

"Here ya' go, Applejack." Joe said as he passed two plates along to her.

One plate contained two slices of golden, brown toast. The other was piled with eggs and hashbrowns.

"And for you, Sunset Shimmer, the breakfast combo supreme."

Three full plates were dropped in front of Sunset. The Equestrian gulped as she took in the sight of the legendary assortment of breakfast foods.

"It's everything I thought it would be..." Sunset gasped.

"What 'bout the tab?" Applejack asked as she reached for her wallet.

Joe shook his head and smiled.

"That won't be necessary this time, Applejack. This is my treat for you and your expectin' friend.

Applejack smiled.

"Thank you, Joe." She said. "This really means a lot."

Joe returned the smile as he topped-off Sunset's mug.

"Y'all let me know if there is anythin' else I can do for ya'." Joe said as he backed towards the kitchen. "Sunset Shimmer, it has been a pleasure."

Sunset couldn't respond. Her mouth was already full as she devoured the eggs, so she waved 'goodbye' to Joe as he disappeared into the kitchen.

"Is it good?" Applejack asked before taking a small bite out of the toast.

Sunset nodded her head quickly. She was too busy with her food to pay a lot of attention to Applejack. While Sunset was inhaling the bacon and pancakes, Applejack was sipping contently on her orange juice. At last, she put her glass down.

"Alright, what about 'Apple Jam'?"

"No!"

***TO BE CONTINUED***