Family Matters

Chapters

Chapter 1: Twilight's Big Surprise (revised)
Chapter 2: Keeping it in (edited)
Chapter 3: Letting it out
Chapter 4: What Twilight Needs
Chapter 5: What Big Macintosh Remembers
Chapter 6: Things Change
Chapter 8: What's Important
Chapter 9: Between Siblings
Chapter 10: Letters
Chapter 11: Of Needles and Points
Chapter 12: An Early Evening Fight
Chapter 7: A Series of Unfortunate Miscommunications

Chapter 1: Twilight's Big Surprise (revised)

Chapter 1: Twilight's Big Surprise

Family MattersChapter 1: Twilight's Big Surprise

With an unflinching gait and resolute eyes, Twilight Sparkle conveyed a sense of urgency as she walked past Sweet Apple Acres.

She had been struck each morning, for three weeks now, by serious heartburn. She would wake with the morning sun, her eyes not quite open as she attempted to turn away from the invading light. Then the heat would strike, coursing up her stomach, and then into her throat.

The occasional burp helped relieve the burning sensation. This unusual noise would wake up Spike; it was a noise he never heard from the usually reserved Twilight Sparkle. He would then spend the first part of the morning fussing over Twilight and cooking delicious food which suffused the library with a soulful aroma. Unfortunately, all Twilight could stomach was a glass of milk in a vain attempt to relieve the burning. Spike's delicious breakfast would end up becoming a cold, slightly stale lunch.

She worked through a series of remedies, some prescribed by a doctor, the rest from the more helpful tips of her friends. She hadn't figured out why Pinkie Pie's habanero muffins quelled the heartburn the most effectively.

This particular morning, nothing had seemed to work the heartburn just would not fade. Twilight decided to visit Zecora to see if the Zebra had any suggestions.

Each step upon the road was agonizing, the motion sent the liquid fire churning. An occasional stumble bring the heartburn to previously unknown parts of her oesophagus. Twilight was forced into a slow pace as she made her way through Ponyville. She had brusquely rebuffed several acquaintances that would have to be apologized to later.

Twilight Sparkle did not want to be caught by either of the Apple sisters. Applejack would insist that Twilight take a swig of her cinnamon and zap-apple cider. That particular cure worked by initiating a searing burning sensation ten times worse than the heartburn lasting several minutes, before finally fading, and taking the first pain with it. Apple Bloom would insist on turning it into a crusade, and Twilight just could not deal with that at the moment.

Twilight was forced to stop as her chest clenched unexpectedly, the burning sensation erupting up from her stomach. An unladylike belch followed, the kind that would have Rarity scrambling for her fainting couch.

"Y’alright?" an Apple drawled. Much to Twilight's relief, it was Big Macintosh. He was wearing his Nightmare Night costume, minus the top hat. He was glistening with sweat, and Twilight could not help but pause for a moment to look him over.

"Heartburn-" Twilight couldn't finish the sentence without belching once more "-again. I'm going to Zecora's for an herbal remedy. What have you been up to?"

"Playin' with mah sister and her friends. They needed a villain," Big Macintosh explained. Twilight heard a faint giggling in the distance growing closer.

"I better get going. No offense, but I don't need a crusade at the moment," Twilight Sparkle said.

Big Macintosh turned a darker red before asking his next question. "Are we still on for Monday and Thursday night astronomy lessons?"

It was Twilight's turn to blush a shade of red to match Big Macintosh's color. "Just as soon as I get over the heartburn," Twilight responded. She gave the farmer a quick kiss on the cheek before turning to leave.

Big Macintosh paused for a moment, quelling the blush before returning to the game. Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle would not notice, but Apple Bloom would catch the slight color difference easily.

"Dr. Appledoom we presume?" Sweetie Belle asked as she emerged from some nearby bushes, in her crusading cape. Comically, oversized sunglasses covered her eyes. The lenses had been removed so that it looked like she was wearing a mask. Big Macintosh made a final effort to suppress the blush before turning around with a sinister grin on his face.

***

"So heartburn makes your mornings blue? How long has this occurred for you?" Zecora asked as she started mixing two distinct concoctions for the ailing unicorn.

"About a month now. It started after my brother's wedding," Twilight explained.

Zecora paused for a moment before looking over the oblivious Twilight. "So the pain came without warning, but now comes by every morning?"

"Yes."

"I know of the relationship you are in deep, and that is a secret you prefer to keep. Remember the protection that you sought. Was there a time when it was but an afterthought?" Zecora asked as she finished one potion and started another.

"I always use protection," Twilight replied defensively, her blush rising sharply, as she realized what Zecora was alluding to.

"What you do with your paramour is not a crime, but protection won’t occur if you don’t take time," Zecora said as she passed Twilight two bags.

"The first is a tea to help with your heartburn. The second brew will give you answers you yearn. Please Twilight Sparkle, if there is any time you need to speak, I am a friend you can always seek," Zecora reassured the stunned unicorn with a pat on the back.

***

Twilight regretted not asking Zecora to perform the pregnancy test at her house. It would have been nice to have a friend there to support her. She knew, though, that she wouldn't have been able to relax with the distant crying, cawing, clawing, skittering, and scratching of untamed wild animals that could disturb them at any moment.

Going straight to Big Macintosh would have been unhelpful. As she walked back from Zecora's to Ponyville, she discovered the large stallion hog tied and on his side. Scootaloo jumped up and down on his barrel chest. Sweetie Belle was taking a picture of Apple Bloom, who posed with one front leg on Big Macintosh's neck, saluting with the other.

Big Macintosh broke character by removing one limb from the tie to wave to Twilight as she passed. Apple Bloom immediately whined about him ruining the picture. He hastily stepped back into the role of villain by slipping his hoof back through Scootaloo's poorly tied knots.

The heartburn had faded for the day, but seeing Big Macintosh play gently with his sister caused something in Twilight's stomach to kick. She paused for a moment.

"Calm down Twilight, you can't be that far along." Twilight reassured herself out loud, and then about when conception might have occurred. It must have been after Hearts and Hooves Day or when Flim and Flam tried to con the Apples out of the farm. Both occurred in spring. A perfect time for foaling for somepony my age. We should have actually talked about our feelings instead of going after one another like rabbits.

Twilight looked back one more time at Big Macintosh and the playing foals. She had a sudden urge to send them on a quest to get some alone time with the red stallion. This was followed by another urge to take a cold bath and rub herself clean. Now was not the time.

She trotted across the fields, passing Sweet Apple Acres and other farms. The tea and potion seemed to weigh more heavily in her saddlebags the closer she came to Ponyville. Twilight grew colder under the warm, summer sun as she started to grow nervous.

She needed someone to do this with.

Applejack would have normally been her best option, except in this case. Twilight did not even want to think about how the yellow and orange mare would react to all the lies of omission her brother and supposed friend had been keeping.

Fluttershy was timid, though solid in an emergency. At the same time, the tamed, intelligent animals who resided in Fluttershy's home would prevent Twilight from performing the necessary functions to complete the pregnancy test.

"Pinkie Pie…" Twilight spoke the name out loud and cringed at the idea, suddenly expecting the pink-maned party animal to jump out with a pre-birthday cake.

On the other side of Ponyville, Pinkie Pie sneezed and her ears burned. She started covering the cupcakes she had been decorating with pink and blue frosting. She wasn't sure why, but the sneeze, the heat, and the butterflies in her stomach dictated that she had to do so.

That left Rarity or...

"TWILIGHT?" Rainbow Dash yelled from atop the cloud she had been sleeping on. "Are you alright?" Rainbow Dash asked as she glided down to her friend. The urge to share her current issue and other secret was overwhelming, and she needed a friend’s support.

"There’s a chance I could be pregnant," Twilight answered matter-of-factly.

The admission disrupted Rainbow Dash's landing, resulting in a rather spectacular crash. From the tangle of limbs and hair, the pegasus stared incredulously up at her friend.

"No, it’s not from a one night stand," Twilight sighed, "I've sort of... been in a secret relationship...for a year..."

The admission left the already speechless Rainbow Dash completely dumbstruck. The confusion and betrayal warring on her friend’s face stung Twilight. Worried, she took a tentative step forward.

"Rainbow?" Twilight questioned. When an answer was not forthcoming, she took another step forward. "R - Rainbow?" Her voice wavered uncertainly this time.

Rainbow Dash shook her head and clambered up to her feet, still looking somewhat stunned.

"Twili-," Rainbow began, before the unicorn in question abruptly cut her off.

"Oh please don't be mad at me!" Twilight blurted out. "I could really use the support and I'm about to take the test and I was wondering if you would be there for me when I did. You know, for moral support?" she said, nerves causing the words to spill rapidly out of her mouth.

"Geez Twi, of course I'll be there for you. And I'm not mad, I was just a little… overwhelmed. I wouldn’t expect a egghead like you to break out of your shell like that," Rainbow explained. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief and quickly hugged her friend.

"Thank you, Rainbow Dash," Twilight mumbled into the pegasus's coat.

Rainbow Dash felt her coat dampen and pulled away from the embrace to look Twilight in the eyes; they were brimming with tears.

"It's alright Twilight. I'm here for you," she said, smiling reassuringly. Tears still leaked from her friend’s eyes.

"I really am sorry, I - we should have told you all..."

"It's alright Twilight. Seriously, don't worry about it," Rainbow Dash pulled Twilight into a hug again and patted her back reassuringly. When Twilight finally calmed, she pulled away. "Why do you even think you’re pregnant anyway?"

"Zecora thinks my recent heartburn is actually morning sickness, a symptom of pregnancy. And there are other...mitigating factors," Twilight explained.

"Well, let's go take that test then!" Rainbow Dash suggested, deliberately not prying. Twilight would tell them all when she was ready.

"We can't go to the library; Spike's there and I can't face him now," Twilight said.

"What about Rarity's?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I don't know..."

"C'mon, I'll break the news to her first. When everything is settled you can come in," Rainbow placed a supportive hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. The frazzled mare gave a weak smile and agreed with a nod.

Twilight Sparkle started to fret once more. The normally pleasant-looking Carousel Boutique seemed to loom menacingly as they approached. She started to shake as she sat outside the entrance.

"Calm down, Twilight." Rainbow Dash patted her shoulder once more as she hovered a few feet above the ground to check the windows. No one was inside besides Rarity, who waved from behind the main counter. "I'll be right back."

As the door opened and closed, Twilight clearly heard a ring and a “Hello, Rainbow Dash.” She pressed her ear against the doorway and heard a muffled conversation. A few moments later she heard a thump, and the distinct sound of splashing water. Raised but indistinct voices followed, before Rainbow Dash yelled loudly one final time. After a short pause, the door rang and opened again as Twilight entered. Rainbow Dash closed the door behind Twilight as the purple unicorn entered. She turned the open sign to closed.

Twilight followed Rainbow Dash through main room of the boutique into the kitchen. Rarity seemed to be already preparing for the birth, as she darted around the kitchen in a flurry of activity. A teapot and three pots of various sizes boiled water on the stove. Sheets, towels, and pillows had been folded and placed on Rarity's fainting sofa. Rarity herself had removed a bucket of ice from the freezer, and was breaking them up into smaller pieces telekinetically. It appeared that the ice was for the wine bottles currently sitting on the counter. As she broke the ice, Rarity absentmindedly started knitting a baby blanket. A teapot’s whistle joined the steady clicking of Rarity's needles.

Rarity turned towards her friends as they entered the kitchen. "Twilight…" Rarity could not find the words.

"H-hey, Rarity..." Twilight began hesitantly.

Rarity briskly hugged her, long and hard. She pulled away and looked her friend in the eyes, a warm smile on her lips. "Twilight, I'm here for you, and anything you need, anything at all, don't hesitate to ask."

"Could - could I use the restroom upstairs?" Twilight asked. By way of explanation, the test kit Zecora had provided hovered in front of her in a magical glow.

"Of course, my dear, use the bedroom if you need to. Just float Opalescence out if you need to. She'll be mad, just ignore her," Rarity responded. "Is there anything else you need?"

"Some tea would be nice, thank you."

Rarity immediately whirled round and began pouring out cups of tea. It was one of her favorite blends and was excellent for calming the nerves.

Rarity waited as she heard Twilight ascend the stairway. She waited for an angry Opalescence to descend the stairway before speaking. "Could you believe Twilight, of all mares-"

"No," Rainbow Dash bluntly cut the unicorn off, "she's afraid and needs friends. Not judgment or gossip."

Rarity paused for a moment before speaking. She had finished the baby blanket and started on a nappy. The speed of the clicking of the needles increased. "You seem to be handling this rather maturely, Rainbow Dash."

"Well it's just that… I understand, alright?" Rainbow Dash tried to let the subject drop, but a questioning look from Rarity spurred her to continue defensively. "Not me! Look, I just understand that it’s complicated."

Before they could continue, Twilight emerged from upstairs with a brown paper bag and Rarity's alarm clock. She sat both on the table and set the clock for two minutes.

"This is it?" Rarity asked.

"Zecora gave me a potion. I will go to the doctors if the first test is positive, I trust her stuff," Twilight responded.

"Why are you relying on Zecora's for preventative brews?" Rarity asked. She ignored Rainbow Dash's face, she wanted some answers.

"Well condoms were not working with my coltfriend, and chemical methods don't work well with unicorns because of hormonal differences brought on by magic," Twilight explained in her lecture voice. "Her alternative methods did work, but I guess I started too late." She looked a little sheepish as she finished her explanation.

Before Rarity could question her further, the alarm rang, causing all of them to jump, especially Twilight. They stared at the brown paper bag as if a dragon or diamond dog could jump out at any moment.

"How will you know?" Rarity asked.

"Red positive, blue negative," Twilight responded, totally transfixed by the bag. All three continued to stare for an agonizingly long minute.

"Twilight, you have to know!" Rainbow Dash reached for the bag and tore it open. A small glass vial with a black stopper connected to a small stick was revealed. In the sunlight of an open window, a deep red liquid exposed Twilight's impending motherhood.

Chapter 2: Keeping it in (edited)

Chapter 2: Keeping it in

Family MattersChapter 2: Keeping it in

“Why isn't she panicking yet?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Twilight always panics."

She and Rarity were eating lunch at a cafe. Their food sat ignored by the mares. The cafe had been chosen not for the food, but for the excellent view of the library it offered. The duo unashamedly watched Twilight walk across the town square and into her home. In fact, both ponies had been not-so-discreetly spying on their friend since the fateful test the week before.

In order to better keep an eye on the purple mare, the two ponies had tried to stay as close to the library as they could. Rainbow Dash took extra weather patrols over the town so she could have more frequent flyovers of the library. Rarity, meanwhile, slowly racked up debt from all the extra shopping done at stores conveniently located within sight of the library.

Twilight acted unnervingly normal since her pregnancy test. She stuck rigidly to her schedule the whole week. The only divergence in her routine occurred during the last three mornings: a daily trip to the post office to pick up an alarming number of book shaped packages. Twilight generally received new books for the library the first and third Tuesday of each months.

Rarity sipped from a cup of tea, and continued to absent-mindedly knit clothing under the table.

"Twilight only overreacts to things that are presented to her as beyond her control," Rarity stated, "like when she she thinks she is going to disappoint Princess Celestia. She is actually the best of us in an emergency. Nightmare Moon, Discord, or the changelings might not have have been defeated if it weren't for Twilight."

"It would just be so much easier if she just had one of her usual breakdowns," Rainbow Dash complained, swatting the table as she did so. "At least we know how to deal with those."

Rainbow's assault on the table knocked over one of Rarity's many bags. As the bag toppled and hit the ground, a pile of foal clothing, all various shades of pink, spilled out.

"Really Rarity? Really?"

"Just nervous energy." Rarity repacked the clothing. "Besides, it seems I'm not the only one who’s been going overboard. Fluttershy tells me the Everfree Forest has been unseasonably wet this past week. It's almost as if somepony has been kicking up storms. She's been dreadfully worried about a possible flooding, the poor dear."

"What if it's a boy?" Rainbow Dash attempted to turn the conversation off of herself and back onto Rarity.

“Shhh!” Rarity looked past Rainbow Dash and threw up an energetic wave. “Good morning, Big Macintosh!” Rainbow twisted in her chair to see the burly workhorse stride down the lane.

"Mornin'," Big Macintosh replied as he passed, pulling a wagon-load of barrels, each filled to the brim with apples. He continued on to the open air market in the center of the village. Various mares waved enthusiastically as Big Macintosh passed. He nodded politely before setting up shop on the edge of the Market Place, near the library.

"You know, it's kind of funny, Big Macintosh has been managing the stall all week. Doesn't Applejack normally do most of the selling?" Rarity questioned.

"Maybe AJ just wanted a break from it or something. I dunno," Rainbow idly commented.

"I'm sure there will be plenty of mares willing to buy from Big Macintosh without his sister around," Rarity remarked. "I mean, the only mare who would go after him would have to be somepony who hasn’t seen 'protective' Applejack in action.”

“HAH! Possessive is more like it."

The two ponies lapsed back into their silent vigil of the library.

"OH, SWEET CELESTIA!" Rarity suddenly shouted.

Rainbow Dash and the ponies sitting at nearby tables jumped at the sudden outburst and stared at Rarity nervously.

The white unicorn giggled bashfully before taking a dainty sip of her cream of onion soup that had long gone cold. "My, this is an excellent dish. Excuse me ma'am, may I have this to go?" Rarity asked as a waitress passed.

"What was that about?" Rainbow Dash hissed once the waitress took their food away to be packaged up.

"Why, the excellent lunch of course." Rarity sighed as Rainbow just stared and expected an answer. “I will tell you more later.”

***

Despite Rainbow's constant questions, Rarity remained tight-lipped until they returned to the boutique. Rarity did not explain her outburst until they sat around her kitchen table with steaming cups of tea.

"It's Big Macintosh," Rarity explained.

"Er, Big Macintosh is what?" Rainbow Dash asked warily.

"Well, the father, obviously," Rarity answered, "that's why he’s been around town all week. It's kind of romantic if you think about it. Waiting for glances to see the love of his life, trying to get the briefest moment of conversation."

"Pssh. Whatever, Rarity," Rainbow Dash replied, trying to brush off Rarity's extremely astute guess.

"Well, who else could it have been, darling? Our dear Twilight Sparkle doesn't really know any other stallions in Ponyville."

"Why does it have to be Big Mac?" Rainbow asked. "Maybe it's somepony from Canterlot or something."

Rarity brushed off the pegasus' attempt at deflection. "No, it can't be. She hasn't been to Canterlot for months and Twilight simply isn't a one night stand kind of mare"

"Er, w-well then, what abo-" Rainbow began before getting abruptly cut off by the gushing unicorn.

"Oh, I can imagine how it started." A breathless Rarity could not contain the emotional glam in her eyes. "That day we emerged from the Everfree forest after saving Equestria from eternal night. Their eyes met across a town of crowded ponies, not realizing what was blossoming between them even then."

Rarity squealed at the romance of it all; it was just like one of her novels. Rainbow Dash struggled with herself for a moment; it wasn't her secret to share. Rarity had guessed though, and was certain she was right.

"Uggh, fine...you're probably right," Rainbow said in a small voice, "but you have to promise to keep it to yourself!"

"Well of course, Rainbow! What sort of friend do you think I am?"

"Well you do have a bit of a reputation for being a gossip," Rainbow said carefully.

"Not about my friends! Especially when it's something as monumental as this," Rarity declared hotly.

"Okay, okay, calm down. I was just saying. Geez," Rainbow said, backing away subtly from the angry and offended-looking unicorn.

Rarity looked slightly mollified, but still wore a grumpy expression.

"We just can't risk AJ finding out about this. Remember what she did to Daisy?" Rainbow asked worriedly.

"Yes, she decided to give herself as a birthday present to Big Macintosh the year before Twilight came. Who could forget that fiasco." Rarity grimaced. "Daisy is still limping."

"Daisy did go overboard in her attempts on Big Macintosh.”

"Applejack still took it too far."

They sat silently for a few minutes, sipping their hot tea and thinking about what Applejack might do to Twilight.

"We should really talk to Twi about this. Applejack's brother changes everything," Rainbow said at length.

"I agree. We did say we would give her some time, but I don't think this can wait."

***

The mares entered the library to discover Spike manning the front desk. “Spike, dear, where is Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“She’s been hold up in her bedroom with some private project,” Spike answered. “She’s been in there for days for hours on end, and won’t tell me what is going on.”

“Actually we are here to help,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Really? What for?”

“Aum...” Rainbow tried to come up with a lie.

Rarity lied for her. “The project is still private, Spike. I’m sure she’ll be glad to tell you all about it when she is done. Could you be a dear and help me? While I am helping Twilight I am going to need someone to run my store for a few hours. I’ll give you a bag of volcanic stone if you do a good job.”

Spike’s stomach growled at the prospect of the stone, and helping the love of his life. “Sounds good, I’ll see you guys later.”

Rarity and Rainbow ascended the stairs to the library’s second floor and knocked on the door to Twilight's room. Nopony answered. After the third knock, Rainbow simply walked in.

"So, you have been going insane in private then?" Rainbow asked upon seeing the state of the room. Rarity followed her in.

Around her sat sheets, charts, and easels covered with mathematical equations related to Equestria's future economy. Further details revealed Twilight was considering the economic future of raising anywhere from one to two point five foals as both a single mother and with a partner. Another note revealed she was in the process of considering extended family financial involvement. There were piles of books on foal psychology, milestones, rearing philosophies, preparing your children for kindergarten, elementary school, high school, and college. Twilight even obtained a self help book that would prepare the parents when their children left home. There were books on depression: prepartum, postpartum, for fathers, grandparents, and more distant relatives. It appeared that Twilight Sparkle was attempting to plan for all possible outcomes of the next fifty years of her life.

Twilight Sparkle turned from her research to her friend. "I thought you were going to wait?"

"Darling, we need to talk," Rarity said gently.

"There is so much to do, so much to plan," Twilight fretted. "I don't have time to talk!"

"Twilight Sparkle!" Rarity's use of the unicorn's full name seemed to snap Twilight out of her racing thoughts. Tears started to well up in the corners of her eyes.

"I don't know what to do Rarity. I don't know what I need." Twilight started to sob.

Rarity took the crying Twilight into her embrace and gently rubbed her shoulders. She spoke quiet reassurances to Twilight until the sobs turned to dry heaves, and eventually stopped.

"Thank you, Rarity," Twilight managed as she dabbed her eyes with a magically levitated hoofkerchief.

"It's quite alright Twilight. I can't imagine what you are going through, but you know I will always be there for you," Rarity reassured Twilight.

"And you know I'm here for you too Twi," Rainbow added.

She shuffled her wings uncomfortably and looked at the floor. "I know this isn't the best time, but Rarity knows about Big Mac. She figured it out."

"WHAT!" Twilight shrieked. "How could you possibly have figured it out?!" The unicorn collapsed into a quivering mass on the floor. "What were the signs? How did you figure it out? Does anypony else know?" The questions poured out of Twilight so fast they were barely comprehensible.

"Don't worry, Twilight dear," Rarity said soothingly as she sat down next to her, "I don't think anypony else could possibly figure it out. They would have to know you were pregnant first, and of the ponies who know, three of them are in this room. And I'm sure Zecora won't tell a soul. She would never break your confidence."

Twilight recovered enough to pull herself up into a sitting position.

"What about Spike?" She asked suddenly, a fearful expression crossing her face, "Surely he can hear us."

"Oh, I simply asked the dashing young dragon if he could look after the boutique for me for a few hours. He was only too happy to oblige, so we have our privacy," Rarity explained.

The lavender unicorn seemed to relax still further, taking a few deep breaths and closing her eyes.

"I have to ask though, have you considered your wants, darling?"

"Huh?" Twilight mumbled as she opened her eyes to look at Rarity.

"You said before that you didn't know what you needed. What about what you want?"

"What do I want?" Twilight looked a little confused, and seemed to be mulling the question over in her head.

"What do you actually want to do, my dear? I know this is hard for you, but you have to think of your emotions and well-being first. The answers you seek will follow logically once you know that," Rarity explained as she led Twilight out of her bedroom and into the main room of the library.

The three ponies left the bedroom to go down the stairs to the library’s main room. Rarity sat Twilight down at a table. She and Rainbow went into the kitchen to make some tea.

"I'm going to leave this to you, Rarity. I'm going to go talk to somepony who might be able to help, see if I can get them to come talk to Twilight," Rainbow explained.

"She needs all the help she can get at the moment. Remember though, nopony can know about the father, and as few ponies as possible should know she's even pregnant."

"Don't worry, I know. She's trustworthy," Rainbow assured her.

"Good, then go." Rarity opened the wide kitchen window with a flash of magic.

Dash took the hint and leapt gracefully out into the open air. Rarity picked up two mugs of steaming tea, and walked back to the table. She sat the muggs down and settled into a chair next to Twilight

"My wants…" Twilight could be heard whispering to herself.

She looked up as Rarity sat down and gratefully took up the tea in her own magical aura. Seeing that she had calmed down significantly, Rarity thought she could ask the most important question that Twilight needed to answer. It was a harsh question, loaded with significance and implication, but it needed to be asked.

"Do you even want a foal right now?"

***

Rainbow Dash flew over the streets of Ponyville, narrowing her eyes as the setting summer sun caused the shadows to lengthen. The heat resulted in a slight haze surrounding everything in her line of sight that did not dissipate until she landed next to a small house.

The house was unassuming, save for the black and white landing pad that jutted out of the roof. It was two stories, with a well maintained lawn and a sandbox situated under the yard's single tree. Two small vegetable patches, one containing carrots and the other containing a variety of other vegetables, encircled the house and the inside of the yard's fence.

A toddling, blonde-maned pegasus foal with light brown fur played in the sandbox, piling up sand in an attempt to create a castle without a bucket, shovel, or water. The colt smiled as Rainbow Dash surveyed the yard, forgetting the sand in favor of running towards Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash scooped the excited foal into her forelimbs and threw him into the air. His wings stretched at the highest point of the throw, and he descended slowly into Rainbow Dash's waiting grasp. "Hey Diddly, where are your parents?"

"Da's cleanin' Dinky," the foal responded, "Ma’s still workin'."

Rainbow Dash entered the house to find an adult Earth pony with an hourglass for a cutie mark cleaning a purplish gray unicorn foal in the kitchen sink. The filly looked miserable as the stallion scrubbed her thoroughly. The water was murky with soap and paints of various colors.

"Rainbow Dash!" Dinky called excitedly, splashing the stallion in her excitement to get to the pegasus. The stallion dropped his sponge and snagged the foal's mane before she could exit the sink.

"Dry off first before you get the house dirty again." The stallion admonished the foal as he passed her a towel.

He turned to Rainbow and smiled widely as he saw her. He opened his mouth to greet her when he suddenly looked at the colt now perched on her back. Diddly was in the process of clambering to his feet in preparation to jump down to the floor.

"Don't you dare track all that sand in here, young colt," he said sternly, "Wash your hooves first."

Diddly stopped at this and, before the stallion could stop him, leapt into the sink. Water splashed everywhere, and the stallion sighed resignedly. Dinky giggled at her brother’s antics as she dried her coat.

"Why don't you both try being helpful for a change and go set the table for dinner," the stallion suggested and the children ran for a nearby cupboard.

"Will you be staying for dinner Rainbow Dash?"

"Is that Prench onion cauliflower stew?" Dash asked as she inhaled the delicious aroma.

"Seasoned with rosemary," the stallion smiled.

"Sorry Kingston, maybe some other time," she replied disappointedly, "I'm on a mission at the moment, I actually came to talk to Ditzy if you don't mind."

"Not at all," Kingston responded.

Something thumped against the roof of the house in a hard landing.

"That's her now."

"Thanks," Rainbow Dash said and flew out of the open doorway to the landing pad upon the roof.

Atop the roof, a yellow-maned mare shook off her crash landing. Crossed golden eyes attempted to focus on Rainbow Dash. Ditzy Doo blinked once, then twice before her eyes straightened themselves.

"Good job, you actually hit the landing pad this time!"

"Thanks Rainbow Dash," Ditzy replied. "You staying for dinner?"

"I'd like to, but I'm currently in the middle of a crisis," Rainbow Dash explained. "One of my friends is in a similar situation you were in. I was wondering if you could, maybe, help? You did always say it would have helped you to have talked to someone with experience when you had Dinky Doo."

"I don't know..." Ditzy Doo thought out loud.

"Please, Ditzy. It would mean a lot to me and her. She just needs to talk to someone who’s been through it all," Rainbow Dash said beseechingly.

"Alright then, if you really think it will help," Ditzy replied with a kind-hearted smile, "meet me in the park at 7:00, and I'll talk with your friend."

Chapter 3: Letting it out

Family MattersChapter 3: Letting it out

"Of course I don't want a foal right now," Twilight Sparkle admitted. "I know that I want foals one day, but not now. I took the risk, though. The only thing I thought about at the time was that the large condoms would be fine, and that Big Macintosh was the one."

"Really?" Rarity ignored Twilight's innuendo and immediately thought of a wedding dress. An off-the-shoulder yellow or bronze tinted piece with a flowing skirt that could hide a potential foal bump would be perfect. Pregnancies did not become apparent in ponies until the last trimester, and pure white no longer fit the situation.

"Yes, that's why we decided to move forward with our relationship," Twilight admitted sheepishly.

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you keep it a secret?" Rarity could not help but ask.

Twilight avoided her friend's prying as her gaze dropped to the floor. She heaved a tired sigh. "It's complicated.”

Rarity did not push. "So what do you want to do?"

"I guess just consider all my immediate options. Adoption, keep it or get an abortion," Twilight explained.

"You're really going to be that kind of mare?" Rarity blurted.

"Excuse me?"

"Well dear, I just never thought you would be the type to consider that. If you really don’t want a foal there are plenty of families who would gladly take it in." Rarity realized she was not sure where she stood on the matter, but found the words spilling out anyway.

"What type is that?"

"Just a type, dear."

A slamming door temporarily disrupted the situation and heralded the arrival of Rainbow Dash. "Hey Twilight, I talked to my friend. She's willing to meet you."

"Twilight already seems to have a good idea of what she wants to do," Rarity responded.

"Rarity, it’s just an option. I don't even know if I want to do it," Twilight Sparkle said.

"Do what?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"She wants to kill her foal."

Rainbow Dash grappled for the right words, looking like a fish gasping for air. Twilight's uneasy assurance was shattered by the force of the comment and she started to cry.

"Rarity!"

"Well…" Rarity was caught between a defense and an apology.

"I think you should leave."

"Rainbow Dash…"

"Now!" Dash yelled, angry beyond belief at her tactless friend. Rarity left the bawling Twilight Sparkle to be comforted by Rainbow Dash.

Twilight’s whole body heaved and shook as she Rarity’s words raced through her head. She pounded the ground before with her left hoof, covering her eyes with her right hoof. Rainbow laid down beside her friend, covering her with a comforting wing, and stroking her mane with one hoof. She did not say anything, just repeated the gentle motions. Several minutes passed, the shake of Twilight’s body intensified before it abruptly stopped. Rainbow slowed mid stroke.

“Twilight?”

“I could use some water.”

“Of course,” Rainbow left her friend to retrieve the drink. She returned to discover Twilight had sought out a box of tissues. Twilight’s eyes continued to water as she dabbed and tried to dry them.

“Twilight,” Rainbow considered her words.

Twilight took the glass into her telekinetic grip and drank. “Yes.”

“Just let out as much as you have to.”

Twilight hiccuped as she finished the water and started to cry again. No more shaking or heaving, but the tears continued to flow.

***

Ditzy Doo cleared the dinner table as the foals scampered off for one last romp before bed. Alone in the kitchen with her husband, she told him about the conversation she planned to have with Rainbow Dash's friend.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kingston asked as they washed plates while the children kept themselves busy with building blocks. At least Diddley was. Ditzy was making a stealthy approach towards the cabinet that contained paints, pencils, markers, pens, and all manner of writing material.

"Rainbow Dash has always been there for me," Ditzy began before abruptly looking over Kingston's shoulder to chastise the stealthy child. "Dinky Doo, don't you dare get into those paints and put a Cutie Mark on yourself again." Dinky scowled. She had managed to touch the cabinet before her mother caught sight of her. "Why don't you go upstairs with your brother and get some books for tonight?" Ditzy suggested.

"Fine..." Dinky sulked, hanging her head as she collected her brother.

Ditzy Doo continued her previous conversation. "She was there for me when most of my family disowned me, and when the custody battle with Ponet's parents got so bad that I decided to—-"

"It's already stressing you out. That vein over your eyes is twitching," Kingston remarked. The throbbing vein would generally be followed by a by her condition acting up, but the gray mare held her gaze steady in defiance.

"It's not stress, it's just anger. When I think about the way they treated me. I don't feel guilt or regret about anything I had to do during any of my pregnancies," Ditzy Doo replied.

Kingston smiled and kissed his wife. "I'm fine as long as you are fine."

A commotion from the second floor spoiled the moment. "DOCTOR DAD, DIDDLY GOT ON TOP OF THE BOOK SHELF AND IS GOING TO JUMP OFF!"

Ditzy Doo left her husband to wrangle the children into bed and exited the house. She walked to the park, and then followed a path from the main entrance that Rainbow Dash said she would be on with her friend.

She arrived at a secluded area, where the trees and brush would eventually grow thicker, untamed, and become the Everfree Forest. Situated far from bubbling brooks and ponds, squeaky playground equipment, squealing foals, and laughing adults, it was the perfect place to have a private conversation in public. This section of the park had a single bench. Anypony sitting on the bench would see a walker long before they were in hearing distance.

Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash sat on the bench, and initially ignored the gray pegasus. Rainbow Dash had managed to calm her over a delivered dinner of flat bread and the richest cheese possible to dip it in. The soothing effect of the cheese had worn off as they approached the park and Twilight had started to cry again. The purple mare was blotting her eyes with a tissue. Rainbow patted her back reassuringly.

"She didn't have any right to say those things to you, Twilight."

"She was right, though. What kind of mare would have an abortion?" Twilight started to bawl again. She blew into the tissue with a wheeze and a honk.

Ditzy shuffled her hooves uncomfortably on the path next to the bench. "Excuse me?" Rainbow Dash looked up as Twilight Sparkle blew once more.

"Ahh good, Ditzy, you're here," Rainbow Dash said. Twilight pulled herself together and sat upright on the bench. "This is my cousin, Ditzy Doo."

"I didn't know you two were related," Twilight said.

"You two know one another?" Rainbow asked.

"Twilight gets a monthly delivery from Canterlot," Ditzy confirmed.

"Spike's not old enough to deliver a whole book yet," Twilight explained. "Besides that, she comes to the library with her children and husband weekly. Daring Doo pre-readers for the children, and physics books for Kingston. Is he enjoying that copy of Starswirl's Manifesto of Time?"

"He would like the second volume if you can get one," Ditzy responded, then shook her head. "We’re getting off track here. I heard the end of your conversation with Rainbow."

"I'm so sorry I was discussing that in public," Twilight started to tear up again.

"There’s no need to apologize," Ditzy Doo replied. "I've been in your situation before, and was younger than you when I had my first foal. You have to consider all the options when you consider your future."

"But abortion-"

"Brings up good and bad reactions with everypony. But it isn’t about that. It’s about making decisions that are going to make you crazy, happy, sad, and want to cry all at once. This feeling could last a lifetime or it could last for a day. But in the end you decide and go on living." Ditzy Doo flapped her wings nervously and Rainbow Dash bit her lips. “You’ve probably already made your choice, and the other options are probably just hindering you from realizing what it is.”

"Thank you for your thoughts," Twilight dabbed her eyes. Rainbow Dash let out a deep sigh as Twilight Sparkle smiled for the first time in a week. "Where should I go from here?"

"That's your decision to make. It's obvious that you have a friend that cares for you, and a great friend at that." Ditzy Doo pointed towards Rainbow Dash. "And I'm sure there are others who will be there for you as well. It's also okay to cry, but you can't let it break you either. You can get through this."

"Thank you," Twilight blew her nose one last time and tossed the tissue into a nearby trash can.

"What are you going to do now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I have more thinking to do," Twilight sighed at the look Rainbow Dash gave her. "Relax. Your cousin helped me with her perspective." Ditzy mirrored Rainbow, fluffing her own feathers at the praise.

They left, after Twilight's stomach grumbled, for a carry-out dessert from Sugar Cube Corner. Rainbow Dash excused herself when the topic of discussion delved into pregnancy symptoms. There were just some topics that one of the greatest flyers in Equestria could not handle.

Chapter 4: What Twilight Needs

Family MattersChapter 4: What Twilight Needs

Sweet Apple Acres basked in the golden glow of the rising summer sun. Rays crept into the eastern-facing rooms of the farm's main house, revealing the stark difference between the older Apple siblings’ bedrooms.

Applejack's walls reflected her competitive spirit; ribbons of various colors and ropes of different lengths hung from tacks on the wall. One shelf contained trophies and pictures from competitions won by herself and friends such as her first rodeo. Her dresser was adorned with more intimate pictures of friends and family, like one from the night of Twilight Sparkle's first slumber party and photos of the other Apple Family farms. On her nightstand stood a picture of her family during happier times. She stood shoulder to shoulder with a grinning Macintosh. Her grandparents sat off to the right, a swaddled Applebloom cradled in Granny Smith’s forelegs. To the left, her father stood proudly in front of the farm’s new sign. The top left corner was missing, a careless rip removed her mother’s face. A black Stetson was tacked to the wall near Applejack's bed. Under that sat Applejack's fiddle, covered in a fine layer of dust, unused and untuned now for over a decade. Applejack would play at a party if the mood struck her and if she was lent someone else’s fiddle, but this was not a regular event.

In contrast, Big Macintosh's room lacked personality. The specially reinforced bed stood in corner, a gift from Granny Smith. Prints of a sunflower and apple tree in full bloom adorned one wall. Between them stood a shelf containing books on farming, accounting, and local and national tax codes. Atop the shelf stood individual pictures of his family. His grandfather's portrait laid on its face. Hidden away in his closet, along with a few change of clothes and his yolk, sat a picture of his mother. Twilight Sparkle's Smarty Pants doll sat next to the photo, a ward of protection against a prying Applejack. A well maintained fiddle sat in the corner of the room, despite his lack of talent.

Applejack woke gently as the rising sun crept into the room.

Big Macintosh had been up well before dawn, staring at nothing. On Wednesdays, he was accustomed to waking up an hour before dawn in Twilight Sparkle's bed. He would spend a couple of minutes snuggling against his marefriend before waking her up with the gentle persuasions of kisses and ear nibbles. She would reluctantly send him on his way with one final kiss and a teleport to the edge of Ponyville. He would sneak home and start breakfast. No one questioned Big Macintosh's pre-dawn shenanigans if there was food waiting for them on the table.

Except the large breakfasts had stopped, just as suddenly as they began. Applejack initially did not question why until her brother started getting depressed in his own silent way.

This morning, her brother stared aimlessly into space. Applejack knocked gently on her brother's door to question him and try to get to the root of the problem.

"Big Mac?" Applejack's voice snapped the large red stallion out of his nearly two hour staring contest with the wall opposite his bed. He reluctantly emerged from his blankets, stretched, then grunted, not responding to the question. "Are y’alright?" Applejack asked as her brother removed his yoke from his closet and placed it over his shudders.

"Eyup." Big Macintosh left his room. Applejack followed her brother down stairs and waited as he started breakfast. A simple oatmeal affair, it would still be warm for Granny Smith and Applebloom when they emerged from their own rooms in half an hour. It was the exact opposite of the apple butter pancakes, soy bacon, and eggs he had been cooking for his family regularly recently.

Applejack waited a couple of moments before questioning her brother again

"Ya’ll sure?"

"Eyup."

Big Macintosh couldn't reveal anything to Applejack without starting a second Discordian War. He really wanted someone to talk to, bu that was the role Twilight Sparkle had taken in the year they had been dating.

Applejack did not know the reason behind her brother's sudden depression, but she could tell in the change of his body language. For such a large stallion he could trot very quietly, but his hoof falls had gotten harder over the past few days. She would catch him staring forlornly at the into space, and letting out large sighs. She decided to stop beating around the bush.

"Does this have something to do with you sneaking out in the mornin?"

"Umm…" Big Macintosh sputtered for words.

"I noticed you coming home on the path near the barn a couple of weeks earlier, and the big breakfasts have stopped. I really ‘preiciated them by the way, but I'm also worried ‘bout you," Applejack admitted. Big Macintosh's eyes switched back and forth between his breakfast and the table several times. Applejack saw this and asked. "Why do you keep looking at the table?"

"Um… it’s gettin pretty old and beat up. That one wobbly leg just seems to keep gettin,’' shorter n' shorter and we're runnin’ out of things to put under it."

The table had actually taken several beatings recently, brought on by the Cutie Mark Crusaders' unending quest. Sweet Apple Acres took more damage because the Apples were willing to allow and fix most of the problems. It was better than releasing the trio on Ponyville.

"Well it ain't like Granny Smith's old oak one," Applejack contemplated. "That one would’ve lasted forever if ma hadn't bucked it in two. Are you trying to restore it?"

Big Macintosh jumped for the convenient lie. "Yes."

"Well, why didn't y’all just tell me that? I'm sure between the two of us we could have figured somethin out," Applejack inquired.

"Ah wanted it to be a surprise and make it as good as new," Big Macintosh explained. "We could easily fix it, but I'm tryin to figure out a way to do it without the patch job lookin' so obvious."

"Ya'll should have just told me. Ah'm sure Twilight knows a spell or two that could do it just right." Applejack did not notice the way Big Macintosh's eyes perked at the mention of the purple mare's name. "Ah'll bring the merchandise to Ponyville today and ask her."

"If you wouldn't mind sis, ah'd like to do that myself. It's my surprise after all."

"That's great, why don't you cook up some of those apple fritters Twilight likes so much, too?"

"Sounds great," he agreed and immediately set to finishing breakfast and starting on a batch of his signature dessert.

***

Rarity looked at her spring, summer, fall, and winter lines of foal clothing. Before her sat piles of neatly-stacked bonnets, booties, blankets, and onesies. She had enough clothing for the wardrobes of at least three foals, of both genders, from newborns to three years, in all colors of the rainbow. The neon line had been created purely out of frustration. She could not imagine putting it on her own foals, let alone selling it to some parents who might consider it cute.

She had never considered the potentially lucrative business of foal clothing.

"If I already have the mock ups, I might as well use them to my own advantage if there aren't going to be any foals," Rarity thought out loud as she finished her final piece: a white sweater that contained the pink, six-pronged star symbol Twilight Sparkle and her brother bore in their Cutie Marks.

The ringing of Carousel Boutique’s doorbell distracted Rarity from her thoughts. Rainbow Dash stood in the entryway, not prepared to exit but unsure of how to move forward.

"Good morning, Rainbow Dash. Is there anything I can help you with?" Rarity started civilly.

Rainbow Dash shuffled her feet and snapped her wings nervously as Rarity calmly started packing away the children's clothing. Rainbow Dash decided to start her conversation with a positive.

"If you want to know, Twilight decided to keep the foal. She's trying to figure out how to tell Big Macintosh now."

"That’s good to hear. I'm glad she came to the right decision," Rarity commented.

Rainbow Dash shuffled her feet and considered her words. "Look Rarity. The things you said to Twilight were nasty, and you owe her an apology."

"What she considered-"

"It doesn't matter what she considered doing! All that matters is that our friend is in trouble and we should be there for her, not judging her. She’s going to get enough of that from complete strangers!"

They momentarily stared at one another before Rarity gave in.

"I know that. It’s just all of this is so unexpected. It's just all happening to me so fast."

"That’s the point, though. It isn't happening to you, it’s happening to Twilight," Rainbow Dash replied. “This is just the first of a lot of other hard stuff that is coming and that we have to deal with.”

"What do you mean by ‘hard stuff’?"

"Decisions that Twilight is going to make when she has this foal,” Rainbow clarified. “I mean, there was a lot of stuff I wanted to say after my cousin Ditzy had Dinky. Believe me. I couldn't be around Ditzy for a week when she got comfortable enough to start milking in public." Rainbow caught Rarity's eye twitch at that image and finished her argument. "The point is you have to be there for your friends and support their decisions, no matter what, even if you don’t agree with them. That’s what friends do."

"Right, I know. It's just all…" Rarity started. Rainbow had turned around to watch Big Macintosh walk by the windows of the store front. He carried a basket that contained some food wrapped in a red and white checkered cloth.

"What do you think is gonna happen now?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"He's probably wondering what happened to Twilight. We've seen her enough to know they haven't been together for at least two weeks. That's probably a peace offering," Rarity commented.

"We shouldn't go over there, right?"

"Oh no darling. It would be inappropriate to intrude on such a personal moment. We can, however, watch from the second story of my store."

A light blue burst of magic turned Rarity's open sign to closed before the pair rushed upstairs.

***

Twilight distracted herself from the outside world by sorting library books. The smell of the dust, glue, and pages, the snap of a shut book, the satisfying thunk the tomes made as they hit the shelves, all lulled the purple unicorn into a wonderful sense of security.

Twilight ignored the ringing of the library door as someone entered. What she could not pass over was the distinct smell of apple fritters and the memories they brought. Twilight remembered: slight paranoia after she had first discovering the gift basket on her doorstep. The taste of the fritters after an initial bite; a warm, gooey sensation that settled quite comfortable in her gullet. The surprise of discovering that the apple fritters tasted just as good cold with ice cream. Anger at Spike after uncovering his theft of the remaining apple fritters.

Spike’s voice jarred Twilight from her memories. "Are those apple fritters?" The dragon asked. Twilight came out from the library shelves as Spike practically skipped down the stairs. Big Macintosh placed the fritters on the main desk of the library. Focused on the snack before him, Spike did not sense the tension as Twilight awkwardly approached Big Macintosh.

"What are these for?" she asked hesitantly.

"I need some information," Big Macintosh admitted honestly. Twilight gasped nervously. "My granny has an old table Ah would like to restore with magic. Who better than the best mage in Ponyville to help me find the proper spell?" Twilight's heart started to beat again as Big Macintosh gave the excuse. "Ah want to make it look like new, and only magic can do that."

Twilight blushed at the look Big Macintosh gave her. Spike did not notice the smoldering glance, but continued with his attempt to finish off the Apple Fritters before Twilight spoke up.

"Spike."

The dragon paused warily.

"Why don't you bring the apple fritters over to Rarity's. We got in a fight over some fashion accessories a couple of days ago, and I think they would make a good peace offering. If you don't mind, Big Mac?"

"Sounds good to me," Big Macintosh did not even look at Spike.

"You sure, Twilight?" Spike asked.

"Positive, just get going."

Spike rewrapped the Apple Fritters and hurried outside before Twilight could change her mind about the theft of her favorite snack.

"Big Macintosh-"

"Ah’'m sorry." Big Macintosh cut Twilight off with an apology he was not quite sure he was supposed to give.

Twilight Sparkle paused for a moment and decided that mincing words would not help the situation. "I'm pregnant."

Chapter 5: What Big Macintosh Remembers

Family MattersChapter 5: What Big Macintosh Remembers

Big Macintosh’s breath caught in his throat and his jaw went slack. His eyes locked on some faraway point behind Twilight. Her mouth continued moving, but no sound registered to the dumbstruck stallion. Macintosh stood frozen in place, but his mind tumbled back to his youth.

Back to discovering his father broken and battered beneath a tree. Crushed under the weight of a hundred-year-old oak that had been toppled by an unexpected storm from the Everfree Forest.

Back to his decision to drop out of school to care for the farm, despite his mother’s pleading to stay in school. His grandfather, Auger, approved. His mother, Honey Crisp, did not but she spoke no words about her son staying in school after his finale day. She had the common decency to take out her frustration on Granny Smith's solid oak table by bucking it in two.

Back to the time his grandfather first hit a young Macintosh for accidentally snapping an apple tree in half.

The strikes became more frequent over the course of a couple of weeks. This happened while his sister was staying with their aunt in Manehatten. Granny Smith tended to Macintosh's wounds each time, claiming the hits had to do with Auger's stress at running a farm without a full grown stallion in the house. The beatings stopped a few days before Applejack came home. Macintosh figured it must have had something to do with the black eyes, broken nose, and torn ear he saw Auger sporting two days before Applejack's return. He didn’t see what happened but figured it had something to do with the single bruise Honey Crisp carried on her chest.

Bringing home his first serious marefriend had been the eye opener; she was a sky blue pegasus with shocking green hair. The mares of the house warmed to her quickly. She introduced an amazing strawberry and apple fruit salad to his grandmother and mother. She even convinced Applejack and Apple Bloom to set and clean the tables, without protest. His grandfather spent the entire evening speaking in grunts, and glaring at the mare whenever he thought she wasn’t looking. Big Macintosh could not remember the exact scenario, but at one point his grandfather, sister, and marefriend had been left alone together. When Big Macintosh finally got back to them his marefriend was gone and his grandfather was smiling and talking amiable with Applejack about the late summer harvest. He could never bring himself to question his sister about the end of that night.

His mother's decision to leave the farm followed. Despite all the apple or farming related cutie marks in the family, Honey Crisp had a particular gift for dowsing. She traveled to the desert to use her abilities to their fullest. Auger started badmouthing Honey Crisp whenever Granny wasn’t around, and most of the framed photos of his daughter started breaking under mysterious circumstances.

At one point, Big Macintosh was exhausted after working in the fields solo for nearly a week. Applejack had gone off to a rodeo competition. Auger had gone off on another tirade about Honey Crisp, and, in a moment of anger, Big Macintosh bucked the old stallion. He felt guilty for a single moment until Auger stood up in an attempt to fight back. The look Big Macintosh gave Auger caused him to back off. The elderly pony never complained about Honey Crisp to anyone besides Applejack after that.

His grandfather passed a year later, and Big Macintosh realized the full extent of his grandfather's relationship with his own family. His mother was sullen and refused to speak to anyone. He heard his Auntie Orange mutter something to her husband about being there just to confirm the old stallion had passed. Uncle Maccoun, Braeburn's father, could not come because he claimed he was too busy establishing the land claim that would eventually become Appleloosa. Even his great uncles were there to comfort their sister, not mourn their brother-in-law's death.

Only after Auger had passed did the yearly family reunions start taking place at Sweet Apple Acres. Despite Auger’s death Granny Smith’s grown children continued to avoid the yearly event.

The memories after his grandfather's death blurred together. Honey Crisp's strained relationship with Applejack and Granny Smith kept the mare from ever returning home. Auger had long sown the seeds of discontent in Applejack. Honey Crisp could never get over her anger for what she saw as her mother's twisted loyalty to Auger. Apple Bloom started spending her summers with Honey Crisp in Las Pegasus, seemingly unaware of the family tension.

His mind rocketed forward in a blur, to a moment in the not so distant past, where he offered an apple cupcake to a certain lavender party crasher at a family reunion. Big Macintosh concentrated on that long night where Applejack and her friends journeyed into the Everfree Forest to find the Elements of Harmony. When they emerged triumphantly with the rising dawn, the red stallion focused solely on his sister. Big Macintosh did not even have an opinion on Twilight Sparkle until a month later.

Town gossip indicated that the personal student of Princess Celestia was down to earth, generally polite, and minded her own business. Big Macintosh was glad the last part was not true after the purple mare made it her business the time Applejack had to buck the summer harvest on her own. He was glad Twilight decided to match Applejack’s stubbornness with her own.

That's when Big Macintosh started sending Twilight the apple fritters, his signature dessert, every time she did something to help Ponyville. He eventually started delivering the apple fritters personally, and not always because Twilight had saved the day. It was an excuse to leave the farm, and his discussions with the unicorn on different agricultural techniques had been helpful and enjoyable. Eventually Twilight started lending him books that he could take home; weather books, a guide on creatures that lived in the Everfree forest, and she even roped him into some genre books, mostly westerns and some steampunk serials. Half the time Big Macintosh visited Twilight, Apple Bloom would follow. Twilight would always have a book prepared for his sister such as a children’s reader, a craft book, and memoirs and biographies of famous ponies with highlighted passages on how they discovered their cutie marks. Big Macintosh liked that Twilight considered his sister, and always had a book on hoof even when Apple Bloom was not there. Although the visits were short, at the longest only lasting half an hour, several months after starting the discussions Big Macintosh started getting a warm, fuzzy feeling in his stomach whenever he visited the purple mare.

The stallion’s heart stopped the day he realized he visited Twilight on a regular schedule. At the time Twilight was trying to stop a discussion between Spike and Apple Bloom, that was quickly descending into an argument, about who was the superior character in a comic book series both children read. An accidental view of Twilight's personal calendar revealed that Big Macintosh visited quite regularly either Tuesday or Thursday each week that month, some times both days. She had a check mark next to the current date, and on the following Thursday Big Macintosh’s name was written with a question mark beside it. He couldn’t believe that Twilight expected these discussions, and had started scheduling them into her calendar.

Big Macintosh left the library that day confused, but he never had time to consider his feelings.

By then a year passed and Discord escaped from his stone prison. Most ponies, save the Elements of Harmony and the Princesses, did not have clear memories of the entire event. Big Macintosh did have one; licking Twilight Sparkle, which would have been followed by more if the distinct smell of a bone buried somewhere on the farm had not distracted him.

During the two weeks after Discord’s escape, Big Macintosh threw himself into work on the farm and work in the village to avoid his feelings of shame and confusion over licking Twilight, and liking it. The schedule allowed him to see Twilight without talking to her, let him enjoy the warm, fuzzy feeling without acting upon it.

At least until the day Twilight snapped, and accidently bewitched half of Ponyville into fighting over her Smarty Pants Doll. That event was also a blur save for the euphoria he felt after gaining ownership of the doll, and the distortion after Princess Celestia cast the cure. He galloped off with the stuffed animal with the full intent of returning it to Twilight and using it as an excuse to start talking to her again. He kept it on himself at all times, stuffed in a saddlebag he started to wear regularly as his yolk.

Another week passed.

The mares of his family were gone for the day, performing various errands in Ponyville proper. He used the alone time to hide himself away in the barn, place the doll on a stack of hay, and stare at the doll for over an hour trying to find the right words before he would finally return Mr. Smarty Pants to his proper owner. Twilight accidentally discovered him having a staring contest with her foal hood companion.

“Big Macintosh are you alright?” Twilight’s question broke the stallion from his stupor. “I just wanted to apologize for the problems I caused... and see if I could have my doll back.” Big Macintosh managed to turn redder than ever as Twilight stared at him for a moment. Then she had decided to get close, real close, chest to chest, muzzle to muzzle close. "Are you suffering from any side effects of that spell?" Twilight looked into his eyes for any telltale hearts.

"Nope, it’s just ah kept the doll because Ah was tryin to find the right way to say somethin and Ah ain’t sure how to say it," Big Macintosh answered.

Twilight blinked in confusion. “What?”

“Ah shouldn’t have said nothin. I need to go,” The stallion dropped the doll and ran off.

He managed to avoid Twilight for another two days before she cornered him one evening by the pond located on his farm. It had been a well-executed plan. A purple barrier thwarted his attempt to flee. The full force of the impact knocked him senseless.

He woke up a moment later to Twilight holding his massive head in her hooves, fanning him with conjured paper. She was about to splash cool water on his face when his eyes fluttered open. "Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

“Ah am alright,” Big Macintosh protested as he rubbed his forehead.

“Are you sure?”

“Ah am positive.” Big Macintosh stood to show the mare he was alright. He was getting that warm, fuzzy feeling in his stomach because of the concern she was showing for him.

“So if you’re okay, can we talk then?”

The warm fuzzy feeling changed to molten lead as the stallion quickly became hot. “About what?”

“The right words you were trying to find before?” Twilight suggested.

Big Macintosh paused before sitting back. Twilight copied his position and waited patiently. “Ah really like it when we talk to each other. There ain’t any other pony ah can talk to like this.”

“What about Applejack or Granny Smith?”

“With mah sisters and granny, we will always be there for one another, but sometimes talkin with each other is difficult. And this causes problems. It’s the reason ah I was hurt during that apple buckin harvest and why Applejack nearly worked herself into the grave before askin for help. Actions are always louder than words in our family, but ah feel if there were just more words we could could avoid some of the more painful actions. Your an easy pony to talk to Twilight but it’s also more than that. When I am around you ah get...” Big Macintosh couldn’t finish.

Twilight finished for him. “A warm feeling in your stomach that you don’t get around anypony else, and that you miss when they are gone, and that you don’t want to share with anypony else expect them?”

“Ah... yes,” Big Macintosh said.

“I really like this warm feeling Macintosh. I haven’t really ever felt quite this way around anypony else,” Twilight admitted and blushed.

“Good, so maybe we can go on and keep talkin to one another and see where this goes?” Big Macintosh asked. Twilight gave him an answer. She kissed his him, a soft and simple press of her lips against his cheek that caused his entire body to heat up like he was on fire.

Afterward they took leisurely strolls about Whitetail Woods around dusk, or dawn, or anytime they could find. They would talk about anything; Twilight listened to every detailed and formerly covered memory of his father’s death. Everypony else, even his own mother, had always told him to buck up and be a stallion.

Another year passed. They celebrated Twilight's second Running of the Leaves in Ponyville by avoiding the event and going camping. Everyone else had been distracted by a friendly round of competition between Rainbow Dash and Applejack. As other ponies raced, Twilight Sparkle and Big Macintosh gathered autumn nuts and berries in the deep woods, where the leaves fell of their own accord. They admitted that they loved one another. He spent that night sleeping peacefully with Twilight snuggled safely at his side. At one point Twilight moved. He woke up to her draped over his back like a blanket.

Winter had been uneventful. It was just too hard to sneak away from his family. Hearth's Warming Eve had been lonely, as everypony left for Canterlot while he stayed home to care for an ailing Granny Smith. The cold winters affected her arthritis worse each year.

After Twilight's second Winter Wrap Up in Ponyville, the pair spent another night together in the library. Spike was dead tired after the day's events, so it was easy to sneak around him. Twilight woke Big Macintosh. She wanted to throw caution to the wind for once. Cooler heads prevailed, however, and the couple decided to wait until proper precautions could be taken before taking the next step.

Apple Bloom and her friends nearly curtailed Big Macintosh's relationship with Twilight with the love poison. Upon hearing rumours that Big Macintosh and Cheerilee had gotten married, Twilight ran off to a symposium on the preservation of magical texts, in Trottingham. The city also housed some of the largest libraries outside of Canterlot. Macintosh knew Twilight wanted to lose herself in books, but he would not allow that to happen. Seventy two hours after arriving in the city, Twilight discovered a sleep-deprived Big Macintosh hounding a poor librarian in search of her. They used the days waiting for until the next train to Ponyville to arrived to express their love frequently and vigorously.

Applejack accepted that he had needed time away from Apple Bloom after the love poison incident. Big Macintosh did not feel as guilty as he normally would have for the sudden abandonment. His abrupt disappearance was the best punishment for the Cutie Mark Crusaders' shenanigans.

The turmoil surrounding Flim and Flam's appearance resulted in Twilight and Big Macintosh's first fight. Both were exhausted and Big Macintosh was jealous about Twilight's swooning over the crafty unicorns. He had apologized upon realizing the mother of twins and five years married Cup Cake had also been swayed by the brothers’ charms. They found an excuse to disappear on another camping trip and reaffirmed their love for one another. Twilight's disheveled mane and tail was all the reassurance Big Macintosh needed.

The sleepovers started after Shining Armor and Princess Cadance's wedding. Twilight needed somepony to talk to. Her friends were part of the stress, her parents were helping her brother and his new bride, and Twilight hated showing any weakness in front of Princess Celestia. Big Macintosh to listen as she explained her nightmares and anger at her friends and family for not listening to her warnings about the fake princess.

Then he was walking into the library with a basket of Twilight’s favorite apple fritters.

Then she told him she was pregnant.

Then he fainted.

***

Nearby, in Carousel Boutique, Rarity fumed. Her attempts to gather information from Spike were foiled by Rainbow Dash’s unimpressive interrogation techniques. "So all he wanted her to do was fix a table?"

Rarity sighed as Rainbow Dash questioned Spike about the table; she was fixated.

"I already told you, yes." Spike had finished the apple fritters and moved on to a bowl of purple gem chips Rarity had supplied.

Twilight Sparkle appeared in the middle of Rarity's kitchen with the distinct smell of burnt tail. This indicated a poorly done teleport. "Rarity, where are your smelling salts?"

"In a pocket attached to my fainting sofa."

Twilight ripped the pocket off the sofa as she took the bottle in her magical grasp.

"What was that for?"

"Big Macintosh fainted and I can't get him up."

Twilight teleported again. The two ponies and dragon rushed to the library after the purple unicorn.

***

Big Macintosh’s eyes fluttered open as he inhaled Rarity's smelling salts. Twilight was beside him on the ground, ready to teleport him to the hospital if necessary. He blinked once, then twice before his eyes focused on Twilight. He knew now why the first memory in his little episode was of his father.

Twilight started to tremble as she waited for Big Macintosh to respond. He surprised her by rolling onto his back and taking her with him. He kissed her. "Ya'll know I love ya', alright?" Big Macintosh asked as tears started to well in Twilight's eyes.

"Yes," Twilight managed to squeak out before Big Macintosh kissed her again.

"What is going on here?" Spike stood in the open library doorway along with a slack-jawed Rainbow Dash and teary-eyed Rarity. There was no emotion on Spike's face. He just did not know how to react.

"They're in love!" Pinkie Pie announced as she jumped over the trio standing in the doorway. She appeared with an explosion of pink, white, and red confetti. Heart shaped balloons slowly rose towards the ceiling. In her hooves, she bore a tray of blue and pink cupcakes.

Chapter 6: Things Change

Family MattersChapter 6: Things Change

"My ears have been burning all week, that mean's somepony has been keeping an important secret that's going to be revealed. My cheeks wouldn't stop flushing, which told me somepony else was in love. I didn't think they were going to be the same thing until I couldn't stop vibrating this morning, that meant a doozy was gonna happen and I just had to act!" Pinkie Pie explained to her captive audience. The three in the doorway continued to stare in shock, along with a growing number of gawkers who had seen the initial explosion of confetti and expected free food.

Twilight disentangled herself from Big Macintosh’s embrace. Her heart beat even faster as she found herself suddenly on display.

Unperturbed, Pinkie continued her monologue. "The only pony who ever brings on doozies is Twilight Sparkle, and I just put two and two together and knew I had to congratulate them. I still haven't figured out the rumble in my stomach. The only other time that happened is when Mrs. Ca-" Pinkie Pie's mouth magically zipped shut as Rarity cast a spell.

"I'm afraid there is going to be no party today," Rarity said as she tried to shuffle the bystanders away from the doorway. She sighed at Pinkie Pie's crowd gathering tendencies and glared as a couple of mares whispered to one another before running off. Several stallions eyed Pinkie Pie's cupcakes longingly.

"The lady said leave!" Rainbow Dash caught their attention with the stomp of her hooves. The few stragglers scattered before having to deal with the irate mare. Pinkie Pie struggled with the magically created zipper as Twilight started pacing and hyperventilating.

"No, no, no this isn't supposed to happen like this!" Twilight stopped when she circled around to Spike.

"How long have you been keeping this secret?" Spike demanded.

"Spike-" Twilight began before being cut off.

"Well?!" Spike demanded again, more angrily this time. "You've been keeping secrets!"

"It's complicated..." Twilight said lamely.

"That doesn't mean you can lie about it!" Spike yelled before running out of the library. Twilight started to cry again before disappearing in a flash of purple light. A loud thud from upstairs indicated that she had not gone far.

Rarity sighed again as she quickly swept up Pinkie Pie's confetti and popped the balloons. The pink pony protested behind the zipper.

"Ah'm guessing you two already know everything?" Big Macintosh concluded from Rarity and Rainbow Dash's apparent calmness.

"About a week now," the pegasus admitted.

Rarity enveloped the cupcakes in her magical grip. "You're not mad, are you?"

"How could ah be? Twilight just’ needed to sort herself out first. I reckon it’s high time me and her had a talk," Big Macintosh replied.

"I'll go find Spike," Rarity said.

"I guess I'm stuck with Pinkie Pie." Rainbow huffed as Pinkie Pie continued to struggle with the zipper.

"It should fade in about five minutes," Rarity explained as Rainbow Dash grabbed the pink earth pony by her hind hooves and dragged her out of the library. Rarity held the door open for the pair before leaving herself.

Big Macintosh climbed the stairs and knocked gently on the door to Twilight's bedroom. The doorknob flashed and Big Macintosh entered to find that Twilight on the floor, blowing her nose. Twilight sniffled one last time and looked up at him. "Please don't tell me you brought tea. I keep drinking it to calm down, and my bladder can’t take much more.”

Big Macintosh settled down next to her before speaking. "So what do you wanna talk about?"

Twilight blew her nose again. "Nothing and everything. There is just so much to do, so much to plan..."

"Why don't we just handle you right now?" Big Macintosh suggested.

"You saw the way he looked at me."

“He jus’ needs to calm himself down a bit. Rarity’s lookin’ for him, she’ll help settle him down.”

"I should be me talking to him."

“Not right now, you shouldn’t. Ah know a thing or two about angry siblings myself. He ain’t gonna be ready to talk to ya until some of the hurt and anger wear off. Give him some time to cool off, then make it right.”

"What if he doesn't?"

"He will."

"You promise?"

"Ah promise."

***

Rarity decided that Spike would most likely seek refuge in her store, it had practically become the dragon’s second home. By the time Rarity arrived at Carousel Boutique, Spike had entrenched himself under the table in Rarity's kitchen. He sought comfort from a roll of tinfoil he absentmindedly munched on.

"Spike, you know that too much tinfoil gives you indigestion," Rarity commented.

"I don't care." Spike turned away from her in a huff and bit through the entire roll into the cardboard.

Rarity changed tack and floated a shiny, emerald in front of his eyes. "I'll give you this Everfree Pine Crystal if you come out and hand over the tinfoil."

"No." Spike resisted. The crystal floated away before appearing again, covered in glittering gold and silver speckles.

"Even with a dash of gold and silver dust?" Rarity upped her bribed.

"Hnnng…"

"I also have a bowl of turquoise."

"...Only for you." Spike emerged from under the table and took the crystal and bowl of turquoise from Rarity. He pulled out a chair to sit at a table. Rarity flinched when he cracked the crystal in his claws before mixing it in with the turquoise.

Rarity waited for Spike to start eating before she spoke. "Now Spike, you have a perfectly legitimate reason to be mad at Twilight, but you are mad for the wrong reason. Twilight is an adult, and has the right to keep certain parts of her life private. Yes, her relationship with Big Macintosh should have been revealed in a better way, but there is nothing inherently wrong with keeping that to herself."

"But Twilight was lying to me," Spike protested.

"Technically, yes, it was a lie of omission, but there are perfectly good reasons for that," Rarity said.

"Like?" Spike asked.

"Such as dealing with a baby dragon who is not mature enough yet to handle the more intimate matters of an adult relationship," Rarity countered. Then added, "I saw the expression on your face. You were angry but you were also a little disgusted, weren't you?"

Spike broke down. "Big Macintosh had his tongue in her mouth!"

"In what he and Twilight thought was a private moment," Rarity explained. "I'm sure you must have seen Twilight's parents kiss before?"

"Don't remind me," Spike stuck his tongue out at the memories. Twilight Velvet and Night Shine were always rather public in their affections for one another. "Is that what you do when you're in an adult relationship?"

Rarity paused before answering. "If I ever find the right stallion, yes." Spike's heart broke a little. Rarity distracted herself by preparing a bowl of quartz for the baby dragon. "Why don't you finish your lunch, then go talk to Twilight. I'm sure she's worried."

"Fine."

***

Big Macintosh left the library just as Spike arrived. Despite the warm sunny day, the red pony's orange hair was a little damp. They both paused in the doorway before the stallion spoke first.

"Twilight wants to talk to you when you're ready."

Spike tried to retort but could not come up with anything. He did not know how to react to someone not trying to reassure or talk down to him.

"I'm taking Twilight out to dinner tomorrow night. After that, we'll have more to talk to you about. I'll see you then." Big Macintosh left.

Spike stared at the receding pony as Twilight emerged from the bathroom, drying her tail with a towel and brushing her mane. They paused awkwardly for a moment before Twilight finally spoke. "Do you want to talk now? I can wait."

"Yes, I wanna talk."

"Well, good timing." Twilight finished drying up. "Listen, Spike, I didn't mean to keep my relationship with Big Macintosh a secret for long. It just sort of happened. You're a big part of my life, I shouldn't keep things from you."

Spike sighed before speaking. "It's alright."

"Really? That's very mature of you, Spike."

"I just wish I didn't find out the way I did." Spike would not let Twilight off the hook that easily.

"You and me both, and I'm sorry for that," Twilight apologized. "You're very important to me, Spike, and so is Big Macintosh, just in different ways. We just wanted to make sure what we had was really going to last before telling anypony."

"It is really going to last then?"

"Yes it is, and you're going to be seeing Big Macintosh around more often because of it."

"Applejack and Apple Bloom too?" Spike perked up a little bit.

Twilight bit her bottom lip before speaking. "We're just going to take this one step at a time. For now, I need to trust that you will keep this between us. No telling anypony else what's going on."

"But why?"

"It's complicated," Twilight said. "If you need to talk to somepony, I'm always here, as are Rarity and Rainbow Dash."

"Pinkie Pie too?"

Twilight Sparkle had completely forgotten the pink earth pony. "That's something I'll take care of later. Do you want a hug?"

"...Yes," Spike admitted before succumbing to the purple's pony's embrace. Something new in Twilight stirred in response.

Chapter 8: What's Important

Family MattersChapter 8: What's Important

"Macintosh Apple," Applejack said coldly. Paralyzed into inaction, the red stallion and purple mare waited for Applejack to continue. To Macintosh's relief his sister did not focus her fury on Twilight, but she roughly pushed Twilight out of the way to get to her brother. "Are you drunk? Goin' round and kissin' mares like that ain’t what a gentlecolt does. Especially with one of mah friends."

"Applejack." Big Macintosh tried to calm his sister down but she continued her tirade.

"Ah cain't believe you. Here Ah spend an entire afternoon for you and mah friends only to find out you've been drinkin’ all day."

"Applejack." Big Macintosh repeated

"Twilight, ah'm so sorry mah brother did that to you. Ah don't know what's gotten into him."

"APPLEJACK!" Twilight yelled.

Twilight breathed heavily and nervously after yelling. Applejack blinked, turning her attention from her brother to her friend.

"What?" Applejack asked.

"Your brother didn't kiss me because he's drunk," Twilight started as Big Macintosh passed his sister to stand beside the purple mare.

He strategically placed himself between his marefriend and sister before finishing Twilight's explanation. "Ah kissed her ‘cause she's mah marefriend."

Applejack blinked again, her muscles tightening, a steely gaze focused on the pair.

"What?"

"It was just supposed to be me and Twilight havin dinner tonight. Ah wanted to figure out a way to tell you. Twilight wasn’t expecting this. Ah wasn't expectin' you," Big Macintosh finished. "Ah’m sorry you found out this way.”

Applejack repeated, sounded like a broken record. "What?"

A glass and pitcher flew over from the table, held aloft by Twilight's magical grip.

"Maybe we should all sit down and have something to drink?" Twilight suggested.

"Excuse me, Twilight, but Ah'm trying' to talk with mah brother," Applejack replied, glaring at her treacherous friend.

Twilight shrank backward. In the two years Twilight had known Applejack, only the brothers Flim and Flam had invoked an expression of such intense anger. She returned the glass and pitcher to the table.

"Ah think you should take Twilight's suggestion," Big Macintosh put himself between the two again.

"Excuse me?" Applejack directed her gaze at her brother.

"Ah'm saying we should sit down and we can talk about this like adults."

"Or what?"

"Or you can leave. Your choice," Big Macintosh matched Applejack's glare with his own. The pair could have started a fire with the heat between them.

"Fine! Ah'm leavin! Enjoy your home cooked meal Macintosh. That's the last one you’re gettin' from me!" Applejack exited the library. A snapping sound followed as she whipped her tail around the doorknob and slammed it behind her. The force caused several books to fall from a nearby shelf, pictures on the wall rattled in their frames.

"That didn't go as bad as Ah thought it would," Big Macintosh said a moment later.

"Shouldn't we go after her?" Twilight asked.

"No, she's gonna be furious for a while," Big Macintosh stated.

"So once she calms down, can we talk to her?" Twilight asked as she followed Big Macintosh to the dining table. Dinner waited, starting to cool, it’s smell wafting through the library. Twilight couldn’t help but sniff. Her stomach turned with hunger and nerves.

"We’ll try, but its gonna take awhile," Big Macintosh said.

"Maybe I should-" Twilight argued.

"Just don't. Ah know mah sister better than anyone else, and if she can do anything it’s hold a grudge," Big Macintosh slid alongside Twilight to rub up against her. "We didn't do anything wrong. Ah was just kissin' my marefiend, and ah liked that."

"She seems so mad," Twilight pouted. "We were keeping a secret."

"We wouldn't have gotten this far if we hadn't." Big Macintosh slid his head along Twilight's neck before resting it on her back over her stomach. He felt no difference in Twilight's size, no movement from a growing foal. Just a warmth that radiated from the possibilities. "This is the honest truth; you, me, and the foal. Everyone else will just have to get used to it."

Twilight could not find the words so she backed away before kissing him. The red stallion enthusiastically returned it.

***

"They were kissing again."

Spike groaned over a bowl of heated coals and red hot chilli peppers that Rarity had provided him. A meal fit for a dragon, but he couldn’t help but think of the feast that he was supposed to be eating in the library.

"You're gonna have to get used to that," Rarity warned him over her own dinner of a tree nut salad with a lemon cake for dessert that she split in two, one for herself and one for Spike if the dragon was wanting.

"Twilight's parents used to kiss in front of us all the time," Spike complained.

"That just shows they love each other," Rarity explained.

"It was still gross. I didn't have much of an appetite after seeing Twilight do that with Big Macintosh. Too bad, Applejack's dinner looked good. I don't understand how she would want to eat after seeing that kiss," Spike sighed longingly at the missed nut roast.

Rarity nearly choked on one of her own nuts. "Applejack saw them?"

"Yeah, she was making dinner all afternoon, and Big Macintosh decided to lay a surprise wet one on Twilight," Spike's face contorted in disgust.

"So thats why you decided to come here?" Rarity questioned him.

"Is something wrong with that?" Spike asked.

"Of course not," Rarity lied. Her hide lost its luxurious glamor and turned a ghostly pale as her stomach started to churn. She listened for the distant sounds of police sirens, ambulances, maybe even the army. She reasoned that Twilight must have the necessary alarms in place to summon any authority needed. Rarity's eye started to twitch when she realized that she was preoccupying Twilight's emergency contact source. She did not want to consider her friend a threat of any level, but an angry Applejack was a dangerous Applejack.

The main door to Carousel Boutique slammed open, rattling the glass in its frame. Rarity's bell did not fare so well. The sound was silenced mid ring as the force of the opening door tore the clapper from the cup of the bell. It soared across the room, and disappeared into a pile of clearance clothing with a muffled tink.

"RARITY!" Applejack called.

"Spike, stay in the kitchen"

"Why? Applejack sounds mad. She might need my help too."

"Just stay," Rarity ordered. She left Spike in the kitchen to attend to her friend in the main room of her establishment. Applejack was pacing, her face turning tomato red. Rarity would not be surprised if her ears started releasing steam and whistling like a boiling teapot. "Applejack, what is wrong with you?" Rarity already knew but she could not let a friend get away with wanton destruction of her property.

"What is wrong with me? What is wrong with me is my so called friend Twilight been sneaking' around behind my back with mah brother. That's what's wrong!" Applejack halted mid step. "I can't believe the nerve of that mare! She kissed him!"

Spike emerged from the kitchen from the kitchen at the worst possible moment, after listening in on the conversation, without seeing Applejack’s expression. "I’m with you, Applejack. Kissing is gross, but Twilight says that’s what ponies do when they’re in love."

"Spike-" Rarity tried to admonish the dragon for disobeying her order, but Applejack cut her off.

"In love?" Applejack asked.

"That's what Twilight said they are," Spike explained.

"That Canterlot hussy! Seducing mah brother with her big city ways!" Applejack spoke before considering the company.

"Applejack-"

"Twilight's no hussy!" Spike spoke before Rarity's reprimand. "Just because you’re mad doesn't mean you should say stuff like that. If Twilight heard she would be hurt!"

Before Applejack could speak, her lips zipped shut. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the glaring Rarity. "You have to calm down, Applejack. Twilight and Big Macintosh just kissed. It's not the end of the world." Applejack tried to protest behind the zipper. "Spike, why don't you go back to Twilight? She might need you right now."

"But Applejack-" Spike protested.

"I'll talk to her," Rarity reassured the dragon and sent him on his way. Applejack tried to follow, but Rarity held the door shut with her magic. "Now listen to me, Applejack. You are acting like a foal. You should be happy for your brother and Twilight. I don't know where this jealousy comes from concerning your brother and his marefriends, but it's frightening."

"Let me go." The zipper around Applejack's mouth faded as Rarity focused on keeping the door closed..

"Fine." The blue aura ceased to surround the door.

"At least ah know where you stand in all of this." Applejack glared at Rarity one last time before storming out of the boutique.

***

The flower bed outside of Sugarcube Corner rumbled slightly, and a flower was lifted several inches off the ground as a periscope shot out of the earth. It twisted and turned this way and that before the earth around it crumbled into the hole. Pinkie Pie looked around warily before she climbed out of her hastily dug tunnel. The Cakes would not be too happy when they discovered her sudden remodeling of the basement, but she would clean it up as soon she finished her mission.

Her tail was wrapped tight around a red box bound by a purple bow. Both colors matched Big Macintosh and Twilight Sparkle's coats perfectly. Pinkie Pie looked around one last time before she made a run for it.

She promptly slammed into a waiting Rainbow Dash. The pegasus even had one of Pinkie Pie’s own pillows tied around her front in preparation for the impact. "You forgot to check the clouds again," Rainbow Dash remarked.

"It's just a present!" Pinkie Pie's eyes went big as she showed Rainbow Dash the present, a simple red velvet cake with purple frosting that read "Love for your Love - Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash raked her hooves through her hair. It was not as bad as the skywriting or hot air balloon Rainbow Dash had dissuaded the pink pony from hiring.

"Why don't you wait a week to give Twilight something? You already know that Big Macintosh doesn't like surprises," Rainbow Dash suggested. The red stallion was the only pony in town Pinkie Pie never threw a surprise party for, per the request of Applejack. Rainbow Dash suddenly wondered if Applejack wanted to be involved in all the party planning so she could control the guest list.

"But there is so much to celebrate! I can't believe they’ve been together for a year without any monthiversary cupcakes from me," Pinkie Pie whined.

"Not everyone wants actual things when they want to celebrate. Big Macintosh and Twilight are just happy being together. Like Matilda and Cranky Doodle." Rainbow Dash regretted having to clarify Twilight and Big Macintosh's relationship to Pinkie Pie without getting permission from the couple themselves.

Rainbow Dash also regretted mentioning Cranky Doodle. Pinkie Pie's hair went flat. The former traveler was still learning to tolerate Pinkie Pie’s presence. "I was just trying to be nice."

"You’re lucky everything worked out in the end, Pinkie Pie." Rainbow Dash cringed a little when Pinkie’s eyes began to tear up. She quickly changed the subject. "Why don't you get started on trying to make that cake for Tank? My three month anniversary of owning Tank is coming up in two weeks. I want the party to be awesome, and a cake that both a pony and a tortoise could eat would make it great."

Pinkie Pie's hair inflated at the challenge. "Okie dokie, I'll have test samples for you the day after tomorrow." Pinkie Pie disappeared into her hole to enter Sugar Cube Corner.

Rainbow Dash shook her head as the garden fixed itself. She turned around to find Applejack staring at her. The pegasus stamped the ground nervously. "So how much of that did you hear?"

"Enough," Applejack said. "How long have you know about them dating?"

"About a month now," Rainbow Dash admitted.

"And you kept it from me?"

"They kept it from everyone else. They didn't want anyone else to know."

"No wonder why that city slicker was so comfortable with laying a big one on mah brother in front of me."

"They kissed in front of you?"

"Twilight Sparkle obviously enchanted Big Macintosh somehow, and what's worse is that all of you are IN ON IT!" Applejack yelled the last part before leaving a very confused Rainbow Dash behind.

***

Spike rushed back to the library to discover Big Macintosh and Twilight eating Applejack's dinner without Applejack. "Are you alright?" Spike asked.

"What's wrong, Spike?" Twilight said.

"When I was eating dinner at Rarity's, Applejack came into the store all angry and started calling you names," Spike explained.

"What did she call Twilight?" Big Macintosh stood from his chair and pushed it back under the table.

"She called Twilight a seducer and a hussy," Spike explained. “What do those words mean anyway?

"She said what?" Twilight's voice cracked in surprise.

Big Macintosh expected that but exclaimed, "In front of you?"

"Yes," Spike said.

"Twilight, if you’ll excuse me. I have to go talk to mah sister.”

Despite being insulted, Twilight proved to be more level headed. "While you’re this angry?"

"Ah reckon Ah could cool my hooves if’n Ah take the long way home," Big Macintosh reassured her before leaving.

"Why is all of this happening? I mean, you're just in love," Spike asked.

Twilight paused before pushing away her own plate. She stood and lead Spike to a couch. "Sit down, we need to talk."

"There's more?"

"There's a lot more," Twilight sighed. "Applejack's angry because she has a hard time accepting changes. That's the main reason why Big Macintosh wanted to keep this a secret for so long. We just wanted to make sure this was something that would last before somepony else tried to end it for us. I also didn't want the same thing that happened with Young Blood in Canterlot."

"But he really hurt you," Spike protested.

"Yes, but we were also young and stupid and it hurt more when other ponies tried to interfere." Twilight Sparkle did not have to speak Shining Armor's name out loud.

Spike did. "Shining Armor was just trying to protect you."

"I love Shiney, but he did too good of a job trying protecting me from the pain. I was so afraid of getting hurt that I didn't try to date again, and even if there was a stallion for me in Canterlot, Shining Armor would have made sure we never met," Twilight admitted. "There are going to be some changes coming. I just want to know that no matter what you and Big Macintosh are very, very important to me."

"Are you guys gonna get married?" Spike asked, excited at the thought of actually being able to throw a bachelor party. As soon as he found out what it was.

"Eventually," she said. "Remember what Celestia said to us about why your first governess had to leave?"

"Water Lily? Celestia said that she and her husband really loved each other, and because of that love they were going to have a foal," Spike replied then thought about it for a moment. "Are you and Big Macintosh going to have a foal?"

"Yes," Twilight said.

She could see the gears working in his head. His face suddenly countered with worry. "But you’re not gonna leave-"

She gently put a hoof to his shoulder. "Of course not.” She swept him up in a motherly embrace. "Never. Water Lily was hired to care for you. We care about each other no matter what. You’re family, Spike, and whatever ends up happening we go through it together."

"Alright." Spike hid his tears be wiping them on Twilight's coat. There was more he wanted to talk about, but for now he was okay with waiting.

Chapter 9: Between Siblings

Family MattersChapter 9: Between Siblings

The sun finally set, casting the Apple farm in various shades of red and gold to blue and purple as the last rays disappeared over the distant horizon. Crickets and lightning bugs chirped and buzzed in the distance. Fireflies started their nightly dance. Big Macintosh arrived in the family kitchen to discover the farm house settling down for the night. The plates, glasses, forks, knives, and spoons sat drying in their rack. Dinner had been a simple affair for the remaining Apples, most likely sandwiches or reheated supper. The red stallion walked into the main room of the house to discover Granny Smith snoring away in her rocking chair and Apple Bloom completing her homework.

"Have you seen AJ around?" Big Macintosh asked.

"She came home a while ago and made us peanut butter and banana sandwiches," Apple Bloom answered. "Then she said she had a favor she needed to do for Fluttershy, something about bucking up a log."

At least she is not taking her anger out on anyone, Big Macintosh thought. He figured she would finish the job to avoid the house, maybe even spend the night at Fluttershy's to avoid talking to him. He decided it would be best to wait a few more hours before he sought his sister. "You need help with your summer homework?"

"Ah'm doin' okay on mah own." Apple Bloom scratched the back of her head nervously.

Big Macintosh sighed. "How many of your daily word problems are done?"

"Enough."

"How many behind?"

"Just two weeks."

"Apple Bloom."

After five word problems, ten tries at memorizing multiplication tables, and a game of monopoly that never seemed to end, Big Macintosh tucked a protesting Apple Bloom into bed.

"But Ah'm not tired!"

Big Macintosh ignored her complaints and walked toward the exit. He heard a gentle snore and smiled as he turned off her light. “G’night lil’ sis.”

Big Macintosh stretched the crick in his neck after gently shutting Apple Bloom's door. He descended the stairs and his grandmother woke with a snort.

"What had your sister so huffy t’night? She came home early from that dinner she was supposed to have with you and your friends. I never in all my days heard anyone make sandwiches so loudly," Granny Smith commented.

Big Macintosh huffed before replying. "There's a girl, and Applejack found out in the worst way possible."

Granny Smith giggled a bit before responding. "So some mare finally made it cross the great wall of Applejack? I'm supposin' it ain't Fluttershy, too much pressure on your sister's part for any sparks to fly there. Is it Carrot Top?"

"It's Twilight Sparkle," Big Macintosh stated.

"Who?" Granny Smith tried to match the name to a face.

"The unicorn from Canterlot,," Big Macintosh said.

"Who?" Granny inquired further.

"She helped the farm twice," Big Macintosh explained.

"Twilight Sparkle," Granny Smith pondered. "Good mare, would have a better head on her shoulders if she weren't so high strung."

"Yes Granny," Big Macintosh said. "She's the one who made it past the great wall of Applejack."

"Really?" Granny asked.

"Really," Big Macintosh said.

"Does she makes you happy?" Granny asked.

"Yes," Big Macintosh smiled briefly at the thought of the purple unicorn tending to Spike in the library. He imagined a purple foal tucked at her side in place of the dragon. "Do you know where Applejack went to after she made dinner for you and Apple Bloom?"

"She mentioned something about finishing a chore for Fluttershy you were supposed to do," Granny said.

"Thanks Granny." Big Macintosh gave his grandmother a quick kiss on the forehead. She fell back to sleep as Big Macintosh left.

***

Through a sixth sense, Applejack was able to find the weak spots in the wood of the oak that would fuel Fluttershy's hearth. She did not need an axe, just a knowledge of where to strike so that the trunk could be broken up into smaller and smaller pieces. It was rhythmic and calming for Applejack, but her temper simmered under the surface of an apparently calm exterior.

She could almost forget Twilight Sparkle's betrayal and her brother's foolishness.

Fluttershy did not say anything when her friend arrived in her yard to buck the tree. Instead, she set up lamps to light the darkness of the night. She brought her friend a triple tiered, griddle fried egg, cheese, and lettuce sandwich when Applejack was halfway done with her chore.

Applejack accepted the food gratefully. She was starved after an evening of preparing a three course and not eating anything herself. "Thanks Fluttershy, Ah could really use the boost."

"You didn't have to do this now, Applejack. I'm sure you have had a long day's work," Fluttershy said.

"Ah know, its just ah don't wanna be home or in town right now," Applejack removed her stetson to fan herself.

"What's wrong?" Fluttershy inquired.

Applejack sighed as she put the hat back on her head. "Mah brother, that’s what’s wrong. Twilight Sparkle's been playing my family like fools. My brother says they're dating'."

"What is so wrong with that?" Fluttershy asked innocently.

"Well, you and him…" Applejack tried to find the right words. She actually could not claim that Fluttershy and Big Macintosh had ever been involved with one another. Just dates and excursions set up by Applejack herself. Despite her best efforts, nothing had sparked between the pair.

"Are very good friends and neighbors," Fluttershy finished.

"It still ain't right. They've been keepin’ it secret from me," Applejack protested.

"Maybe they just wanted to make sure it was more than a passing interest. I'm sure the last thing either Twilight and Big Macintosh wanted was to start dating then lose interest in one another. If it happened in secret, at least it would only be awkward between them and not affect anything else," Fluttershy suggested a reason for her friend’s anger.

Before Applejack could protest, a voice spoke up. "Applejack," Big Macintosh appeared from the shadows of the woods that surrounded Fluttershy's yard.

"Macintosh," Applejack finished her sandwich and walked back to the trunk.

"I'll leave you two alone," Applejack twitched as Fluttershy returned to her house, without giving Applejack a chance to protest.

Applejack started bucking wood as her brother waited patiently beside her. She was sweating buckets, either from nerves or exhaustion, and still had another half of the tree to go. "Ah could use some help," Applejack said.

"Ah don't want to do chores, AJ. We need to talk," Big Macintosh said.

"Ah have nothin’ to say to you," Applejack said.

"Then you can listen." Big Macintosh forced himself between Applejack and the tree trunk. She backed away, too exhausted to fight back. "Now it's okay to be angry. Ah can see your point. Ah’m sorry I was lying to you, but you have to get over this. There is nothing wrong with me and Twilight Sparkle. In fact, everything is more right for me because of it."

"But she-" Applejack tried to protest.

Big Macintosh cut her off. "Is the pony Ah love and A’hm goin’ to marry."

Applejack shook her her in confusion. "What?"

"It's been going on for a year Applejack. Ah know it might seem sudden to you, but it’s the right time for Twilight and me. This is serious, she's the one," Big Macintosh said.

“No.”

“Beg pardon?”

“Ah said ‘NO!’” Applejack’s anger boiled through her calm facade. “Ain’t nothin’ good ever come from a lie, and that’s all you’ve been doin’!”

“Ah said Ah’m sorr...”

She cut him off with a hoof thrust painfully in his chest. “Sorry for what? For gallivantin’ around with some hussy battin’ her eyes like a toad in a hailstorm or for not trustin’ your own sister? What would Pa think...”

“Pa,” he interjected, “would be happy for me. Something you don’t seem capable of!”

“How DARE you! I’d be happy for you if you weren’t being a complete idjit! Instead I gotta protect you from your own stupid!”

“It ain’t stupidity. It’s what’s gonna happen. You can either straighten up and be happy for us, or you can keep your thoughts to yourself.” He adopted the sternest look in his arsenal. “Ah ain’t gonna stand for ua throwin’ tantrums and hissyfits, and Ah won’t let you treat Twilight like that again.”

“Whaddaya gonna do about it?” She jammed her face into his.

Applejack staggered forward when he turned away. He heaved a tired sigh. “Walk away. If’n ya cain’t treat Twilight like family, then you’re no family to me.”

Her mouth moved, but no sound came out. He did not see the look on her face as he walked away.

Chapter 10: Letters

Family MattersChapter 10: Letters

Beyond the glow of Fluttershy's lanterns, on the path that forked to the Everfree Forest, Sweet Apple Acres, or Ponyville, Big Macintosh waited for his sister. The distant chopping of wood declared Applejack’s stance on the matter of her brother’s relationship. Big Macintosh lowered his head in exhaustion and considered his options: the road to the farm or the the road to Ponyville.

Going to the farm would result in a night of restless sleep and a rehash of tonight’s argument. He did not want to brush Applejack's words under the proverbial rug, but if they fought in front of their family, he would be the one expected to back down.

For a moment Big Macintosh’s started rationalizing his family’s faults. It was not Auger’s fault he hit him as a colt, he was under a lot of stress. As for his sister’s anger, she was just looking out for him, trying to protect her brother from heartbreak. “Do you really want to make an issue out of this Big Macintosh? Do you even have time for a marefriend with all the works that needs to be done around the farm? Is a passin’ fancy worth more to ya than yer own flesh n’ blood?” Granny Smith had said to him once after a particularly bad argument with his sister, but the words stung more now.

Then there was the path to Ponyville and eventually the Books and Branches Library. It would be mostly dark save for the light over the door, and whatever lamp Twilight decided to study by. Twilight would not mind the late night interruption, and considering the mishap at dinner, she was probably waiting.

He headed for the library.

***

Twilight Sparkle considered the letter before her; it was simple, elegant, right to the point, and her twentieth revision. A hoot from Owlowiscious surprised the worrying insomniac. Spike and Peewee easily slept through the owl's warning alerts as Twilight opened the door to her bedroom. The owl returned to its nightly chore, dusting the bookshelves. A gentle rapping at the front door drew Twilight’s attention away from her task.

Twilight found an exhausted Big Macintosh on the other side of her door. "What are you doing up? It’s almost midnight." Twilight hurried the red stallion into the library. "How'd things go with your sister?"

"As bad as I thought it would." Big Macintosh walked to Twilight's couch and slumped onto it. It creaked ominously but held under the pressure of Big Macintosh's uncaring weight.

“Well, your sister is the Element of Honesty. I can only imagine how much a lie, especially from somepony so close to her, would hurt her."

"There ain’t no excuse for anypony getting that angry over somepony else’s private life."

“But...” She joined him on the couch and snuggled in close. “She’s your family.”

"Well you are going…" Big Macintosh stopped himself before deciding "…you are too, and the pony ya love has gotta come before everythin’ else. It’s tradition. The stallion leaves home to build a new family with his wife. My uncle and my great uncles all did it. AJ is just gonna have to come around."

***

Applejack trudged along the familiar path from Fluttershy's house to her own. She did not need light, just the familiar ground and smells of her homestead to tell her where she was. Despite the welcoming familiarity, her tail dragged from physical and emotional exhaustion. It was difficult to put one hoof in front of the other. She knew she should have spent the night at Fluttershy's, but all she wanted now was the welcoming creak of her floorboards and the comfort of her own bed.

Granny Smith woke with a start as Applejack accidentally let the front door slam shut. "What what?" She grabbed her knitting needles and searched the darkness for home invaders.

Applejack appeared from the shadows and put a familiar hoof on her grandmother's shoulder. "Sorry Granny, just gettin' home late from working at Fluttershy's."

Granny Smith yawned as she settled down in her rocking chair. Her favorite furniture in the house, carved from the first Zap Apple tree to fall in their grove. "Did you get the job done?"

"Still have to do the rest of the tree tomorrow," Applejack stretched. "Is Big Mac around?"

"He told me he was goin' to talk with you," Granny Smith said. " Is everything alright?"

"He left before me. I'm sure he just snuck in earlier and a mite quieter than I did," Applejack reassured her grandmother, who fell quickly back asleep. The orange pony waited for a moment before a second wind prompted her to ascend the stairway to her brother's room. His empty room, the bed sitting untouched since he made it that morning. There was only one other place that her brother would consider staying. Applejack did not want to think about it.

But she did.

Twilight wrapped around her brother in an indecent manner, whispering disloyalty into her brother’s waiting ears. Applejack could not help but imagining poor, innocent Spike walking in on the pair in their throes of passion. The vision ended with Spike's face morphing into a horrified Apple Bloom.

Applejack rushed to her sister room to discover the pale yellow filly sleeping peacefully. She held her hoof to her chest as her breathing steadied and her heart stilled.

She walked back to her room with determination. She had letters to write.

***

Big Macintosh yawned as Twilight nibbled and kissed his ear and neck affectionately. "What are you doing up so late?" he asked the surprisingly energetic Twilight.

"Nothing, I'm just not tired." Twilight stopped nibbling and rested her head comfortably on Big Macintosh's. He reluctantly concluded she was not being suggestive. He waited for her to relax, but her body remained tense.

"What's wrong?" Big Macintosh turned his eyes up towards the purple mare.

"Nothing." Twilight forced her own shut.

"Twilight." Big Macintosh reluctantly pulled himself out from under Twilight and looked her in the eyes.

She sighed. "If you have to know, I think it's pregnancy insomnia. I have not been sleeping that well lately."

"You made an appointment to go to the doctor’s, right?"

"Yes, first one is tomorrow actually. You'll be there, right?"

"Of course," Twilight snuggled into Big Macintosh's chest and waited. The red stallion refused to relax. "What?"

"What's really botherin’ ya?" Big Macintosh prompted.

"I've been trying to write a letter to my parents." Twilight floated the letter to Big Macintosh for inspection.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I have something important I need to talk to you about in person. Please come to Ponyville as soon as possible, and please don't inform Shining Armor of your visit.

Love,

Twilight Sparkle

"That's all?" Big Macintosh asked.

"Well, I don't want to risk any written evidence for my brother, and as long as I am vague even if he sees this he'll probably just think it's a surprise for him," Twilight explained. "Its not like I can tell them with a letter that I am pregnant and getting married." Twilight regretted the last part, they hadn't actually discussed marriage.

To her surprise and relief, Big Macintosh had already thought about it. "I think a winter wedding would be perfect."

"Really?" Twilight asked as Big Macintosh rested his head between Twilight's four limbs again. "And a honeymoon somewhere warm like the Applewood Hills or Los Pegasus."

"Hmm…" Big Macintosh hummed in agreement before falling asleep in Twilight's warm embrace.

***

At two in the morning, Applejack considered the letter before her. A letter to Twilight's parents had been discarded when Applejack realized she did not know their address. The princess was impossible because Applejack's only direct connection to them was Spike, and Applejack knew he would not send a letter without wanting to read it first. She did not want to risk a letter through the mail either, because she figured palace staff must screen letters sent to Celestia by more conventional means. She did not want some Canterlot snob forming an opinion on her brother.

That left Shining Armor. She had Princess Cadence's private address because the mare of love was interested in a monthly pie order from Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack figured that if she directed her letter to Shining Armor it would just go straight to him, and even if Cadence read it first she would not keep this from her husband.

Applejack tapped her quill against her face absentmindedly, blotting her fur, before finally deciding to sign it.

Captain Shining Armor,

It is my belief that you should be made aware of the actions of your sister. She has been carrying an affair in secret with my brother, Macintosh Apple, for the previous year. I am afraid for both of our siblings’ well being. If this relationship ends poorly it could be detrimental to the bonds between the Elements of Harmony. If you could please come to Ponyville to have a frank discussion with your sister, I would appreciate it.

Sincerely

Applejack

Element of Honesty

Chapter 11: Of Needles and Points

Family MattersChapter 11: Of Needles and Points

As Celestia's sun began its daily trek across the skies, nature’s call pulled Spike from his dreaming in the wee morning hours. He normally did not get up this early, but the last few days’ tension threw off his schedule. Groggy, he staggered around the dim upstairs. Disoriented and with mounting urgence, he gave up on finding the suddenly elusive upstairs bathroom and trundled downstairs.

Spike sighed upon reaching the bathroom and relieving himself. A disgusting sight awaited the unwitting dragon as he emerged from the lavatory. He blinked away the morning blurriness and stared at the red and purple tangle of pony sleeping on the couch. He could not believe he’d missed Big Macintosh's baritone snores. "That's so gross!"

Big Macintosh's eyes snapped open at Spike's distress. He could not see the problem but could feel it. Thick ropes of saliva dribbled from Twilight’s lips, creating an expanding patch of burgundy on Big Macintosh’s otherwise bright red coat. He propped Twilight head up for a moment before replacing himself with a pillow. The exhausted mare fell into it, oblivious to the actions of her future husband. Big Macintosh's mane stuck out at all ends. "Ah think Ah'm gonna need a shower and a towel."

Spike showed him the way to the linen closet and the shower. "Is this going to happen all the time?"

A bashful smile tugged at stallion’s lips as he deftly deflected the question. "Why don't you go to Sugarcube Corner and get some breakfast for us. Ah don't have any bits on me at the moment, but ah can pay you back later. Don't wake Twilight up either, she needs to rest."

"I know what Twilight needs," Spike grumbled under his breath.

Big Macintosh patted the dragon solidly on his shoulder. Spike buckled under the weight before standing firm. "Listen Spike, Ah just wanted to thank you for handlin' this so well and takin' care of Twilight when Ah can't be there."

Spike could not find the words as Big Macintosh entered the bathroom to clean himself up. He left the sleeping Twilight and showering Big Macintosh to perform his duty.

***

After a few short hours of fitful sleep, Applejack woke and grumbled to Celestia's dawn. The letter was sealed on the dresser next to her bed just waiting to be delivered to the post office. Applejack would not risk putting it in the farm's personal box for Big Macintosh to find.

She stared at her correspondence for a good five minutes, questioning her motives and anger over the past twenty four hours. She could not put her hoof on it, but she felt off. Why am I feelin’ guilty? I’m just bein’ honest.

She was pulled from her thoughts when Apple Bloom burst in. “AJ? Big Macintosh isn’t in bed.”

Suddenly she did not feel guilty anymore.

***

Twilight woke to the gentle aroma of breakfast wafting through the library. She stretched the cricks out of her back and shuffled into the kitchen. Her eyes widened on the array of food that waited to be eaten. Eggs served sunny side up, scrambled, and a couple of omelets bloated with cheese and fresh vegetables. Butter-smeared french toast stood next to towers of waffles and pancakes stuffed with strawberry and blueberries. A gallon of orange juice and milk sat waiting to be poured.

Spike stood by the eggs, drooling and waiting to jump in. A drying Big Macintosh stared at the food with equal shock and hunger as his stomach grumbled loudly. "Ah thought you were just goin’ to get some muffins or cinnamon buns or something."

Neither noticed Twilight had woken up.

"Pinkie Pie insisted on sending this all over," Spike said.

"It smells great." Twilight passed the still standing pair and snatched a plate Spike had set up for breakfast. She immediately set to piling her plate high with one of the omelets, and a combination of the waffles and french toast.

"Well, no use letting all this good food go to waste." Spike started to pile food onto his own plate. Big Macintosh did not speak but instead joined them.

They ate in relative silence, only the clinking of cutlery against plates disturbed the peace. At least until Spike let out a loud burp. He let himself fall backward off his stool to digest. "Are you going to finish that?" Twilight stared at his untouched scrambled eggs.

"I will… eventually," Spike propped himself on elbows to eye the food. Twilight focused on them with the intensity of a starved mare. "Fine, you can have them."

"If you insist." Twilight floated the eggs to her own plate. She ended up eating nearly half of the prepared meal.

Big Macintosh took to cleaning up breakfast as Twilight and Spike digested. "Spike, I need you to send this letter to my parents."

"Do I have to now?"

"Yes, Spike."

"But it's so hard directing letters to ponies other than Princess Celestia."

"I'm sure you can manage, you stuffed yourself with more than enough food to fuel it."

"I'm not the only one who stuffed themselves."

"I'm eating for two, Spike. Just send the letter."

***

Contrary to popular belief, not everypony in Canterlot lived in castles. Over the millennia, many estates had been converted to multi family homes. Twilight Sparkle's parents, Twilight Velvet and Night Light, lived in part of an estate formerly completely owned by Lady Diamond Jubilee. The ancient earth pony still lived in part of her former estate; half had been sold decades ago to screw with her husband's family, converted into smaller apartments specifically designated for low income families. After a suggestion from Princess Celestia, a personal friend of the lady, Diamond Jubilee had sold another section of her remaining household to an up-and coming unicorn family.

Twilight Velvet and Night Light's home consisted of the estate’s old library, a parlor, and several other rooms. The parlor room had long since become Twilight Velvet and Night Light's bedroom, and part of the ground floor of the library became the kitchen, dining room, front hallway, and living room. The second floor consisted of bedrooms for the children, and the rest became a play room, then study room, and finally guest bedroom as the children aged.

Night Light trudged out of his room with his wife stumbling behind him. "We are too old to be doing that more than once a week," the stallion checked his side. "Do I have any rope burns?"

"You sure you don't want to try for another go," Velvet slinked her way up to her husband and pressed herself against him. A decade ago, Night Light would have jumped at the chance for a second round. All he wanted now was to listen to the morning weather on the radio in the library.

A burst of flame flying through an open window and manifesting a letter from their daughter offered Night Light an escape. "It's a letter from Twilight." Night Light placed the remainder of their adult children between himself and his wife. It's presence did stop Velvet from giving her husband bedroom eyes. "This is strange."

"What's wrong?" Velvet leaned over the top of the letter and tried to read it upside down.

"Twilight wants us to visit and not tell her brother." Velvet's following squeal to Night Light's answer rivaled the royal Canterlot voice.

"Twilight must have a colt friend she wants to introduce." Velvet giggled with excitement, and covered her hooves with her mouth to suppress the girlish action. "If we get ready now we can grab one of the express trains for tonight."

"Maybe we should give it a day?"

"Night Light, this could be our daughter's future!" Velvet left her husband in the dust as she scurried into their room to start packing.

***

The waiting room at the doctor’s office was a sterile but warm place, with eggshell painted walls and wooden chairs with a thick veneer and vinyl padding that made them easy to see. Big Macintosh sat silently as Twilight checked herself in, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. Spike sat across from him, flipping idly through an old magazine.

"You're welcome to come in, Spike," Twilight said, trying to make the dragon feel like he belonged.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I don't want to see them stick something in you in places I don't want to see."

"Spike, that isn't going to happen!"

"Are you sure?"

"Twilight Sparkle?" called the nurse in the doorway. Twilight and Big Macintosh stood. The nurse beckoned them over. "Right this way, please."

The nurse led them down a tight hallway, chatting good-naturedly with Twilight. Big Macintosh did not listen. He was too busy staring straight over their heads down the constricting hall. The antiseptic air hung stale and heavy over him. Each closed door undoubtedly hid a collection of tools, machines, devices... needles.

"Big Macintosh? Are you going to come in?" Twilight asked, a mixture of concern and confusion in her voice.

"Err... yes. Ah'm fine." He wasn't sure when they had arrived, or how long he had stood frozen in the doorway. He shook his head and walked into the room. The rest of the visit was a bit of a blur for Big Macintosh as Twilight discussed her condition with the doctor and the nurse. Big Macintosh focused when the nurse mentioned drawing a blood sample.

"Blood sample?" Big Macintosh repeated absentmindedly.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Twilight asked. The nurse had already shaved a patch of on the backside of her lower right front leg. The unicorn swabbed the bared skin with an alcohol swab.

"Ah'm fine," Big Macintosh repeated. The snap of rubber around Twilight's legs forced the stallion to concentrate. He was able to keep himself calm until the nurse pulled out the blood drawing kit with a long needle. The nurse pricked Twilight’s skin, and blood flowed from the line into a container. From Big Macintosh's perspective, at least before he fainted, the needle must have been a foot long.

***

Big Macintosh woke a few minutes later to Twilight fanning him with the nurse’s clipboard, and a second nurse preparing to roll Big Macintosh onto a stretcher. He stood before anyone would find the need to prick him. “What happened?”

“You fainted,” Twilight asked.

“Are you alright sir?” the second nurse asked.

“Ah’m fine. Twilight, need anythin’ else?” Big Macintosh tried to redirect the conversation.

“I don’t need anything else. Just to make another appointment to see the doctor in a month’s time,” Twilight explained. “What do you need?”

“Ah just need some air.” Big Macintosh left the bewildered Twilight and nurse behind. He ignored Spike’s questioning wave before leaving the hospital. He stopped at a park nearby to catch his breath. Twilight and Spike caught up with him several moments later. Twilight did not stop until she reached Big Macintosh. Spike left the adults to their discussion as he focused on savoring a lollipop nearly as large as his fist.

"Why didn't tell me you were afraid of hospitals?" Twilight asked as she held a bag of ice against Big Macintosh's head.

"Because ah'm thirty and it’s just the needles ah cain’t stand," Big Macintosh muttered as Twilight rubbed the bump with the ice They had left the hospital quickly after Twilight finished her appointment and Big Macintosh recovered in the lounge. The red stallion had refused to speak until they were out of sight of the hospital and resting in a park.

"I think this is going to be swollen for the rest of the day, and it's okay if you’re afraid. Everypony has something they are afraid of," Twilight tried to reassure Big Macintosh. "This is something you’re going to have to work on though. There's going to be a lot more shots for both of us. Including the vaccinations you might have been skipping."

Before Big Macintosh could protest, a yelling voice disrupted his protest. "BIG MAC, YER ALIVE!" Apple Bloom yelled as she ran into her unsuspecting brother's embrace.

"Apple Bloom," Big Macintosh managed to choke out despite his youngest sister’s iron grip. Twilight held a calm face as Applejack appeared with fully laden saddle bags.

"Ah was so worried," Apple Bloom said, clinging to her brother.

"You weren't in bed this morning," Applejack said, her voice curt and frigid.

"Where were ya? We were so worried. What happened?" Apple Bloom asked.

Big Macintosh and Applejack glared at one another.

Twilight came up with an explanation. "He had an early morning with me," Twilight admitted without getting into specifics.

"What about last-" Applejack started to ask.

Twilight cut her off. "We were trying to figure out the best way to tell you... we’re dating."

"Excuse-" Applejack tried to speak again.

"You're Big Macintosh’s special somepony? Really?" Apple Bloom asked excitedly.

"Yes, we were going to spend the rest of the day together. Would you like to spend it with us?" Twilight asked.

"Can Ah?" Apple Bloom looked up at her brother with big, pleading eyes.

"As long as Applejack says it’s alright. Maybe she would like to spend the rest of the day with us too?" He looked at Applejack hopefully.

Applejack’s eyes narrowed momentarily before she managed to school her expression. "Ah would love to, but ah cain't. Got stuff I gotta do for our farm. Mostly paperwork to be handled and letters to be sent."

"Aww... come on Applejack," Apple Bloom begged.

Applejack's stern expression warmed as she looked down at her little sister. "Sorry, Sugarcube. But Ah got chores." Her smile tightened as she looked back to her brother. "I expect I'll see you at home tonight?" It didn't sound like a question.

Big Macintosh gave a small, noncommittal shrug as Applejack turned left without another word. She had a letter to send and wanted to make sure it got to Canterlot fast.

Spike finished his sugary sweet and concentrated on the change of dynamics. "What just happened?"

"We're gonna celebrate Big Macintosh and Twilight Sparkle's love!" Pinkie Pie appeared from a bush with a blast of confetti. "Finally?"

Big Macintosh gaped like a fish out of water as he tried to find the words. Twilight spoke for him. "It's as good a time as any." Twilight snuggled close to her coltfriend as Apple Bloom, Spike, and Pinkie Pie talked excitedly about the party.

***

Shining Armor sighed at the pile of mail before him. He wished he could could just pack the letters away somewhere until Cadence returned home from her diplomatic tour of Canineda in the north, but if Twilight and his wife shared anything it was obsessive tendencies. She would always organize the mail into bills, junk, and personal; each category breaking down into a multitude of more specific categories. It was a convoluted system, but what could he do? Shining Armor figured it stemmed from her role as a paragon of romance, why else would she be so letter obsessed?

He threw away the junk mail, and neatly organized the bills and any letters to Cadence into two separate piles with the largest envelops at the bottoms. There were several other pyramids of mail waiting for Cadence to return home. There were two letters for himself, one from Cadence and a second letter with express delivery markings.

Dearest Shining,

This diplomatic tour is agonizingly boring without you. I won't inflict the details on you, but suffice it to say it involves shaking a lot of hooves.

I'm afraid the time allotted for me to compose this correspondence is very limited, so know that I miss you and am keeping you in my thoughts.

Love Eternally,

Cadence.

P.S. There is the possibility I will be arriving home early if the meetings with the Diamond Dogs go well.

Shining Armor filed the letter away without really reading it. He concentrated on the heavily stamped envelop from Ponyville. His eyes widened in shock and horror as he read the letter. Then read it a second and third time to make sure he was reading it correctly

An explosion of light purple energy followed as he teleported out of the house, disrupting the piles of letters he had been stacking for the past week and covering his entire kitchen with black magical soot.

***

Shining Armor literally smoked as he appeared in front of his parent’s house. He never had the precision that his sister learned when it came to handling his vast wellspring of magic. His spells had the tendency to be underpowered or overpowered, as was the case with his near flaming teleport. Shining Armor went to open the front door, and accidentally ripped it off its hidings. A silent alarm went off in several offices around Canterlot as Shining Armor explored the inside of his parents house.

The lights were off and all the windows locked down as well as the back and the side door. Shining Armor checked his parent’s bedroom. The childhood teddy bear this his father kept, and wanted no one else knowing about, was missing. Wherever his parents were, they were gone for the night.

"Stop right there, criminal scum!" Three of Shining Armor's own guards, a dark grey unicorn stallion and a pair of pegasi stallions, stood in the entrance of the house.

"Ah Lieutenant Young Blood, good alarm response time," Shining Armor said as he floated the door back into its frame. The door slammed ominously as Shining Armor tried to replace it, the ancient wood cracking on the side with the hinges.

"Is everything alright?" the other stallion inquired.

"I'm not sure," Shining Armor admitted though the word affair blazed brightly in his mind's eye. "I need to take a chariot to Ponyville immediately. Silver Lining, is that you?"

One of the identical pegasus guards rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Yes."

"Perfect, remember how we won the Alfrodull Run?" Shining Armor remembered the marathon chariot race fondly.

"Oh Sweet Celestia, you’re not suggesting pulling that stunt to get to Ponyville faster, are you?" Young Blood who questioned the captain's plan.

"Yes, I am, and since I need to retain my wits and energy for whatever is happening in Ponyville, you are going to help me get there!"

Chapter 12: An Early Evening Fight

Family MattersChapter 12: An Early Evening Fight

"We can have a huge party with all of Ponyville there and tons of purple and red heart shaped balloons, and cupcakes, and a cake, and cookies, and the party cannon-" A zipper appeared and zipped shut across Pinkie's mouth. The purple aura around Twilight's horn faded as the party pony patted her mouth.

"Calm down, Pinkie, you're getting Apple Bloom too excited." With a pop she dismissed the zipper. "How about a nice, small dinner at the library? Apple Bloom, you haven't tried a crusade of letter design and delivery yet. Why don't you get Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle then meet us back at the library?"

"That's a great idea!" Apple Bloom immediately forgot the big party plans in favor of a quest. "Ah'll get right on it!" Apple Bloom saluted before running off to find her friends.

Twilight spoke before dispelling the zipper. "Listen Pinkie Pie, I know you like the big parties but we just want a small family and friend affair. That should be the six of us, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I think I can trust you to handle the food and decorations?"

"Ah, fine, if you want to be a spoilsport," Pinkie Pie sighed, but her pink cotton candy hair remained intact as she bounced off.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Big Macintosh stood beside Twilight and watched as Pinkie hopped away.

The purple mare pressed herself comfortably against the red stallion's side. "It will keep everypony busy for a couple hours and give your sister time to cool off. What could go wrong?"

***

Shining Armor spent a few hours driving his secretary insane freeing up his schedule for the next several days as he planned an unexpected trip to Ponyville. No, he was not sure how long he would be gone for. Yes, he would appreciate not being disturbed. All correspondence could wait until after his vacation unless it was from his wife, parents, or an omega level emergency by a summons by the Princesses themselves. Shining Armor's secretary and second-in-command would spend the next few weeks trying to undo the administrative knot the Captain of the Guard created by his unexpected leave of absence.

"Shining Armor would prefer that we don’t go in uniform," Silver Lining said as he and Young Blood waited for their captain to arrive at their waiting chariot. They had bags packed for an indefinite period. The white Silver Lining turned dark gray as he freed himself from his glamored armor. His close-cropped silver mane stood in contrast to his long tail. His non-regulation tail was bound in a tight bun, he could only let it out when off-duty.

"Something bad is going to come from this. I just know it." Young Blood reluctantly removed his own armor and stored it in chariot. The unicorn's own fur was naturally white, but there was a peculiar black and blonde striped pattern to his mane and tail. He followed the tradition of docking his tail.

"Calm down Youngling," Young Blood twitched at Silver Lining's use of the nickname. "We’re basically getting two paid days off."

"You’re not the one who’s going to have to hold the chariot aloft for two hours."

Silver Lining rolled his eyes at the younger guard’s nerves. "You’ll be fine."

"Ah good, you’re both ready." Shining Armor appeared before his fellow soldiers in a flash of purple energy. "You ready to do this, Young Blood?"

"No."

"I like your honesty. Carry on." Shining Armor boarded the chariot with a reluctant Young Blood. Silver Lining winked at the reluctant unicorn before hitching himself in the front. Young Blood remembered the year Silver Lining and Shining Armor won the Alfrodull Run. It was a twelve hour, marathon chariot race. A pair of ponies, a pegasus and a unicorn, competed. The pegasus pulled the chariot while his teammate defended him and disrupted other competitors with magic. The Shining/Silver team held the record due to Silver's endurance and Shining's powerful shielding magic. Without the need to waste energy flying evasively, they completed the run in a record ten hours, twenty three minutes. Shining suffered magic fatigue for two weeks and Silver was sidelined for a month with wing strain, and they were banned from competition by royal decree, but they went down in the history books.

Now Shining Armor expected Young Blood to maintain that same shield. The shield proved to have an unexpected side effect in practice; not only did it negate attacks, it also negated atmospheric pressures. Without drag they had beaten the old record by hours, and that was a marathon. In a sprint, the effects would be even more pronounced. Shining figured they could make the flight to Ponyville in two hours, Young Blood was not as optimistic. Regardless, he encased the chariot in a green aura and they streaked off.

***

"We've never tried getting a delivery cutie mark before," Sweetie Belle mused out loud as Scootaloo raced through Ponyville with the other two fillies on her wagon.

"It's gonna be great. Maybe Mrs. Doo will let us borrow her postpony's hat?" Apple Bloom suggested.

"I don't think I want a package for a Cutie Mark," Scootaloo said. "So how long has Twilight been Big Macintosh's special somepony?"

"She didn't say."

"You don't think they were together last Hearts and Hooves Day, where they?" Scootaloo pondered out loud. The two in the back grew silent as they considered the quandary.

***

Big Macintosh, Twilight Sparkle, and Spike sat around the library in a domestic, comfortable silence as they waited for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. At his desk, Spike studied a book on Eastern Sea Dragon languages; he worked on memorizing the forty two letter alphabet by copying it over and over again. Big Macintosh appeared to be reading a dictionary, but was actually using that as a cover to read one of Twilight's baby books. Twilight kept herself busy by setting up crafting supplies for the girls and starting lunch.

A thump against one of the library's roots was the only warning. Big Macintosh and Spike were so engrossed in their respective studies that neither bothered to look up. Twilight turned towards the thump but quickly returned to the task of pouring milk for the foals.

The library door swinging open and slamming against the wall did get her attention.

"Twilight-"

"We're so sorry," Apple Bloom finished Sweetie Belle's start. The pair ran up to Twilight and threw themselves into her legs in an attempt to receive a hug. Instead they ended up getting covered with half a gallon of milk.

Scootaloo snuck in after the two other fillies. "I told you that you shouldn't rush in and apologize. You didn't even have to bring it up in the first place."

"Bring what up?" Twilight asked as Big Macintosh slipped the baby book under a couch cushion.

"We ruined your Hearts and Hooves Day!" Apple Bloom said.

Sweetie Belle started to tear up a bit. "We're so sorry."

"It's alright, girls. It's in the past, but look at you now," Twilight chastised the young fillies.

Big Macintosh walked over to his sister and ran his hoof through her soaked mane. "You two are going to need a bath."

"But it's the middle of the day," Scootaloo complained for the two guilty fillies.

While Big Macintosh bathed the fillies, Twilight set Scootaloo up with the card supplies. She ended up making such a mess that she needed a bath after her friends. This took Twilight telekinetically dragging the young pegasus to the bathroom and holding her down while she scrubbed the filly’s fur and mane free of glitter, glue, and ink. It took the girls two hours to finish the invitations because Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom both kept trying to help Twilight with her own chores.

"Enough!" Twilight called out as she turned Apple Bloom away from her bedroom for the fourth time that afternoon. "Are the invitations done?"

"Yes they are," Sweetie Bell closed the last envelope.

"Cutie Mark Crusader Delivery fillies ready to go!" Scootaloo announced as she rode into the library with her scooter.

"Are you sure you don't need help with anythin' else?" Apple Bloom asked.

Twilight's right eye started to twitch.

Big Macintosh spoke up for the stressing Twilight. "We're fine, why don't you send out the letters?"

"We're on it!" Scootaloo pulled away with the invitations and the fillies in her scooter. Twilight's other eye twitched at a slower pace when she looked at the skid mark the scooter left.

Spike started to clean the skid marks with a bucket and towel. "That was exhausting."

"At least that was the worst of it," Twilight finally stopped twitching.

"Are you sure you wanna go through with this?" Big Macintosh asked his marefriend.

"What else could go wrong?"

***

"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! RAINBOW DASH!" The rainbow maned pegasus was pulled from a blissful nap by the calls of the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She glared at them from her cloud over one of Ponyville's parks. She wanted to catch up on all the naps she had been missing because of Twilight's personal crisis.

"What?" She looked down at the trio. Apple Bloom had a megaphone to amplify her voice while Sweetie Belle waved a pair of flags to get Rainbow's attention. Scootaloo decided the honor of passing the letter to Rainbow Dash was the most important role.

"We're having a party!" Sweetie Belle stated.

Scootaloo waved an envelop back and forth. "I hoof made the letter myself."

Rainbow Dash reluctantly left the comfy cloud and landed next to the Cutie Mark Crusaders. She opened the envelope, and was almost blinded by the colorful letters and glitter.

In honor of Twilight Sparkle and Big Macintosh's new relationship, we are having a celebratory dinner tonight at Books and Branches Library at 6:00.

"You're going to come, right, everyone is gonna be there?" Scootaloo asked.

"Twilight and Big Macintosh know about this, right?"

"It was Twilight's idea," Sweetie Belle said.

"Actually it was Pinkie's but Twilight seemed to like it," Apple Bloom said.

"Who's gonna be there?"

"All of us, Rarity, Spike, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight and Big Macintosh of course, Granny Smith, and mah sister."

"Your sister is going to be there?"

"Of course, its all about family. We're going to deliver her letter after we go to Fluttershy's. We gotta get going so we can come back and get to Sugarcube Corner and help Pinkie Pie."

"We can't wait to see you there!" Scootaloo made the decision for Rainbow Dash. She scooted off before Rainbow Dash could question the crusaders further or say no.

"Bye," Rainbow Dash waved as they left. She flew to the library to find Rarity there with Big Macintosh and Twilight.

"So this party is legitimate then?" Rarity asked. "Rainbow Dash, here to give congratulations to the lucky couple."

"What's going on?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"We got caught up in the moment when Apple Bloom found out about the relationship and decided to throw a party," Twilight said.

"It's going to go great," Big Macintosh forced a smile.

"Your sister-" Rainbow Dash began.

"Won't explode in front of Apple Bloom, and the party will at least force her to deal with it," Big Macintosh said.

Rarity smiled reassuringly. "This plan sounds fabulous."

***

Applejack grinned and beared it when Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo handed her the invite to Twilight and Big Macintosh's party. Apple Bloom was hard enough to resist, but she could not say no to the three pairs of large, expecting eyes.

After a few hours of apple bucking to work off her anger, she walked Granny Smith to the library. "Ain't this party gonna be fun Applejack?" Granny Smith suggested.

"Sure, gonna be a real hoot."

"I know Big Macintosh’s relationship was a bit of a surprise but it is all okay if he is happy, right?"

"His happiness, right."

"If not for him, how about for Apple Bloom. She was all excited about deliverin' that letter. You know as well as I do this party just ain't for the happy couple."

Applejack sighed and released a couple days worth of tension. "I'll be on my best behavior."

Granny Smith smacked the young mare on the shoulder affectionately as they reached the entrance of the library. "Good on you." A tastefully decorated library awaited the earth ponies. Paper streamers of warm orange, red, and yellow hung from the ceiling, interwoven with purple and blue flowers. A single table with a yellow cloth was set to one side, covered with hors d'oeuvres, drinks, desserts, and a main meal of egg salad.

Applejack's friends stood scattered around the room. Big Macintosh had the attention of Rainbow Dash, Spike, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy stood to one side. Applejack watched as Twilight whispered something into Fluttershy's ears, and the yellow pegasus's eyes widened momentarily. Applejack was not sure if it was something Twilight said or if it was because Applejack was here.

Twilight's eyes followed Fluttershy's gaze and she spoke up upon seeing the last invitees. "Ah Applejack, Granny Smith, you’re here." The unicorn now had the attention of everypony in the room and decided to use it as an opportunity speak. "I want to thank you all for coming here today, and would further like to thank Pinkie Pie for setting up the decorations and food for our dinner tonight. Does anyone know where she is?"

"She just said her Pinkie Sense was stringing and that she had a surprise for you," Sweetie Belle explained.

"Stringing?" Twilight repeated.

"It's just Pinkie Pie. You had something more to say," Rarity said.

Twilight found herself at a loss for words when she considered Pinkie Pie's potential surprises. Big Macintosh spoke up for the suddenly nervous mare. "We just wanted to thank you all for being there for us and supporting our relationship." He shot his sister a look before continuing. "Ah know its probably a surprise to everyone, but it works for us and that’s all that matters in the end..." Big Macintosh trailed off as he looked outside.

Every pony in the room turned their attention to an inflating Celestia bounce house just outside the library. There was a solid minute of silence as everypony gazed at the structure. "Pinkie Pie?" Applejack called from the doorway.

The pink pony appeared from the opposite side of the bounce house. She hopped over to her friends. "What's that for?"

"I'm not sure, I just know that I needed it," Pinkie Pie explained.

"Pinkie Pie, what is the surprise you said you had earlier?" Twilight pushed passed Applejack.

"Well my Pinkie Sense said I needed to go to the train station and I waited there for forty five minutes, but then my spleen told me whoever is coming to surprise you will find their own way and that I need to set up the bounce house immediately for their arrival," Pinkie Pie explained.

Twilight scratched her head. A question started to form on her lips when a blue unicorn stallion rounded the bounce house. "Dad?"

"Twilight!" Night Light ran over to his daughter and hugged her.

"Is Twilight here?" Velvet emerged a second after her husband.

"What are you doing here so soon?" Twilight asked her parents as she hugged her mother.

Velvet jumped with joy. "We got your letter."

"And you came immediately?" Twilight asked.

Velvet could barely contain her excitement. "You said you have something important to tell us."

Twilight sighed, raking her hoof through her mane. "Mom you figured out what the letter said without me actually writing anything."

"Give me a break, Twilight. You’re my daughter and I write an advice column. I know how to read between the lines. Now where is the lucky stallion?" Velvet’s gaze left her daughter in favor of looking around for Twilght’s coltfriend.

"That would be me, ma'am. I'm Macintosh Apple, but everypony calls me Big Macintosh," Big Macintosh emerged from the library and introduced himself. He pressed himself against his marefiend affectionately. Applejack watched the meeting with interest. What did not occur was an awkward silence or anger like she expected.

"He's handsome," Velvet complimented the red stallion.

Night Light was quiet for a moment before extending his hoof. "It's nice to meet you, son."

"It’s a pleasure to meet you sir," Big Macintosh shook the hoof vigorously

The moment was broken when Velvet noticed the mares trying to discreetly watch the meeting from the Library windows. At least Fluttershy and Rarity tried to be discreet. The remaining adults and fillies gawked openly. "Is something going on?"

"We're just having a party," Twilight explained.

"For our arrival? How did you know?" Night Light asked.

Before Twilight could answer Pinkie Pie spoke. "Your other guests are here!"

Everypony looked towards the sky as a dark green meteor aimed for the library. Instead it struck the inflatable Celestia, popping the structure. The meteor shattered like glass, revealing that it had been a spell shield containing three stallions and a royal carriage. "That was pretty good for your first time, Young Blood," Silver Lining said as he emerged from the carriage and deflating bounce house.

"I feel sick," Young Blood said, crawling out of the wreckage.

"Your landing could use some work, Silver Lining," Shining Armor said. He was the last one to emerge from the crashed carriage and destroyed bounce house.

"Shining Armor?" Twilight asked. She was apprehensive about her brother’s sudden appearance. An equally nervous Applejack backed into the library when she realized her letter had a quicker reaction than she intended. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to help you," Shining Armor said.

"Your sister is perfectly fine, Shining Armor." Night Light tried to reassure his son. He could sense both of his children’s nerves fraying. For the exact reasons he wasn’t sure.

"Didn’t you get a letter?" Shining Armor asked.

"We did, from your sister. Did you send something to your brother?" Velvet asked, also confused.

"Twilight didn't send me anything," Shining Armor explained.

Big Macintosh chose the worst time to be friendly. "Ah think there may be some misconceptions happening here."

Shining Armor turned towards the red stallion, the fact he butted into a family discussion riling up the already agitated Shining Armor. "Who are you?"

Twilight put herself between her coltfriend and her brother. "This is my coltriend, Big Macintosh."

Shining disappeared in a flash of magic. Big Macintosh twisted his head around, looking for his marefriend's brother. His head whipped back around painfully as the sucker punch connected. He slumped to the ground, dazed, blood dribbling from his busted nose and a coppery taste spreading over his tongue. Applejack galloped to her brother's side, he was already trying to rise.

Shining Armor's horn started to glow again, but he found himself caught up in a familiar purple aura. He tried to teleport again, but was held fast. Twilight sagged on her hooves as he made a third attempt, but he remained anchored.

Night Light interposed himself between the two younger stallions. His son continued to struggle against Twilight's magic as the big, red stallion rose on unsteady legs.

"Macintosh." Applejack rose a hoof to help steady her brother, but he shrugged it off.

"Ah'm fine." He spat a mouthful of blood into a nearby bush.

By this time, both parents had moved between the two. Velvet stomped a hoof indignantly, trying in vain to get her irate son's attention. "That was uncalled for, young man!"

"You should be ashamed of yourself, using a technique like that on an innocent civilian!" His father stared him in the eyes.

"Innocent my ass, he's a married stallion carrying on with my sister!" He made another teleportation attempt, trying to get at the red stallion again.

The purple aura around him flickered and failed. The fighting paused, a loud thump echoed through the stillness as Twilight collapsed.

Chapter 7: A Series of Unfortunate Miscommunications

Family MattersChapter 7: A Series of Unfortunate Miscommunications

Big Macintosh thought of the lack of rhyme and reason to pony names after arriving home from the library. In farming families, like his own, it was generally common to share a single noun. The Apple family had started with his grandmother's mother, Apple Seed. Foals’ names often reflected their mothers’. A husband would occasionally take a part of his wife’s name, as in the case of Kingston Doo, who had formerly been Kingston Carrot. In contrast, pegasi tended to share similar names to their fathers. Unicorn naming traditions varied widely by region. In old cities such as Canterlot or Trottingham, customs dictated that a new bride or groom’s name should reflect the name of their higher ranking partner. In most other regions it simply came down to the couple’s mood.

He did not think Twilight Sparkle would insist on him changing his name to Macintosh Sparkle, though he wondered if she already had chosen names. He smiled warmly at the thought of the foal. He wondered how long it would be before he could feel the foal's first buck.

"Big Macintosh. Whatcha doin’?" Apple Bloom poked her brother in the leg for the sixth time in a row. She had discovered him standing, having what appeared to be a staring contest with the front door.

Big Macintosh cleared his mind with a shake of his head before speaking. "Ahhww nothin', sorry."

"Applejacks says you’re gonna fix Granny's old table. Can ah help?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Sorry Apple Bloom, but the wood’s splintered. It’s gonna take magic to do it right," Big Macintosh said. "But if we get it done right you can help me varnish it. We’ll make it real nice for Granny Smith."

"Sweet!"

"Where's Applejack?"

"Out by the pond with Fluttershy. The swans chased Winona up a tree again."

***

In the past, the Apples had kept geese on the farm to eat harmful insects in the orchards and provide fertilizer for the trees. The geese had proved to be explosive breeders, and the Apples had to cull the flocks every four to five years. Winona helped with herding the over breeding birds somewhat, but then the geese would stick exclusively to the farm's one pond and slowly poison it over time.

Twilight had suggested the swans as replacement for the geese. The farm's pair of swans would easily consume as many pests as a flock of geese. They would not tolerate their own offspring returning to the farm when they were grown, let alone other types of water fowl who might pollute the pond.

The only problem with the swans was Winona. The dog could not grasp that the swans were not herdable like the geese. Every so often Winona would attempt to herd the swans, and every time the dog's actions proved to be futile. Every time the swans ended up chasing the dog around the farm, honking furiously and nipping at her tail. Applejack was not fond of the swans, especially when they picked on Winonna, but it was them or the geese. Unfortunately for Winona, the swans worked better.

The swans had not quite chased Winona up a tree, but she was cowering in the branches of a fallen oak. Applejack tried to coax Winona out of the branches with soft whistles and encouraging words.One of the swans zigged and zagged back and forth in the pond as its mate complained bitterly to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, get those birds out of here. I can't calm Winona down with them so close," Applejack demanded.

"Please, Matilda," Fluttershy begged. The swan honked one final time before gesturing at the dog angrily. Fluttershy sighed heavily, shutting her eyes for a moment before releasing her full stare upon the irate swan. The bird stopped complaining and focused on her eyes before backing guardedly into the pond. The swans circled one another in a rhythmic pattern before departing for the reeds on the other side of the water. In defiance of Fluttershy's complete mastery over her, Matilda squawked once more before bobbing her head into the water to feed.

"Thanks for bein' on call to help with the birds," Big Macintosh thanked the pegasus.

"You're welcome," Fluttershy whispered behind a cascade of pink hair.

Big Macintosh did not roll his eyes as Applejack approached with the still-cowering Winona. "So, brother, how did the search for a spell to fix the table go?"

"We still need to discuss further details," he replied in his best Twilight voice. He forced a smile and came up with an excuse. Better to deflect for the moment. At least he would be able to see Twilight without raising anyone’s suspicions, even if he surprised her. "Twi needs more time. Ah’m gonna take the table over tomorrow so Twilight can give it a go after supper."

"Well that sounds good." Applejack rubbed Winona along her spine one more time before volunteering her brother for an assignment. "I promised Fluttershy she could use this tree for firewood. There’s enough here to warm her house for two winters. Do you think you could drag it to her house?"

"Of course," Big Macintosh resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His sister was always volunteering him for tasks to do for Fluttershy. It was always an awkward situation for the quiet stallion and shy pegasus. "Would you like me to do that now or later, Miss Fluttershy?"

"Right now will be good for her," Applejack answered for her friend. Big Macintosh's ear twitched, but he resisted any other sign of discontent.

***

With a final grunt, Big Macintosh rolled the log into the yard of Fluttershy's house. Cutting the branches took most of the afternoon, followed by an hour of actually moving it. "So who's the pony that volunteered to cut your wood?"

"I think Applejack was going to volunteer you," Fluttershy said as she placed a basket of sandwiches on the log.

"Thanks," Big Macintosh ate one sandwich, saving the rest for later.

"Somepony really has to tell her…" Fluttershy spoke quietly again.

"That we ain’t interested and this ain’t gonna happen." Big Macintosh gestured between the pair. He turned red as Fluttershy blushed behind her hair. "Sorry."

"It's alright, it's just awkward," Fluttershy said.

"You know that mare I’ve been talking to you about?” Big Macintosh admitted.

Fluttershy looked at him with trepidation. "The one you wont name?"

"It’s Twilight Sparkle and she's pregnant." Big Macintosh rubbed his mane but could not find the right words.

"Oh my. What?" Fluttershy's eyes grew wide in surprise.

“Ah said Twilight’s pregnant,” Big Macintosh repeated.

“Oh my... umm...” Fluttershy shuffled her hooves awkwardly and snapped her wings. “As in going to have a foal?”

“Yes!” Big Macintosh answered harshly

He regretted his own temper as Fluttershy cowered slightly. “I’m sorry.”

“You shouldn’t be apologizing. Ah shouldn’t be dumpin’ this information on you like,” Big Macintosh apologized.

Both waited in silence as Fluttershy let the information set in. It was unexpected and left her feeling empty. She continued forward tentatively. “Who knows?”

"Zecora, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash," Big Macintosh answered. "It ain’t that Twilight’s tryin’ to keep it from ya. We just were gonna keep it to ourselves for awhile... but everythin’s gotten shaken up and the others found out by chance."

"It is a surprised,” Fluttershy agreed as she tried to make sense of it all.

"You're ain’t mad?"

"In all honesty I’m not sure what to feel," Fluttershy answered diplomatically. “I can’t believe that you or Twilight of all ponies would let something like this happen accidently. You should have been more prepared. This is going to change everything.”

“You’re right,” Big Macintosh agreed.

“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy apologized again.

“There is no need to. You can be angry,” Big Macintosh said.

“I’m not angry just feeling empty or...” Fluttershy tried to find the words.

“Nervous because you're not sure what’s gonna happen?” Big Macintosh suggested.

“Yes,” Fluttershy agreed then made a face. “But this is about you and Twilight.”

“It’s okay to feel Fluttershy, bad or good,” Big Macintosh said.

“Right,” Fluttershy said.

A contemplative silence followed as Big Macintosh considered his next words. "Still, Ah am gonna need a favor. When Applejack finds out she's gonna be mad and she ain’t gonna speak to me for awhile. Ah need someone to keep the lines open."

"I don't know."

"Please, she's mah sister."

"If it happens, I'll try."

***

Twilight Sparkle woke to the gently rising sun, the distant chirping of birds, and the loud snores of Spike and the infant phoenix Peewee. The baby dragon insisted on dragging his basket into Twilight's bedroom and sleeping there that night. Twilight didn’t want to think how he would react to sharing any space with Big Macintosh.

She stretched, sighing happily under the warm summer sun. She left Spike to sleep in after deciding to prepare breakfast for herself, cereal topped with a cut up banana and a side of toasted peanut butter with a glass of orange juice. After finishing the main course, Twilight tried to decide if she wanted to double up on the toast.

A knock on the door disrupted her indecision. "Mornin'," Applejack entered after the knock, bearing a basket of apples.

Twilight froze as she fumbled for words. "Good morning, Applejack. What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to say thanks for bein' there for mah brother. He told me about your plans." Applejack placed the apples on Twilight’s main table. "You're doin a really good thing for mah family, Twilight. If you don't mind me askin', could I go to dinner with you tonight? I really want to help as much as possible."

"Really?" Twilight blinked in surprise.

"Yeah, Mah brother really doesn't want my help, but this is a family thing and we Apples gotta stick together," Applejack said.

"That sounds fine," Twilight agreed as she tried to make sense of the situation.

"Mah brother's got deliveries to make all day. So where did you plan on doing to dinner?"

A romantic picnic in the park. Twilight thought, but said, "Here."

"Sounds great, I'll be here early to help cook. Its the least Ah can do." Applejack shook her friend's hoof before walking off and leaving the bewildered Twilight behind.

***

Twilight met with Rainbow Dash and Rarity for lunch, sending Spike off with a ridiculously long shopping list to keep him busy. A mention of a romantic dinner with Rarity that night did not lighten the dragon's mood like Twilight expected, but he still did what he was told. Three garden salads sat before a trio of friends, as well as a bowl of peanuts that Twilight frequently reached into and ate from.

"So Applejack is okay with what's going on?" Rarity asked, shocked at Twilight's revelation.

"She seemed fine with everything," Twilight explained. Rainbow Dash tried to grab a nut but Twilight kept reaching for them telekinetically, cracking them, and eating them faster than Rainbow Dash could react in between Twilight's snacking.

"That doesn't sound like Applejack," Rainbow Dash said as she grabbed the bowl and dumped some nuts into her salad.

Rarity glared at the pegasus, but Twilight did not seem to mind as she continued eating. "Applejack is always level headed and practical. I'm glad she's happy for us."

"There's a first time for everything," Rainbow Dash said.

"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked.

"Well…" Rarity tried to explain the situation tactfully but settled for asking a question. "Have you and Big Macintosh ever discussed your past relationships?"

"Well, not actually," Twilight realized.

"Big Mac would have to actually have past relationships if he wanted to talk about them," Rainbow Dash commented, though she regretted it when Rarity bucked her under the table.

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.

"This is really something you should discuss with Big Macintosh," Rarity tried to deflect

"If it's important..." Twilight pressed.

"Applejack is nuts and has chased off any mare interested in her brother," Rainbow Dash explained.

"Rainbow Dash." Rarity's glare rivaled Fluttershy's stare.

"Well somepony has to tell her. Big Mac obviously hasn't," Rainbow Dash protested.

"You're not mad, are you dear?" Rarity asked.

Twilight paused as she considered her answer. The words came out surprisingly clear. "When Big Macintosh and I are together it’s just been the two of us. We haven’t really thought of the consequences of our actions, just enjoying the moment. There isn’t any pony else who has been able to hold my attention like this, and I guess neither of us mentioned our friends or family because we didn’t want anything to change. We just lived in the moment.” Rainbow Dash yawned as Twilight explained herself. Rarity held a faraway expression as Twilight spoke. The purple mare finished. “I can’t hold it against Big Macintosh for not telling me this stuff. I haven’t told him everything, like my brother is kind of the same way."

"Shining Armor seems like such the gentlecolt," Rarity said.

"He's also been involved in social and royal affairs long before I was. It's easy for him to chase off suitors when he has the entire Royal Guard and palace staff spying for him," Twilight sighed. "Only two were able to make it through; it didn't end well for anypony."

"Let me apologize on behalf of your brother and Applejack. Who would imagine you would both have such defensive siblings?" Rarity said.

"I still don't buy Applejack not being angry," Rainbow Dash said.

"Are you sure she knows everything?" Rarity asked.

"She said Big Macintosh told her of our plans and that she was happy for us," Twilight summarized. "I can't imagine what else she was talking about."

***

Twilight did not have the time to question Applejack, who upon arrival proceeded to take over Twilight kitchen and make three course meal. Twilight spent most of the evening reassuring a distraught Spike that Applejack wasn’t going to destroy his kitchen as she temporarily rearranged for her convenience. Twilight could not get Applejack's attention over the chorus of clinking cookware, cooking food, and splashing of utensils as they were tossed into the sink to soak. The purple mare knew that dinner was happening, but she was far from sure about the circumstances behind the dinner, and she didn’t want to question Applejack without solid information.

The dinner preparation passed quickly despite the long hours. As supper time approached, Twilight and Spike could not help but salivate over Applejack's fruit salad, nut roast, and apple pie.

A knock on the library door disrupted the cooking. "Sounds like Big Macintosh is here. Ah just got a few finishing touches on the nut roast," Applejack explained as she removed the nut roast from the oven and seasoned it one final time as it cooled.

Big Macintosh choose to do something different that night. After a long day of deliveries, farm work, and dragging Granny Smith’s table from the farm to the library, he wanted a kiss from his marefriend. She wouldn’t be expecting it, but everything would be fine. Applejack was no where to be found, and he hoped Twilight would appreciate the surprise. He decided to live in the moment as the library door opened to reveal Twilight.

“Big Macintosh-” Twilight began.

"Ah've missed you," Big Macintosh took Twilight into his embrace and planted one on her lips. He did not see her darting eyes, though he did regret his decision a little when he saw Spike in the background pretending to stick one of his claws down his throat.

"I'm not hungry any more. I'm going to Rarity's," Spike left the couple to their business, losing his appetite.

"What's wrong?" Big Macintosh asked a hyperventilating Twilight. Applejack appeared in the kitchen doorway, her shocked, pale face quickly turning red with anger.