Bookends Part 3: Or Family Values

It was Saturday and Pinkie Pie was visiting Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow had quit the weather team in favor of working the farm with her husband and family. Since Rainbow had married Big Mac, Pinkie was hanging out there more than she had in the past. No pony thought much of it, after all, Pinkie had always been close to Rainbow even when Rainbow was actively evading her. But now that Rainbow had toned down the ‘Dash’, she’d found Pinkie to be a pleasant companion. Pinkie even helped out around the farm with Rainbow’s chores without thought of any repayment, except for an occasional lunch or dinner.

Rainbow had come in the kitchen to see if Granny Smith needed any help with the dinner. Pinkie was suppose to be helping, after all, Pinkie was the best baker in Ponyville.

“Hey Granny,” said Rainbow, “I thought Pinkie was helping you.”

“She is,” said the old farm pony, “she went to get some fresh eggs. Come to think of it, that was ‘bout half ‘n hour ago.”

“Knowing Pinkie,” said Rainbow, “she probably got lost between here and the hen-house.”

Both ponies laughed as Rainbow started to prep some carrots. It was about fifteen minutes later, Granny noticed she needed the eggs and Pinkie hadn’t returned.

“Rainbow Sweetie,” said the old pony, “could you get some eggs, I really need ’em now.”

“Okay Granny,” said Rainbow. She went to the door and flew off in the direction of the hen-house.

Once there, she looked around but saw no sign of Pinkie. She went into the hen-house to check the nests for eggs. Rainbow had noticed most of the hens were still not yet used to her and would scatter when she’d show up. Perhaps with her larger wingspan, they may have thought that she was some kind of bird of prey.

However, this day there was a hen who was sticking close to her and even rubbing up against one of her hind legs affectionately.

Rainbow reached out with one of her wings and stroked the fellow winged creature.

“What a good chicken,” said Rainbow.

The hen appeared to be enjoying the contact. Rainbow picked up the basket of eggs with her teeth and walked out of the hen-house and was about to fly back to the house when she heard a familiar voice.

“Dashie, what’re you doing here?” asked the voice.

Rainbow turned and saw Pinkie.

“Pinkie,” exclaimed Rainbow, “where in Equestria have you been? Granny was becoming concerned; you went to get eggs about an hour ago.”

“Has it been that long?” asked the pink pony, “I didn’t realize it. I’ve been right here.”

Rainbow started to say something about not noticing her until she noticed that Pinkie looked as if she was having trouble keeping on her hooves.

“What’s wrong Pinkie?” asked the blue Pegasus.

Just then Pinkie toppled over.

“PINKIE!” yelled Rainbow who dropped the basket of eggs and bolted over to her fallen friend.

Rainbow sat on her haunches and held Pinkie’s head in her forelegs while using one wing to block the sun from her face.

Pinkie appeared groggy, but she looked into Rainbow’s eyes and smiled.

“You still love me?” asked the pink pony.

“Of course I still love you,” said Rainbow, a tear running down her cheek, “you were the first friend I made when I was a filly and my family moved to Ponyville. We’ve always been very close.”

Pinkie snuggled her head against Rainbow’s chest and closed her eyes, still smiling.

“I’ve always wished my wings were as pretty as yours,” said Pinkie cryptically then Rainbow could tell that Pinkie was out.

Apple Bloom had been feeding the pigs not far away and had heard Rainbow yelling. The filly came galloping up.

“Apple Bloom!” said Rainbow, “go get Big Mac and tell my husband I said to get his flanks over here now! Then go get Twilight and Cheerilee, I’m not sure what’s going on and we may need the help of smart ponies!”

Apple Bloom took off in the direction of the orchard. Rainbow sat there gently rocking Pinkie and speaking soothingly to her. It was only a couple minutes before Rainbow heard the thundering hooves of her husband and Applejack, but it felt like years. They saw Rainbow holding Pinkie and looked concerned.

“Honey, AJ,” said Rainbow, “help me get Pinkie back to the house. She collapsed and I don’t know what’s going on.”

Rainbow and Applejack, as gently as possible put Pinkie across Big Mac’s back and they walked her to the house carefully as not to jostle her too bad. They got her to the front room and Rainbow had Pinkie placed on a sofa, her head in Rainbow’s lap. Rainbow was holding Pinkie’s hoof.

It wasn’t too long before Apple Bloom came in with Twilight and Cheerilee Sparkle. She also had Zecora with them.

“Thank Celestia you’re all here” said Rainbow.

“I found Zecora on the way and asked her to come as well,” said Apple Bloom.

“What’s wrong with Pinkie?” asked Twilight.

Rainbow related what Granny had told her about Pinkie taking so long to go get some eggs. How she didn’t see Pinkie when she was collecting the eggs but she was there when she started to go. She also related the conversation and Pinkie’s odd comments.

“What do you think?” asked Rainbow, “should we take her to the hospital?”

“Pinkie’s case is as strange as I’ve known;

Would you mind if I looked her over, alone?” asked Zecora.

Everypony agreed and left the zebra alone with Pinkie.

While waiting, Twilight decided to peek in on what was going on, she was concerned for her friend. What she saw was almost amusing. There was Zecora sitting on the sofa with Pinkie, just hugging her. Pinkie eyes were closed as if contented; she had one of her large Pinkie Pie smiles from ear to ear.

Later Zecora came back to the rest of the ponies, oddly enough, Zecora looked exhausted. Granny, Big Mac and Apple Bloom had went back to their chores, Applejack went to let Rarity know what was going on. That left Twilight, Cheerilee and Rainbow.

Zecora said Pinkie’s only problem was she hadn’t eaten properly for some time and would be better soon. She also hinted there might be more, but it was for Pinkie to disclose and it wouldn’t be a good idea to ask her about it.

Everypony thanked Zecora and the zebra left.

They came back into the front room and checked on their pink friend. She was just sitting there uncharacteristically quiet.

“I’m sorry for the scare everypony,” said Pinky. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“You should say something if you’re hungry,” said Rainbow, “Granny would feed you until you explode if you wanted!”

There was a strange look on her face.

“I’ll let you know in the future,” said Pinkie, “just don’t hate me for this.”

“Pinkie!” said Rainbow grabbing Pinkie in a large hug, Twilight and Cheerilee joined the hug, “why would we hate you? You’re a special pony and I don’t know anypony that doesn’t love you.”

Pinkie got up and walked to the door, stopped and looked back. It appeared that she was about to cry.

“I know that,” said the pink pony, “but there’s nopony who loves, loves me.”

Pinkie walked out the door. Her friends just looked at each other, and then went to the door to find out what Pinkie meant. But when they got there, she was gone.

“I wish I knew how she does that,” said Rainbow.

“I’m worried,” said Twilight after thinking for a moment.

“Why’s that?” asked Cheerilee.

“Rainbow,” said Twilight thoughtfully, “remember at your wedding, just before we went out.”

“The kiss Pinkie gave me?” said Rainbow, “I thought she was just foolin’ around. You know Pinkie, is it possible she was serious?

Do you think she was in love with me? or still is? I mean Pinkie and I’ve hung out a lot. We’ve even crashed in the same bed from time to time.

But we’ve never…

We’ve never…

You know!

No offence girls but I don’t go in for mares.”

“That’s okay Rainbow, nopony’s perfect,” said Cheerilee.

That brought the first smile to the trio since the whole Pinkie thing started.

Granny Smith entered the room and saw that Twilight and Cheerilee were still there.

“Twilight, Cheerilee,” said the old pony, “y’all looking forward to your first Apple Family Reunion?”

“We haven’t decided if we can make it,” said Twilight.

“Oh! But you need to be there, everypony ’ll want to meet you,” said Granny, “and Braeburn ’ll be there.”

“Thank you Granny,” said Twilight, “but you realize Braeburn isn’t my husband, coltfriend or lover, I’m happily married to Cheerilee here.

Braeburn was involved only as a donor, his marefriend helped collect the sample, I wasn’t involved with that, nor did I want to be.

There was no love, passion or sex involved, at least with me. Yes the foal is his biological child and always will be, I’ll never deny it. He’ll be free to visit the child anytime practical.

But the child is Cheerilee’s and mine alone.”

“I know that silly,” said the old pony chuckling, “I’ve lived on a farm all my life. I know what Artificial Insemination is, we’ve raised hogs for years.

But folk ‘ll want to meet you. Yes you ain’t an actual Apple, and even if’n the child won’t be named Apple, it’ll still have Apple blood. Because of that you now have ties with us and that makes you one of us. Same with you Cheerilee, you’re married to Twilight and we’d love to have you there.

Besides, it’s lots of music, food and fun!”

“Granny,” said Cheerilee, “we’d be happy to attend.”

Twilight smiled and nodded her head.

“And the reason I mention that Braeburn ‘ll be there is,” said Granny, “he does understand the situation, but he’s probably as excited as you about the foal. It’s normal to want to know how you are and the foal are doin’.”