Bookends Part 3: Or Family Values

Two months later, at the end of the summer, and eight months into the pregnancies, the Apple Family Reunion rolled around. Twilight and Cheerilee were much larger by now. They wouldn’t get a lot larger; there would be some but not too much more.

Now the foals were finishing their developing, heart and lungs getting ready to be on their own, the internal organs finishing their construction.

The minds, however, were fully developed and there was something that nopony could ever know, but after the visit with the princesses, the minds had become aware of other ponies who were ‘out there’.

There were the minds of two very powerful ponies they knew and could feel they’d be there to protect them always.

Then there were two minds of the special ponies who were carrying them and would love them always; ponies they were part of in a very real way.

But they’d became aware of another mind like their own, one not quite ready for the outside world but one they could still feel.

It turned out to be one of the most unique family reunions any Apple could remember. For the greater part, Apples weren’t racist. But as long as any pony could remember, Apples had almost always been Earth Ponies. Now with Big Mac’s new wife, Applejack’s marefriend and partner and the pony carrying a foal conceived with the help of Braeburn (if only indirectly), there were now two Unicorns to be considered Apples, along with three Pegasi (Rain Shadow counted because she was Twilight’s wife’s mother. Wind Walker also counted because she was both Rainbow Apple’s aunt and Rain Shadow’s partner).

For the mares present, any expectant mare at the reunion were always to be fussed over. Twilight and Cheerilee found themselves herded with four other expectant Apple mares. A pavilion had been set up to shade the mares along with cushions to comfort them. Several of the younger fillies were always there, including Apple Bloom and Babs Seed, to run for fresh fritters or cool apple cider.

When lunch time came, they were served large portions of everything and they got theirs first.

Granny Smith and her cousin Apple Rose along with several of the older mares including the venerated Auntie Applesauce made sure the pregnant mares were treated well and not too overwhelmed by visitors and well wishers.

At the start, all of the first time guests took a bit to get used to everypony addressing them as ‘cousin’. But once the realization that they were truly being treated as family, it felt so nice, especially for Cheerilee and her mother for whom family had until recently had a negative connotation.

Apple Bloom was thrilled when she realized her teacher and everypony’s favorite librarian and friend were now technically cousins. Cheerilee told the filly, away from school it was okay if she wanted to call her Cousin Cheerilee (Cheerilee was so happy to have real family), but at school she still had to be Mrs. Sparkle.

It was also evident the three mare with mare couples didn’t cause much concern. However it did have to be addressed to some ponies from the very out-reaches of Equestria the old term ‘filly fooler’ was now considered offensive, whether the pony meant it that way or not. Because a filly is an underage female, it took on the connotation the mare in question was a pedophile, molesting young girls. Mare-lover was a more accurate description of the pony’s tastes.

Because of the openness of the Applejack/Rarity, Twilight/Cheerilee and Wind Walker/Rain Shadow, several mares in the gathering felt comfortable enough for the first time to admit to the family the ‘guest’ they’d brought with them was actually a marefriend and partner.

There were games, music, hay rides and most of all, food. Twilight and Cheerilee were glad they agreed to come.

Windie and Rainy had fun mingling with the Apples, Rainbow did try to stay near her aunt because of the attention the Pegasi were receiving, it was better to face it en mass. They thrilled the Apple foals by giving them rides on their backs as they flew around Sweet Apple Acres.

Rarity had a similar situation being a Unicorn, but Applejack was a well known Apple so ponies didn’t crowd them too much.

Unfortunately, Twilight was starting to feel like Cheerilee felt on their first visit to Canterlot. Almost every Apple from Appleloosa had to visit the mare having Braeburn’s foal. It didn’t help she was so recognized because of her help with the peace with the buffalo.

What bothered Twilight and Cheerilee was after anypony would visit with her and invite her to visit with them when she moves to Appleloosa, they’d go to Braeburn afterward and congratulate him. Some would actually ask Twilight when had Braeburn and Cactus Flower had broken up and she’d gotten together with Braeburn.

To his credit, it did appear he was trying his best to make sure the ponies understood the foal was his on a technicality and he would have no custody of the child.

Twilight finally got Applejack to bring Braeburn and Cactus Flower to meet with her and Cheerilee in the Apple’s house.

In the house Braeburn sat with Cactus Flower while Applejack sat with Rarity and Twilight sat with Cheerilee, Rainbow joined them as well.

“Braeburn,” started Twilight, “I know your family in Appleloosa is excited about the foal. And I know you and Cactus Flower are aware of the terms of the contract. Please understand that Cheerilee and I am extremely grateful for the very personal gift. I do believe you’ve in no way encouraged the behavior of your fellow Appleloosans.

But they appear to be under the belief not only am I going to move to Appleloosa after the foal is born but you and I are romantically involved.”

“Braeburn!” said Cactus Flower, giving her coltfriend a love tap, “are you takin’ the train all the way to Ponyville just to fool ’round with this mare and then ride the train all the way back a’fore I notice you ain’t in bed with me?”

Braeburn looked shocked but Cactus Flower burst out laughing. Twilight, due to her hormone induced over sensitive condition, was relieved; she half believed Braeburn’s marefriend was serious. But the rest of the ponies laughed as well.

“Twilight,” said Braeburn, “I won’t lie, we’re so excited about your foal. We plan on having children in the future, so this is kind of like a preview.”

“Twi and I are relieved to hear you say that,” said Cheerilee, “the way it’s going with Twi’s side of the family, it appears there’s going to be a stampede wanting to be there in the delivery room for both of us, not to mention our mothers. The last thing we need is half of Appleloosa wanting to be there.”

All the ponies laughed.

Rainbow then nudged Applejack;

“Tell her.”

“Twi,” said Applejack timidly, “that reminds me of something.”

“What’s that,” asked Twilight, unsure of what was coming.

“Granny Smith told me the other day it was her responsibility to be there at the birth of any local Apple.”

Twilight went pale;

“Granny Smith too?”

“She didn’t say what she meant by ‘be there’. She’s reasonable enough to know that in the delivery room might be pushing it,” said Applejack.

“That’s a relief,” said Cheerilee. “We were starting to be concerned when we have our ‘blessed events’ we’d lose a lot of friends because their feelings got hurt.”

“We were so happy when we discovered we were with foal, but now there’s starting to be a pall of concern to us.

We don’t want to have our children be the reason we don’t have friends.” Twilight’s increased sensitivity caused her to break down and cry. “We’ve so wanted our friends to be as happy for us as we are.”

“Twilight, Honey,” said Cheerilee, putting her forelegs around her crying wife, “I’m sure it’ll all work out.”

The girls in the room came over to comfort Twilight.

“Twilight,” Cactus Flower said, “y’all ain’t got to worry ’bout us and the Appleloosan Apples. We’ll totally respect your privacy. Braeburn and I’ll make sure our ponies know the real situation. So don’t be concerned if’n you ever visit Appleloosa again, you ain’t goin’ be misunderstood.”

Twilight was soon able to get control of her emotional breakdown. She and Cheerilee went back out to the rest of the Apple Family gathering. Braeburn and Cactus Flower must’ve worked hard because there were no more misunderstandings being spoken and even a couple of apologies from ones who’d already misspoke themselves. There were still a lot of invitations to visit Appleloosa, after all, a child with Apple blood would always be family.

After the initial shock, the rest of the reunion went happily. Cheerilee, Twilight, Wind Walker and Rain Shadow never felt so welcome as they had there. For Cheerilee and her mother, it was another confirmation family was something to be cherished and not feared.