Zap Apple Pie

     You look at your Mama and grin.  She can’t say no when you ask for a treat and show your teeth.  She rolls her eyes and shakes her head.  You’ve known her for two months, since you entered the world, and in that time she hasn’t said no to you yet, not when you ask nice.

    “Alright, Sugar, ya get one candy but,” she stops and looks at you with that stern look she gives. “If’n ya ask again yer gettin’ none fer dessert.  Now, don’t tell Mom, okay?”

    “Okay, Mama,” you reply as she goes to the cupboard and opens it.  You know what candy she’s going for, the green one with a piece of cloud flavored like sarsaparilla in it.  Your favorite!  You hop around her legs and run under her as she rears to lean on the counter.  Mama grabs one from a blue and green jar with a spoon in it.  You eep in excitement and hear her chuckle.

    She balances the candy on the spoon and drops it down to your mouth.  You bite down on it hearing it crunch and crackle in your mouth with your new teeth.  As the sugary treat overloads your young senses you feel your knees wobble and you giggle softly.  Mama pats your head and adjusts her hat. “Good girl now, don’t get too excited...”

    Mama’s always wearing that hat, except for when Mom wears it some mornings.  Those are the mornings they are gross and nuzzle and kiss a lot. “Now, what’d ya like ta do ‘til school’s out and the rest come home?” Mama asks.

    For a moment you think and then run under her legs again and giggle.  She laughs and watches her step so she won’t step on you.  You gallop ahead and into the den where Miss Mommy Quill is reading a book.  She’s a mommy, but kinda not, but, she is.  Your eyes begin to cross as Miss Mommy Quill giggles.

    “AJ, I think ya broke her.”

    “Ah did no such thing, Sugar here’s just excited.  Whoo-wee, didja hear that?” Mama says as there’s boom outside that scares you under her for safety.  She won’t let anything scary hurt you.

    “The thunder?” Miss Mommy Quill asks, “yeah, the storm’s almost over.  I can feel it in my bones,” she blinks with one eye at Mama.

    “Well, if they drop too many apples from the trees-”

    “The trees’ll be fine.” Miss Mommy Quill says. “They’ve been around before you and they’ll be here after you.  Now, can I finish this chapter or shall we,” she stopped to ruffle her wings and grin, “talk upstairs for a bit?”

    “No,” Mama says with finality as she trots over to the fireplace and lays down.  You gallop to stay with her and you move over to lay between her legs, facing her breasts.  You realize how thirsty you are.  “Ya know, yer gettin’ too old fer that,” she says looking at you.  You pout and know it.  “Oh, fine, but don’t overdo it.  Yer eatin’ dinner with us whether ya like it’r not.”

    Yum!  Mama’s milk is the best, except for candy.

    …

    You finish with a satisfied exhale and yawn, squeaking as your voice breaks.  “Mama, sleepy,” you manage as your eyes get itchy and you rub them.

    “Go ta sleep baby, Mama’ll be here when ya wake up.”

    You feel your eyes getting heavy and the storm outside quieting down.  The pitter patter of rain on the house and windows is lulling you to sleep.  You lay your head on Mama’s hind leg and the world goes dark.  The sounds of Mama and Miss Mommy Quill are still talking, you hear your name and your ears swivel to listen.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

    “She’s already two months old and you’re spoiling her like a bad batch of old apple cider, AJ.”

    “She’s mah first and only baby, Quill.  Reckon the best cider’s sell for the best bits, but they started-”

    “Yeah, yeah. Cider, hard cider, bits.  I do the books with Big Mac, I know how it all works,” Quill chuckled, “but you know what I’m saying?  She’s just got her teeth and you’re giving her candy?”

    “Nursin’ her is takin’ care of that.” Applejack replied as she lightly nuzzled the sleeping filly.  Her yellow coat trembling slightly as Applejack’s muzzle brushed against the filly’s legs.  The filly’s orange tail flicked Applejack’s muzzle.

    “Well, Rainbow’s gonna have an issue with that, especially since, ya know...”

    “Well, it was her choice to wene ‘em onta hay sooner than later.  This’ my way.” Quill raised an eyebrow and sighed but remained quiet. “What’s on yer mind, Quill?”

    “Just, how you two fight so much but love each other so much is still a mystery to me.  Sure, I get the love’n, too, but it’s never been the same.  I should’a married ya both when I had the chance.”

    “But, ya didn’t and now, here ya are.  The best long term fiance in the history of the nation.”

    “Meh, I wouldn’t go that far, but thanks.  I’m great in the hay, too, right?”

    Applejack blushed and looked to make sure the filly was sleeping. “Darn tootin’, but ya best not talk like that around this one.  We had enough trouble with your helpin’ Scootaloo with Rumble.”

    “And they’re doing just fine, right?” Quill winked and lay her book page down.

    “Yeah, and goin’ at it like rabbits!  Ah swear if she goes inta estrus and they get knocked up Ah’m cuttin’ ya off fer a week.”

    “Whatever, Rainbow’ll still dirty a cloud with me.”

    Applejack glared at Quill then sniffed the air, looking the filly, then winced. “Well, ya got yer Mom’s gas, for sure.”

    Quill laughed into her hoof as a beam of sunlight entered the window. “And there we go, storm’s over.  Hear that, little one, Mom’ll be home with the others soon.”