Two days had passed since the princesses came to visit and now it was the day of the Apple Family reunion. Applejack and Rainbow Dash scurried around making sure everything was perfect. The house was spotless and smelled of baking goods and apples, the fireplace roar with the last fire of the winter filling the home with its warmth.

"Ah reckon that ma kin folks will be arriving soon enough, an we got most of the work done just need to get the few things out of the oven." Said Applejack with a tired huff.

"Yeah." rasped Rainbow Dash "I think we earned a bit of a nap" she said as she flopped on the couch. Applejack nodded as she sat in the old rocking chair next to the fire.

"Ah reckon a few minutes wouldn't hurt" she said looking over at Rainbow Dash, but Dash was already snoring. chuckling to herself she drifted off.

. . .

A thudding knock on the door brought both the sleeping mares out of their brief but fitful power nap. a second knock was replied with. "AH'M COMING DAGNABIT!" Upon opening the door Applejack smiled to see her cousin Braeburn hoof lifted to knock a third time an a easy smile on his withered face.

"Ya know. . ." said Braeburn. "It's just not fair ya aging so well an me turning inta this bag o' bones." he laughed heartily and embraced Applejack

"Ah reckon it's real good ta see you again Braeburn. Anyone else come with ya?" Applejack asked with a smile.

"Babs Seed an Applebloom are unloading the with their kids right now an i saw a passed a few others on tha way. replied Braeburn.

Rainbow Dash came out unto the porch an said "I thought you said Applebloom didn't come by any more?"

"Ah did." came the stunned reply of her oldest friend "Ah did."

slowly Applejack came off the porch as two more wagon loads of kin folk and a small zeppelin landed in the yard. Rainbow Dash moved past to help Braeburn open the barn where several tables were set up.

She made her way into the barn where the younger ponies were setting up the buffet and tolling in the barrels of cider while in the hay loft the band was setting up and tuning their instruments.

"Applejack . . . It's been an age hasn't it" came Applebloom's southern draw. she moved forward and gave her older sister a hug "Ah haven't seen you since"

"Big Mac's funeral." cut in Applejack as she returned the hug "how have you been sugar cube?"

"Ah reckon Ah've been alright, my daughter is with child, her second and my son just got married." Applebloom smiled

"Good night a'livin!" exclaimed Applejack "Ah reckon it's mighty good to see ya again sis, come on Rainbow Dash is waiting on me and the dance is fixing to start."

"Oh?" said Applebloom. "Are y'all together?"

"Not yet, but hopefully soon." stated Applejack with a smile.

. . .

The dance was starting to get full swing when the lead singer called for a line dance. So far to both their frustrations Applejack and Rainbow Dash had been able to dance with everyone but each other, and now they were going to dance together or die trying.

A rowdy cheer went up and all the ponies squared off in two long lines a smiling Applejack and Rainbow Dash Across from each other. As the music started in a lively way, the two found themselves arm in arm for the first time that night.

"Here we go!" came the booming voice of the singer "Step to gaily, and we go. Heel to heel and toe to toe. Arm in Arm, row n' row . . ."

The two friends turned something more smiled as they stepped in time with the beat. Happy smiles on their face and a spark in their eyes. Time seemed to slow as the finial crescendo of the song arrived and the two aged mares leaned forward and in that moment kissed. Time seemed to stop, their eyes drifted closed and just like that it was over.

"That was . . ." Started Applejack.

"Awesome." Finished Rainbow Dash, broad smiles on their faces as time seemed to restart the band already playing the next song. It was a slow dance that both ponies turned lovers happily danced to swaying on the spot in the middle of the crowded dance floor.

Before too long the dance wound to a close, the drink and food all consumed and ponies began making their goodbyes and heading home. Applejack and Applebloom said their heart felt goodbyes with promises to come visit more often and Braeburn simply waved as he trotted off with his wagon into the night. At long last everypony went home and the two loveponies were all alone.

"Come on Dashie we can clean up tomorrow Ah'm to tired and Ah reckon you are too. Ma bed's big enough fer the both of us, an Ah don't want to sleep alone tonight." Stated Applejack tiredly.

"Sounds good to me AJ, you lead the way." Replied Rainbow Dash. Slowly the two mares meandered inside and up to the master bedroom, with a tired sigh they crawled into bed and were asleep within a few short ticks of the clock.

As morning rose the day after the family reunion, it found Rainbow Dash and Applejack sleeping peacefully in each others arms. The years had been long and hard but no less rich for their experiences. When the two old friends turned lovers at last rose from their fitful slumber, the sun was high over head.

"Goodmornin sugarcube. Thanks fer staying with me last night." Applejack leaned forward and lightly kissed Rainbow's cheek before saying " Ah had a lot of fun last night, the past couple of weeks Ah'd say. Ah'd love it if well . . . Ah guess Ah'm tryin ta ask, Rainbow Will ya be ma marefriend?" She looked at dash with a good deal of hope and fear.

Rainbow Dash looked at her and said in a soft rasp. "Yes, Applejack I will." leaning forward the world weary mares brushed their lips together for a second before kissing fully letting the years wash away. Neither knew what the future held, all they knew is that they would face it together at long last.

Author's Note

Well folks this is good bye for now i may make a sequel in the near future depending on how well this story does or if it's few followers request it. As always God bless and "let the water of life flow freely."