Six Years Later~

She’d long learned to wake up just a few moments before the rooster crowed. Had it been instinct that had driven her to such a mechanism, or did her mind anticipate the sound? It didn’t matter all that much, really; there was work to be done, and that meant morning preparations. Before she put hands to work upon anything, a girl needed to be presentable.

Her body had retained its slender figure even after the years of work and toil amidst this heavenly world had taken soft muscles and made them strong, the delicacy with which she could move not having been lost through the reams of time. Adagio made hardly a sound as she pulled herself from out beneath the covers and put her feet to floor, tingling toes seeking out her worn pair of slippers that she always seemed to have to look down and find. A few more swift movements and into the bathroom did she fly with clothing in hand, the only pause she made was to peer back at the darkened bed that stood amidst the room and take in the sight of the still-sleeping beauty that lay upon it. She’d seen such a thing a million times now, and not once had it failed to make her smile.

She always got herself up a little earlier if she could help it. Apple Bloom and Sugar Belle had laughed when they’d found out; the idea that the once late-riser was the first of their family to see the sun rise! But despite their friendly teasing, Adagio was resolute that her choice was the correct one; she wanted to look her best at all times, even if she was out beneath the trees and providing aid that saw her body caked in a thin layer of sweat. Why not be lovely? It wasn’t for her own needs that she did such a thing, after all- well, perhaps a little. She did enjoy that little thrill that would eventually come…

Years amidst natural beauty had pushed away the long minutes, if not hours, that she would spend before a mirror. All that fuss and extravagance held no place out here, not when she could possess some of the very same loveliness herself. A slight touch there above the eyes, a faint tinge of pink upon her lips, only the smallest dusting to her cheeks was all it took for her features to be set right. Try as she might, her hair was oft-intent on becoming tussled and a thorough combing was a daily ritual; a quick shake of her head once finished, and then a final assessment of her reflection that was rewarded with a smile. Feminine to the core, but the chestnut colors of her eyelet lace dress was a perfect match to her home’s aesthetic- and just the kind of look to drive her bride wild!

For a time, breakfast was a charge given solely to her own hands; with Sugar Belle more occupied than ever, a ready hand that could assume some of her duties was the least she could be. Besides, it wasn’t a difficult task for her to complete at all: get coffee started, pull the eggs from the fridge and get them ready, fry up some bacon and add it to the omelet mixes, unfreeze the biscuits she’d made last night and wrap them in tinfoil while she waited for the oven to heat up. That’d hardly take more than a minute.

Adagio had only taken her first sip of the chicory brew that now filled her mug when the sound of Abbot’s haggard crow filled the outside world with its unpleasant din. Though he was as loud as ever, the ginger beauty felt her usual twinge of sympathy; Apple Bloom did what she could –and she’d done marvelously!- but the rooster’s age was simply catching up to him. And he’d always been so good for the hens, too…

The sign had been given, and Adagio was busy amidst her usual assortment of bowls and skillets and pans, spreading ingredients as needed for each member of the family: bacon, ham, some cheese in each mix- Sugar Belle’s with no peppers, Big Mac’s with extra, and Applejack liked a small helping of mushrooms in her omelet. Now, just to see the eggs put to a proper texture… “Oh, right, the cinnamon rolls, too,” she breathed, leaning down and extracting the cake tray from beneath the oven. Crispin had asked her last night, and she had promised; what sort of auntie would she be if she didn’t hold up her end of the bargain?

So intent on her efforts that the sound of footsteps lumbering down the stairs did not register until they came to the very threshold of the kitchen. When the pinprick of a gaze began to burn into the back of her neck, Adagio whirled about and smiled as she took in the still-drowsy sight of Applejack standing there, fully dressed but not yet fully sentient after yesterday’s long ordeal.

“Good morning, Sweets,” Adagio sang, offering out her hand so as to bring her bride closer, the gap between them promptly sealed shut as blonde came to her side and was met with a kiss for her lips. “Still sleepy?”

“Very. Morning, beautiful,” Applejack mumbled, trying her best though wearied body would not relent to mind just yet. Green eyes were clouded with sleep even still, looking out into the day’s chores that would require her very best and finding them unpleasant even at a distance. There was a lot to do, and much of it would require her very best. “Sorry.”

“Oh, no need to be! Go ahead and take a seat, I’ll get you your coffee.” She’d insisted upon this little ritual almost from the very beginning; if they did not make the meal together, then Adagio was going to see her golden girl provided for as best she could.

“Mmf… mind adding a little somethin’ extra to it?”

Adagio laughed, but gave her wife a wag of her finger. “You know that’s just for weekends, silly,” she said in a playful reprimand. “But I’ll crack open that bottle of Angel’s Envy tonight, if you don’t have to stay out too late.”

“Guess that’ll do.” It wasn’t a consolation prize, but rather something to look forward to. “I tell you you look pretty?”

She had, but receiving compliments from that freckled angel was something she’d never tire of; Adagio flaunted herself as she leaned back against the countertops, eager to let Applejack soak in her loveliness. She loved to see those green eyes come to life, the small catch of her breath that would be just on the edge of hearing, how her lips would tug upwards in the beginnings of a wondering smile- all because of her was this wonderful matriarch happy, and how she reveled in that joy. “You might have,” she remarked, “but if you wanna tell me twice I won’t say no.”

“How about a third time?”

“Flatterer.”

It was easy for them to continue, no matter which way the compliments fell. There would be times that the rest of the farm would walk in and find them interlocked, busier with one another than the necessities of work or morning meals; the honeymoon phase had been alive and eager right from the beginning of their marriage and not a moment since had it shown any sign of losing steam. All that could see their loving banter come to an end was an interruption. And in today’s case, that meant the sound of rushing feet as they crashed through the front door and raced into the kitchen.

“Are the cinnamon rolls ready yet?” Crispin cried out, eyes on his lovely aunt and eagerly awaiting the deeply desired treat. “Come on, Auntie Dagi, you promised!”

“Easy, Crispin.” Applejack’s soft chiding came forth and did its magic, bringing that wild energy to a halt rather than allowing it to cascade across the entire farm; it was so easy for one as energized and eager as him to become obsessed and lose focus upon the bigger picture. “What did you forget to say?”

Though Sugar Belle was his mother, Crispin’s guidance came from all of them, and this included the occasional reminder of proper formality; the young boy held a look of momentary abashment as he realized his error. “Oh right- morning, Aunt Dagi! Are the cinnamon rolls ready yet?”

It was not what Applejack had hoped to fully hear, but a boy kept separate from his sweet treats would of course struggle when faced with a barrier. Adagio only laughed and went to a crouching position, arms outstretched so that she might receive a fierce hug from the young child. “Good morning to you, too, Crispin,” she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek that left the lad squirming and eager to polish off the mark. “I’m just waiting for the oven to get hot enough, OK? Do you need anything else while you’re waiting?”

“Can I have some chocolate milk- umm, please?” he added as he took note of his aunt’s raised eyebrow. He held all the sweetness of his mother, but it was easy for manners to be put to the wayside when eager hunger was on the forefront of his mind.

“Yes, you may.”

The rest of the farmland’s crowd came trickling in soon after; Ginger toddled in to their midst with the aid of her father’s guiding hand, happily reaching for her family and giving each one of them a joyful embrace- to include her brother, who tried his best to resist. Sugar Belle carried Ambrosia upon her chest in a gentle wrap, the newborn beauty wide-eyed and taking in the sight of her not-yet-familiar world with an eagerness that only an infant could possess. Apple Bloom’s spot was left absent for now, but only for a few days longer; there were ribbons to earn in lands far beyond here, and that meant travel. Heaven knew she was making the family proud.

“Thanks for getting everything done,” Sugar Belle said softly. Sidling up to her sister-in-law as she reached for a new mug of coffee, the wears of motherhood were obvious upon her face in the forms of dark circles and lines about her eyes. “I know it must be a lot for you to handle all on your own.”

The very thought of it. “Of course not!” Adagio cried, apparently horrified that there was even a worry in her closest friend’s mind. “You know I love doing it. Besides, you’ve got your hands more than just a little full, it’s the least I can do!”

“Well, then, would it- would it be OK if you looked after Ginger and Crispin for a little bit this afternoon? Ambrosia will need a nap, and, well-”

Adagio could have seen the words a mile away and still she would have gladly run towards them; an hour with her niece and nephew was hardly enough time for her to enjoy herself. “Take as much time as you need, I’ve got all the time in the world!” She said.

Tired though she was, the warmth in her smile would not be so easily abated by exhaustion nor weariness, and so Sugar Belle offered another fresh glow. “I can’t imagine how we’d do without you,” she murmured, giving Adagio’s shoulder a squeeze before returning to the kitchen table where her rowdy children called for her presence.

Mornings were rambunctious, and often loud; the sound of children in their midst had taken the Apple family’s level of conversation and turned it into something frenetic, though offering all the more joy because of it. There was chaos, yes, and tumult to spare, but the house could use a little liveliness to fill the void that had been left behind. And with Apple Bloom not quite decided on her own marriage proposal, there was a wonder if yet another cottage might be in need of creation in the near future; for the first time in many a long year, there were days of wild creation ahead for Sweet Apple Acres.

“Sugar Belle asked me to look after Ginger and Crispin this afternoon, so you’ll probably need to come back in and grab your lunch today,” Adagio said as Applejack put on her boots. At the door was where they typically said their morning goodbyes and exchanged what news as required, and today saw fit to add a few more minutes to their schedule.

“And we’ll be busy planting today, too,” Applejack muttered. In her voice was a weariness that sounded akin to despair, this spring season seeing the end to many an aged tree and the formation of many new ones; more days had come to an end well beyond sunrise rather than before it. “Gonna slow us down pretty bad.”

“Please make sure to eat something this time, OK, Sweets?” Adagio pleaded. She adored her farmgirl to the end, but that often meant she had to worry for the both of their welfares. “You know I hate to see you like this, all tired and worn out. When was the last time we had any fun together- and Apple Bloom’s not even in town.”

“Then pencil me in for Saturday,” Applejack said with a chuckle, finishing the last lace and taking to her feet. “I know I’ve been gone a lot, just… just a lot to do.”

“I know. So don’t you and Big Mac go trying to wear yourselves out, OK? We can hire a few hands if that’s what we really need.”

“You’re right, I know.”

“Aren’t I always?” Adagio asked cheekily.

“Every now and then,” Applejack admitted, leaving her bride with a kiss and turning to the awaiting world outside. “Love, you, darling!”

“Love you, too!” Adagio cried, and in her heart was the same thrill she’d felt right from the very beginning. She could watch Applejack come and go, to and fro and no matter what side she saw, she adored the view. Freckles or toned body held within work clothes mattered little when the girl was such a magnificent goddess of physical excellence!

Morning came to an end with a sponge in hand and more than a few towels used up and covered in grime, Adagio hard at work cleaning up every space that had been put to use in the family’s hearty meal. Dishes required thorough cleaning and were left to dry so that they might be ready for her come tomorrow morning, but the entirety of the kitchen usually required a decent wipe-down, not to mention a good sweeping. Young children found a way to make crumbs even if they wolfed down their food, and Crispin had somehow turned it into an art form. Considering the state of their bathroom every morning, apparently it was a trait learned from his auntie; Applejack was a notorious slob so far as hygiene was concerned. The whole of it took work, but Adagio considered it a matter of pride- for herself, and her lovely bride. Applejack was in charge of forging new connections for the family business, and that occasionally meant in-person visits; if she didn’t help keep this place looking its very best, what sort of wife was she?

A trip through both barn and coop was next on her agenda, and not once had Adagio been left displeased at the duty. Both cow and chicken still were a delight to her, a pleasant presence in her life that never failed to bring about joy no matter what foulness they could leave behind. Apple Bloom had milked the herd just the day before so there was little need today, but the coop was positively brimming with fresh eggs, some more than a little smeared by feces. Much as they reeked in her grasp, best not to break their seal just yet. Put some of these to work in Apple Bloom’s birthday cake next month, the lovely woman counseled herself.

Sack lunches were her next item on the itinerary- but one left interrupted when the sound of the screen door being slammed rang in her ears and was soon followed by the eager cries of young children. Crispin’s exuberance had yet to fade despite a morning with his mother, and so infectious was his attitude that even Ginger was unable to resist joining in. only Ambrosia, tied to her mother’s chest, seemed content to carry on at her own pace and merely giggle at her siblings’ antics. So of course at the appearance of her kindred did Adagio proceed to see young stomach made full, she and Sugar Belle working in tandem as they nurtured this new generation of Apples. Peanut butter sandwiches were the demanded favorite for the day, perfectly paired with crisp apples from yesterday’s crop and some tasty potato chips; for a time, Adagio was the favorite aunt in the house as she focused all her attentions on her niece and nephew while their mother saw to the care of her youngest.

“I was going to make your Daddy and Aunt Applejack some lemonade for their lunch today,” she remarked as Crispin finished off the last of his sandwich. “Would you mind helping me finish up?”

“Yeah!”

Her smile was wide, impossible to be held back; oh, how she loved to see them smile! Adagio had never given much thought to the young of this world, but how these two had done wonders in changing her heart. “Well, soon as you’re done we can get started, OK? So make sure to get your plate completely clean!”

“And remember, what do we say to Auntie Dagi for making us lunch?” Sugar Belle added.

Thus came the shining reply, made with genuine fervor and all the joy only a young child could bring to life. “Thank you, Aunt Dagi!”

She’d never once minded looking after them- well, perhaps that was not true. Crispin’s entry into their world had set her a bit topsy-turvy, so inexperienced was she in the ways of the very young. At first, the poor boy would promptly shriek whenever Adagio so much as laid a finger on him. But a little growth in experience and a confidence boost had done well in seeing her heart melt; this was Sugar Belle’s little one, part of her family. How could she not adore this sweet morsel? When Ginger had come along, Adagio had the effort down to a perfect rhythm. If anyone was to ask the tiny terrors of Sweet Apple Acres who was their favorite family member, Adagio’s name was sure to ring loud and clear.

More doting and gentle than she was any manner of disciplinarian, Sugar Belle’s departure from their midst back to the cottage with Ambrosia was the signal to Crispin and Ginger that the fun had really begun; for a time, loud noises and all sorts of shouting could be heard across hall and room as Adagio romped with the young Apples and saw to their surplus of giggles as games of tag and chase nearly put the world to a frenzy. But even youthful energy had its limits, and soon the two children were at Adagio’s side and struggling to remain awake. A quick show on the TV saw an end to their wakefulness and soon gave them the time they needed to fall into slumber.

Though she did her best to keep one eye upon them, there was still work for her to do; Adagio meandered throughout the house while young souls slept, seeing to whatever work she could perform in the relative quiet as best she could. There was the whole chicken in the freezer that needed to thaw, for one thing; would sweet potatoes or baked potatoes go best with it? Hmm… I might ask Big Mac if he’ll grill some corn cobs, she wondered. It would depend on how long he and his sister worked out in the orchards today. Oh well, one thing at a time.

Each day held a specific task, and today that meant a thorough sweeping of the floors. From the top floors down to the edge of the back doors did she travel with broom in hand, seeing everything made spick-and-span and not even the slightest hair to be seen. Goodness knows how they managed this much dirt when their boots didn’t even make it past the front door; did it just breed itself? Rarely did she ever wonder as to the how when the sizeable piles she would eventually create would be there for her to sweep away.

Halfway down the hall to her bedroom, and Adagio paused. This was a special place for her family; faces and names and memories of all kinds rested upon the walls, bright eyes full of life looking down upon her as she saw to the upkeep of the ancestral home. She knew all their names by heart now, even if there were so many she’d never arrived in time to meet. She knew their exploits, their misdeeds, all the good and unbelievable that was to be known about them; they were her kinfolk, after all. Why shouldn’t she know every story by heart? But one always seemed to grab her attention whenever her heart became somber, the picture of a young girl with silken pigtails that fell across her chest and seemed to lighten her smile a striking thing- perfectly held next to the sitting pose of a wizened woman surrounded by family, with her first great-grandchild in her arms.

There were memories of her that would belong only to her alone; no matter how many times Applejack had asked, she’d felt it would be disrespectful to share absolutely everything there was to know about such a person as Granny. The words that had passed between them when they’d first met had been the first shock to her system that even Applejack could not provide, the sign of life outside her miserable world. That maybe, just maybe, the rest of this family would be gracious enough to offer her a place in their hearts also. Though there were so many times Adagio wished she had been around to witness just a little more, what she had been in time enough to experience had been so very good all on its own. When her eyes looked from beyond the hall and to the quiet, young spirits that now rested in the living room, she wondered what sort of stories she would one day be able to tell. Their mother would have such wonders to provide; Applejack, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom would have stories to spare. But even if she only had a word or two that would sneak past her lips, Adagio was determined they would know that one trickle of gentleness only she could recall. It was part of their legacy, too, just as was all the bravery and selflessness and foolish thought that plagued them all right until their dying days.

A sound of boots at the front door came to her ears and Adagio rushed from her work so as to intercept, seeing Applejack’s wearied entry into the slowly-cleaned world be put to a halt. But weren’t there more important things to be made aware of? “Kiddos are napping in the living room,” the glorious bride whispered, tenderly but forcefully pushing her farmgirl back out into the open world so that heavy footfalls might not intercede. “Sorry, I wasn’t able to get your lunches out to you.”

“You’re fine. Thanks for helping out Sugar Belle today, she’s been exhausted,” Applejack replied with a smile, pressing against Adagio’s cheek with a kiss. Sweaty and filthy though she was, not once had the ginger beauty ever blanched at the affection. “It helps out Big Mac a bunch, too.”

“Like I would say no. I’m going to try and teach Crispin Chutes and Ladders when he wakes up. See if he thinks that’s any fun,” Adagio said.

In those green eyes was a softness that continued to grow, warmth and love seeing to the birth of a fresh adoration that both knew so well; familiar, continuous, yet every moment of its arising a unique and extraordinary thing. “You’re wonderful. You know that?” Applejack murmured as she put a hand about her wife. Together did they lean back against the house wall, a momentary pause in time as the two beheld one another. “And to think you were worried you wouldn’t fit right in.”

She had worried. Fretted, feared, dreaded some days more often than she might ever confess to. There were days she’d fought with Applejack, whether the matter be trivial or something of genuine importance; she’d been at fault some, and her bride the others. There had been mishaps, mistakes, frustrations, uncertainties and gloom all in abundance, but never once had she regretted her decision to stay. Where Applejack belonged was where she belonged also, no matter how unsteady her steps may be. By her side would she stand, and no where else would do. So even if there were plenty of failings awaiting her in the future, not one would be able to overcome what had her firmly planted in this sanctuary she called home.

Could she even recall the last time she’d left? Even that memory felt dim. Sights and sounds of the outside world felt so far away; a life that had once haunted her felt truly like a forgotten existence of eons gone by, faded and distorted as though borne from a far-forgotten realm. What was there for her to remember? Applejack held her fast. That seemed good enough.

“Are- are you really here? Did you really stay with me?” Applejack asked.

“I really did. As if I could leave my perfect bombshell,” Adagio purred. About her bride’s waist did she tighten her grip, making sure that strong form could feel every curve and softened portion that was for her alone to enjoy; there had been nights galore, and many more to come, that would be theirs for the taking. “Why, you’re not doubting me, are you? I might just need to give you a little reminder.”

Applejack did not protest, nor would she ever, as her kiss was met in the midst of their green and glorious world.

Author's Note

I'll always doubt myself, but I feel like at least I hit the story beats well enough. Think my wordsmithing kinda sucked, though. Also sucks it didn't get much reception.

Oh well. Enjoy our girls, I guess.