A Familiar Pear Of Glasses

“Alright, gather round everypony” Chase said aloud as everyone gathered around the fire. Everypony was pretty much dressed in some form of sleepwear. Surprisingly, AJ seemed the most excited out of everypony, mostly for storytelling, but also due to the materials brought along for s’mores

Apple Bloom squealed excitedly, “Ah can’t wait! Tah anticipation is killin’ me!” she bounced happily on a hay bale, and Pine sat next to her, puttin’ an arm around her softly

“Now now, little sis, pa knows exactly tah right moment tah tell a story, now do ya pa?” Pineapple asked his pa, and he chuckled in response

“Yeah, I do. Now, to start off, what should I talk about first?” Chase asked as Apple Bloom raised her hand, and Chase nodded, “Yes Apple Bloom?”

“What was it like when ma was… y’know…” Apple Bloom asked as AJ gasped

“Apple Bloom! Is that really necessary?!” Applejack exclaimed, looking at Apple Bloom with a shocked expression

“Relax AJ, I know what she was trying to ask. She’s wondering what it was like when Pear was pregnant with each of ya. Well…… it wasn’t enjoyable, I’ll say that…” he said, taking a deep breath

Big Mac was first born from Pear, and even before Big Mac was born, she didn’t enjoy it one bit. Me and Bright Mac knew it was because her hormones had been dialed up, but she didn’t have any fun, period.

More often then not, it just came down to the fact that she felt “under the weather” and didn’t have the strength to work, where other days, she would have all the strength and determination to do things while pregnant, and when we tried to get her to stop, she’d often come off as super aggressive. There were also rare occasions where she was both temperamental and under the weather.

On those days where she wasn’t feeling well and was all the more temperamental, me, Bright Mac, and Granny would take shifts. Granny had morning shifts, Bright had afternoon shifts, and I had evening shifts. If any of us had trouble, we’d call somepony else to take over and swap out.

There was one day that stood out from all the others. One morning, it was different though. Pear Butter pushed away Granny, refusin’ to eat at all. Bright tried cheering her up and rubbin’ her stomach, but she slapped his hand away, and when they both tried to get through to her, she literally got out of bed and shoved them out of the door. This’d never happened before, so it was very odd to me that she was pushing away her mother-in-law and one of her husbands.

Before it was even lunchtime, I made my way to Pear’s bedroom, and it was dead quiet. Bright stopped me as he passed by, “Be careful, pardner, ah don’t know what’s up wit her this mornin’...”

“From what y’all told me earlier, I can see why, but… I’ll get to the bottom of it” I said, sighing a little as Bright walked downstairs, and I knocked softly on Pear’s bedroom door, “Pear, sweetheart, may I come in?”

Silence was what I was met with, and I knocked again, hearing a gentle, yet frightened, voice respond from the other side of the door, “Come in… Chase…”

As I carefully turned the knob, I walked in on a teary-eyed Pear, and her eyes were a bit bloodhshot too, probably from stomach pains. She did her best to smile, only to softly yelp and whine at her stomach in pain. Funny thing was that, out of Big Mac, Applejack, and Apple Bloom, and Pineapple, Big Mac was only the second toughest pregnancy for Pear Butter.

Eventually, I came over to her bedside and gently hugged her, and she hugged back as I wiped her tears away, “Pear, why’re you pushing Bright and Granny away? They just want to help you”

“Ah didn’t want them… ah was missin’ ya more, and the kickin’ often stops when ya rub my tum tum…” she said, feeling a kick as she shed more tears, and I instinctively rubbed her tummy, getting a couple of sighs out of her

“Have you eaten today, dear?” I asked her as she nodded softly, though she was quiet as could be, and I petted her mane softly, getting a soft nod from her.

“Yes… though ah didn’t feel like it… ah didn’t know bein’ a mother would be so… pain-inducin’... ah feel terrible for how ah treat ma and Bright, but… but…” she said, hugging me and crying into my chest

“Shhhhhhh shhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I know, you can’t control your hormones. It’s okay, PB, we don’t hold it against you… we’ll always be here” I said, gettin’ her to calm down as she sniffled, taking a deep sigh.

She looked me right in the eyes and licked my cheek like a hurt puppy, and sighed, leaning into me softly, “Ah don’t know what I’d do without ya, or Bright, or ma… y’all do so much for me, and most of ya ah treat like crap, yet y’all stick around still…”

“If we didn’t, you’d be lost without us” I said, and she patted the spot next to her, but I sighed, “Pear, I can’t”

“Why not? Why do ya have’tah deny me?” she whined as her ears folded

“I have chores to do like the others” I said, trying to get her to agree with me

She pouted, crossing her arms under her decently sized (D-cup) chest, and she glared at me, “No, ah don’t wanna hear it. You get in this bed with me now, or your ass will miss out on your first son’s birth…” she said coldly, and she stayed true to her threats. Not hesitating, I sighed as I took off my boots and my socks, getting in her bed with her, and she pulled me right next to her as she laid into me, “There, much better~” she sighed contently, huggin’ me like I was her teddy bear

“Please don’t tell me this-” I tried to say as she placed a finger on mah lips

“Oh, ya won’t always be in bed with me, but you will be caterin’ to mah ev’ry need. Not just while ah’m pregnant now, but any time ah’m not feelin’ well, undahstood?” she said, staring into my eyes sweetly, though I knew very well that she was hellbent on what she said.

I sighed in defeat, and just kissed her, making her blush, “Okay, I understand. Can I g-”

“Unless you gotta go to tah bathroom, you ain’t leavin’ mah bed” she said, huggin’ me tightly, “Ah love ya, Chase” she said, resting her head on me, and soon enough, she was out like a light. As I tried to scoot away, her grip tightened. As I sighed, Mac came in, chucklin’ a little.

“Need help, Chase?” he whispered

“No thanks. She’s a tad clingy at the moment. Best to just… take over chores for me, Mac” I said, getting a smile and nod out of him as he slowly closed the door

“Ah got ya. Don’t let her in ya pants while she’s there” he whispered and teased

“Ah’m surprised Ma confined in ya more than in Pa, Chase” Applejack said, sighing a little, “Ya musta treated her well for her to want ya so much”

“Heh, you could say that, but boy, it was so much more than just that, Jackie” Chase explained, “Even when I tended to her every need, her appetite didn’t always agree with her, as it was either she’d want food when she wasn’t hungry, and then not want food when she was hungry. I could swear it was like I was raising a foal before one had even been born” Chase joked, getting a laugh out of everypony there

“So pa, what was it like when ah was born?” Mac asked Chase, and he sweated a bit

“Well, I’ll tell ya this much, it wasn’t all that pleasant” Chase said, “Though it was a bit of a beauty…”

When Pear’s water broke, it was as if all Hell had broken lose. She was screamin’ louder than a rooster and wailing louder than a foal. She felt kick after kick, whining constantly as if her whole body was ready to explode.

When we checked her into the hospital, the doc wasted no time in getting her onto a bed, and her legs were sprawled as she was in position. While the doc did acknowledge we were in a herd, he didn’t want the room to be crowded, so after a small decision made by Pear, it was decided that me and Mac would be able to see it, per her request. I sat on Pear’s left, and Bright on her right.

“Buttercup, ya got this, push for us, darlin’. We know you can do this” Bright cheered softly as Pear grunted, squeezing his hand tightly as he winced

“You’re strong, PB” I said as she did the same to my hand, pushing hard

“T-This hurts so bad! A-Ah hate this!” she cried as her voice broke

“Mrs. Butter, I see the head, just push a little more for me, please” the doctor said, and she grunted and pushed as hard as she could

“Ah’m tryin’, dagnabbit!” she said, screamin’ louder as she pushed as hard as she can, and as she panted in relief, seeing her firstborn foal.

“Mrs. Butter…” the doctor said softly, “It’s a boy…” he said, carefully swaddling the newborn foal and handing it to Pear softly.

“Oh, he’s precious…” she said, and well, Big Mac was big when born, so that’s where she came up with the name, “Ah think ah’ll name him… Big Mac, cause he’s big just like his pony daddy…”

“Buttercup, now that’s super sweet o’ ya. Ah have the strongest feelin’ that he’ll be quite tah child prodigy” Bright said

“Mac may’ve been a pain to push out, but was a blessing at the age of 5, cleanin’ out trees like they was nothing” Chase explained

“Heh, glad ya thought so, Pa” Big Mac responded, laughing a little

“Pa, now that ah think bout it, you said Big Mac was the second hardest, so that begs the question: Who was tah first?” Apple Bloom asked

Chase sweated a little and chuckled nervously, “Well… it’s funny you ask that… AJ was actually the hardest…”

“You kiddin’ me? How?” Applejack asked as Chase chuckled

“If you’d allow me to explain…” Chase began, breathed deep

It was like Hell when Pear was pregnant with Applejack, unfortunately. Pear needed constant care, as she was either having a headache, really moody, or throwing up everything she had eaten prior.

That, of course, meant I was on double time. It made me feel like absolute shit, knowing Pear was in pain day after day, and most of the time, I rarely got any chores done, and I soon just became Pear’s maid, anytime I was needed.

It was beyond me why Applejack was the toughest for Pear, but lord, she was just… yikes.

There were even some days where she’d be in my lap, wanting to be pampered and loved. She’d even insist on me bathing with her, which often got out of hand for reasons I won’t disclose.

When she’d throw up, it’d smell like rotten apples. Sometimes she’d even throw up while eating and that was twice as nasty.

There was one day where Pear felt like she was gonna die, and to be honest, that was like, one of the darkest days I remember, and it went a bit like this.

“Chaaaaaase~ my stomach huuuuuurrrrrrrts….” is what I first heard waking up. It had been like this for a few weeks now: Wake up, hear Pear call out to me, and sigh.

She rarely ever called out to Bright Mac, since she pretty much knew that I’d be stuck with her. Occasionally, the two would share a hug or a kiss but most of the time, Bright was busy taking care of Big Mac, teaching him how to work on the farm.

As I peaked into Pear’s bedroom, the bucket by her bed had already been filled halfway, and that told me she had threw up at some time in the night, must’ve woken up in the middle of the night. She’d also tell me how she’d be able to sleep, but it was like her little ‘bundle of joy’ couldn’t sleep, and there were more times that she’d felt kicks, and she’d sometimes want to get rid of the pain, but something told her deep down, not just me or Bright, that the pain would pay off.

I carefully walked over and petted her mane as she did her best to sigh, and I asked, “I assume last night was rough?”

“What do you think?! Of course it was rough, ya dumb buck!” she snapped, and covered her mouth as you flinched, speaking softly, “Ah’m sorry sweetie… ah didn’t mean it…”

“You never do, Pear, it’s your hormones actin’ up. I forgive you” I said, making her tear up a little as she smiled softly.

“Your forgiveness for me is amazin’…” she responded gently, taking my hand, “Ah’m glad ah chose ya, as ah don’t know how Bright would put up with me like this…”

“He seems like a tough fellow, so I wouldn’t put it past him if he was just as tolerant as me” I complimented, petting her mane some more, “You hungry, or…?”

“No… Ah’m not hungry, sugarcube…” she responded, clenching her stomach as I rubbed her back softly

“Well, you’ll have to eat at some point, and not just for you, but for your little filly” I said. When the doctor did a scan, it was confirmed that the foal was gonna be a girl, which was nice to know.

“Ah know, Ah know, Ah’m just not hungry from all the throwin’-up ah’ve been doin’… ah’ll eat at some point, sugarcube, Ah promise…” she said, squeezin’ my hand softly as she felt some kicks, yelping softly, “Dagnabbit… she’s a fighter, that’s for sure…”

I rubbed her stomach, feeling a tough kick come from there, “Ooooo yep, you’re right about that, she probably has a lot of potential if she’s kickin’ that much”

“Maybe you’re right, though Ah won’t believe it till Ah see it…” she said, laying back down in her bed

“Gonna get some more rest, love?” I asked her as she blew me a kiss

“Yeah… maybe a nap will help…” she said, yawning as she fell asleep

I then took my leave, closin’ the door softly, and saw Big Mac run up to me, “Pa, is ma okay?”

“Things are… rough for ya ma, sonny… go get some more chores done, as it’d lessen the work load” I said, and he nodded and ran off.

“Gee, ma really went through a lotta pain… ah feel bad for her…” Apple Bloom commented, tearing up a little as Applejack put an arm around her, comforting her

“Well, in the end, she brought us all into this beautiful world, Apple Bloom. You, me, and Mac” Applejack said, trying to make light of the situation.

“She was a brave mare, enduring all that pain” Chase explained, shedding a tear there, “Though, Apple Bloom was actually one of the easiest pregnancies she ever had”

“Wait, really? How so?” Apple Bloom asked

“Well, let me explain…” Chase said, focusing again

When Pear Butter was pregnant for the fourth time, she felt as though another rough pregnancy would kill her, but to her surprise, she actually didn’t feel in pain

In fact, she actually felt well enough to be workin’ on the farm, but more or less needed to take it slow and easy.

She took some of the lighter jobs on the farm, not exactly tackling the heavier jobs. The rest of us weren’t sure whether or not she was trying to prove herself, or that she wanted to make up for all the times I took care of her..

It gave her joy, seeing Big Mac and Applejack play all round the farm, cause it made her happy knowing she had a family. Me and Bright did show our concern, telling her that she should really take better care of herself and not overwork herself, but she did so regardless.

There was one day, when the sun went down, me and Bright approached Pear, who was sitting on a hill. Her breathing was gentle, so she seemed okay. Me and Bright took seats next to her, and Bright spoke up, “You okay Buttercup?”

She seemed caught off guard, and looked around quickly, then sighed a breath of relief, “Oh, it’s just mah hubbies. Ah’m okay, ah’m just… rememberin’...”

“Remembering what, sweetums?” I asked her as she smiled and petted me

“How much we’ve all accomplished. Two boys, a girl, and another on the way. I’d say the Apple and Pear family gets bigger, wouldn’t y’all agree?” she asked, and we nodded in response

“It is quite tah family. Ah have a feelin’ they’ll be great members” Bright said, making Pear chuckle as she kissed both our cheeks

“And we’ll raise ‘em to be proud members of tah farm, ah know that much” she said with confidence

It was clear, from that day on, that we’d be a great, big family who loved each other greatly, or at least…

“...That’s what it would’ve been…” Chase concluded, sheddin’ a few tears as Timber scooted close to Chase, looking up at him

“‘Scuse me, grandpa, but what exactly happened to grandma Pear and grandpa Bright?” Timber asked as Chase sighed again, looking up softly

“AJ, may I? I know it’s hard for you, but…” Chase asked carefully, knowing that loss was a painful thing

As AJ teared up, she nodded softly, “Ah’d say now’s a bettah time than nevah, pa…”

As Chase sighed again, he focused and looked down at Timber, “Well… I imagine y’all are probably wonderin’ how this happened, right?” he asked, pointing to his own eyepatch

“While it looks cool, ah do wondah why you have that, grandpa” Apple Slice spoke up

Chase nodded, removing the eyepatch to reveal a fake left eye, one made of glass. Everypony gasped, and Timber looked closely, “How’d that happen, grandpa?”

“Well, it has to do with loss…” Chase said, closing his only good eye as he focused

It was an ordinary day on the farm, and everything was going well. Applejack was playing with Apple Bloom, keeping her entertained. Big Mac was harvestin’ apples with Pineapple, and Granny was cooking as usual.

It had been a bit of a busy day on the farm, due to the high demand, and well, things seemed to be going well, no doubt about that, and as I was helping with harvesting apples, Pear came over to me, and hugged me from behind, “Well done, sugarcube, ya done plenty ta take a break”

“Never put off until tomorrow what can be done today, love” I said, and she giggled and kissed my cheek

“You’re right about that, sweetheart” she said, and for a while, things were calm, until screaming was heard. We both turned to see the house up in flames.

“Oh hell! What happened?!” I exclaimed as she noticed and her eyes widened

“A-Ah don’t know! W-We gotta go help!” she exclaimed, and ran off, but was stopped by Granny, “Ma, what’s happened?!” Pear asked Granny, who was followed by Big Mac, Applejack, Pineapple and Apple Bloom, but Bright Mac was nowhere to be seen, “Where’s Bright?!”

“Ah last saw him inside! He said he’d catch up’tah us!” Granny said, “What’re y’all plannin’ tah do?!”

Pear looked at me, and I shook my head, but she teared up and looked Granny in the eyes, “Ah’m gonna find my stallion. Chase, you’re comin’ with”

“Are y’all insane?!” Granny asked us, and Pear looked serious

“Ah’d so much as die for that stallion as much as ah would for Chase. Y’all get to a safe distance!” she said, only for a little Applejack to run up to her crying, “Applejack, go with Granny”

“But what if ah nevah see you again?!” Applejack said hysterically, and Pear hugged her

“Then know… that ah’ll always be here…” Pear said, and Granny took Applejack’s hand, running with them all to a safe distance, then Pear turned to me, “Now let’s find Bright” she said, running towards the burning house

I followed behind her as we made our way in, and we followed the sound of screaming as we saw a sight that looked utterly… painful… Bright was trapped under a wooden beam, and it’d looked like he’d suffered mass head trauma, bleeding from that area. Pear gasped as she got down and tried lifting the beam up, “Don’t worry, Bright, we’ll get’cha out!”

Bright looked up as we tried lifting it, but due to the intense heat, it hurt to do so. After a while, he sighed and said, “Get… out…”

“Get out? Brotha, we ain’t leavin’ ya” I said, and he shook his head

“Mah time’s up, Chase. Get my Buttercup outta here” he said

I nodded and tried to pull Pear away, but she slapped me away, “No! A-Ah know we can save him! W-We have to try!”

I grabbed her shoulders and made her look me in the eyes, “Pear, we’ve tried! The beam’s too heavy! We have to-”

“Chase, watch out!” Pear said, tackling me outta the way as another beam dropped on her, causing her to scream, “AGGGHHHHHHH! BUCKIN- BUCK!”

“PB! NO!” I screamed, trying to get the beam off of her, but the flames ate at my flesh like mosquitos, “No… no…”

“Chase… listen to me…” she said, trying to get me to leave

“No, please… let me try…” I said, trying harder as my skin started to burn away more, and before I knew it, I heard something falling, and looked up at the wrong time, as a sharp chunk of wood pierced my left eye, “ACK! FUCK!”

“Chase, now!” Bright screamed, and I looked at them both, removing the stick as blood flowed from my punctured socket

“Please Chase… get out while you can…” Pear called out, losing her voice as I knelt down next to her

“But… what about the others?” I asked her, and she smiled

“They’ll be alright… they’re in good hands with you around…” she said, “Before ah go, Chase, let me give you this… come closer…”

I leaned in closer to her face, “Give me w-” and she kissed me. I closed my only eye as she kissed me, and then she pulled away, taking off her ring and giving it to me, “PB, sweetheart…”

“Just so ya won’t forget us… ah’ll always be in ya heart, now go…” she said, as I pocketed the ring and ran out, looking back as they both laid there.

“I love you, Pear Butter!” I shouted, running away as fast I can

“Ah love ya, Chase! Protect them!” she shouted back, then looked at Bright, “At least they’ll have one parent tah look up tah, right dear…?”

“Yeah… I trust he’s got it figured out… ah love ya, buttercup…” he said, reaching out to her

“Ah love ya too, Bright Mac… Ah’ll see ya in the afterlife…” Pear said, shedding tears as the house burnt down around them

Fast forward a few days later, and I’m in the hospital. My hands endured third-degree burns, and needed to be bandaged up for the meantime. My eye was impossible to save, as the center was where it was punctured, making it all the more impossible to save, so they had no choice but to surgically remove it.

When the house had burnt down completely, Bright and Pear’s bodies were found, having suffered broken spinal cords, and fatal third-degree burns around face and all other parts of the body. Everypony attended the funeral, and even some other members of the Apple and Pear families came to mourn, except Grand Pear, who didn’t want anything to do with it. It was mainly me and Granny who spoke about their deaths. My speech went like this:

‘Pear Butter was a mare like no other, and Bright was like a brother to me. They both brought smiles to my face, and accepted me like I was an ordinary pony, despite being what most call a “hairless monkey/ape”. They made me feel accepted, and that’s what I loved about them. I only pray that they’ve passed on peacefully and are at peace in the afterlife. I love you both, and hope to see you both again one day…’

After I was finished and the funeral was too, Granny approached me afterwards, and pulled me aside. She was silent, but looked upset.

“What’s wrong Granny?” I asked her, and she looked at me saddened

“Listen Chase… ah know ya done a lot for us… but… ah think it’s time ya go…” she said, and that made my eyes widen

“Wait, why?” I asked in confusion

“Well… Equestria’s just not… ready for humans yet… that, and Ah’m afraid the youngins’ aren’t either. Hopefully you understand” she said, sighing

“Where am I supposed to live? Surely you planned this” I said, still a little upset

“There’s some empty farm land I used to own just outside of Manehattan. It’s nice and secluded too” she said, and I sighed, causing her to put a hand on my shoulder, “Hey, ah know how ya feel, but jus’ understand that it’s also for ya own good”

“How so?” I asked her, still confused

“Well, ah don’t want ya to be roamin’ round the farm an’ havin’ that remindah of their deaths, sugarcube… make sense now?” she asked, and I did understand, nodding

“I appreciate your concern, but… what about the kids? Shouldn’t they at least?-“ I tried to say as she shook her head

“Last thing ah need is them askin’ ya what happened” she said sternly

I nodded, “Alright, can I at least take Pineapple with me?”

“Sure, he will need a parent, so go ahead” she said, “Don’t take too long in movin’ out now” she said, walking off.

To think that I’d be leaving my family was a sad thought, but Granny was right. With that in mind, I sighed and walked off.

After Chase was finished, everypony was sobbing. Something had told Chase that this story really hurt his family.

AJ looked the most hurt out of all of them, looking up at me sadly, “Ya did so much for them… they treated ya like family… and you did all ya could to save ‘em in the end…”

“Truly I did…I’m sorry about that, AJ…” Chase said, feeling a tight hug from AJ, and then feeling his shoulder get wet

“N-No… y-you did what ya could, Pa…” she said, and Chase felt two other pairs of arms wrap around him softly

“She’s right… ya did what ya could…” Apple Bloom said, attempting to cheer him up

“E-Eeyup…” Mac said softly

“I appreciate that… thank you all…” Chase said, hugging them all, “I think… I need some time alone, y’all…” Chase said as they all let go, giving him space as he got up and headed for his room, and AJ grabbed his arm

“Pa… ya gonna be okay, ah know it…” she said, and he nodded softly, hugging her before walking off completely

“It’s getting late, y’all, get some rest…” Chase said, heading down the hallway

Chase plopped onto his bed, falling asleep pretty quickly. He soon found himself on a farm, and that farm was Sweet Apple Acres. He walked up the dirt path, and saw two familiar faces there, and he ran towards them, “PB! Bright!”

Bright looked too busy to notice Chase, and instead, kept harvestin’ apples. Pear did notice Chase, and smiled as he got closer, “Chase, good to see ya!” she said, opening her arms as he ran into them, hugging and kissing her, making her giggle, “Hehe, ah missed ya too? Somepony’s happy to see me…”

“Like you won’t believe. Is this Heaven? Am I dead?” Chase asked, and she shook her head softly, making him sigh

“No, you’re just dreamin’, sweetums, though it doesn’t mean ah don’t miss ya. Still waitin’ for ya to come home” Pear said, running a hand through his hair softly.

“I still remember… our night of passion…” Chase said, tearing up a little, and she wiped away his tears softly

“And what a night that was~ Pineapple was a beautiful baby boy” she said, cooing softly, “Ah’m proud o’ ya, Chase”

“Proud of me how? I didn’t protect-” Chase tried to explain as she placed a finger on his lips softly.

“No, you did. Sure, ah could see the sadness when ya had to leave, but it was for tah good, as yah didn’t have’tah tell ‘em what’d happened to us, and that meant they could grow up with joy ‘an not remorse” Pear said to Chase, kissin’ his cheek softly

“You know, it’s clear they miss ya… even AJ’s children cried when I explained what happened to ya both… it’s a shame y’all missed out on their births…” Chase explained, and Pear teared up a little.

“While that may be true… ah know ah’ll see ‘em again one day… an most of all, you…” she said, cupping his cheek softly

“I look forward to that day, PB…” Chase said as he kissed her one last time, and she began to vanish, “One day, PB…”

“I’ll be waitin’, sugarcube…~” she said as she vanished into thin air, and then Chase woke up

Chase sat up in bed, sighing as he panted softly, feeling anxious. Then he smiled, knowing that it’d only be a few more years, “One day, PB…”

And with that, he laid his head down and sighed, covering up and goin’ to sleep. Chase was a bit emotional after tonight, but he knew things were gonna be alright, not only for him, but for his family too.