A gentle breeze blew by Applejack as she walked along. It had been weeks since her surprise chat with Rainbow about that whole foal business.

"AJ." She nearly jumped. She'd been too lost in her thoughts, too caught up in trying to figure out if she wanted a filly or colt. She turned about to see Granny Smith approaching quickly, at least for her.

"We gotta talk. This ain't somethin' small either. Ya'll wanna get married. Now that's just fine'n dandy." She lifted a hoof, pointing it accusingly at Applejack. "But marriage takes a lot o' work, especially fer farmers. We do things different 'round here, and a lot of those things won't seem fair ta y'all. An' ya gotta talk it through with Rainbow. Ah'm sure she ain't expectin' what ya need t' offer."

Applejack inclined her head with confusion. "Two ponies go stand in front of some officer, maybe we can get Mayor Mare? Awful romantic, gettin' married by the same pony what stood afore mah folks before." She smiled at the very idea of it. "What's so complicated 'bout that?"

Granny chortled. "Aw honey. Ya got such a lot to learn."

Applejack tossed her hat in the air. "Maybe ah'm missin' some pieces 'bout all this, but that's 'cause I haven't gotten hitched yet, so why don't you get to the explainin' then instead of just tossin' worry at me?"

Granny Smith reached to pat at her hip gently. "Well, ya know a farmer has t' pick her heir. Traditionally, the eldest son of the family. Well, not always traditional. It wasn't mah oldest, ya see, or even mah son. Ah ended up with the blasted orchard, and do ah look like any son to ya?!" She glared, as if challenging AJ to agree to that.

Applejack laughed at the idea. "Yer a mare, ah know that. We'll have to figure out if my foal or Big Mac's ends up with it, and ah don't think they bein' a colt or a filly will figure into it. Whichever of them loves the farm the most, and is devoted to it gets it."

"That ain't all," Granny warned. "Y'all can get married, sure, but not on your own accord." Applejack twitched. "Ya gotta convince me first." Granny put her hooves on her sides. "And Big Mac asked for his. Ain't heard not a word from you." She pointed a hoof accusatorily at Applejack.

Applejack breathed deep, unable to find her words. After several minutes she shook her head clear. "Ah... Really?!"

Granny bobbed her head. "Not one word."

AJ shrank miserably, realizing she really hadn't. "Shucks, ah'm real sorry. You already know Rainbow real good. It just skipped my mind that ah'd be talkin' 'bout it at all. Ah got excited! Sorry." She rubbed behind her head as she turned away. "Didn't mean nothin', honest. Granny, is it alright if ah—"

"'Course it is." Granny laughed, the tension suddenly defused. "She's a right fine pony, a little nuts sometimes, but which of us isn't?" Granny slapped a hoof at AJ's thigh and let out a boisterous laugh. "When do ya plan to ask?"

AJ inclined her head slowly. "Uh, the question's done been asked. She asked me, an' ah already said yes."

"And how many bits ya payin' fer the privilege?" Granny cocked an eye.

Applejack coughed with alarm. "B-bits?!" She waved a hoof. "Hold up!"

Granny tapped at Applejack's shoulders. "Ah'm playin' with ya. Wouldn't let her have you if she started offering to buy ya for no amount of bits." Applejack calmed down at that. "Still, it is customary to get the one join' the Apple clan a gift. A little somethin' to show they're welcome. Could be a flower bouquet. Could be a nice quilt. Just something that fits, to make her feel welcome." Granny tilted her head aside. "Got any plans? Should be doin' it soon. Even if it's not fancy, something simple's fine."

Applejack blinked rapidly as she thought. She lowered her hat back down, settling into some form of comfort with her headgear's touch. "Ah gotta do it soon. Any suggestions?" Granny just kept right on grinning. "Right, on me, as the Apple gettin' hitched." She grumbled softly, but her expression lifted just as fast. "Ah know! Somethin' any expectin' mother would 'ppreciate."

She sped away, aborting the conversation without a further word.

"Those youngsters are mighty impatient," Granny Smith muttered, watching AJ vanish into the distance. "But they always get it done, bless 'em."

Applejack thundered towards town. Along the way, she could hear Pinkie Pie calling out to everypony. Seemed that betrothal bash and foal shower was coming together nicely.

Applejack had things to do that weren't dancing or drinking.

She burst into the spa, making poor Aloe jump in surprise. "There ya are." Applejack stormed up to the mare. "Ah need a special package, but it's fer somepony else."

"Well, I guess so?" Aloe replied, confused by AJ's sudden arrival. She settled into her usual calm demeanor. "Of course, Applejack. Tell me what sort of treatments you want, and I can prepare them right away."

Applejack smiled. "Make it a pamperin'. But it's fer an expectin' mare, so ya gotta treat her gentle, but make her feel like the princess she is. Can ya do that?"

Aloe bowed with respect. "Of course. For one of my favorite customers, we'll ensure she receives the finest treatment."

Applejack fished around her person. Fetching her bag of bits, she littered the counter with a few. "Ah'll be sending Rainbow over here, and she'll be the one gettin' this."

Aloe swept the bits into her hooves and set them away with a slight smile. "If I may, what's the occasion?"

Applejack tipped her hat, still grinning broadly. "Our engagement."

Aloe clapped softly. "Oh, congratulations. This is a special day! We'll treat her extra special!"

Applejack headed outside and scanned the area, catching sight of Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie!" The mare's head swiveled around to look at Applejack as she raced over. "Tell Rainbow Dash she needs to hurry herself over to the spa immediately."

Pinkie saluted sharply and vanished off in the speed only she could manage at times, leaving behind a cloud form that finished the salute even as it vanished.

Applejack followed, but at her own pace. There was only one other detail she needed to address now, and that was with her brother.

Finding him was easy. He was out working in the apple fields with his new wife, taking a moment to nuzzle and flirt. "Oh, yer both here." She reared up on a fence near them. "Didn't figure you'd be here, but happy to see ya none the less, Sugar Belle." She paused. "No, ain't right. Sister. Happy to see ya, sis."

Sugar smiled and trotted up, bringing Applejack into a hug. "Congratulations! How are you holding up with the news, sis?"

Applejack brushed the brim of her hat. "Takin' it as it goes." She took a slow breath. "Still a little amazed you two went alon' with this. But here we are. Look." She rubbed one arm with the other hoof. "Ah'm super grateful. This is a big thin' you two did fer me. Not sure how ah could ever repay it."

Sugar smiled warmly. "Family. Always, sister."

Big Mac nodded with a smile. "Eeyup."

Applejack blushed brightly. "Thank you." She leaned and brought them both into a hug. "Now, ah'm gettin' to the details 'n all. Always thought 'bout it, but sure didn't expect to be no wife to the expectin' mother." She colored darker. "Reckoned ah'd be the one with a foal cookin' in her. But in fer a penny an' all. Gonna be the best wife ah can be!"

Sugar rubbed a hoof along Applejack's neck. "Good to hear. You better treat her right, you hear?"

Big Mac nodded firmly. "Eeyup."

Applejack coughed with embarrassment. "Ah'm takin' care of her today, treatin' her right." She stepped back, eyes on Sugar Belle. "How 'bout you? You two doin' alright?"

Sugar Belle had her turn coloring. "Well, actually, We're doing better than alright." She reached back to gently rub over her side. "I think Big Mac here was feeling his oats after his, uh, time with Rainbow. I have a little one on the way too. Not that anypony would know by looking at me, and certainly not this early."

Applejack was grinning so much it hurt her muzzle. "Now isn't that right nice!" She reached out to hug Sugar. The two mashed together joyfully. "Congratulations! Now this is right great news. Two new Apples. Maybe even three, all together like that? If that ain't a blessin', don't know what is. Now, yer my sister, so if ya need anythin' at'all, ya holler, and ah'll come rushin' over."

Sugar Belle trembled. "Thank you. This is a dream."

Applejack laughed softly. "Shoot. Hope it stays this pleasant."

Big Mac approached and rumbled deep in his throat. "Gotta give yerselves a chance, you two." He stepped aside, a hoof rising up. "Been meaning t' ask this anyway." He looked towards Sugard Belle. "Would you two join me in raising this child? I mean, not as its parents. That title belongs elsewhere." He rubbed along the top of his snout. "But we can all live under the same roof, teach our foals all about love and family."

Applejack looked right to Sugar Belle. "Now, see, Apples are Apples. Them all bein' raised together ain't so odd to me, but Sugar, ah thought you lived a bit far away. How are we gonna be raisin' foals all together-like if yer not here?"

"I've decided to move closer," Sugar Belle said simply.

Applejack cocked her head slowly. "Huh? Why for?"

"Closer to my husband and our new foal, and my sister-in-law." She let out a slow breath. "Worth giving up the store for." She dared a little smile. "Maybe I can make a new one here, but you already have Sugarcube Corner, so not sure that's a good idea."

Applejack hugged them both tight. "Shoot, that sounds fantastic. Bein' able to be part of all these new foal's lives. Raise 'em up like real Apples. Yee-haw!" She released them, considering Sugar's words. "Now, this ain't what you used to do, but consider talkin' to 'em? Maybe y'all could work together!"

Sugar beamed at AJ. "That'd be great! Maybe we can make treats, together, for all of the town."

"Speaking of treats!" Applejack declared. "Rainbow's s'posed t' be gettin' a mighty fine pamperin'. Ah should go check on her." She waved at the two of them. "I'll leave y'all to y'all then."

"Good luck, sis!" Sugar Belle called out with encouragement, then fell into her husband's embrace.

***

Applejack found Rainbow lying flat on her back in a mud bath, staring vacantly ahead. With a coy smile, she walked casually up alongside, just outside the bath. "Looks like we found the right thing."

Rainbow jumped in surprise, cracking open an eye to see who it was. "Oh, AJ! Look, why did you buy me this? You know I'm not a big spa pony. I don't do that 'girly girly' stuff. But you bought it, how was I gonna say no?"

"Yeah yeah." Applejack didn't look fooled a moment. "Suffer through it, fer me." She rubbed at Rainbow's belly, imagining the new life within it. "Yer a dan' silly pony, ya know that?"

"What, because I let myself be treated like some kind of Princess?" Rainbow shrugged weakly, barely managing to pull her body loose of the mud bath. "I'd do a lot of things for friends and family, and you're both now, so, tough luck. No spa day's gonna beat me!"

Applejack laughed softly. "This is all fer ya, sugarcube." She touched at Rainbow's side, nudging gently at that taut surface. "How do ya feel, with the foal 'n all?"

"Weird!" Rainbow leaned over, touching her nose to Applejack's. "Everything's a little off. I'm happy, don't get be wrong. Just feels like, hm. Like I'm a machine, and I'm used to sounding a way when I get humming, but now it sounds different. Not broken, but different. It's all busy, but doing something else."

Applejack lifted her brows at that. "Not the worst analogy I've heard, actually. Kinda sums it up real well. And kinda sweet to imagine that there." She leaned closer, pressing her nose into the side of Rainbow's muzzle. "My little Rainbow engine's busy making a new little pony for both of us to hug. Oh! Sugar Belle's moving into town, so she can raise her foal right wit' ours! Ain't that somethin'?"

"Really? I saw that one coming from a mile away." She winked playfully. "I already expected her to come stay on the farm."

Applejack stared at Rainbow blankly. "Why'd you think that? Who said anythin' 'bout movin' here?"

Rainbow patted Applejack's nose with a wing, chuckling. "Because that's what happens. Ponies meet, ponies get married, ponies have foals, ponies live together as a family. But, wait. Now? She's having a foal now?" Her brows fell as she smirked. "Big Mac got busy that fast? You have a real stud for a brother, just saying."

Applejack swatted Rainbow across the haunches with a hoof. "Hush up! Don't ya go startin' nothin' like that, not 'ere." She rubbed along her hat line where sweat had soaked in, clearing herself up. "But ya got the jist of it, right? We're gonna be one big Apple family." She clapped thinking about it. "Couldn't be happier right now. Now, you sit back, relax, and enjoy. Aloe and Lotus will be takin' right care of you."

"Forget them." Rainbow flashed a grin. "I scheduled some time with Bulk Biceps. He's the one with the strength to work out some kinks."

Author's Note

The whole family's preparing for the oncoming changes approaching them.

Join the special community of folks who like my stories and/or get your own here at atreon!

Don't want to do an ongoing thing? You could

Join my discord to chat!