Rotten Apples

The perfect weather and beautiful sunset taunted Dr. Stable as he slowly dragged himself towards home.

Groaning, he opened the mailbox as per usual.

Junk mail. Why do these stupid businesses send us this crap? It's just gonna get thrown out.

He brought it in anyways, slamming the door behind him and throwing it on the counter.

A certain envelope caught his eye for a second, but he was too tired to care.

Couch spotted.

Prepare for impact.

With a satisfied groan, he sank into the sofa, relishing the plush cushions and savoring the long-awaited relaxation.

Ah, rest at last...

"Joooonathan!"

Dr. Stable felt a ping of frustration prick his forehead as Applejack's voice sounded through the halls of their home.

If she yells like that again-

"Jonathan, sugar! Where are ya?"

"What!?" he snapped, sitting up. As soon as he saw her, he quickly regretted snapping at her. She stood, stricken at her husband's unexpected reaction. Her emerald eyes wavered, mouth hung agape.

His features softened, and contorted with fear at the prospect of his beloved wife being angry, or worse, hurt by him.

"Applejack, I-I'm sorry. Please, I just had a really rough day."

She ignored his apology. Instead of listening, she did a one-eighty degree turn and walked back the way she came.

Jonathan followed. He wasn't about to let it go at that. "Please listen, Applejack. I know what I did was uncalled for, but you have to forgive-"

As if the universe were conspiring against him, his intentions of convincing Applejack were flaunted as one hoof tripped over the other and he ended up in a tangled mess on the ground.

Why can't anything go right today?

*Smooch*

He looked up, surprised to see a smiling Applejack standing over him.

"Ya big klutz. I can't stay mad at ya for long."

Red as a beet, he stumbled his way back onto his hooves.

"So you're not mad at me?"

"It's what I said, ain't it sugar?" she said, nuzzling him.

Though he was glad she seemed so ready to forgive, it made him a tad suspicious.

"So, Applejack?"

"Yes?"

"What was it you were going to tell me?"

Applejack stopped nuzzling, and looked up at him. Just from her expression, he could tell it had taken some working up just to attempt to bring it to his attention, and that his snapping at her had almost been a nervous relief. Now, she was again faced with the task.

"Jonathan... Ah know this wasn't planned, and we've only been married for about a year, but..."

She blushed red, repeatedly averting her eyes and bringing them back to meet Jonathan's.

"...I'm pregnant. Ah just found out a few days ago."

The words echoed in the hollow cave that was his mind. Pregnant? His Applejack?

He stood frozen, causing Applejack to shift on her hooves. They hadn't talked about it much, so she was kept in suspense as to whether he would be happy or not.

"A baby, huh?"

Her forehooves crossed, anticipating what was next. "Yeah. You ain't mad, are ya?"

His features softened, as he realized just how worried she  had been. "Oh, Applejack. Oh Applejack." It was all he could say. Being wordless, he instead expressed himself by picking her up and twirling her around.

Applejack had always tried to impose the vision that she was a strong pony. She didn't often let others make her seem weak or helpless. But right now, she couldn't help but melt into her stallion's strong arms, and let him protect her. From what, she didn't know. But she could pretend.

She sighed upon landing on her feet again. Taking one long moment to stare into his, she kissed him deeply. Passion coursed through their veins, and as they broke the kiss, a look Jonathan knew all too well played on Applejack's face.

"Bedroom?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"Give me five. I'll call you when ah'm ready," she said, walking past him seductively and letting her tail drag along his nose.

He sighed deeply, watching her swaying hips work their way into the hallway entrance. Wanting those five minutes to pass quickly, he decided to keep himself occupied.

The letters. What was it that caught my eye earlier?

He started sifting through them. Eventually he found the guilty party, a letter from the Canterlot Palace.

Canterlot Palace? I wonder what this could be...

Upon reading it, his face turned a sickly pale.

"Sug-aaar! Better get in here, before ah get cold!"

He just continued to stare at the letter.

No. Please no. Just when things were going right!

"What are ya doin'!" Applejack's head poked around the corner. Her mane was undone, flowing over her like golden silk. "Quit teasin' me, and git in here!"

She saw his face, and realized something was off.

"Jonathan, hun? What's wrong?"

Walking over, she noticed the letter he was holding, and snatched it from his grasp.

"Let's see this... Oh."

She turned to him, tears welling in her eyes as the impact of it hit her like a train.

She sniffled. "Jonathan... Please tell me everything'll be okay..."

He pulled her in and hugged her close. It was all he could do to comfort her without lying. They cried together, not wanting to believe in the future that was yet to come.