//------------------------------// // Three-Hearth's Warming Eve // Story: The Journey // by bakersong //------------------------------// She was in the kitchen baking some of her simple pie recipes that she came up over the years with her son. Though she could still see that excited little colt from back on his first day of school. That thought put a big smile on her as now that little colt is a full grown stallion, his cutie mark turned out to be a spatula that was bent to look like a musical note. It represented his love for cooking, but he loved baking with all of his heart. But the reason why it was bent like the way it was, well that's because he loves to sing when ever he cooks. He got it while helping her one day making some pies of course, and she was singing a song to him while they worked and he picked up on the lyrics and before we knew it his cutie mark appeared. Though of course by that time we already were done with the pies though and had moved on to cooking dinner. But they started with the pies, and those pies she made with him where the best tasting pies she had ever made. So every now and again she would get him back into the kitchen to help her again. She only hoped he would make it back in time from his visit to Canterlot for Hearths Warming Eve, for it would have been the first one they haven't spent together. One thing was certain, he is loyal to the ones he loves. Though he may not admit it, he has a big softy and there was nothing he could do to hide it from his mother. "Mom, i'm back!" His voice ranged out from the door. "I'm in the kitchen!" She called back. "Man that was a pain. Glad I made it back in time for Hearth's Warming Eve, wouldn't have been the same without my mom or friends." He said as he walked through the kitchen door. "Did you wipe your hooves before you came in?" She asked. "Yes mom I did, i'm not a foal you now." He answered rolling his eyes a little. "I know, but you do sometimes forget. I'll have dinner ready in a few minutes, you go sit down and get warmed up." She said. "Alright, so um am I staying here?" He asked. She thought about it for a moment, he didn't actually live in Ponyville anymore. Though he did have his own house here, he mostly had to stay in Canterlot due to the fact that he constantly had business there. But it was already late and the weather team scheduled a huge blizzard for two days. "Yeah, you can use your old room. Though I wish you start your own business or work for me like you used to." She said with a slight pout. "I know mom, and i'm trying to save up enough to buy a shop. Speaking of which I do have a gift for you to have right now." He said with a smile. "Oh? So I don't have to wait until Hearth's Warming Eve then? What do you get in return young colt?" She asked raising a suspicious eyebrow. "Just a smile from you. I finally do have enough to buy a shop here in Ponyville, and well the reason why i'm late is because I talked to the Mayor." He replied that smile on his face never wavering. "You mean you can now actually stay in Ponyville? That's the best gift I've gotten in years." She said her eyes starting to brim with tears of happiness that her son would finally be able to live closer. "But I haven't told you the best part yet." He said but now his eyes a nervous shine to them. "A-and what is that?" She asked. "Well, i'm planning on asking Applejack to marry me." He spat out just slow enough to where she could make it out. "O-oh..." She said in complete shock, and then she let out a squeal of joy. "You're asking her to marry you!" "Y-yes..." He said looking at his mother who now had him in a vice grip. Applejack and him have been dating and been steady for two years now, and they all knew it was only a matter of time. They were child hood friends, and they did love each other very dearly. This was really the greatest Hearth's Warming Present she could ask for. "So have you decided how you're gonna pop the question?" She asked after letting him go after realizing he wasn't getting any air. "I-I w-was planning to a-ask under the mistletoe." He managed panting. "Oh, how romantic! I better go hang the mistletoe then!" She said before disappearing in a flash. She couldn't believe her son might be getting married this soon! Why wasn't she more prepared for this? She knew it was gonna happen sooner or later, after all they've been steady for two years now. So why wouldn't she say yes to her son? Though she quickly found the mistletoe that was hidden in just behind another box when a thought occurred to her. Why had he told her when he could have surprised her on it? She would have to ask when she got back to the kitchen. "Hey Song, why did you tell me so early?" She asked after walking into the kitchen. "Oh, um because I um, wanted to get, some advice." He looked down embarrassed and she had a huge smile on her face, and she placed the mistletoe that she held in her hoof on the counter. "Ah, advice on how to propose?" He just slightly nodded. "Well first I think it's a terrific idea to ask her under the mistletoe, maybe give her a nice big kiss before you do though." She gave him a little wink. "Mom!" "Alright you don't have to give her that big of a kiss, though it couldn't hurt. But that's the best advice I can give you, the rest you have to figure out on your own. Though just remember try to start things off with a kiss." She said picking the mistletoe up and trying to hang it. "Here let me help." He said using his magic to help his mom hang it. "Thank you sweetie." She said with a smile. "So, after she says yes are you two going to want some alone time?" "W-what do you mean?" He asked looking away. "You know exactly what I mean. Are you gonna take her back to your house after she says yes so you two can have some alone time?" She asked a smirk on her face. "W-why would you ask something like that? Besides your my mom, so what makes you think I would tell you anyways?" He asked. "Fine, just make sure you use that protection spell that you learnt from that Twilight Sparkle." She said turning to check the now done dinner. "Oh and dinner is ready." A few days went by and Hearths Warming Eve snuck up on them far to quickly and soon all of their friends and family were there. Song was looking very nervous, and his mom gave him encouraging looks as she talked to some of the Apples. It was actually sad that both Applejack's parents died in a train wreck when she was a little filly, it was more than sad though it was tragic. Many ponies lost their lives all because of a careless conductor who had not been paying attention to the tracks to notice that there were none. Though somehow he had survived and was punished for his carelessness, but that did not bring the ponies who had died back. So this was a good chance to bring a little happiness back to the now fully grown mare even if she did already seem pretty happy. "Hey Applejack, you want to come with me to the kitchen?" He asked and Applejack could easily spot his nerves. "Sure, and maybe you could tell me what got ya so worked up." She said, and his mom just giggled a little. As they started to walk towards the kitchen the more nervous he became and now caught the attention of just about everypony in the living room. Though that was mostly the Apple family, and Applejack's five closes friends. Though he was nervous partially because she was now an Element of Harmony. "Oh, hey look you two are under the mistletoe! You know what happens then don't you?" Pinkie asked and then giggled as both of them looked up, even though Song knew it was already there. "Well how about that, well let's since it's tradition." Song said smiling at Applejack who nodded, and before she knew it he had her in his hooves in a deep passionate kiss. "Ooooh!" Then there was a collective giggle and laughter across the room, and they broke the kiss. "Um, uh, what was that about sugar? Not that I don't min..." Applejack started but stopped when she saw him kneeling down. "Applejack, will you, um, uh, ma-marry m-m-me?" He stuttered out, and the room went completely quiet in shock and surprise as he held out a ring. "S-song...I-I...of course i'll marry ya big lug!" She said talking him into another kiss, and the room was filled with congratulations and celebratory yells. "Does that mean I can finally throw you that 'Congratulations You Just Got Engaged' party?" Pinkie asked as they broke the kiss. "Um, sure but I didn't even know you had asked." Song replied still looking into Applejack's eyes. "Oh I didn't, I knew you two would get married so I went ahead and set everything up!" All of a sudden there was a pink tornado and more decorations where added along with a banner. "Shesh, she really does come prepared doesn't she?" Song said. "Yeah, but this time at least it's for us." Applejack wrapped her hooves around his neck and leaned her forehead onto his. "Yeah, yeah this party is for us." He replied.