Spike and Applejack were now happily engaged, being congratulated by friends all around them and being criticized by others. However, they didn't care what others thought. All of their friends were incredibly happy for them, especially Twilight who wound up crying when she realized that Spike was all grown up.
"At least I'll be an aunt soon!" She said through her sobs. Spike and Applejack looked at each other uncomfortably when the rest of their friends started awkwardly laughing. Applejack tilted her renewed stetson hat over her face while Spike hid behind his massive wings.
Applejack was still worried about the foreclosure of her home, but Spike was always there to keep her spirits high with a kiss or a nice massage on her bad leg. She would also treat him with a back scratch and the occasional back massage which relieved the stress that it had on his wings.
Fluttershy stopped by to help Big Macintosh with the trees every other day at three. Big Mac marveled at the strength of the small pegasus as she rattled through each tree, shaking every apple from every branch. He even caught himself staring at the beautiful sight of a pony and smacked himself across the face to remind himself to keep working.
Although, every couple of seconds he would sneak a peek at her pretty face, and then keep moving. He did not know, however, that Fluttershy also shared his feelings... but that's another story entirely!
One afternoon, as they were walking through the Ponyville market, Applejack and Spike froze in shock when they saw the wonder happening at Sugar Cube Corner. Ponies were lining up by the hundreds, pushing and shoving their way into the small sweet shop. Applejack and Spike quickly walked over to see what the fuss was about, but were blocked by the hoard.
"You'll have to wait your turn like everypony else!" One stallion shouted at them. Many other stallions and mares shouted in agreement and wedged themselves in front of the couple as well.
"Wait for what?" Spike asked.
Suddenly, a light pink head sprung out of the crowd and dragged the two of them inside. She was squealing in delight as she brought them to the front counter and sat them down, being careful of Applejack's leg.
"OOH! You are not going to believe what I've been up to!" Pinkie shrieked as she ran into the kitchen to retrieve something.
Spike sniffed the air and looked around him to see ponies drooling over some oddly shaped fruit.
"Hey... aren't those my-"
"Here you go!" Pinkie interrupted Spike as she heaved a large chest from out of the kitchen. Applejack stared at it until Pinkie Pie threw open the lid and stood back. Applejack gasped when she saw what was inside.
"What? What is-" Spike's eyes widened as well. "Whoa..."
"So far, I've counted over 9,360 bits! All from your roasted apples, Spike!" She pointed a bright pink hoof at the dragon who stood back in shock.
"My what?"
"Remember those apples you had me try? Well, I saved one of them and tried to duplicate it as best I could. Although they don't taste as good as yours do, the ponies LOVE them!"
"They... love my roasted apples?!"
"Sure do! I haven't been able to keep them on the shelf! They're selling for 10 bits a piece!"
"10 BITS?!" Applejack hollered.
"That is what I said, wasn't it?"
Pinkie Pie then pushed the chest forward towards the couple and smiled with glee.
"This ALL belongs to you! Now you won't have to worry about foreclosure!"
Applejack's eyes welled up with tears of pure joy and she jumped up as quickly as she could to hug her friend. Pinkie Pie allowed herself to cry a little bit too, but then she ruffled Applejack's mane playfully.
"IN HONOR OF THE HAPPY COUPLE," Pinkie Pie began. "FREE CUPCAKES FOR EVERYPONY!"
The crowd cheered in delight as they continued to throw down their bits for the roasted apples. Every bit that fell on the counter was also met with a cupcake, but Pinkie Pie quickly scooped the bits into the chest and watched as Applejack smiled with pure contentment.
"So... no more worrying?" Spike asked his fiance.
"No more worryin'." Applejack confirmed with a small kiss on his cheek. He quickly returned it with a kiss on the lips which drew some pony's attentions, but they soon forgot when their roasted apples were being taken away from them.
"Spike, what do you say that you make more roasted apples and continue to sell them?" Pinkie suggested.
Spike looked over to Applejack who quickly nodded her head.
"Absolutely, Pinkie Pie! I'd love to!"
"Yeah! More roasted apples!" A young filly cried out. The rest of the crowd cheered once more, but then continued the mad rush. Even Photo Finish was there to try and purchase some of the apples for a new photo shoot she was planning.
"It will be called: MORNING MANZANAS! Each model will wear-"
"Yeah, that's nice, ma'am, but will ya pay for your apples already?!" An irritated blue pegasus demanded.
Applejack rolled her eyes at Rainbow Dash's impatience and smiled when the multi-colored pony shoved an entire roasted apple into her mouth and sigh with pleasure.
Then, Applejack let one final tear run down her face before hugging her fiance tightly and sighed in relief. He stroked her mane and sighed back, inhaling the sweet scent of her silky hair.
Thank you, Zecora. You were right all along. He planted a long kiss onto her lips and felt his whole body turn warm. I am VERY happy where my home is. And that's with Applejack.