//------------------------------//
// Chapter 15 
// Story: Apple Annie Oak Tree 
// by Creativa-Artly01 
//------------------------------//

Three months after the wedding, bright and early, Annie shakes Franklin awake. "Why'd you wake me up Annie, it's only 6:30?!" 

"Because the princesses are on our doorstep," replies Annie. Franklin blinks and soon the fog lifts from his eyes. The princesses are indeed on their doorstep. He stumbles out of bed and into the closet and into a hat and boots and neck pull. He then walks over to Annie's side to greet the princesses. 

"Hello your majesties," say Apple Annie and Franklin in unity. 

"Hello, Annie and Franklin," replies Celestia. 

"Good to see you again," adds Luna.

"You too!" replies Annie with a smile. "It's been too long!"

"I can agree to that," replies Luna with a giggle. Celestia giggles too. 

"Please come in for tea," replies Annie. The princess nod and come inside and sit down. A few minutes later, Annie enters the room and pours tea for the princesses and brings them freshly baked biscuits with apple preserves. She then sits down with them and Franklin follows suit. The four then begin to talk. 

"So, anything new?" inquires Celestia. Annie smiles over at Franklin and he nods, showing to her that it's okay that she shares the good news. 

"Well," replies Apple Annie with a soft smile on her face, "we're expecting our first foal."

"Congratulations!" exclaim the princesses. 

"Thanks," replies Annie blushing. "We're excited." 

"And rightly so," replies Luna. "This is a big step!" 

A few hours later, the princesses thank the two for tea and fly off back towards Canterlot. Annie sighs as she walks over and falls down into the chair and falls asleep. Franklin smiles as he goes out back to check on the dogs. Now outside with the dogs, Franklin laughs as he plays fetch with them for hours on end. He can confidently admit the dogs are sure to love their foal once it's born. A few minutes later, he returns inside and goes off to give his and Annie's boots a good and thorough cleaning and polish. He smiles as he takes the rag to the first pair of boots. He really and truly can't wait to be a father.