Apple Bloom and Applejack sat back watching Coco run around frantically as she continued to set things up for the party later. She had been frantic about it last night, and again this morning. They had barely gotten her to go back to Rarity's for the night as she was so busy. Applejack sure wasn't sure what all Coco was doing really, it looked like she was redoing things done to be slightly different. "Uh, sis, she does know it's not until after work right?"
"Yeah, she does."
"Then what's she doin'?"
"She just wanted to make sure everything is perfect." And it did look quite perfect. The strings with celebratory flags were hung, the tables were set out, the chairs, the table clothes, the centerpieces, everything that Applejack could have thought of and then some after Coco and Rarity got done with them. She wasn't sure where the two had pulled all the decoration ideas from but that was their business, hers was applebucking, which she should be doing right now. But she liked watching Coco, she was such an adorable mare.
"Hey sis, shouldn't we be workin'?"
"Yeah, we should."
"Hey, you're grinnin' in that weird way whenever you're watchin' Coco!"
Applejack tore her eyes away from the other mare. "I am not sugar cube!"
Apple Bloom grinned widely. "Were toooooooo! You were thinking about Coco!"
"Consarnit Apple Bloom, I told ya I wasn't daydreaming!"
"Well I just said thinking about her not daydreaming!"
Applejack grumbled and pulled her hat down a bit over her eyes, the best admission of defeat her little sister was going to get who just giggled as Applejack walked over to Coco. "Hey there sugar cube, you doin' ok? You're kinda lookin' a bit frazzled out here."
Coco shook her head, smiling. "Oh no, no, no, I'm good!" She adjusted a centerpiece slightly and grinned widely at Applejack for a moment before blushing a bit and looking away.
"Sugar cube..." Applejack walked up and pressed against Coco's side. "I told you, you didn't need to decide so quick like. I'm perfectly happy if you wanna think about it for a while. Go back to Manehatten and do your job for a bit, let your mind settle."
"N-No Applejack! You asked and I said yes!"
"You sure did Coco, but I'm jus' worried I rushed ya is all. You're... Er... Still young an..."
"Applejack!" Coco actually managed to snap at Applejack, who's ears went down at it, she only really had an issue with one thing, when Applejack brought up their age difference. "I am perfectly capable of making my own decisions!"
Applejack raised her hooves placatingly. "Sorry Coco, sorry. But just... I mean when we make the announcement people'll talk..."
Coco whined gently and pressed up against Applejack. "But that doesn't matter right...? Because you love me...?"
Applejack groaned a little and nodded. "Of course I do sugar cube. It's just... A month isn't a particularly long courtship."
"You're the one who asked..."
"I know sugar cube."
"Are... Are you unasking."
"No!" Applejack's retort came out a bit harsher than she intended but Coco was grinning again, and Applejack sighed, leaning in and nuzzling her marefriend. "I'm sorry Coco, this is just a big step you know. I guess I'm a little nervous."
Coco giggled. "That's my job Applejack! I'm the timid one and you're my big strong protector!"
"Oh, like this?" Applejack pulled in as much air as she could, standing up to her full height and puffing out her chest.
"Yes, just like that Applejack."
Applejack blew out her lung full of air and frowned at Coco. "You know sugar cube I have a question. But it's not about the party."
"Oh?"
"I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not demanding one or anything, but you don't have a pet name for me."
Coco giggled and raised an eyebrow. "You just noticed?"
"Well no! But I just thought you were takin' your time, but now with the party and all that."
"Hehe, I tried to come up with a name to call you while writing all those anonymous letters but it just seemed so strange... You're Applejack. And... That's the pony I love."
Applejack grinned wide, leaning in and giving Coco a kiss on the cheek. "Aww, ya sappy mare, that was adorable."
Coco grinned and nuzzled into her marefriend before she heard a clucking at her and blushed a little, taking a few steps away from Applejack. "Ya know, in my days mares didn't go pining after their marefriends when there was work to be done." Applejack rolled her eyes as she turned around to see Granny Smith, who was smiling, but obviously, she had a point to get across.
"I hear ya Granny, but..."
"No buts young lady! Get yer flank out there and start bucking!" Applejack leveled her gaze, having a staring contest with her grandmother who sighed. "Fiiiiine, but finish up yer flirtin' fast." The grin on Granny Smith's lips took any bite out of the words. She loved playing the old crotchety matriarch who was there to make sure they didn't put a hoof out of the line of prudence, but really she was just happy that Applejack had finally found her special somepony. She'd been getting worried about her two eldest grandfoals but then like a snap they both found their special someponies. Now if only she could get control over Apple Bloom...
"Sweetie Belle!" Said grandfoal went streaking past Granny Smith's legs to tackle her marefriend, grinning as they rolled a little and ended up with Applebloom standing on Sweetie Belle's chest.
Granny Smith rolled her eyes but smiled and started towards the two. "Now girls... It ain't proper for two young ladies in a relationship to be roughhousing so..."
Applejack grinned as the matriarch of the family was distracted from her and Coco. "But she is right, I do need to get to work."
Coco leaned out and after a glance at the distracted Granny Smith stole a quick kiss on her marefriends lips, blushing gently. "Okay, I'll make sure everything here is perfect."
Applejack grinned a bit brighter, it was rare for Coco to work up the courage for a real kiss. "I'll talk to you at lunch sugar cube."