If there was one thing Twilight hated about her now truly impressive stature was… well, a lot of things. Regular ponies didn’t build doors that she could easily fit through. By now, she pretty much dwarfed every single entrance that hadn’t been custom-designed with a princess in mind.
The door to the Apple’s farmhouse for instance. The fresh oak stood in stark contrast to the faded paint of the building. Twilight still remembered when she had first come to Ponyville, when this homestead had been a fresh and vibrant red.
How the years had passed.
Twilight lifted her hoof and rested it against the door. A band of silver now looped around her hoof. In the centre of it was Applejack’s cutie mark done in a series of brilliantly coloured gemstones. It too was many years old, yet it had not lost an ounce of its vibrant nature, speaking volumes to the jewelers who had crafted it decades ago.
She sighed and drew back her hoof, knocking twice in quick succession.
A few seconds later, the door opened and a crestfallen Applebloom stood there. The years had been kind to her, shaping her into a beautiful mare well into her adult years. However, even into adulthood, she still sported the bow of her youth, though the red was now replaced by a mourning black.
“Hey Twilight,” she said in an unsteady voice. “I’m really glad you could make it.”
“Of course, I could,” Twilight said, bowing her head. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
Applebloom stepped aside and Twilight ducked her head as she stepped into the farmhouse. The usual cheer was painfully absent; a stifling sense of loss filled the room. Twilight had always remembered this kitchen being so loud and full of activity. It was now eerie silent.
“I’ll let the others know you’re here,” Applebloom said, and she stepped passed her into the living room.
Twilight simply nodded and stood awkwardly in place.
A moment later, Applejack appeared from the living room and rushed over to her. Not a word was exchanged as the two of them embraced, holding each other close. Twilight could feel Applejack shudder as a sob dampened her chest.
“I’m so so sorry, Applejack,” Twilight said, stroking her back with a wing. “I know how important Granny Smith was to you.”
Applejack didn’t respond and instead just clung to Twilight. So, Twilight remained a bulwark, allowing Applejack to work through her emotions, not daring to interfere with her mourning. This was her place in this, to be there for Applejack.
Finally, Applejack drew back and looked up at her.
Normally, she didn’t look any older than thirty-five, but today, the sorrow had taken its toll, creasing her miserable expression with all forty-seven years of her life.
“I’m glad you could make it,” Applejack mumbled, tears denying her more than this mere ounce of volume.
Twilight continued to gently stroke her. “Of course I could, dear. The second I got your letter I cancelled everything and came down here as quickly as I could. I’m sorry it took so long.”
“Long? It barely took you two days to get all the way up here from Saddle Arabia.”
“I pushed my crew as hard I dared.” Twilight bit her lip. “Did she pass… peacefully?”
Applejack nodded. “In her sleep.” She let out a shuddering sob of a chuckle. “Only way death had a chance of taking her. If she’d been awake there would’ve been way too much of a fuss.”
Twilight smiled gently. “That sounds like Granny.” She drew her wing back. “Is it just you and Applebloom right now?”
“Nah, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are here for Bloom, and Big Mac should be coming sometime later today with his family. Though, I thought I’d hold off for a week before planning the whole shindig with the rest of the clan.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Twilight agreed. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t…”
Applejack held up a hoof. One which held its own silver band, though this one was adorned by Twilight’s cutie mark.
“None of us had any way of knowing,” she said. “Couldn’t just cancel something like a diplomatic mission.”
Twilight sighed. “I know, I just hate knowing that you’ve been alone for the past few days.”
“I ain’t been alone, I’ve had Applebloom.” She drew back and looked towards the living room. “Speaking of which, I should probably go check on them.”
Twilight nodded in agreement and the two of them drifted into the neighbouring room. Like she said, Applebloom was flanked on either side by her two wives, all three of whom were looking at a photo album.
Sweetie Belle smiled softly. “Hey Twilight, how was Saddle Arabia?”
“It was… it was interesting,” Twilight said.
Scootaloo simply nodded towards her before looking back at the photos. All three of them had grown into such wonderful mares.
Twilight was happy for them.
Applejack settled down in a loveseat and Twilight carefully joined her, blushing as she realized how absurd she must’ve looked, towering over Applejack on this painfully normal sized piece of furniture. Still, she didn’t let it bug her as she reached over and wrapped a wing around Applejack, pulling her close.
In response, Applejack placed her hooves against Twilight’s chest and rested her muzzle against her.
“Have the other girls been around?” Twilight asked.
Applejack nodded. “Rarity took the train down from Canterlot and is staying in town for a couple days, Fluttershy has been around often, same goes for Pinkie, and Dash is well… she promised to come down in the next couple days.”
“Couldn’t get away from the Wonderbolts?” Twilight asked.
“They only give time off if it’s a death in your immediate family.”
Twilight frowned. “I’ll have to have a word with Soarin about that.”
“Don’t go causing Dash problems, she’ll be here when she can.”
Twilight sighed and glanced at the triad across from her.
“How have you three been doing?” she asked.
Scootaloo shrugged. “The weather team has been treating me pretty well. I know that advocacy work isn’t the most rewarding job in the world, but not much else you can do for them when you can’t actually fly and bust clouds.”
“Starlight’s got me a teaching position at the school,” Sweetie Belle answered. “She’s actually doing a really good job running the place.”
Twilight smiled. “So I’ve heard.”
Applebloom cracked her own fragile smile. “Same old, same old, planting, bucking, and selling apples.”
“We Apples aren’t exactly the most interesting ponies in the world,” Applejack commented.
Twilight frowned and leaned over, planting a kiss on the top of Applejack’s mane.
“I don’t know about that, I find you pretty interesting,” she mumbled. “Down right fascinating, in fact.”
“That’s because you’re biased.”
“Fair point.” She drew away and sighed. “So, what are the plans for…”
“For the funeral?” Applejack asked.
Twilight nodded. “Yeah.”
Applebloom took the lead. “Well, we’re waiting for Big Mac to come down from Apple Grove with Sugar Belle, Marble, Lilac, and their foals. Then we’re gonna do a small thing. You know, with just the immediate family, at the funeral home. Probably either tomorrow or the day after, depending how bushed our big brother is.”
Applejack nodded in agreement. “Then after that, we’ll probably invite the whole Apple family down. Give them a week or two to show up, and then throw one hell of a wake.”
“Mayor Cake said we could use the town square and city hall if we need to. He’s prepared to make it an official day of mourning.”
Twilight snorted. “I still can’t believe Carrot Cake got elected mayor.”
“Someone had to beat Filthy Rich,” Applejack said.
“For the sixth time,” Sweetie Belle muttered.
“Plus, he’s a real nice colt and you know this town pretty much functions exclusively on niceties.”
Twilight reached over with a hoof, brushing her wedding band against Applejack’s. Applejack looked at it for a second before their two hooves joined in union.
“Do you mind if I go for a walk?” Applejack asked, looking across the table. “I could use a little fresh air.”
Applebloom looked at them and nodded. “Sure thing, sis. I’ve got plenty of company.”
Twilight waited for Applejack to get up before she joined her, the two of them walking back through the kitchen and into the entryway. Twilight made sure to keep her head low, lest she cracked her skull against the empty door frames that separated the rooms.
As they left the house, Twilight surveyed the orchard, smiling at the sea of pleasant reds, oranges, and yellows that autumn bestowed upon the farm.
“How are you holding up?” Twilight asked, glancing away from the orchard and back at Applejack.
Applejack sighed. “It’s been tough but I know… I know that it has been coming for a while now. She was well passed a hundred. Still doesn’t make it very easy.”
“She lived a full life.”
“That she did,” Applejack agreed before looking out upon the orchard. “Thank you for being here, hun.”
“Of course, you know I wouldn’t let you mourn alone.”
“Still mighty bold of you to risk a diplomatic incident like that. Last I heard, ambassadors aren’t really allowed to bail in the middle of a mission.”
“Well as the Princess of Friendship, I believe I’m allowed to make the rules on diplomacy,” Twilight said, snorting. “Plus, we’re Equestria, we can afford to be a little brash from time to time.”
Applejack nodded before nuzzling into Twilight’s chest.
“This is… nice,” she said. “I mean not the… you know… But gods it’s been a while since the two of us have been able to take a walk through the orchard, hasn’t it?”
Twilight winced. “Yeah… sorry I’ve been…”
“Busy being a princess?”
Twilight sighed. “Yeah.”
“Don’t you worry, Twi. I knew what I was getting into when I married you. It makes all the little things we get to do together a lot more memorable.” Applejack smiled tightly before continuing, “Gods, has it really been almost thirty years since you first came to the farm?”
“It has,” Twilight said, dipping her head so she could nuzzle the top of Applejack’s. “I still remember it. You tried to induce cardiac arrest via overfeeding me.”
Applejack snorted. “Is that what I did now? From my perspective I was just trying to plump up a bean pole of a mare.”
“Well, the plumping seemed to work.”
Applejack looked up and chuckled. “You have got a little on the burly side, haven’t you?”
“It comes with the job, I’m afraid.” Twilight smirked. “Actually, part of the benefits plan. You get free food, free dental, and you double your height and triple your weight within ten-to-twenty years.”
Applejack nodded along. “We’ve had a pretty wild couple of decades together, haven’t we?”
Twilight nodded. “Saved Equestria a couple dozen times, ran a school for a decade, got married, got a pair of royal titles…”
“I still don’t know how I feel about being the Baroness of Lesser Appleton. Sounds made up.”
“That’s because… it kind of is.”
Applejack snorted. “I’ll leave the court antics up to you and the princesses.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Twilight smiled as they crested another hill, the tallest on the farm. From here, they could see, not only the entire estate, but also Ponyville, the Friendship Castle, and, on a clear evening such as this, they could also make out the Canterlot Mountains in the distance.
“What do you think the next couple decades will have in store for us?” Twilight asked.
Applejack smirked. “Knowing Equestria, I am fully prepared to be kicking butt and saving the day until I’m eighty.”
“Sounds about right,” Twilight said, looking around. “Do you remember this spot?”
Applejack nodded. “A lot of good memories here. Some of them even include you.”
Twilight stuck out her tongue. “Jerk.”
“We used to camp here and watch the night sky. You even brought your telescope from time to time. Taught me all about planets, and stars, and comets.” Applejack laughed. “How does Princess Luna have the time for all that.”
“She makes time for it,” Twilight said. “As long as ponies appreciate it, she’ll keep making time for it.”
Twilight settled down, resting on the grass of the hill. It was nice to be home, to be with the mare she loved more than anything in the world.
Applejack rested beside her, cuddling up to her side. Sensing her presence, Twilight extended a wing, draping it over her and pulling her in even tighter.
“I think we’ve done pretty good for ourselves,” Twilight said.
Applejack nodded in agreement. “I’d say so. Not every couple makes it as far as us.”
“Hey Applejack…” Twilight leaned over, kissing her on the cheek. “I have something I need to tell you...”
“And what’s that?” Applejack asked, smirking knowingly.
“I think I might love you.”
Applejack chuckled. “I think I might love you too, sugarcube.”