//------------------------------// // Return of Grand Pear // Story: Forbidden Love // by vinyldash23 //------------------------------// Bright Mac looked at him, bewildered and angry. He couldn't believe that Grand Pear had the audacity to return to the Apple's farm looking for the daughter he had disowned less than twelve hours ago. Bright Mac knew that the old man in front of him didn't deserve to have Buttercup back, and Grand Pear must have known it, too. Still, there was no sign of regret on his face, only anger and impatience. "Leave. Now. Come back again and you'll find yourself looking down the barrels of a shotgun. Your daughter chose to stay with me and my family, in case you've forgotten", he replied, his voice shaking with anger. "I haven't forgotten, nor do I intend to. Now, I never gave her permission to marry you, so she is still under my care. I also don't suppose you cared enough to get a certificate of marriage, did you?" "We were married legally by the mayor of this town. Now, no, we haven't gotten a certificate yet, because we were up all night trying to make your daughter feel better after being disowned and abandoned by you. Now leave". "Not yet. Now, if my daughter is not returned to me within the next ten minutes, we will be going to court". "You ain't got a leg to stand on anymore. Maybe a couple of days ago you would. After last night, though, your reputation is mud. You gave your respect up with Buttercup last night. If you wanna go to court, then fine, we will. It won't be pretty for you though". "I-", Grand Pear started to say something, then stopped. He realized that Bright Mac was probably right. Still, he wasn't ready to leave yet. "Maybe since I can't reason with you we can settle this the proper way. I may be old, but I can still put up a good fight". "No. It may make me sound weak, but I actually have standards. I wouldn't hit an old man regardless of what he says. Now, final warning, leave. If you don't you will be reported for trespassing. I actually have a reputation, so it wouldn't end up well for you. Your choice". Grand Pear glared at him, looked like he was ready to kill him, and then turned around and stormed down the road to town. Bright Mac picked up the apples again, and put them away in the shed. He went back to the fields and continued bucking apples, wondering what would happen if Grand Pear came back again. Ma would probably tear his throat out with no hesitation, and Buttercup would probably end up like she was last night, all the feelings of abandonment and sorrow coming back. After he finished harvesting for the day, he decided he wouldn't say anything about it to Ma or Buttercup. He walked back to the house, and was greeted by the heavenly smell of Ma's vegetable soup, with a more subtle smell of apple pie. Buttercup was in the living room, reading on the couch. She had brushed her hair and taken a bath, making her look much better than she had this morning. Ma was stirring a big pot on the stove, adding some of this or that as she saw fit. Bright Mac sat down on the couch next his wife. "Who were you talking to earlier? You didn't sound too happy". This was the question Bright Mac was dreading. He had to think fast. "Oh, just some salespony coming by to sell some overpriced something or other. He's been around before, and been told off many times. I just made sure he wouldn't come back". Bright Mac hated lying, especially to Buttercup, but he had to. He couldn't risk a repeat of last night. Not sensing anything to be wrong, Buttercup laughed. It was the happiest sound she had made all day. "You were kinda harsh on him, weren't you? He was just tryin' to make some extra bits". "Just be happy it was me and not Ma. She probably woulda shot him. She's told him I don't know how many times to leave us alone". Just then, Ma called them for supper, and just like that, Buttercup was like her old self again. She was talkative, sweet, polite. Just the way she had always been. Bright Mac breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe life would get better, after all.