//------------------------------// // The first of three // Story: Forbidden Love // by vinyldash23 //------------------------------// About a year later, Grand Pear was never seen around Ponyville again. Last anypony had heard, he had set up shop in Vanhoover, and was doing just fine. Just about this time, there was big news in town: Buttercup had had her first foal. He was bright red, stocky, and absolutely adorable. Several months before, Bright Mac and his wife had been reading book after book full of foal names, and not one seemed right. About a week after the baby was born, they had come up with the perfect name: Big Macintosh. Bright Mac had come up with the name, obviously, and Buttercup had loved it. Now, father and son were both asleep in Ma's rocking chair, and Buttercup slept on the couch beside them. Being parents had been hard on the two, with the endless crying and diaper-changing and feeding, but they were still both elated. Although she wouldn't admit it, Ma missed having a baby in the house, and everybody had started calling her Granny, jokingly, of course. Buttercup woke up, stretched, and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. The previous night had worn her out, but she still felt a glimmer of pride as she watched her son and husband sleeping together. Big Mac hadn't wanted to go to sleep, and the two had been up until midnight trying to get him to do so. After about the fifteenth storybook, Bright Mac had fallen asleep, and Big Mac followed soon after. Now, it was about 9 in the morning, and she was the only one awake. She went outside, and just sat on the front porch, listening to the birds and the early-morning bustle of Ponyville about a mile away. She had to go to town today to pick up some more baby food, and some diapers. Money was getting tight since the baby was born, with the way he ate, but with cider season coming up, things would get better. As Buttercup walked through town, looking at all the market stalls and maybe picking up a few "extras" along the way, she passed the lot that her father always set up shop in. Despite her hatred for her father, she still felt a twinge of sadness. I'll never see him again. Never. She still missed her father at times, and wished he was still here. Although he seemed to want nothing to do with her after she and Bright Mac were married, she had good memories of living with him. Don't be stupid,she thought to herself, He hates me, and I have no reason to love him. But still, I do.... Before long, she reached Sugarcube Corner. Chiffon Swirl made the best baby food in town, and Big Mac loved it. She walked into the bakery, and was greeted by Chiffon's mother. "Is Chiffon here? I need some more baby food. Big Mac's appetite is the size of a full grown stallion, and it's all I can do to keep him out of the cabinet where we keep his food". "Yes, she's upstairs now. I don't know WHO she thinks is going to move in upstairs, but I hope they do soon. She's been working on that old bedroom for months". "Thanks. Oh, do you have any more of those apple muffins? Bright Mac loves 'em, and I can't find time anymore to make some". "Of course. I'll go get some. You go try to get my daughter out of that old room". Buttercup walked upstairs, and soon found her friend. She was covered head to hoof in paint dust. She had apparently just stripped old paint off the walls. "Hi, Pear. What brings you by?" "I'll give you three guesses". "Hmm... Bright Mac wants more muffins? No, you need more baby food, right". "Yes and yes", Buttercup chuckled. "I just made a batch of baby food this morning. I'll go get some. How much do you need?" "Oh, I don't know, about a wagon load. I don't know what you make that stuff out of, but the baby loves it, and I've caught Bright Mac sneakin' a taste from time to time". "I have a dozen jars. Will that work?'' "Just fine. How's life been?" "Oh, boring. All I've been doing for what seems like forever is working on that old bedroom. I don't know why, but I just keep thinking it'll come in handy one of these days". From the smile on her face, it was obvious Chiffon was hiding something. "Come on, I know better than that. What else has been going on?", Buttercup asked sternly, but jokingly. "Ok, you broke me. I... I met a guy the other day. I think he likes me". "What's his name?" "Carrot Cake. He's the sweetest thing, and he loves baking. You think we could go together?" "Maybe. Sounds like you two might be soulmates. You should try". "I will, thanks. Now, I'll go get the baby food you wanted". About ten minutes later, Buttercup left the bakery with a box of muffins and some baby food. As she walked home, all the thoughts of her father dissipated. Maybe, just maybe, she could forget about him. He didn't deserve a place in her mind, or heart.