7 years later ...
Even living with the pain, everyone moved on, facing the bad times and enjoying the good times.
At 18, Bright Mac became a big, strong stallion like his father, but with remarkable freckles just above his snout that reminded everyone of his grandfather. But despite that, like his mother, the passion of his life was the art of being a baker, which perfectly matched his cutie mark and he was faithfully dedicated to it.
On the other hand, with the brute strength she inherited from her father and her mother's magic horn, Apple Belle took care of the farm's chores, picking apples from trees, plowing fields, etc., which earned her a cutie mark of one green apple heart-shaped.
Rocky, like her aunt, chose a special talent that wasn't related to stones like the rest of the family: Painting, which gave her the cutie mark of a paint palette and a brush. She and Apple Belle remained inseparable friends, always playing together when she finished the farm's chores.
With the expansion of her sister's business, Marble Pie was called to be her secretary at Sugarcube Corner. Despite not knowing anything but working with things related to stones, Pinkie was super patient with her and in a short time, Marble became the most efficient secretary in Ponyville.
She was writing and organizing correspondence when the phone rang.
"Hello, this is Sugarcube Corner ... A party for next Saturday? We're a little overwhelmed with the events, but I'm going to talk to my sister and brother-in-law and see if they can handle it, okay? You're welcome, have a good night!"
Meanwhile, Chee Chee carried a box of confetti to the upstairs of the house, where her aunt was.
"Who called?" She asked.
"A dragon wanting an organization for a birthday party!" She answered.
"But my parents are a little overwhelmed and Pumpkin went to spend some days with her brother and sister-in-law at the Crystal Empire!" Chee Chee said.
"Yes, but I'll see with them, we cannot disappoint a 6 year old girl!"
Chee Chee thought, until she shrieked when an idea came to her mind.
"They never let me organize a party alone before, this is my big chance!" She said happily.
"Chee Chee, are you sure this is a good idea?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Auntie, I'm already 20, how will you guys know if I can handle my responsibilities if you don't give me any?"
"Hmm. Yeah you're right, you're no longer a filly. So you can talk to them when they arrive!"
"Yayy, I will!" She said, leaping down the stairs to get another box, when she saw Bright Mac and a big smile broke across her lips.
He was returning from the bakery that opened in Ponyville last year with a loan that Big Mac gave him, but he assured his father that he would pay every last penny, which wouldn't be long because business was going so well.
Upon noticing Chee Chee, he too was filled with joy and went to her. They did not play together as often as when they were children due to their new responsibilities, but they always spent their free time together when they could.
"What's up? How was your job today?" He asked, totally interested in how her day went.
"Well, I don't have anything 100% confirmed yet, but I think I will organize a party on my own!" She announced excitedly.
"Really? Did your parents finally allow it?" He smiled.
"Not 100% like I said, but they already have so much to do and Pumpkin is out, but Cheesecake Pie is here!"
"I hope you can do it, you really want this. What are you doing now?"
"Carrying these leftover boxes up there, this job is totally no fun!"
"Do you want some help with that?" He offered.
"I don't know, this is my job and you worked all day, you must be dying to get home and sleep!"
"No, I have some time left!" He said and turned, starting to search the cart. Until he took out a cupcake with pink icing and a small strawberry on top. "It's your favorite!"
"Awww you don't have to!" She said, while her cheeks flushed.
"It's nothing, it's one of the things left in the store today so I kept this one for you!" He replied, his cheeks also flushed and scratched the back of his neck. "Now how many boxes are left?"
"About 3, it's over there!"
He took it one by one to the top floor, just when Chee Chee finished eating her cupcake.
"You know you're the best friend in this world, right?" She said, when he was ready to return home after loading the boxes, just as the store was closing.
"No, you are. I'll never forget how much you helped and supported me when my mom died!" He said, looking affectionately at her.
Chee Chee smiled, approached and kissed him on the cheek, which unconsciously made him feel like he was floating.
"That's what best friends do, they take care of each other!" She said.
"I know, I learned from the best. Well, see you tomorrow!" He said, connecting the wagon rope back to his body and walked back to the farm.
She smiled as her gaze reached him, until he disappeared over the horizon and her smile slowly faded. She always missed Bright Mac when they weren't together, not knowing why, but she figured it was because they loved each other as ... Siblings? Perhaps?
"Ooooohhhhh I can almost see little pink hearts floating over your head!" Marble teased her. After a few years of training, she began to reveal the layers of her personality that were overshadowed by her shyness.
"What? Oh auntie stop, he's my best friend and nothing more!" She said, outraged.
"I've heard this talk before!" Marble laughed.
In fact, Chee Chee had no problem with that, what worried her was that she was really falling in love with her sixth, or who knows how many degrees cousin.
Despite the teasing, they were joking around and she didn't know how the Pies and Apples would react if the two were serious, so she'd do her best to make sure nothing happened between them.
Except getting away from him, that was practically impossible.
Marble returned home and after dinner, her favorite time of day came. The day at Sugarcube Corner was really busy and she didn't want to do anything but sleep for the next few hours.
"Mommy, can I sleep with you and Daddy in your room?" Rocky asked when her mom put her to sleep.
"My love, it's very important that you get used to sleeping alone to be able to create independence, okay?" She replied, before giving her daughter a tender kiss on the forehead.
"Ok, good night!"
"Good night, sweetie!" She said, turning off the light and left, slowly closing the bedroom door so as not to make a noise.
Arriving in the bedroom, she felt herself in heaven when her head rested on the soft pillow. Suddenly, her eyes widened when her husband slid his hoove down her leg.
It only meant one thing.
"Oh no, for Celestia's sake not today, we can do it tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, for two days really excited, but not today!" She said mentally starting to despair.
"Honey, I'm so tired, let's do it tomorrow. I promise that tomorrow I won't hesitate!" She said, as he hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.
"I'm going to put an end to your tiredness. I'm going to the bathroom and I'll be right back!"
As soon as she heard the sound of the door closing, Marble rushed to Rocky's room as quickly as possible, took her daughter in her arms and carried her to her room. Caramel came out of the bathroom and was confused when he saw his daughter in their bed.
"She had a horrible nightmare baby, as she's in childhood, now and then we have to let her sleep with us to show support!" She said.
"OK, if you think so!" He said, failing to hide disappointment and lay on the bed, giving his daughter a kiss on the forehead before sleep.
"Phew, I'm glad it worked, I'm exhausted!" She said mentally, before turning off the lamp next to the bed.