//------------------------------//
// A Bit Old-Fashioned 
// Story: Blessing's 
// by BubbaBrick 
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A few weeks had passed since the couple had told their closest friends about their relationship. Even for a day or two afterwards, the two lovers were afraid of the changes that might have come from their confession. As it turns out, there were some changes but all for the better. Although Twilight had to return to Canterlot, they still had their other friends to call on for helpful advice on the little things. Afterall, Applejack and Rainbow Dash are not at all experienced at dating. And with that help, things between the two mares progressed faster than before, to the point where the next logical step was a serious one.
Although the sky was still mostly dark, the first colors of dawn started to shine through Applejack’s bedroom window. The slight warm glow on Applejack’s face was enough to wake her, that along with the thought of the craziest idea ever keeping her from a deep sleep. Not quite ready to start the day, she rolls over and is greeted by Rainbow Dash sound asleep next to her. Because AJ is such a bed hog, RD has learned how to sleep curled up like a pet and sleep closer to the foot of the bed. She still sucks her hoof and twitches her wings now and again, but it was something AJ learned to love about her. 
Looking at RD in her bed, AJ starts to think about all the good times they had shared, both before and after they were a serious couple. From when they first met at Pinkie’s “Welcome to Ponyville” party for RD and Fluttershy to their ‘friendly’ competitions. One of which lead to their first date when RD lost a bet and had to take her on an extravagant Canterlot date. A date RD did too good a job of planning. Their first kiss at Winsome Falls that came right after RD telling her she knew how to be a great older sister to Scootaloo by watching her and Apple Bloom. The cider drinking contest that led to their first bucking. Their first ‘I love you’ they shared during the very brief moment they had doubts about beating Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow. All those memories coming together filled the earth pony’s heart with more love she has ever felt at one time.
‘Well, that does it,’ Applejack thinks to herself, ‘no more thinkin bout it, this Pegasus is gonna be mine.”
With that thought, AJ slowly crawls out of the bed and tiptoes around it to get to the door. Not before planting a soft but long kiss on her lover’s forehead. Once out of her room, AJ picks up her pace going down the stairs and out the door. As if chasing down stampeding cattle, she gallops through the still sleepy town as fast as her strong legs could take her. She rounds a corner and reaches her destination, the Ponyville Post Office. After taking a moment to collect herself, AJ steps in the fully illuminated building and stumbles her way to the counter as her eyes adjust. Which they do just in time to see the happy muffin loving postmaster poke her head out from under the counter.
“Oh, hi Applejack,” says Derpy, greeting AJ with her usual smile, “gosh, I don’t usually see you here since your family does your own deliveries.”
“Hiya, Derpy,” AJ replies, “Listen, I need to…”
“Come to think of it,” Derpy continues, “No pony is usually here unless something is wrong. (Gasp) Is something wrong, Applejack?”
“(Sigh) No, nothing is wrong. But I do need to…”
“Oh, that’s a relief.” Derpy interrupts again, “but if nothing is wrong, then why are you here?”
“That’s what I am trying to tell you!” AJ says, trying to keep her frustration down, “I need to send an urgent letter to Cloudsdale, and it needs to get there quick.”
“Quick, yes. I can do that!” Derpy proudly announces, giving AJ an impromptu salute, “so, while you write the letter, who should I make the envelope to?”
“Bow Hothoof and Windy Whistles,”

About an hour or so later, Applejack is pacing in the living room back at Sweet Apple Acres. She had already made Rainbow some breakfast and sent her on her way to Wonderbolts Headquarters for an important (but not really) meeting. AJ felt more frazzled in that moment than in any other point in her life. She knew this was a big decision, but now that she’s taking steps to make it everything is becoming more real all at once. This was probably the closest the farm pony as ever come to Twilighting. She was about eight topics deep into a mental ‘what could go wrong’ list when the long-awaited knock on the door finally came. Filled with a mix of delighted and terrified emotions, AJ hops from the far end of her pace to the door in a single bound and swings the door open. At first, she is surprised to see only Windy Whistles, but then she sees Bow Hothoof taking pictures of the rustic landscape.
“Howdy, Mrs. Dash!” AJ greets her with as much cheer as possible to hide her anxiousness, “so glad y’all could make it!”
“Oh, Applejack,” Windy sweetly replies, “we told you before you do not need to be so formal with us. Its Windy and Bow or nothing.”
“Oh, yeah, I keep forgettin’ about that. Speaking of ‘Bow’ where is he off to?”
The two mares look off and see the stallion walking further away from the main house.
“Well Bow was excited to get your invite to come spend the day here.” Windy answers, turning her head back towards AJ, “And honestly, I was too. Ever since our Rainbow introduced us, we have been extremely curious about you, your life, and your family.” Windy’s eyes start to drift as she looks at the hoof built home around her.
‘That’s it!’ AJ thinks to herself, ‘maybe giving them a tour would help me calm down so I don’t mess this up!’
“How about we start your day here with a tour of the Acres?” AJ suggests.
“That would be awesome!” Windy shouts out. The energetic pony throws her hoofs up as if she is on a cheer squad and then runs off to tell Bow. AJ calmly follows her with a sly smirk on her face.
A few hours later, the trio returns to the main house and plop themselves in the living room. Despite talking her head off about apples, family history, and even stories with Rainbow Dash, Applejack was still nervous about the question burning in the back of her mind. And now that she is out of other things to talk about, there is nowhere else to go.
“It’s great that our little Rainbow found you, Applejack,” says Bow, “I mean look at all this! The hardest working and most successful mare in all of Ponyville, and she’s dating our daughter!”
AJ couldn’t help but smile and blush at his true statement.
“And these apples are amazing!” Windy adds with a mouthful of apple, “You must let me have a sack or two to take home with us!”
“Thank you kindly for the compliments,” AJ remarks, “and of course y’all can take as many sacks of apples as you want.” AJ slowly clops over to a chair across from the couch Bow and Windy were in. She sits down in the chair, takes her hat off to cover her heart, and clears her throat. “Mr. and Mrs. Dash, I…”
“Now, AJ!” Bow interrupts, “we have told you, Bow and Windy or nothing.”
“You may be dating our daughter,” Windy adds, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t talk as friends!”
AJ tries to hide frustration from being interrupted, but her tone does grow a bit peeved, “Respectfully, I need to ask y’all something as Rainbow’s parents, not my friends.”
The slight shift in tone was enough to snap the pegasi to attention.
AJ takes a deep breath and continues in a more somber tone.
“Rainbow is the love of my life. She is beautiful, loyal, and has shown me more kindness, in her own way, than any other pony I have ever known. My life has been so much better with her in it, and even though she is already an honorary member of the Apple family I want her to become a real member. So, I’m asking both of y’all, Mr. and Mrs. Dash…oh umm, Bow and Windy, for permission to marry your daughter?”
The room becomes flooded with silence, other than another massive gulp from Windy taking the last bite of an apple in her hoofs. After what seemed like an eternity to AJ, Bow and Windy look at each other and smile. They each reach into one of their pockets and both pull out a small box. They place the two small boxes on the table in front of them. AJ, looking a bit confused, gets off her chair, places her hat on the same table, and opens both boxes. Both contain a crystal ring hung on a necklace. One was cyan, the other was orange, and both had an inscription.
On the cyan it read: ‘Best Wife Ever, RD’s Forever’
On the orange it read: ‘Best Wife Ever, AJ’s Forever’
More than a little confused, AJ looks back up at the pegasi pair, both with smiles and tears in their eyes.
“We special ordered these from a sculptor in the Crystal Empire the after we first met you.” Bow says, trying not to get too emotional just yet.
“You see,” Windy begins, also trying to keep herself together, “Rainbow has had many mare-friends, even one or two she’s called her very special some pony, but you were the first one she actually introduced to us. We knew that made you special to her,”
“So,” Bow adds, with tears of joy starting to flow, “we would be robbing our little Rainbow the greatest thing in her life if we said anything but…”
“YES!” Both pegasi scream out.
Now Applejack starts to get overwhelmed with tears of joy. Paying no mind to the table in between them, AJ jumps on and off it to land the biggest hug she could give Bow and Windy. The trio’s muscles eventually relax and they stay there for a little bit until Bow and Windy excuse themselves. AJ says her goodbyes and just about passes out from relief on the couch. The pegasi pair walk to the front gate and look back at the rustic home.
“Do you think we should’ve told her that Rainbow is thinking about proposing, too?” Windy asks.
“Nah,” Bow replies, “Rainbow is stressing about getting everything just right for it, and that will ruin it for her. Besides, if everything goes to plan, it will be the best proposal ever!”