CHAPTER TEN
Services Rendered
John groaned as he flung himself onto the couch, burying himself into a pile of cushions. Applejack jumped up with him and lay on his chest, gently pressing her face next to his. They looked at each other wistfully and smiled.
"What a day, eh hon?" John asked as he put an arm around Applejack's neck. She nodded and allowed him to scratch her behind the ears.
"Ain't that the truth." she replied, "Ah'm just glad that all of this Spike business is over."
"Remind me to tell him that his first hard cider is on me," John said, "as a thank you for saving your life."
Applejack giggled before looking into John's eyes. She stared at him for a moment before biting her lower lip and letting out a sigh.
"Something on your mind AJ?" John said as he cocked his head.
"Havin' Spike try ta help us out," Applejack replied, "but only ta fail miserably... it got me thinkin' about what our lives would be like if'n we had foals."
"I assume you think that because foals would be making lots of noise and mess as well?" John offered.
Applejack chuckled.
"Ah know it was sometimes irritating havin' Spike here," she replied, "but at the same time it was kinda nice. Twilight is always tellin' me an' the girls about what Azure and Evening get up to, and Pinkie is regaling us with stories about little Chocolate."
She sighed.
"Ah just feel like Ah'm missing out on all the fun of motherhood," she muttered, "that mah life just ain't complete. Sure Ah've got you, Mac, Granny Smith, Apple Bloom and all mah friends, but Ah just can't shake the feelin' that I need more."
John leaned forward and planted a kiss on Applejack's lips. The two of them stayed like that for a moment before he leaned back.
"If you want kids," he said gently, "then who am I to deny you that? I think you'd make a great mum."
Applejack smiled as a small tint of red appeared on her cheeks.
"I also think that I'd make a great dad," John continued, "because I sure as hell wasn't the best brother."
Applejack's smile and blush faded as she sighed.
"Are ya still beatin' yourself up over that?" she said, "Ah know ya hate yerself fer how ya treated him, but you've gotta know that it ain't all your fault. Ya told me yerself that there were other things that made Derek who he was, such as yer parents always seeming to look down on him, an' being bullied. Then he joined a gang and it all went straight to Tartarus."
"I know," John replied, "but I still feel I could have been better towards him. Which is why if we have kids, I'm gonna be the best damn father I can be. I'll play games, help them out and do all the things I should have done with Derek... instead of doing crap like putting spiders in his sandwiches."
Applejack's smile returned, smaller than before.
"In several years," she said, "you an' Derek will be reunited in the afterlife. Y'all remember that dream Ah told you about?"
"The one with your parents?" John replied, "Yeah I do. So basically I'll get another chance to be a good brother when I die?"
Applejack nodded.
"An' Ah think Derek will be more than happy to forgive you," she said, "especially considerin' how often ya go to his grave and apologise for everythin' ya done."
John developed a smile of his own.
"You're right," he said, "I will see him again. Hopefully he will forgive me, and then we can spend the rest of our lives together as proper brothers."
"That's the spirit." Applejack said as she kissed his cheek, "You've done enough to redeem yourself. Only time will tell if it was enough. But in the meantime, we're still talkin' about kids. So if ya don't mind, can we carry on?"
John looked at her blankly.
"What is there to discuss?" he asked, "We both want kids, so since we're both on the couch why don't we just make some now?"
He grinned wickedly as Applejack rolled her eyes.
"Ah meant we need ta talk about the possible... side-effects of us havin' kids," she said, "an' Ah think you know what Ah mean."
John's grin vanished, replaced with a frown.
"Don't tell me you actually buy that crap your family was spouting about a hybrid?" he snarled, "We've already established that it won't happen, thanks to Duke and Duchess Sparkle. And even Doctor Haywick has said that the chances of a hybrid being born without magical interference are extremely low."
Applejack pinned her ears to her head sheepishly.
"Ah'm sorry," she said, "Ah know Ah shouldn't believe them. But so many of them said it, so Ah just thought there might be a chance of a hybrid. But if Haywick says it won't happen, then Ah believe him. After all, he knows a damn sight more about this sort of thing than Ah could ever hope to imagine."
John wrapped his arms around Applejack's midsection and squeezed her gently, eliciting a squeak and a giggle, as well as bringing her ears back to their normal positions.
"I can picture it now," John said as he held her close, "you and me sitting on the porch while our children play in the sunshine with Azure, Evening and Chocolate... as well as any other foals that might appear, courtesy of our other friends."
Applejack chuckled.
"Part of me thinks Rainbow Dash won't appreciate gettin' pregnant while she's tryin' out for the Wonderbolts." she said, "Though Ah can see Fluttershy takin' ta motherhood like a duck to water."
"It's just a shame that Rarity and Spike can't join the fun." John mused, "I'm no expert, but I think I can safely say that dragon and pony DNA is one hundred percent incompatible."
Applejack shrugged.
"Ah'm sure they could adopt." she said, "After all, Ah'm sure there are some foals out there who would love the idea of havin' a dragon as a father. And Rarity would be a good mother too, given how she is around Sweetie Belle."
"But they're sisters." John said.
"Yeah," Applejack replied, "but how often do ya see their parents? Ah tell you that Rarity is the one raisin' that filly, and she's doin' a damn fine job at it as well."
John scratched his chin.
"Come to think of it," he said, "I don't think I've ever met their parents. Hell, I've never even met Twilight's or Pinkie Pies."
"An' mah parents are long since dead." Applejack deadpanned.
John winced and squeezed Applejack tighter.
"And I'm sure they'd be proud to call you their daughter," he said, "and remember you can see them any time you want. I'm sure Luna would be more than happy to send you on a visit."
Applejack nodded meekly.
"Yeah," she said before changing the subject, "but enough about that. We're supposed to be talkin' about kids."
"I thought we'd agreed to have some?" John replied, "We both agree that we'd make fine parents. You'd make a proud mum alongside Twilight and Pinkie, and I wouldn't have Geo and Ace constantly asking me when I'm gonna join the Daddy Club."
"So is that a 'yes'?" Applejack asked, "Are ya sure ya want this?"
John responded by getting up from the couch, still holding Applejack around the waist. He planted a deep passionate kiss on her lips and looked into her eyes.
"I like to think this tugging sensation I'm getting is the answer you need," he said with a grin, "so allow me to share it with you."
Before Applejack could respond, John was already half-way up the stairs to their bedroom.
***
"My poor little Spikey-Wikey," Rarity cooed, "you've had such a busy day today, so I insist that you lie down and get some rest."
"I'm fine Rarity, honest." Spike replied, "I've had busier days than this when I've helped Twilight with studying, or re-shelving, or cooking, or cleaning, or—"
Rarity quickly placed a hoof to Spike's lips, silencing him. He looked up at her sheepishly and she smiled back.
"I'm just glad that you're okay," she said, "and I must say that standing up to that brute of a Timberwolf was the bravest thing I've seen anypony ever do. Even braver than when Fluttershy stood up to that dragon!"
"Aw come on," Spike chuckled, "I think a dragon is more dangerous than a Timberwolf. After all, we can breathe fire."
"Now now darling," Rarity replied, "accept the compliment. Don't be so modest. You done a wonderful thing today by saving Applejack. And just so you're aware, I overheard John saying to Geo that he will be thanking you somehow. So be prepared for anything."
"Thanks for the warning," Spike said, "because you can never be too careful where John is concerned."
Rarity smiled and nuzzled Spike's cheek for a moment before kissing him gently. Spike held a claw to the area in awe.
"What was that for?" he asked.
"For saving my friend of course." Rarity replied, "In fact, for saving all of us. If you hadn't have thrown that stone, who knows what would have happened?"
"If I hadn't have done anything," Spike said, "I'm sure Geo would have tried taking on that wolf. After all, he took care of the three original wolves by himself. I never thought I would see a Timberwolf fly, but today has been a strange day..."
"He was only protecting Twilight." Rarity said, "You and I both know how serious those two are. Neither of them can stand the thought of life without the other, and Geo for one is more than willing to protect the life they've built together. Rainbow Dash was telling me how he stood up to King Sombra, so I hardly suspect that an angry Timberwolf would be a problem for him."
The two of them sat in silence for a moment before Spike rubbed the back of his head nervously.
"You do know that I'll do anything to protect what we have, right?" he asked timidly, "I can't bear the thought of anything bad happening to you."
"I do," she replied, "for I feel the same way. You are my perfect little gentledrake, and anypony who wishes to ruin what we have together... well, they'll have to go through me first."
Spike grinned.
"I'm so lucky to have you." he mused, "I'm so glad I took the initiative in declaring my feelings."
"As am I." Rarity replied, "I know how some ponies may disapprove of our relationship, but you and I both know there are things the other couples do that we can't. At least, not yet."
"Yeah," Spike said, "it's not like we're doing anything illegal. Besides, dragons mature a lot faster than everypony thinks. I'm getting taller by the day, and my wings will be coming in soon."
"And when that day comes," Rarity cooed, "we can take ourselves to the next level. But until then, I am more than happy for us to partake in our daily lives together."
Spike took one of Rarity's forehooves in a claw and kissed it.
"I don't mind waiting," he whispered, "just as long as I get to wait with you."
He kissed Rarity's hoof again, eliciting a giggle from her.
"If John was here," she said, "you just know that he would be making all manner of dirty jokes."
"Yeah, he would be." Spike replied, "But thankfully he isn't, as he and AJ are no doubt working out a few things back at the farm."
I can only imagine what that implies. Rarity thought.
"I'm getting kinda sleepy now," Spike said as he walked towards the door, "so I'm gonna head back to the library."
"There is no need," Rarity rushed in front of him and blocked his path, "because apparently she's received a letter from Princess Celestia which has gotten her all worked up. So I said that you could stay here tonight, so she didn't keep you awake. You know what she's like when she gets like this."
"Yeah," Spike muttered, "I do. But at least Geo is there to keep her sane. Though I can't help but wonder why the letter wasn't sent through me. Whatever it is it's either private, or important."
"I'm sure she'll tell us all about it if it turns out to be the latter," Rarity replied as she stifled a yawn, "now come along darling. The hour is late and the day starts early."
"All right," Spike replied as he followed Rarity upstairs, "I'll take the spare bedroom."
"You will do no such thing." Rarity said indignantly, "As I said before, there is nothing wrong with our relationship, which in turn means there is nothing wrong with us sharing a bed. After all, we're not going to be doing anything we shouldn't."
With those words the two of them went into Rarity's bedroom, closing the door softly behind them.
***
"So Princess Celestia wants you and the girls to meet her tomorrow at the park?" I asked. "Did she at least say why?"
I lay in bed, my eyes firmly fixed on Twilight as she continued pacing around the room with a thoughtful look on her face.
"No," she replied, "she didn't say why. But it must be important for her of she sent her message directly to me instead of through Spike like she usually does."
I shrugged.
"Well I guess we'll find out what she wants tomorrow." I said, "In the meantime, I want to get some sleep. Today has been a bit hectic, and my arms are sore from flinging those stupid Timberwolves around earlier."
Twilight stopped pacing and looked at me. I patted the bed and she smiled before climbing in next to me, pulling the blanket over us. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head.
"You're right," she said, "today has been hectic. And I guess we will find out tomorrow what Princess Celestia wants."
"Yes," I replied, "now stop worrying about it and let's get some sleep. Today has been chaotic enough without me having to worry about you worrying."
Twilight giggled.
"At least things can't get any more chaotic, right?" she said.
"Right." I said.
No more words were said as we both drifted off to sleep.