//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: The Early Morning Routine // Story: TwiMacVerse Part 3: The Apple of My Bulls Eye // by ThatBronyWithTheClipOns //------------------------------// Big Macintosh woke up from his bed with a loud yawn. Like most mornings, he accidentally smashed his alarm clock with his massive hoof. Years of living at Sweet Apple Acres, the large farm stallion was used to waking up naturally at a specific time. Now that he was living at the library with his very pregnant wife, he had to wake up earlier than usual so he had time for some breakfast. Applejack had told him many times before that he didn’t have to worry about being at the farm at his usual time, but Big Mac was a pony habit. He wobbled to the bathroom to take a shower, which thankfully helped wake him up some. He never forgot the first time he went through this routine. Downstairs, Spike was busy making some breakfast for the farm pony he now considered to be his brother in-law. Getting out of the bathroom, Big Mac could smell the aroma of breakfast; his mouth started watering instantly. He made his way down the stairs as quietly as possible, so as not to wake up his sleeping wife. “Good Morning, Mac,” greeted Spike. “Mornin, Spike,” Big Macintosh responded. “What the hay are you doin up so early?” “I didn’t want you doing farm work on a empty stomach,” said Spike. “Well ah coulda just made some toast or something,” said Big Macintosh. “I could never do that,” said Spike. “Twilight wouldn’t want you going on an empty stomach either. And I’m not gonna let my brother in-law starve.” “Brother in-law?” said Big Macintosh, perplexed by Spike’s remark. “Well, sure,” responded Spike. “Twilight is pretty much my big sister, since I’ve been with her my whole life. Now that you two are married, that makes you my brother in-law. “Guess ah never thought of it that way,” responded Big Macintosh. “No big deal,” said Spike. “Now, sit yourself down. You got plenty of time to eat something before you head out. Besides, Applejack says it’s no big deal if you don’t show up at your usual time; seeing as how you don’t live on the farm anymore.” “Guess ah’m just a creature of habit,” commented Big Macintosh. “I know that feeling,” said Spike. The dragon assistant set down a plate of four scrambled eggs, four buttered pieces of toast, and a tall glass of orange juice. “Wow,” exclaimed Big Macintosh. “Didn’t expect this kinda breakfast.” “Like I said, don’t wantcha going to work on an empty stomach,” said Spike, with a gleaming smile. “Thank ya kindly, spike,” said Big Macintosh, bowing his head to the purple dragon. “No problem, big bro,” responded Spike. The farm stallion never thought he’d hear Spike refer to him as a brother. But he actually did like the sound of it. He ate up as fast as he could, and guzzled down his glass of orange juice. He then let out a sizeable burp, causing him to blush slightly. “Guess ah should get goin,” said Big Macintosh. “Be sure to say bye to Twilight,” said Spike. “But she’s sleepin,” said Big Macintosh. “So what,” said Spike. “She’s not gonna see you all day. I doubt she wants you leaving without a kiss.” Big Mac couldn’t argue with that logic. Letting out a sigh, he walked back up the stairs to see his wife before heading out. At this point she wasn’t too far along to where it was safe for her to walk up and down stairs. The red stallion took a moment to look at his sleeping bride. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she looked, and how it wouldn’t be long before they were gonna become parents. He leaned in and nuzzled Twilight gently on her muzzle. The lavender librarian slowly opened her eyes, to see her husband standing in front of her. “Morning, sweetheart,” responded Twilight, clearly tired. “Mornin, sugar cube,” responded Big Macintosh. “Ah gotta head out to Sweet Apple Acres today. Be home this evenin. Need anything before ah leave?” “How bout a kiss,” she said coyly. “Ah think ah can oblige,” he said, giving her a warm smile. He leaned in and gave her a nice, long kiss. Once done, he headed towards the bedroom door. Before heading out, he gave her a final goodbye for the day. “Be sure to get back to sleep,” said Big Macintosh. “Ah love you, Twilight. “I love you too, Macintosh,” said Twilight, letting out one more big yawn before drifting back off to sleep. Big Mac made his way back downstairs, slid on his yoke, and got his saddlebags and prepared to head out. Before leaving however, Spike once again had something for him. “Hey, Mac,” exclaimed Spike. “Just a sec. I made you a lunch for later too.” “Oh,” Big Mac responded with a little confusion. “Yah really didn’t have to…” “I won’t take no for an answer,” smiled Spike. “I want to make sure my family is taken care of.” The little dragon surprised the farm pony further, by giving him a warm hug. While not sure what to do at first, Macintosh gave Spike a hug back. He was finally able to make his way out the front door. And that’s how Big Macintosh’s routine pretty much went from then on: wake up, shower, eat breakfast, kiss Twilight goodbye, get his bagged lunch from Spike and head out to Sweet Apple Acres. The only real change in this system, was when Twilight was too far along to sleep upstairs in their bedroom and had to start sleeping on the couch in the sitting area of the library. Despite this routine going on for months, Mac was still having some trouble getting used to his new wakeup time. He figured it was normal, since he spent years on a fairly constant schedule; and he wasn’t even married a year yet. Even the simple act of walking towards the farm for work seemed off to him. But he had to admit, he enjoyed seeing Ponyville before anypony else was awake for the day ahead; in all his years he had never had that opportunity. The only time he ever saw Ponyville bathed in Luna’s moonlight was evening dates with Twilight, or some sort of special event like Nightmare Night. His favorite part of these walks, was Celestia raising the sun. He’d seen sunrises numerous times before from his old bedroom back on the farm, but seeing the sun rise going towards the farm was a whole different experience. He knew it was going to be good day.