//------------------------------// // Getting settled in // Story: The Best things are a Rarity // by mlpserenity //------------------------------// “… And so, that’s how yer gonna be an aunt.” “Cool. So you did magic even though you’re an earth pony?” “Sorta.” “So what’s the second thing you wanted to tell me?”, Applebloom said eagerly smiling, waiting for more exiting good news. “Well, I’m gonna start livin’ with Rarity real soon. “ “He he, ah can’t imagine how you convinced her to come live here”, Applebloom laughed imagining Rarity helping with the orchard in her fancy clothes. “Actually AB, I’m the one that’s gona be movin’ with her”, Applejack said, a smile forming on her face while Applebloom’s began to fade. “You’re leavin’?” Applejack noticed the sadness in her little sister’s voice and tried to ease her worry, “Aw, c’mon now sugarcube. It ain’t like I’ll be goin’ miles away. I’ll just be at Rarity’s Boutique from now on.” “But why do you have to start livin’ there?” Applebloom protested. “Well sweetie, it would be a might difficult fer Rarity and ah to raise our incoming foal together while still livin’ far away from each other.” “Like ya said before, it ain’t that far, so it wouldn’t be that hard would it?” “AB, moving there would not only make things easier, but ah sorta gotta be there for Rarity while she’s pregnant.” “She’s a grown mare ain’t she? She doesn’t need a babysitter.” “Applebloom! That is not a nice thing to say.” Applebloom looked down, “I’m sorry.” “Now look AB, ah ain’t just gona move in with her because of the baby. I’m also goin’ because ah want to be with her. In case ya forgot, she’s my wife after all.” “I guess, but…”, Applebloom couldn’t finish her sentence as she began sniffle a soft cry. Applejack quickly moved toward Applebloom and pulled her into a tight hug, “There there Applebloom. It’s gona be fine.” “No it won’t.” “Now what makes ya say that?” “Cuz you won’t be here anymore.” “I’ll still be comin’ around to help around the farm and of course to visit mah family and by the way that includes you.” “I guess…” “Applebloom, ah know it seems like a lot is changin’ fer ya all at once, but even though I’m starting my own family, that doesn’t mean I’m gona stop lovin’ you guys.” “But I’m gonna miss you.” Applejack patted Applebloom on her head, “Ya won’t have to Applebloom. Ah know it sounds like ah care about Rarity more than yall, but that just aint true. Ah love ya both the same, just in diferent ways is all. You, Big Mac, and Granny wil still be part of my family and Rarity’s and ah always take care of my kin.” “You promise?” “Course ah do.” “Okay AJ.” “One day you will also leave the nest to have a family of yer own; maybe with Spike. That won’t be too far off, right AB?” “AJ!”, Applebloom blushed crimson. “Ha ha, I’m just teasin’, but my point is that this happens to all families. It ain’t a sad thing, rather it’s a rite of passage.” “Yer right AJ.” With her tears beginning to dry up, Applebloom hugged her sister tightly. She still dreaded the thought of Applejack not being there to yell at her to get out of bed for school, but she knew that Applejack was right. They would always be a family and distance was not going to stop them from being that. While Applejack was explaining things to Applebloom, Rarity was doing the same with Sweetie Belle in Sweetie Belle’s room,”… And that is the situation we are in right now.” “Yay! Not only am I going to be an aunty, but Applejack’s gonna start living here. This is gonna be so much fun.” “Now Sweetie Belle, Applejack is not moving in here to be your playmate. She’s moving here so that we can raise our foal together and have our own little family at last”, Rarity said the last part with a dreamy look on her face. “But aren’t I already your family Rarity?” “Oh of course Sweetie, however Applejack and I will be starting our own, oh how do I say this…, little branch of the family tree.” “Oh okay.” “You’re sure you’re okay with this Sweetie?” “Absolutely. Oh wait, is she gonna take my room?” Rarity laughed, “Of course not Sweetie.” “Then where is she gonna sleep?” Rarity’s eyes widened, “Well… she would be sleeping in my room…” “You mean like a sleepover?” “Not quite Sweetie.” “Well, I don’t think you can fit another bed into your room.” “Well, that wouldn’t be happening. She would be sleeping in my bed.” “Why? Is it because you guys are going to do married grown up stuff?” “Well…” This back and forth continued until Rarity said it was time for bed and thankfully this happened before she unwillingly deprived Sweetie Belle of her innocence. A month passed in Ponyville without incident. Applejack could be seen bringing a cart of boxes to the Carousel boutique every few days. This time allowed Rarity to make the necessary room for Applejack and for the Apples to find adequate farm hands to fill in for the hours Applejack would be missing. Today was finally the day she would move in permanently into the Boutique. It was mid-afternoon and Applejack was saying her temporary goodbyes to her family, “Well, look like that’s the last of it.” Applebloom jumped up to grab Applejack by the neck and hugged her tightly. “I’m gonna miss havin’ you around AJ.” Her voice was starting to crack. “Don’t cry AB, ah won’t be too far off for a visit.” “You better keep that in mind and com around every so often, ya hear.” Granny demanded as she also hugged Applejack. Applejack hugged her back, “Ah will Granny.” Granny whispered, “Yer Ma and Pa would be proud.” Applejack whispered in kind holding back tears, “Thank you.” With her last things put into the cart, Applejack and Big Mac set off for the Boutique. When they arrived, Applejack knocked on the door and was greeted instantly by Rarity, “Hello Applejack.” After breakfast, she had been anxiously waiting for Applejack to arrive. “Howdy Rarity”, Applejack hugged her wife. Although only a little more than a month had passed, Rarity was starting to show signs of her pregnancy with her little pudgy belly. “Is this the last of it?” Rarity asked looking over at the nearly empty cart. “Yep”, Applejack answered as she began to bring her boxes in their home. “How rude of me. Hello to you as well Macintosh.” “Hello Rarity.” “I’m sorry to be taking Applejack way from your household.” “Think nothin’ of it. It was time she got her own life started with you anyways.” ”I suppose. I wonder when you will do the same with Zecora”, Rarity said as Big Mac’s stoic face grew a blush. “Ah… er…” “Quit teasing my brother Rarity”, Applejack said as she came out of the boutique. “Ah finished bringing in my stuff.” “Alright then. Ah best be off now then”, Big Mac said as he attached the cart to his harness and turned to head home. “See ya Mac and you be careful now.” Applejack gave Macintosh one last hug for the road. With that he was off and the couple stayed outside waving for a bit until they decided it was time to head indoors. Rarity kissed Applejack on the cheek and said, “So this is finally happening.” “Yep.” Silence took over for a few moments before Applejack spoke again, “Well ah better put these things away.” “Oh that can wait Applejack. It’s almost dinnertime and I am quite famished.” “Ah am kinda hungry myself.” “I say let us relax and go out to dine.” “It’s a date then.” They left for a small restaurant that laid a little ways off called “The Dancing Daffodil”. It was new to Applejack but Rarity had visited the establishment recently and was left with a good impression. When they arrived, they were greeted by a waitress, “Hello and welcome to The Dancing Daffodil. Table for two?” “Yes.” “Inside or outside?” “Well it’s such a calm and nice night so why not outside Applejack?” “Sounds good ta me.” “Very well. This way please.” They were led through a door that landed them in a small fenced patio and took their seat at one of the tables. Their orders were taken and Rarity decided to begin the conversing, “I’m so exited that this is finally happening”. “Same here.” “However, I suppose I have to get accustomed to wearing earplugs in my sleep now.” “Beg yer pardon.” “Well dear, you do snore rather loudly. I already bought a small pack for your occasional overnight stays, but it seems I’m going to have to purchase larger packs.” “Hey.” “Oh don’t worry Applejack, I don’t really mind. In a way I like it.” “Ya do?” “Yes. It let’s me know that you're next to me.” “Aww, well shucks Rarity.” “But you should get that checked out.” “Well now little lady you ain’t exactly a kitten when ya sleep.” “We’ve been over this Applejack. I do not snore.” “Rarity, me and the girls have already told ya that ya do.” “Obviously one of your attempts to collaboratively joke at my expense. I am as quiet as a mouse.” “Yeah if it was snoring inside one of yer sewing machines while it was on.” “I do not snore.” “I don’t see why it’s a big deal Rares. I like it too fer that same reason you do. ‘Sides my whole family snores so I’m used to it.” “Aww Applejack that is very kind.” “Yer welcome.” “But I do not snore.” Applejack sighed. They moved away from that topic and talked about other, but mainly about how things would be different from now on. After they finished their meal and paid, they headed for home. Along the way Applejack asked, “Ya been feeling alright lately Rares?” “What do you mean?” “There’s a rumor going around that yer pregnant, so I was just curious.” “Har har. I’m fine. Although sometimes I do feel weaker at times and…” Applejack interjected while laughing, “Ya mean heavier?” “…I have the strangest cravings lately…”, Rarity stopped when what Applejack had said finally registered in her mind. “Rarity?” “Did you just call me…”, Rarity’s voice began to crack and her lower lip stated to quiver, “…f-f-fat?” “Uh…no.”Oh boy I gone and done it now. “Sure sounded like it.” “I was just pointin’ out that you might feel weaker cuz-” “Why?! Because I’m getting fat?!” The flood gates had been opened. “No Rarity. I meant that since yer carrying a child that-” Rarity gave no time for Applejack to finish as she ran off towards the boutique. Applejack was stunned by what had just transpired, but soon recovered and gave chase to Rarity. She was close to home when she heard the door slam, ”Me and mah big mouth.” As she opened the door, she saw Rarity on her dramatic couch crying, “C’mon sugarcube, Ah didn’t mean…”.Rarity got up, saw Applejack and simple ran upstairs without a word. Applejack followed and when she reached Rarity’s, well their room now, she opened the door slowly, “Rarity?” “Go away! I’m just a hideous fat mare.” Applejack sighed, “Rarity, ya ain’t hideous and ya ain’t fat.Yer just pregnant.” She heard Rarity whimper and climbed into the bed with her. She pulled Rarity into a tight embrace, “Yer still and always be the beautiful princess ah married.” “You mean it?” “Course ah do.” Rarity turned to face Applejack with smiled on her face. That quickly faded when she smacked Applejack on her shoulder, “Don’t ever call me fat again.” “Ah didn’t-oh nevermind. Ah promise ah won’t.” With that said Rarity kissed Applejack and pulled her in closer, “I love you Applejack”. “Ah love ya too Rarity.” This ain’t really how ah pictured our first night together. Guess you can’t always plan for everything. Boy Twilight would yell at me if she heard me say that.She looked down at Rarity’s sleeping face and could only smile at the sight. She kissed her forehead, “Thank you Rarity. You make me feel like the luckiest mare around.” With that, Applejack also drifted to sleep with Rarity in her embrace. The only way Applejack ever wanted it to be.