PART I: Shared Dreams
Chapter 7: The Morning After
A large mass of blankets began to stir. Big Mac woke up. Slowly opening his eyes, he gazed through the window to see Celestia’s sun already above the horizon. Morning had come way too soon. He wanted to roll over, to go back welcoming embrace of sleep. But he had already slept longer than usual. And there was too much to do. He needed to get up, to get moving. Lying in bed wouldn’t plow the fields or fix the fence. Reluctantly Big Mac pulled off the warm blankets and rolled out of bed. He felt tired, very tired. Yesterday he spent all day working the fields of Sweet Apple Acres. And last night he was out late with Luna. He hadn’t received the full night’s rest he needed. He stood there, facing the long day in front of him.
Big Mac walked down the hall to the stairs. He climbed down, each step creaking under the load. He could hear a rustle in the kitchen and the smell of something good cooking. Perhaps breakfast would make him feel better. He reached the bottom of the stairs and turned left into the kitchen.
Applejack stood behind the stove, making pancakes. “Mornin’ Big Mac.”
Applejack was unusually cheery this morning. He sensed she was trying to underscore the good night’s sleep she had while Big Mac was out with Luna. He really wasn’t in the mood. “Eeyup.” Applejack continued making pancakes as Big Mac went to the pot and poured himself a cup of coffee. He walked over to the kitchen table and sat down. Warmth filled his insides and the coffee slowly pulled him out of his grogginess.
Applejack finished making the pancakes and brought the platter over to the table. She sat down next to Big Mac. “So did ya enjoy yer date?” asked Applejack with a sly smile.
“Ma date?”
“Yer date with Princess Luna.”
“Big Mac went on a date with Princess Luna!?” cried Apple Bloom as she trotted into the kitchen.
“Nnope.”
“No Apple Bloom, I was just teasing Big Mac” said Applejack, hoping to contain the can of worms she just opened.
“Well you said he was out to dinner last night. Was he out with Princess Luna?”
“Eeyup.”
“And was it just the two of you?”
“Eeyup.”
“Sounds like a date to me!” proclaimed a proud Apple Bloom.
“Nnope.”
“No Apple Bloom, she was thanking him for saving her life” said Applejack, concerned things were going to get out of hoof.
Apple Bloom ignored her. “Wait ’til I tell the Crusaders!”
“No Apple Bloom, he wasn’t on a date with the princess. I was just teasing Big Mac. I don’t want ya to go spreading ’round any rumors. And I don’t want to see any Gabby Gums stories neither.” Applejack emphasized the last part to drive home her point.
Apple Bloom had hoped ponies forgot about the gossip column. She figured she better quit now before Applejack decided to bring up a certain love poison.
Granny Smith came in. “Mornin’ y’all.”
“Mornin’ Granny” said Applejack.
“Good mornin’ Granny Smith” spoke Apple Bloom.
“Mornin’” mumbled Big Mac, wanting to return to his short one-word replies.
Granny Smith sat down at the table with the rest of the family. Applejack passed the hot pancakes around as Big Mac poured the apple juice from the pitcher into the glasses. Granny Smith turned to Big Mac. “So, how was yer date with the princess? Hee–, hee–, hee–” chuckled Granny Smith.
“I knew it!” declared Apple Bloom as Applejack pulled her Stetson over her face to muffle her groan. She thought she contained the situation and now Granny Smith just ruined all her work.
“Just ’ad dinner with Luna. Nothin’ more to it.”
“Luna?” asked a surprised Applejack, pulling the Stetson off her face.
“She told me to call her that.”
“So, did you go to a fancy restaurant? Did you go for a long stroll in the moonlight? Did you kiss?” With each question Apple Bloom leaned farther and farther over the table towards Big Mac.
“Eeyup, eeyup, nnope.”
The three Apples looked a Big Mac. “Ah know ya not one for talkin’ Big Mac, but yer gonna need to do a bit more explain’” said a somewhat bemused Applejack.
Big Mac sighed. He really had said all he wanted to say. But he knew they wouldn’t let him be until he told them about his dinner with Luna. So, as his hot pancakes cooled, he related his story. “Ah met Luna in the Town Square at seven. She insisted that we eat at The Upper Crust –.”
“The Upper Crust?” Rarity dined there on a few occasions, so Applejack knew how expensive that place could be.
Big Mac ignored her interruption. “We had dinner together. Then she walked home with me. That’s all ah have to say ’bout that.”
“Was your dinner romantic? Did you stare into each other’s eyes? Did you tell her you love her?” pressed Apple Bloom.
“Apple Bloom I’ve had ’bout enough of your talk” scorned Applejack.
“Now, now, it’s ma fault. Ah should ’ave known my jokin’ would ’ave put the idea in that filly’s head” interjected Granny Smith.
“Well, Applejack said Big Mac and Luna were on a date.”
“Did she now? Ah guess the horseshoe is on the other hoof!” crowed Granny Smith.
“Well ah was just kiddin’ with Big Mac when Apple Bloom walked in.”
Big Mac rather enjoyed this exchange. They seemed to have forgotten about him for a minute. He ate his pancakes as the other three continued. Mmm. Buttery, syrupy goodness.
“Listen to me Apple Bloom.” Applejack made sure she had eye contact with her sister before continuing. “Big Mac saved Princess Luna’s life. She offered him a reward, but Big Mac refused. So she took him out ta dinner ta thank him. It was just the two of ’em, but it was no date. Right Big Mac?”
“Eya-” responded Big Mac, his mouth half filled with pancake.
“You understand?”
“Yes” grumbled a disheartened Apple Bloom.
“Apple Bloom? I don’t want to hear no rumors ’round town ’bout somethin’ that didn’t happen.”
“Yeah sis….It’s just – They would make such a cute couple! They say opposites attract. Well, ya couldn’t get more opposite than them! He’s a farmer and she’s a princess. He’s a pony and she’s an alicorn. He’s quiet and she likes to yell.” Applejack rolled her eyes and Apple Bloom fell silent. Apple Bloom decided it would be best to be quiet and she started to eat her pancakes. The rest of the family ate their breakfasts, with Big Mac enjoying a long head start.
Granny Smith turned to Big Mac. “She offered ya a reward?”
Big Mac looked up and swallowed his food. Would she respond the same as Applejack? “Eeyup?”
“Hee-, hee-. Ma grandson, the gentlecolt” boasted Granny Smith proudly.
The room fell silent as all ate the breakfast. Applejack chewed her pancake, staring at Big Mac and began to wonder. Big Mac didn’t have a very special somepony in his life. And as far as she knew, neither did Princess Luna. Big Mac and Princess Luna would make a cute couple. But they would never get together, not in a thousand moons. She was a princess of Equestria, and he was a lowly farmer. They were too different. It would never work. Still though....