Family Matters
Chapter 7: A Series of Unfortunate Miscommunications
Big Macintosh thought of the lack of rhyme and reason to pony names after arriving home from the library. In farming families, like his own, it was generally common to share a single noun. The Apple family had started with his grandmother's mother, Apple Seed. Foals’ names often reflected their mothers’. A husband would occasionally take a part of his wife’s name, as in the case of Kingston Doo, who had formerly been Kingston Carrot. In contrast, pegasi tended to share similar names to their fathers. Unicorn naming traditions varied widely by region. In old cities such as Canterlot or Trottingham, customs dictated that a new bride or groom’s name should reflect the name of their higher ranking partner. In most other regions it simply came down to the couple’s mood.
He did not think Twilight Sparkle would insist on him changing his name to Macintosh Sparkle, though he wondered if she already had chosen names. He smiled warmly at the thought of the foal. He wondered how long it would be before he could feel the foal's first buck.
"Big Macintosh. Whatcha doin’?" Apple Bloom poked her brother in the leg for the sixth time in a row. She had discovered him standing, having what appeared to be a staring contest with the front door.
Big Macintosh cleared his mind with a shake of his head before speaking. "Ahhww nothin', sorry."
"Applejacks says you’re gonna fix Granny's old table. Can ah help?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Sorry Apple Bloom, but the wood’s splintered. It’s gonna take magic to do it right," Big Macintosh said. "But if we get it done right you can help me varnish it. We’ll make it real nice for Granny Smith."
"Sweet!"
"Where's Applejack?"
"Out by the pond with Fluttershy. The swans chased Winona up a tree again."
***
In the past, the Apples had kept geese on the farm to eat harmful insects in the orchards and provide fertilizer for the trees. The geese had proved to be explosive breeders, and the Apples had to cull the flocks every four to five years. Winona helped with herding the over breeding birds somewhat, but then the geese would stick exclusively to the farm's one pond and slowly poison it over time.
Twilight had suggested the swans as replacement for the geese. The farm's pair of swans would easily consume as many pests as a flock of geese. They would not tolerate their own offspring returning to the farm when they were grown, let alone other types of water fowl who might pollute the pond.
The only problem with the swans was Winona. The dog could not grasp that the swans were not herdable like the geese. Every so often Winona would attempt to herd the swans, and every time the dog's actions proved to be futile. Every time the swans ended up chasing the dog around the farm, honking furiously and nipping at her tail. Applejack was not fond of the swans, especially when they picked on Winonna, but it was them or the geese. Unfortunately for Winona, the swans worked better.
The swans had not quite chased Winona up a tree, but she was cowering in the branches of a fallen oak. Applejack tried to coax Winona out of the branches with soft whistles and encouraging words.One of the swans zigged and zagged back and forth in the pond as its mate complained bitterly to Fluttershy. "Fluttershy, get those birds out of here. I can't calm Winona down with them so close," Applejack demanded.
"Please, Matilda," Fluttershy begged. The swan honked one final time before gesturing at the dog angrily. Fluttershy sighed heavily, shutting her eyes for a moment before releasing her full stare upon the irate swan. The bird stopped complaining and focused on her eyes before backing guardedly into the pond. The swans circled one another in a rhythmic pattern before departing for the reeds on the other side of the water. In defiance of Fluttershy's complete mastery over her, Matilda squawked once more before bobbing her head into the water to feed.
"Thanks for bein' on call to help with the birds," Big Macintosh thanked the pegasus.
"You're welcome," Fluttershy whispered behind a cascade of pink hair.
Big Macintosh did not roll his eyes as Applejack approached with the still-cowering Winona. "So, brother, how did the search for a spell to fix the table go?"
"We still need to discuss further details," he replied in his best Twilight voice. He forced a smile and came up with an excuse. Better to deflect for the moment. At least he would be able to see Twilight without raising anyone’s suspicions, even if he surprised her. "Twi needs more time. Ah’m gonna take the table over tomorrow so Twilight can give it a go after supper."
"Well that sounds good." Applejack rubbed Winona along her spine one more time before volunteering her brother for an assignment. "I promised Fluttershy she could use this tree for firewood. There’s enough here to warm her house for two winters. Do you think you could drag it to her house?"
"Of course," Big Macintosh resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His sister was always volunteering him for tasks to do for Fluttershy. It was always an awkward situation for the quiet stallion and shy pegasus. "Would you like me to do that now or later, Miss Fluttershy?"
"Right now will be good for her," Applejack answered for her friend. Big Macintosh's ear twitched, but he resisted any other sign of discontent.
***
With a final grunt, Big Macintosh rolled the log into the yard of Fluttershy's house. Cutting the branches took most of the afternoon, followed by an hour of actually moving it. "So who's the pony that volunteered to cut your wood?"
"I think Applejack was going to volunteer you," Fluttershy said as she placed a basket of sandwiches on the log.
"Thanks," Big Macintosh ate one sandwich, saving the rest for later.
"Somepony really has to tell her…" Fluttershy spoke quietly again.
"That we ain’t interested and this ain’t gonna happen." Big Macintosh gestured between the pair. He turned red as Fluttershy blushed behind her hair. "Sorry."
"It's alright, it's just awkward," Fluttershy said.
"You know that mare I’ve been talking to you about?” Big Macintosh admitted.
Fluttershy looked at him with trepidation. "The one you wont name?"
"It’s Twilight Sparkle and she's pregnant." Big Macintosh rubbed his mane but could not find the right words.
"Oh my. What?" Fluttershy's eyes grew wide in surprise.
“Ah said Twilight’s pregnant,” Big Macintosh repeated.
“Oh my... umm...” Fluttershy shuffled her hooves awkwardly and snapped her wings. “As in going to have a foal?”
“Yes!” Big Macintosh answered harshly
He regretted his own temper as Fluttershy cowered slightly. “I’m sorry.”
“You shouldn’t be apologizing. Ah shouldn’t be dumpin’ this information on you like,” Big Macintosh apologized.
Both waited in silence as Fluttershy let the information set in. It was unexpected and left her feeling empty. She continued forward tentatively. “Who knows?”
"Zecora, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash," Big Macintosh answered. "It ain’t that Twilight’s tryin’ to keep it from ya. We just were gonna keep it to ourselves for awhile... but everythin’s gotten shaken up and the others found out by chance."
"It is a surprised,” Fluttershy agreed as she tried to make sense of it all.
"You're ain’t mad?"
"In all honesty I’m not sure what to feel," Fluttershy answered diplomatically. “I can’t believe that you or Twilight of all ponies would let something like this happen accidently. You should have been more prepared. This is going to change everything.”
“You’re right,” Big Macintosh agreed.
“I’m sorry,” Fluttershy apologized again.
“There is no need to. You can be angry,” Big Macintosh said.
“I’m not angry just feeling empty or...” Fluttershy tried to find the words.
“Nervous because you're not sure what’s gonna happen?” Big Macintosh suggested.
“Yes,” Fluttershy agreed then made a face. “But this is about you and Twilight.”
“It’s okay to feel Fluttershy, bad or good,” Big Macintosh said.
“Right,” Fluttershy said.
A contemplative silence followed as Big Macintosh considered his next words. "Still, Ah am gonna need a favor. When Applejack finds out she's gonna be mad and she ain’t gonna speak to me for awhile. Ah need someone to keep the lines open."
"I don't know."
"Please, she's mah sister."
"If it happens, I'll try."
***
Twilight Sparkle woke to the gently rising sun, the distant chirping of birds, and the loud snores of Spike and the infant phoenix Peewee. The baby dragon insisted on dragging his basket into Twilight's bedroom and sleeping there that night. Twilight didn’t want to think how he would react to sharing any space with Big Macintosh.
She stretched, sighing happily under the warm summer sun. She left Spike to sleep in after deciding to prepare breakfast for herself, cereal topped with a cut up banana and a side of toasted peanut butter with a glass of orange juice. After finishing the main course, Twilight tried to decide if she wanted to double up on the toast.
A knock on the door disrupted her indecision. "Mornin'," Applejack entered after the knock, bearing a basket of apples.
Twilight froze as she fumbled for words. "Good morning, Applejack. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to say thanks for bein' there for mah brother. He told me about your plans." Applejack placed the apples on Twilight’s main table. "You're doin a really good thing for mah family, Twilight. If you don't mind me askin', could I go to dinner with you tonight? I really want to help as much as possible."
"Really?" Twilight blinked in surprise.
"Yeah, Mah brother really doesn't want my help, but this is a family thing and we Apples gotta stick together," Applejack said.
"That sounds fine," Twilight agreed as she tried to make sense of the situation.
"Mah brother's got deliveries to make all day. So where did you plan on doing to dinner?"
A romantic picnic in the park. Twilight thought, but said, "Here."
"Sounds great, I'll be here early to help cook. Its the least Ah can do." Applejack shook her friend's hoof before walking off and leaving the bewildered Twilight behind.
***
Twilight met with Rainbow Dash and Rarity for lunch, sending Spike off with a ridiculously long shopping list to keep him busy. A mention of a romantic dinner with Rarity that night did not lighten the dragon's mood like Twilight expected, but he still did what he was told. Three garden salads sat before a trio of friends, as well as a bowl of peanuts that Twilight frequently reached into and ate from.
"So Applejack is okay with what's going on?" Rarity asked, shocked at Twilight's revelation.
"She seemed fine with everything," Twilight explained. Rainbow Dash tried to grab a nut but Twilight kept reaching for them telekinetically, cracking them, and eating them faster than Rainbow Dash could react in between Twilight's snacking.
"That doesn't sound like Applejack," Rainbow Dash said as she grabbed the bowl and dumped some nuts into her salad.
Rarity glared at the pegasus, but Twilight did not seem to mind as she continued eating. "Applejack is always level headed and practical. I'm glad she's happy for us."
"There's a first time for everything," Rainbow Dash said.
"What are you talking about?" Twilight asked.
"Well…" Rarity tried to explain the situation tactfully but settled for asking a question. "Have you and Big Macintosh ever discussed your past relationships?"
"Well, not actually," Twilight realized.
"Big Mac would have to actually have past relationships if he wanted to talk about them," Rainbow Dash commented, though she regretted it when Rarity bucked her under the table.
"What do you mean?" Twilight asked.
"This is really something you should discuss with Big Macintosh," Rarity tried to deflect
"If it's important..." Twilight pressed.
"Applejack is nuts and has chased off any mare interested in her brother," Rainbow Dash explained.
"Rainbow Dash." Rarity's glare rivaled Fluttershy's stare.
"Well somepony has to tell her. Big Mac obviously hasn't," Rainbow Dash protested.
"You're not mad, are you dear?" Rarity asked.
Twilight paused as she considered her answer. The words came out surprisingly clear. "When Big Macintosh and I are together it’s just been the two of us. We haven’t really thought of the consequences of our actions, just enjoying the moment. There isn’t any pony else who has been able to hold my attention like this, and I guess neither of us mentioned our friends or family because we didn’t want anything to change. We just lived in the moment.” Rainbow Dash yawned as Twilight explained herself. Rarity held a faraway expression as Twilight spoke. The purple mare finished. “I can’t hold it against Big Macintosh for not telling me this stuff. I haven’t told him everything, like my brother is kind of the same way."
"Shining Armor seems like such the gentlecolt," Rarity said.
"He's also been involved in social and royal affairs long before I was. It's easy for him to chase off suitors when he has the entire Royal Guard and palace staff spying for him," Twilight sighed. "Only two were able to make it through; it didn't end well for anypony."
"Let me apologize on behalf of your brother and Applejack. Who would imagine you would both have such defensive siblings?" Rarity said.
"I still don't buy Applejack not being angry," Rainbow Dash said.
"Are you sure she knows everything?" Rarity asked.
"She said Big Macintosh told her of our plans and that she was happy for us," Twilight summarized. "I can't imagine what else she was talking about."
***
Twilight did not have the time to question Applejack, who upon arrival proceeded to take over Twilight kitchen and make three course meal. Twilight spent most of the evening reassuring a distraught Spike that Applejack wasn’t going to destroy his kitchen as she temporarily rearranged for her convenience. Twilight could not get Applejack's attention over the chorus of clinking cookware, cooking food, and splashing of utensils as they were tossed into the sink to soak. The purple mare knew that dinner was happening, but she was far from sure about the circumstances behind the dinner, and she didn’t want to question Applejack without solid information.
The dinner preparation passed quickly despite the long hours. As supper time approached, Twilight and Spike could not help but salivate over Applejack's fruit salad, nut roast, and apple pie.
A knock on the library door disrupted the cooking. "Sounds like Big Macintosh is here. Ah just got a few finishing touches on the nut roast," Applejack explained as she removed the nut roast from the oven and seasoned it one final time as it cooled.
Big Macintosh choose to do something different that night. After a long day of deliveries, farm work, and dragging Granny Smith’s table from the farm to the library, he wanted a kiss from his marefriend. She wouldn’t be expecting it, but everything would be fine. Applejack was no where to be found, and he hoped Twilight would appreciate the surprise. He decided to live in the moment as the library door opened to reveal Twilight.
“Big Macintosh-” Twilight began.
"Ah've missed you," Big Macintosh took Twilight into his embrace and planted one on her lips. He did not see her darting eyes, though he did regret his decision a little when he saw Spike in the background pretending to stick one of his claws down his throat.
"I'm not hungry any more. I'm going to Rarity's," Spike left the couple to their business, losing his appetite.
"What's wrong?" Big Macintosh asked a hyperventilating Twilight. Applejack appeared in the kitchen doorway, her shocked, pale face quickly turning red with anger.
Oh god here we go...*brings out the popcorn* bring out the crazed Applejack!
Lé me- going through old emails looking for something. I find an old update alert for this and think, "sigh, they need to update". I scroll back to the top and refresh, and boom! there's an update! Amazing. truly amazing. Great chapter, can't wait for more AJ!
1256561
Writing 101: Keep the readers wanting more.
I really don't want to distract the comments from this chapter, but was I to subtle on the shower sex in the previous chapter?
encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS2dBmVLJUA9TSOlphw49oIODVbONgC8arFhzuD9cRKOsp-JuNC encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQifNL74xYe9BLcHSKrIMI7rnjVPfzS-ARCfSEpUU3sO6p9WX3ktg
WHOOO i wanna read more,please?
1256614
Where do people find pictures like this? Is there some kind of internet repository for visual pictures or movies representing words?
high there fan! let me introduce you to sh*t. Sh*t meet fan, I hope you two have a lovely time together....
1256603 by subtle do you mean that we got the fact they had sex in the shower? yes, we got it. was it fully graphic clop? no if that's what your worried about... thought I'm feeling sorry for Spike, it's hard to tell what Rarity's feelings are for him in this.....
1256603
No I don't think you were XD I got it :P
Great chapter! Can't wait for the next one :3
1256660
I was just wondering if readers knew it actually had occurred. As for Spike, lets just say the difference between romantic ideals and what is an adult relationship will be important.
1256654
Honestly, I just Googled "Cliff" then "Hanger" and took the first two images that were about the same size
1256681
No need to apologize, I was just wondering.
1256573 Writing 201 Once is Okay, twice is reasonable, trice you're a troll.
1256698
Well I guess if you don't like my style I could always not continue the story...
Now that is trolling
1256722 you have done this every other chapter
1256693
No worries, the only bad thing is that I have used up a weeks worth of clever with that.
As for excessive cliffhangers, I don't see it. The only real cliffhangers have been this chapter and the original reveal of the pregnancy to Macintosh. I agree that true cliffhangers should be used sparingly, but this story definitely hasn't abused them.
I want to write something but dont know what!
So onto another topic. I'm thinking of switching up the story picture. I like this one, but at the same time I want something that shows a little more frustration. What about this one by Raikoh?
That cliffhanger...
Part of me kinda hopes twilight will slap some sense into applejack, but can't tell until the next chapter
AAaaaaand now we're about to have Rainbow Dash beat some freaking sense into Applejack.
AHA!!! I knew they had shower sex!!!
Meh, it was bound to happen. It's always best to be open with some things otherwise the people who tend to over react the most find out in the worst possible ways and it all gets blown to hell.
I new Applejack was a fan of fluttermac and a over protective sister, if she is angry now i can't wait to see what happen when she discover Twilight is pregnant
denver.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/img/mlfw5370-Ponystorm.png
This is not going to end well
The fact that I've added this to my favorites should say a lot about what I think, and I hope that will softne the blow about to come. I have a mechanical nitpick that's driving me crazy: plurals and apostrophes.
Plurals should never have an apostrophe unless the plural item possess something else (The Apples' farm) or the plurals can't be written with a normal -s or -es at the end to make them plural (dot your i's and cross your t's). Apostrophes and S's are usually reserved for possessives.
Sorry, disgruntled English teacher going to go prep for tomorrow now. Interesting story; will read on next update even if you keep doing that with the plurals.
1261139
Actually I do know about that rule, BUT I have received opposing opinions through various levels of education and jobs on whether you should actually use t.
1261291
There are some situations where one gets a bit of leeway, especially in fiction. However, there are some times when it's quite simply never ok. For example:
The swans don't have anything. There is no situation where that apostrophe would clear anything up (might be different if there was a character named Trumpeting Swans or something).
The Apple's? Not really standard, but I can understand it. Swan's? That's distracting.
I don't mean to be the belligerent commenter, but as someone with a degree in this stuff, when I notice small, easily fixed things like that, I feel an obligation to at least mention it.
I knew this was coming eventually, I know that both Twilight and Big Mac are probably in for a quite a bit of conflict coming from both sides, at least that's what I sense. I just hope that everyone can be happy in the end. As always another great chapter
1261589
No, that is fine. I know there are some spelling errors still.
The story is really going well so far. The only problem I had was how Shining Armour was going to get involved, but I can see the scenario now:
After the changeling invasion, despite assurances from everyone that there was nothing he could done differently; Captain Shining Armour could not help but feel guilty over that he almost lost everything dear to him, including the love of his little sister. He also realised how distant he had become to Twilight, not even making sure she was safe from unwanted advances.
After the honeymoon with his beloved wife, Shining Armour once more had loyal agents watching over Twilight, now in Ponyville. He began to hear of a large stallion leaving the library in the early morning and began to worry. Then an agent reported that Twilight was seen in the legs of a local farmer. Shining Armour began to make plans to make this Casanova back off. The final straw was hearing of a fight between Twilight and the farmer's sister, where it was discovered that Twilight was with foal. What will the Protective captain and brother do?
Anyone know what changes were made to chapter 5? I have looked over it and cannot see any difference.
Also, any update on the next chapter? The problem with using cliff hangers is that your audience will want to have answers sooner rather than later.
1273297
That is a wonderful idea, but I have something much more dysfunctional planned on how he finds out. Aw no devilish icon.
Applejack knows i think
Gah this chapter felt like watching a train wreck... you know what will happen and you still watch.
So horrible and so good at the same time, well done.
Heh, not ashamed to cop to it, I totally missed the shower sex implication.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Asy-SqjD8Qo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM876GDF8TY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-XUNzHpiLw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3cRWJcZjW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vfa6HXsccE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoOSEJJ1Npk
me think applejack going to kill twilight for date her brother, then kill her brother for knock up one of her friends.