Loving Home
We can't command our love, but we can our actions~Arthur Conan Doyle
Today, Applejack would finally be able to leave the hospital and return to her home; Sweet Apple Acres. She had been anxious to leave the hospital, the idea to be back home had her thrilled!
Applejack stepped out of the hospital with her newborn daughter in her hooves, a smile appeared in her face as she glanced at the bright blue sky.
"Spike, calm down!"
"I am calm, but I'm worried about you, what if you fall down and hurt yourself or the baby!"
"Geez Spike, since when did you became my father."muttered Applejack.
"Sorry, it's just that...I-I don't want you to get injured."
Applejack smiled at his concern."You're too sweet."
"Thanks?"
The rest of the walk from the hospital to the farm was peaceful. Although Spike kept his eyes on Applejack and tried to convince her to walk slower, something Applejack didn't agree on.
"Be careful with that boulder, don't fall on that hole, watch your step!"
"Spike, keep your tone down, you'll wake up Appleblaze."
"Oh yeah, sorry."muttered Spike with embarrassment.
The farm grew closer and closer, Applejack had to keep herself from running towards her home she didn't want to hurt her daughter...or worry Spike about her safety more than he already was.
"Applejack!"screamed Applebloom as she noticed her big sister enter the farm. Applebloom raced to the entrance and gave her big sister a welcome hug.
"Applebloom, I'm so glad to see ya again!"
"Same here, the farm has been so quiet since you left."
"It's been only two weeks."
"Two long weeks."added Applebloom.
Applejack giggled softly and went inside the house, Applebloom and Spike followed closely just in case she needed assistance.
"Howdy, little sis."greeted Big Mac.
Applejack raised an eyebrow."I ain't little anymore."
Big Mac chuckled and gave her a hug."I see you brought the latest addition to the Apple Family."
"Lil Appleblaze has been asleep for the whole walk."
Applebloom jumped up and down in excitement.
"I still can't believe I'm an aunt!"exclaimed Applebloom.
"Wanna hold her?"
Applebloom nodded and extended her hooves as Applejack placed the fragile filly.
"Wow, she's so...small."whispered Applebloom so she wouldn't wake up her niece.
"You'll be a great aunt."
Applebloom lifted her head and gazed at her big sister in surprise.
"You think so?"
"I know so."
Applebloom hugged her niece and gave it back to her sister.
"There's a gift in your room."said Applebloom as she passed her sister.
Applejack looked at Spike with curiosity, he just shrugged and gave her a small smile.
"Come on, you need your rest."said Spike.
"I've been stuck on a bed for two weeks! I think I've had enough rest."
"The doctor said to take it easy for the rest of the month."
Applejack sigh, there was no way she'd win over Spike."Fine."
Spike smiled and lifted Applejack from the floor and carried her to her room.
Applejack placed her head on his shoulder."You don't need to do that."
"I know but I want to."
Applejack smiled, he definitely was going to be a great father.
Spike opened the door to Applejack's room revealing new crib that stood at the right corner of her room. At the sight of the crib Applejack gasped, she didn't even notice Spike had put her back on the floor.
"Do you like it?"
Applejack walked up to the crib and examined the crib, it was painted yellow and it had just the right size for her newborn girl. The inside had a big blanket designed with green and red apples.
"I-I love it...did you make it?"
"It wasn't only me, Applebloom made the blanket an decided the color too."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Applejack placed her little filly on the crib, Appleblaze instantly snuggled closer to the warm blanket.
"Looks like Appleblaze already loves it."whispered Applejack as she looked fondly at her filly.
Spike nodded and carried Applejack once more to bed.
"Sleep, I'll wake you up for dinner."
"I'm not tired."argued Applejack as Spike stuck her in.
"The doctor said-
"I know what the doctor said!"spoke Applejack with annoyance.
"It's for your health."
Applejack sigh."I know...but you know how much I hate being stuck in bed."
A smirk appeared on Spike's face."You didn't complain last time."
A blush formed on Applejack's cheeks, her mind remembering that day.
Applejack was snapped out of her thoughts by the sound of a deep husky growl, one glance towards Spike and she fell in a daze. He walked towards Applejack and caress her cheek, looking deep into her eyes.
"Spike what are you-
Applejack didn't have tome to finish as Spike lips crashed with hers. For a second her eyes widen in surprise but that shock vanished, replaced with passion and love. Spike hesitantly parted his lips from hers and took a step back.
"I'll be downstairs if you need anything."
Applejack nodded and watched as he left the room. When he left the room Applejack let out a big sigh, it was obvious things were going to be different. Who would have thought she would marry Spike and have a child with him. Things were really looking up, Applejack looked at her little filly and smiled. Her eyelids became heavier and heavier until she fell asleep.
"Applejack...dinner's ready."
At the mention of food Applejack bolted right up. "I'm up!"
"Wow, calm down it's only dinner."responded Spike.
Applejack chuckled slightly and blushed in embarrassment. "Oh, yeah right...only dinner."
Applejack got out of bed and placed her hat on her messy mane. "You were right Spike, I was tired."
Spike laughed and ruffled her her mane making it messier than before. "I'm always right.
Applejack scoffed and rearranged her hat. "Not always."
"Tell me one time I've been wrong."said Spike crossing his arms.
Applejack opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out."Well...I got nothing."
"See, I'm always right."
Applejack rolled her eyes but smiled anyways, before she left she took a glance at the silent crib and found it empty.
"Where's Appleblaze?!"
"Downstairs, she's playing with Applebloom."
"You should have woken me earlier."
"I tried...it didn't work."
Applejack blushed and gave a sheepish smile."Well I-
"Applejack!!"screamed Applebloom from downstairs.
Applejack and Spike dashed downstairs they were going so fast they arrived in record time.
"What's wrong?"asked Spike.
"T-there are dragons outside!"
Applejack quickly grabbed Appleblaze and stood in front Applebloom, ready to protect her at all cost.
"I'll handle them."said Spike in a cool tone, trying hard not growl.
Applejack looked at Spike with concern he seemed too calm about the situation.
"Don't worry about me I'll be fine."
Spike walked outside with determination and a look that could do more than melt ice.
"Look at that! Isn't it Spike the dragon, you've grown a lot."
"Rogue! I didn't expect your visit today."greeted Spike with sarcasm.
"Yeah, neither did I but I've been hearing a little rumour, is it true?"
Spike furrowed his eyebrows in confusion."What is true?"
"That you are married to a useless farm pony...what's her name?"
Spike growled, his claws coming out and his vision turning red for mere seconds. "Her name is Applejack and I won't let you or anypony else insult her, is that clear."
"But I'm not a pony, am I?"
Spike growled even louder, it was so hard to keep himself still. Oh, how much he wanted to give him a piece of his mind.
"Leave now!"
Rogue showed his hands up in surrender."Alright, alright I'll leave...for now at least."
Spike grabbed Rogue by his neck and shoved him to the ground.
"If you ever dare to hurt my family, I assure you I'll make you regret it."hissed Spike.
Rogue gave a simple nod and waited until Spike released him.
"Don't worry, I'll be far away from them."
"Good. Now leave."it was a simple demand but a very strong threat.
Rogue gazed at the house and then took off. Spike stayed a outside to cool down before he went inside the house, he definitely didn't want Applejack to be worried. After he was completely calm he entered the house.
"Are they gone?"asked Applebloom.
Spike nodded."Gone. But there was only one."
"But I saw them, there were two."
"Maybe the other one left before you went outside."said Applejack.
Meanwhile Appleblaze sucked at her hoof unaware at the severe situation. He eyes focused at her mother and then back at her father, her ears stood up by a mysterious scratch near the window.
"Will it come back?"asked Applejack.
Spike frowned."It won't, but if it does I'll take care of it."
Applejack smiled."You really are a knight it shinning armour."
"That depends."
"On what?"
"If you are my princess."
Applejack blushed and gave him a long kiss.
"Eww, get a room you lovebirds!"
"You won't be complaining when ya find yer special somepony."
"That's a looong time from now."said Applebloom.
"It's never too early to find love."teased Applejack.
"Food's ready!"
Applebloom looked at her sister, pleased that the subject had changed."You heard granny, come on I'm starving!"
Applejack picked up at Appleblaze from the floor and went to the kitchen along with the others.
"Sorry granny, Spike had to take care of some...problems."said Applejack, not wanting to worry her grandma that some dragons had gotten inside their land.
"It's alright, I know you would never miss a meal."
Applejack laughed."Ya know me too well, granny."
"Well then, eat up!"
With that said everypony and dragon ate everything on their plates.
"Want more, Appleblaze?"
The little filly nodded her head vigorously and opened up her mouth ready for the spoon.
"Darn, look at that! Looks like this youngling has the same appetite as you Applejack.
"Eyup."agreed Big Mac.
"That's like the fifth plate!"exclaimed Applebloom.
"It's her fourth not fifth."said Applejack.
"It's still a lot."
Applejack rolled her eyes and feed her hungry filly with a very noticeable smile.
Once dinner was finished everypony got ready to go to sleep, there was only a certain filly left to clean.
"You sure ya don't need any help?"
"I've been doing this for a Twilight my whole life, I think I can manage just fine."
"Alright I'll be upstairs if you need anything"
Spike nodded and started cleaning the kitchen.
"Appleblaze, put that down!"
The little filly let go of the vase, luckily it didn't shatter.
"Come here you little varmint!"Applejack joked as she tickled her daughter.
Appleblaze squirmed and giggled on her mother's hooves.
"Don't think you'll get away from me that easy, missy."
Applejack nuzzled her daughter and slowly dipped her into bathtub. Appleblaze quickly started splashing water everywhere. Applejack washed her daughter and once she was finished she dried her off.
"Nice and clean! What do ya say?"
Appleblaze looked at the bathroom, she wanted to keep playing with the bubbles and water.
"I'll be back, stay here."
With Applejack gone Appleblaze crawled towards the bathroom and climbed inside the bathtub. Appleblaze smiled and continued having fun, unaware of the dark silhouette watching her from the nearby window.
When Applejack returned she found the room empty, she quickly panicked and started to look for Appleblaze. A splash made Applejack's search come to a halt, with a relief sigh Applejack entered the bathroom and found her little filly having fun.
"Oh, Appleblaze never scare me like that ever again, do ya hear me sugar cube."
Appleblaze stared at her mother with sincere eyes and gave her a warm hug that Applejack welcomed happily.
"Come on, I have to dry ya off...again." Applejack muttered the last part.
Appleblaze giggled innocently and stand still while her mother dried her with the fluffy towel. Once again Applejack placed her daughter inside her crib, but Appleblaze didn't want to sleep. After a few seconds on debating what Applejack should do next, her eyes brighten with an idea.
"Wanna hear a lullaby?"
Appleblaze responded with a smile.
"Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine.
Appleblaze's eyes started to drop and a little yawn accompanied it, Applejack gave her a tender smile and continued to sing in a gentle tone.
"Little one when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine.
If they knew sweet little you
They'd end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for
The right to hold you.
From your head to your hooves
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine."
"Night sugar cube."
"I've never heard you sing."
Applejack spun around surprised to find Spike behind her.
"You haven't?" Applejack asked.
"By yourself, never. I'm glad I got a chance to hear you sing. Your voice is amazing."
Applejack blushed."Thanks."
Applejack locked eyes with Spike, her blush deepened. There was no way to conceal her feelings or control her emotions when he was nearby, he would and always be the best of her.
Applejack slowly came back to reality."I better go take a shower."
"Can I come along?" Spike asked with a mischievous smirk.
"How quiet can you be?" Applejack asked, her voice dropping into a whisper and her eyes half opened.
"More than you." Spike said with confidence.
Applejack took her hat off and tousled her ponytail."Well, why don't we find out..."
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He was running faster than he has ever run. No matter how much he wanted to stop, he needed to keep moving. It wasn't hard to go through broken twigs or dodge the low branches, but it was very tiring. The sun was already down making the already difficult task worse than before.
It had been a very long trip but he had finally reached his destination. As the big cave came in view Rogue slowled his pace. Rogue slowly walked inside the cave, going through twist and turns the problem was that the deeper he ventured the darker it got, he could barely see his surroundings at this point.
"What are you doing here?
Rogue trembled with fear but still managed to stay standing. "I s-saw him, the rumour, it's true."
"Meaning that he is married to a pony...shame."
"He was very possessive of her." Rogue said keeping his eyes locked on the floor.
"This surely will ruin our plans."
"That's not all..."
"What do you mean THAT'S NOT ALL?!"
"It seems t-that he a-and the pony have a, they have..."
A low and menacing growled was heard followed by the sound of crushing rocks. "What did they have?!"
"A daughter!" Rogue yelled through his fear.
The cave was filled by a dreadful silence, one that Rogue didn't like at all.
"She's newborn."
"She...a girl." The voice said with surprise.
Rogue could see the glint of madness in it's eyes, he cautiously took a step back.
"Postpone everything."
This time it was Rogue's turn to be surprised. "But-
"DO AS I SAY!"
"Yes, I'll go tell the others right away." Rogue muttered and left the cave without another word.
"I'm going to take everything you cherish Spike, that's a promise.