> Heart Filled Picnic
>  by Brian Sheil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> A day at the farm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

At Sweet Apple Acres, Big Macintosh looks at himself at the mirror. He was making sure he looks handsome. Just then, a visitor comes into his room. It turns out to be the noble human boy, Danny Williams, Megan’s young brother.
“Hi, Big Mac.” Danny greeted. “You look pretty handsome today.”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac answered.
Seeing this going on, Danny has an idea. “Pardon me for being curious. But, are you on a date?”
Big Mac gave Danny an honest answer. “Eeyup. I’m getting ready for a date with Sugar Belle.”
“Sugar Belle?” Danny yelped. “Is she a baker type unicorn that lives in Starlight’s old village?”
“Eeyup. That’s her. She works part time at Mr. and Mrs. Cake’s bakery, Sugarcube Corner. Today, she has some time off. So, I am taking her to spend the day here.”
Danny was very happy for Big Macintosh. “That’s great, Big Mac. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Nope.” Big Mac shook his head. “But, I do appreciate you offering your assistance.”
Outside the barn, the Apple family watch as Big Mac makes his way to meet Sugar Belle.
“We’ll see ya later, Big Mac.” Applejack called.
“Eeyup.” Big Mac replied as he is on his way.
Inside the house, Danny and the Apple Family have a talk.
“What did Big Mac put in his side bags?” Danny wondered.
“He packed up some sandwiches and apple tarts.” Granny Smith answered. “He figured to bring something in case he or Sugar Belle get hungry.”
“I’ll bet Sugar Belle took some pastries with her.” Applejack figured. “She is a baker, you know.”
“You’re right, Applejack. All that food would make a nice meal.”
“So,” Danny wondered, “what makes Big Mac go gaga over a mare like Sugar Belle anyway?”
“Could be this time of year.” Apple Bloom answered. “It’s Hearts and Hooves Day.”
“Hearts and Hooves Day? Never heard of it.”
Applejack gave Danny some info about this day. “Hearts and Hooves Day is similar to what y’all call Valentine’s Day.”
“I get it.” Danny figured. “At this time of year, love and romance is in the air.”
“You catch on very quick, Danny.”
“I should. Valentine’s Day is one of my mother’s favorite times of the year. She and my father have done many things on that day. Romantic dinners, going to movies, stuff like that there.”
“Any romance in your life?” Granny Smith asked.
“I wish.” Danny answered.
Everyone shared in a laugh. Then, Danny jumped up with excitement. “Apple Family. I got a brainstorm!”
“I sure hope it ain’t just a small drizzle.” Apple Bloom said. “What is it?”
Danny told everyone his idea. “Since Big Mac and Sugar Belle are coming here, probably carrying food with them, how about we set up a picnic area for them.”
“A picnic?” Applejack wondered. “Think that’s a good idea?”
“Why not? Picnics are romantic sometimes. I’ll bet those two will love the idea.”
“Danny Williams,” Granny Smith stated, “I think you’re on to something.”
“I’m with Granny.” Apple Bloom added. “This could make Big Mac’s date with Sugar Belle VERY special.”
Danny smiled at the young foal. “You got that right, Apple Bloom.”
Granny Smith had Danny go with her to the hall closet. There, she pulls out a big red blanket. And, presents it to the boy. 
“Picnics sometimes have blankets to sit on.” Granny Smith informed. “And, Big Mac loves this blanket. I’m sure he’ll like to have the picnic on this.”
“Good idea, Granny Smith.” Danny praised. “I’ll set this up near the barn. Then, I’ll have a path leading to this area ready.”
Later, Big Mac and Sugar Belle walk to Sweet Apple Acres together. They love being together.
“You’re so sweet, Big Mac.” Sugar Belle cooed. “I’m glad you and I met.”
“Eeyup.” Big Mac replied. “Me too.”
“I wonder what happened to Feather Bangs. I haven’t heard anything about him for a while.”
“From what I heard, my sister and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders are giving him lessons on how to talk to girls.”
Sugar Belle was happy to hear that. “Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo sure do good things together. Don’t they?”
Big Mac smiled. “Eeyup.”
When they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres, they saw an arrow pointing to a path with hearts. Curious, they followed the path to a wide area near the barn. 
Big Macintosh saw a red blanket on the ground. He recognized it. “That’s my favorite blanket. I wonder how that got here.”
On the blanket they saw a card reading ‘Reserved for Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle ‘.
“Oh my.” Sugar Belle gasped. “This is a lovely setting.”
Big Mac was very surprised. “How did this come to be?”
Just then, Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith came out to greet the lovebirds.
“Howdy, big brother.” Applejack greeted.
“Wow!” Big Mac yelped. “This is some setup.”
“Well, Big Macintosh,” Granny Smith informed, “a picnic is just what lovers like you needed for Hearts and Hooves Day.”
“Hearing you two would bring food with ya,” Apple Bloom said proudly, “we thought you might to enjoy it on a beautiful day like this.”
Big Mac and Sugar Belle are very pleased with the set up.
“Thank you, Apple Family.” Sugar Belle praised. “It’s nice of you to make this day special for us.”
“Believe it or not,” Applejack informed, “this set up was someone else’s idea.”
“It is. Who?”
The Apple Family stepped aside to let Danny come forward. He was a little nervous coming near Big Mac and Sugar Belle.
“This picnic was your idea?” Big Mac asked surprisingly.
“Uh, Yeah.” Danny nervously answered. “I hope you don’t mind.”
Big Mac came up to Danny and gave him a surprising response. “We love it!”
“Really, Big Mac?”
“Eeyup. We were wondering how to spend our day together. Seeing this setup has answered the question. What was your inspiration?”
Danny got himself together and answered Big Mac’s question. “Hearing that Hearts and Hooves Day is similar to Valentine’s Day, I thought that you two can use a romantic setting to spend time with each other.”
“And, you figured a picnic is a good idea. Right, Danny?” Big Mac wondered.
“That’s right. I don’t believe that you’d let good food go to waste.”
“You’re a good friend, Danny. Your sister, Megan, would be proud of you.”
Sugar Belle came up to Danny. The young lad wasn’t sure what she’ll do.
“Thank you for this wonderful day, Danny.” Sugar Belle praised, as she gave him a sweet kiss.
Danny’s face turned bright red as he giggled a little. “Aw. You’re welcome, Sugar Belle.”
Danny and the Apple Family went back to the house. Inside, they watched the couple without being seen.
“I think they’re grateful to you, Danny.” Applejack said happily.
“I can’t believe Sugar Belle gave me a kiss.” Danny chuckled. “Even Big Mac saw my face was as red as his whole body.”
“Don’t be so nervous, my friend.” Granny Smith told him. “Big Mac knows that Sugar Belle is as grateful to you as he is.”
“This is a great Hearts and Hooves Day for everyone.” Apple Bloom cheered. “Right, Danny.”
“As Big Macintosh would say,” Danny said proudly, ”eeyup.”
All at Sweet Apple Acres we’re glad that everything turned out good. Especially Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle.




THE END