Two ponies from rival families have just been married. After things take a turn for the worst, the Apple family will never be the same.
Even as foals, Buttercup and Bright Macintosh have been in love. But ever since their disastrous secret wedding, Buttercup has been acting... differently. After the birth of their third child, things take a drastic turn, and it seems nothing will be the same again.
It was the morning after the rather disastrous marriage in the apple orchard. The memories were still raw in Bright Mac's mind. After disowning his only daughter, Grand Pear had left his farm behind without even a goodbye. Buttercup had stayed up half the night, weeping uncontrollably. He had never seen his mother so enraged at anypony, even a Pear. Despite their rivalry, Ma had always remained fairly calm after a fight, but that night she sat outside all night, shotgun in lap, waiting, almost daring, Grand Pear to return.
Buttercup was sleeping peacefully now, still beautiful despite her tear-stained face and disheveled mane. Bright Mac leaned over, and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek before leaving to start the chores. He walked to the shed to get chicken feed, and stopped, watching the workers tearing down the Pear place. The Apples had bought the land as an extension, and the local demolition company wasted no time getting it ready for them. After feeding the chickens and pigs, he walked to the house for breakfast. Buttercup was sitting at the table, sipping coffee and nibbling on some pancakes Ma had made before heading back to bed. He sat down next to her, and put a pancake on his plate.
"Good mornin' ,beautiful". "Good morning", she replied her voice light, but still shaking slightly. "How'd you sleep",he asked, then mentally slapping himself for the stupid question, asked, "I-I mean, how as your night". This made Buttercup crack a smile before replying, "Well, besides the uncontrollable crying and bein' worried sick about my father, you mean?" "Yeah". "Well, it was alright. I didn't sleep too good, but then again I guess you didn't either". "Nope. How was Ma doin'?" "Not well. She's still madder than a wet hen, but she's calmed down a little". At this moment, Burnt Oak stepped into the kitchen. Bright Mac's friend had stayed over that night, trying to console Buttercup.
"Mornin'", he greeted the newlyweds groggily, pouring himself a cup of coffee. "How'd y'all sleep?"
"Not too good", they replied at the same time. This caused them both to giggle, making Burnt Oak roll his eyes jokingly. "Sorry I can't stay for breakfast. I've got the wood shop to run, and here before too long I'm gonna be gettin' a load of pear trees. I'm thinkin' about startin' a new line of smoker chips with 'em".
After breakfast, Bright Mac suggested that Buttercup go back to bed, and then started bucking apple trees. He was carrying the first load of apples to the shed when he saw an all too familiar pony standing at the gate. His coat was a deep yellow, his mane dark brown with a grey strip down the center. All of the previous night's rage returned when Bright Mac realized who it was. Buttercup's father, probably coming to stir up more trouble. He dropped the apples and walked over to him, wondering what in Celestia's name he wanted.
"What are you doin' here, old man?" "I'm here for my daughter".
Bright Mac looked at him, bewildered and angry. He couldn't believe that Grand Pear had the audacity to return to the Apple's farm looking for the daughter he had disowned less than twelve hours ago. Bright Mac knew that the old man in front of him didn't deserve to have Buttercup back, and Grand Pear must have known it, too. Still, there was no sign of regret on his face, only anger and impatience.
"Leave. Now. Come back again and you'll find yourself looking down the barrels of a shotgun. Your daughter chose to stay with me and my family, in case you've forgotten", he replied, his voice shaking with anger.
"I haven't forgotten, nor do I intend to. Now, I never gave her permission to marry you, so she is still under my care. I also don't suppose you cared enough to get a certificate of marriage, did you?"
"We were married legally by the mayor of this town. Now, no, we haven't gotten a certificate yet, because we were up all night trying to make your daughter feel better after being disowned and abandoned by you. Now leave".
"Not yet. Now, if my daughter is not returned to me within the next ten minutes, we will be going to court".
"You ain't got a leg to stand on anymore. Maybe a couple of days ago you would. After last night, though, your reputation is mud. You gave your respect up with Buttercup last night. If you wanna go to court, then fine, we will. It won't be pretty for you though".
"I-", Grand Pear started to say something, then stopped. He realized that Bright Mac was probably right. Still, he wasn't ready to leave yet.
"Maybe since I can't reason with you we can settle this the proper way. I may be old, but I can still put up a good fight".
"No. It may make me sound weak, but I actually have standards. I wouldn't hit an old man regardless of what he says. Now, final warning, leave. If you don't you will be reported for trespassing. I actually have a reputation, so it wouldn't end up well for you. Your choice".
Grand Pear glared at him, looked like he was ready to kill him, and then turned around and stormed down the road to town. Bright Mac picked up the apples again, and put them away in the shed. He went back to the fields and continued bucking apples, wondering what would happen if Grand Pear came back again. Ma would probably tear his throat out with no hesitation, and Buttercup would probably end up like she was last night, all the feelings of abandonment and sorrow coming back.
After he finished harvesting for the day, he decided he wouldn't say anything about it to Ma or Buttercup. He walked back to the house, and was greeted by the heavenly smell of Ma's vegetable soup, with a more subtle smell of apple pie. Buttercup was in the living room, reading on the couch. She had brushed her hair and taken a bath, making her look much better than she had this morning. Ma was stirring a big pot on the stove, adding some of this or that as she saw fit. Bright Mac sat down on the couch next his wife.
"Who were you talking to earlier? You didn't sound too happy".
This was the question Bright Mac was dreading. He had to think fast. "Oh, just some salespony coming by to sell some overpriced something or other. He's been around before, and been told off many times. I just made sure he wouldn't come back". Bright Mac hated lying, especially to Buttercup, but he had to. He couldn't risk a repeat of last night.
Not sensing anything to be wrong, Buttercup laughed. It was the happiest sound she had made all day. "You were kinda harsh on him, weren't you? He was just tryin' to make some extra bits".
"Just be happy it was me and not Ma. She probably woulda shot him. She's told him I don't know how many times to leave us alone".
Just then, Ma called them for supper, and just like that, Buttercup was like her old self again. She was talkative, sweet, polite. Just the way she had always been. Bright Mac breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe life would get better, after all.
About a year later, Grand Pear was never seen around Ponyville again. Last anypony had heard, he had set up shop in Vanhoover, and was doing just fine. Just about this time, there was big news in town: Buttercup had had her first foal. He was bright red, stocky, and absolutely adorable. Several months before, Bright Mac and his wife had been reading book after book full of foal names, and not one seemed right. About a week after the baby was born, they had come up with the perfect name: Big Macintosh. Bright Mac had come up with the name, obviously, and Buttercup had loved it. Now, father and son were both asleep in Ma's rocking chair, and Buttercup slept on the couch beside them.
Being parents had been hard on the two, with the endless crying and diaper-changing and feeding, but they were still both elated. Although she wouldn't admit it, Ma missed having a baby in the house, and everybody had started calling her Granny, jokingly, of course.
Buttercup woke up, stretched, and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. The previous night had worn her out, but she still felt a glimmer of pride as she watched her son and husband sleeping together. Big Mac hadn't wanted to go to sleep, and the two had been up until midnight trying to get him to do so. After about the fifteenth storybook, Bright Mac had fallen asleep, and Big Mac followed soon after. Now, it was about 9 in the morning, and she was the only one awake. She went outside, and just sat on the front porch, listening to the birds and the early-morning bustle of Ponyville about a mile away. She had to go to town today to pick up some more baby food, and some diapers. Money was getting tight since the baby was born, with the way he ate, but with cider season coming up, things would get better.
As Buttercup walked through town, looking at all the market stalls and maybe picking up a few "extras" along the way, she passed the lot that her father always set up shop in. Despite her hatred for her father, she still felt a twinge of sadness. I'll never see him again. Never. She still missed her father at times, and wished he was still here. Although he seemed to want nothing to do with her after she and Bright Mac were married, she had good memories of living with him. Don't be stupid,she thought to herself, He hates me, and I have no reason to love him. But still, I do.... Before long, she reached Sugarcube Corner. Chiffon Swirl made the best baby food in town, and Big Mac loved it.
She walked into the bakery, and was greeted by Chiffon's mother.
"Is Chiffon here? I need some more baby food. Big Mac's appetite is the size of a full grown stallion, and it's all I can do to keep him out of the cabinet where we keep his food".
"Yes, she's upstairs now. I don't know WHO she thinks is going to move in upstairs, but I hope they do soon. She's been working on that old bedroom for months".
"Thanks. Oh, do you have any more of those apple muffins? Bright Mac loves 'em, and I can't find time anymore to make some".
"Of course. I'll go get some. You go try to get my daughter out of that old room".
Buttercup walked upstairs, and soon found her friend. She was covered head to hoof in paint dust. She had apparently just stripped old paint off the walls.
"Hi, Pear. What brings you by?"
"I'll give you three guesses".
"Hmm... Bright Mac wants more muffins? No, you need more baby food, right".
"Yes and yes", Buttercup chuckled.
"I just made a batch of baby food this morning. I'll go get some. How much do you need?"
"Oh, I don't know, about a wagon load. I don't know what you make that stuff out of, but the baby loves it, and I've caught Bright Mac sneakin' a taste from time to time".
"I have a dozen jars. Will that work?''
"Just fine. How's life been?"
"Oh, boring. All I've been doing for what seems like forever is working on that old bedroom. I don't know why, but I just keep thinking it'll come in handy one of these days".
From the smile on her face, it was obvious Chiffon was hiding something.
"Come on, I know better than that. What else has been going on?", Buttercup asked sternly, but jokingly.
"Ok, you broke me. I... I met a guy the other day. I think he likes me".
"What's his name?"
"Carrot Cake. He's the sweetest thing, and he loves baking. You think we could go together?"
"Maybe. Sounds like you two might be soulmates. You should try".
"I will, thanks. Now, I'll go get the baby food you wanted".
About ten minutes later, Buttercup left the bakery with a box of muffins and some baby food. As she walked home, all the thoughts of her father dissipated. Maybe, just maybe, she could forget about him. He didn't deserve a place in her mind, or heart.