Chapter 1
The days go by and soon Christmas arrives at the farm. It’s my first Christmas away from home and from my family. As such, I spend the gift giving season on the farm with AJ and her giant family. “How are you enjoying Hearthswarming?” AJ asks as she comes over and hands me a warm glass of cider.
“It’s going well, thanks,” I respond shyly. “But I will say it is more crowded than I’m used to. You have a giant family, AJ.”
“Yeah, I get how that can be overwhelmin’,” responds AJ. She laughs a little bit. She then brings me over and we sit down on the couch. We continue to talk as we sip away on the hot cider. “I know you’re missing Cowboy.”
“Yeah, a good bit actually,” I respond as I twist my curls with my hooves. AJ then gets up and returns a few minutes later with a gift box and hands it to me.
“What’s that?” I ask inquisitively.
“Just open it,” AJ responds with a smile. I nod and open the box.
My eyes widen as I open the box. “It’s the fancy paint set from Painter’s, thank you!” I squeal as I embrace AJ in a great big hug. I then go over to the tree and pick up the gift I got for her and hand it to her. She opens it and her face starts beaming as soon as she sees what’s inside.
“It’s the dual apple core and juicer for cider making, thank you,” she says as she embraces me in a great big hug.
“You’re welcome,” I respond with a smile. “I knew how much you’ve been wanting one.” I then go to the tree and get out the one I got for Apple Bloom and hand it to her. She opens it filled with excitement.
“It’s a little pink cowgirl hat! Thanks!” Squeals Apple Bloom as she comes over and gives me a great big hug.
“You’re welcome,” I respond with a smile. I hug her. “You’re welcome.” A few moments later, Apple Bloom comes over to me with a box and hands it to me as well. I open it. As I do, my eyes widen as I see the contents. It’s a turquoise cowgirl hat. “Thanks!” I squeal as I give Apple Bloom a great big hug.
“You’re welcome,” she responds face beaming. “I knew you’d like it! AJ and I picked it out for you together!”
“You’re welcome,” chimes in AJ with a nod. I put on the hat and it rests perfectly between my ears. The gift giving and cider drinking continues for several more hours as AJ’s family is just so large. AJ gives gifts to her brother, sister in law, and nephew and now newborn niece as well. AJ is just so happy for her big brother. It’s so evident and easy to tell.
“This Hearthswarming is perfect,” I sigh, “even if my family isn’t here with me. AJ’s family is super fun and sweet even if overwhelming at times.” As she day goes on, AJ shares family stories including those of Apple Annie Oak Tree and Flank Flankler, her great great aunt and great great uncle. We all listen on in amazement and awe as she shares them. The life of all Apples past and present are honestly fascinating.
“Annie Oak Tree was an amazing pony, a small town mare turned show pony,” AJ shares, “she got big over night it seemed like. Double lasso trick, soon her patented triple lasso which I eventually learned myself. She made every newspaper across Equestria. She and Flank, Bill, and the others even performed for Celestia. Her life was fascinating. I’m so lucky and grateful to be related to her! I’m so fortunate!” She goes and pulls a box out of the closet and opens it. Inside there’s tons of Apple Annie memorabilia and old newspapers and articles. She then closes it back up and brings it over where everypony can see before opening it once more and sharing the contents along with the stories connected to each one. As she’s talking, there’s a knock on the door and AJ gets up and opens it. There, she is greeted by Flank’s great granddaughter, the one she and I met at the rodeo awhile back. The two share a hug as she welcomes the filly inside. She then brings her over to the box and lets her look inside as well and help with the stories, explaining more so Flank’s relationship with Rita Froghoof. As they do this, Flank and Annie’s children come up beside them as well with their children and they all begin to share stories of Annie and Flank. It’s needless to say a perfect Hearthswarming and a perfect Christmas. I honestly feel like I’m one of the family. For that, I’m honestly grateful. I’m spending it with the most hospitable and caring, loving family in all of Ponyville after all. What more could I ever ask for?!
After awhile of story sharing and family shenanigans, we play some games. We do a scavenger hunt, we make Hearthswarming dolls. It was super fun actually. They look just like us. It’s weird but in a good way. I put mine on the Hearth between AJ’s and Apple Bloom’s. Meanwhile Big Mack and Sugar Bell help their son one and make one for their daughter. Oh the joy is immeasurable! Everypony is smiling, singing, and sharing stories. “Is it always like this?” I ask AJ.
“Yeah,” she responds, “especially in a family as big as mine.” She walks over and takes her niece to hold to help out her overwhelmed brother. She then comes back over to me. “But it’s a good kind of overwhelming, ya know?”
“Yeah, I guess,” I respond with a shrug. “Mine is normally just me, my mom, and my siblings as of late with occasionally cousins, aunt, and uncle.”
“Hey, small Hearthswarming’s are good too,” responds AJ, “I’ve just never known small ‘uns. Ya know, because my family is so big and just seemingly gets bigger every year.”
“Yeah, makes sense. Also no kidding, you’re family’s huge!” We both begin to giggle and soon full on laugh. It truly is a perfect Hearthswarming and I truly do have the Apples to thank for that.