> Christmas with the Apples
>  by kleec13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Christmas with the Apples
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was almost Christmas and Sweet Apple Acres was bustling with excitement. Bright Mac and Big Mac were getting the Christmas tree while the others decided to go to the barn’s attic to get the decorations. Of course, this caused some reminiscing.
“Oooh, mom! Applejack! Come look!” called Apple Bloom. The youngest Apple had found a photo album and began looking through it as the other two approached. There were a couple pictures of a young woman and girl baking.
“Is this you as a kid?” Apple Bloom asked, noting the orange curls.
“It is indeed. My sister and I had many opportunities to bake with our parents when we were young. It's why I'm such a good baker now. How funny, I believe this was around Christmas also.”
“You seemed to have such a good childhood,” Applejack said.
“I did,” Buttercup agreed. “I'm lucky in that aspect. And that I was able to pass that down to you.”
“But then what happened, mom? What made you stop talking to your family? I'm sure your parents would love to know they have three more grandkids!” Apple Bloom asked.
“It's…” Buttercup started.
“Complicated,” Applejack finished.
“We know,” Apple Bloom added.
“I’m sorry, girls. You’ll know someday,” Buttercup said.
The two girls looked at each other and then their mother, knowing that's what she and everyone else in their lives had been telling them for years. 
“Come on, Apple Bloom," Applejack said. "Let’s see if dad and Big Mac are home yet.”
Buttercup grimaced as her daughters left. She thought she was doing good by her kids originally by keeping her secret. She thought if she did that all of them could live a normal life. It didn’t seem like it was doing that anymore. She went to join her family knowing she had a lot of thinking to do.

Despite the awkwardness in the attic, the family had a good time decorating the tree and the house. The family looked around proud of the work they’d done.
“Looks good, kids,” Buttercup said.
“Thanks mom. I should probably get going on some schoolwork so I don’t have too much during break,” Applejack said.
“Yeah, me too,” Apple Bloom agreed.
“Eeeyup,” added Big Mac.
The parents were a bit surprised their children were ready to move on so quickly, but allowed them to go do what they needed to do.
“Well, that was sudden,” Buttercup said after the kids left.
Bright Mac shrugged.
“They’re 12, 17, and 19. I suppose it’s par for the course,” he said.
“It’s… not just that,” Buttercup said, still internally deciding whether or not to tell Bright Mac about what happened in the attic. “The girls asked about my family when we found things in the attic.”
“Not the first time,” Bright Mac said. “The questions are just going to continue, Buttercup. Do you think it’s time to contact your father at least? Wouldn’t be hard with the way technology is, right?”
“No,” Buttercup said firmly. “I don’t know if I am or ever will be in the place to do that.”
“But it’s not just about you now! We have three kids that are growing up and want to know their family. It’s been so long. You have to have forgiven him.”
Truth be told, she did forgive him. At least in some ways. Life was too short to hold on to anger for too long.
“Maybe,” Buttercup said. “But that doesn’t mean he deserves to be in my life. Or our kids’ lives. He made that decision long ago.”
“Just send a message and see,” Bright Mac attempted to compromise. “I know you must miss him.”
“Of course I do,” Buttercup said. “But I’m… I’m scared. I’ve never forgotten his unfeeling voice or face that day. If he could disown his own daughter, who knows what could happen?”
Bright Mac nodded. It was a hard space for him to be in. He didn’t want to go against what was best for his wife, but he couldn’t stop thinking about what all this must be like for his children. However, as hard as this was for him, it had to be harder for Buttercup.
“I understand,” Bright Mac told Buttercup.
At this, Buttercup gazed into Bright Mac’s beautiful eyes for a moment.
“Do you?” Buttercup asked sheepishly. “I’m the one who’s made the sacrifices. I’m the one who never sees my family now. I’m not necessarily blaming you for that. It was pure luck that at least one side of our family saw sense and accepted us. But we’ve been married for 20 years and I don’t think you’ve ever fully acknowledged that.”
Bright Mac’s first instinct was to get angry and protest. Of course he acknowledged and understood how hard it was for his wife to be estranged from her family! But maybe he didn’t. He couldn’t. Because his family was warm and loving. And he unintentionally took that for granted more than he realized.
“I’m sorry. I can’t understand completely. And it was wrong of me to force you to reach out to your father. If you think not having contact with your family is for the best, I respect that. But we should at least talk to the children, yes? No more secrets.”
Tears began to well in Buttercup’s eyes.
“I didn’t want to hurt them… but I was so hurt. I thought it would be easier to not put that on them. I hope the kids can understand that and don't hate me.”
“Well, as I said. They’re 12, 17, and 19. Pretty sure if they can find an excuse to hate us, they will,” Bright Mac joked with a smirk.
Buttercup rolled her eyes, but was grateful for the ease of tension.
“But seriously,” Bright Mac continued. “I joked about this time being hard for us as parents, but it’s hard for them, too. Their worlds are changing so much. If they get angry, it has nothing to do with you. They’ll come around. They love you. You’re a wonderful mother. I always knew you would be. It’s one of the reasons I fell in love with you.”
Buttercup pulled her husband in for a cuddle and the two gazed at their Christmas tree and the snow outside the window in peace.

A week later, Christmas morning was a success. Everyone loved their gifts they got each other, but of course, they enjoyed their time together even more.
“This is beautiful, mom!” Applejack commented on her scarf. “I’ve always envied Big Mac’s. I’m excited to see what you decide to do for Apple Bloom’s in a couple years.”
“I’m glad you like it, honey,” Buttercup said. “I’ve got one more thing for you all. But to get it, you’ll need to bundle up.”
Confused, but excited, everyone followed their mom's orders. About five minutes away from the farm borders, the Apple parents led their children to a big, beautiful tree. It was a half pear and half apple tree, their branches meeting in the middle to make the shape of a heart.
“Wow, it’s beautiful!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. “How did we miss it? I mean, I know it’s not super close, but…”
“When you three were born, we did our best to encourage you away from the tree,” Bright Mac explained. “Things like putting your sandbox and swing set in the opposite direction.”
“Why’d you want to keep us from it?” Applejack asked. “It’s a beautiful tree. How’d it get here?”
“And why is half of it pears?” Big Mac added. “I thought the pears moved years ago.”
Buttercup sighed as she prepared to rip the bandaid off.
“My real name isn’t Buttercup,” she started. “It’s Pear Butter. This is the tree your dad and I planted when we got married.”
“You’re a PEAR??” Applejack exclaimed, not sure if she was feeling outrage, shock, sadness, or a combination of the three.
“I… I have so many questions, I don’t know where to start,” Apple Bloom said.
“Well, let’s start with why did you hide the fact that we’re half pear from us?!” Applejack said, still in a raised voice.
“The Apples and the Pears didn’t get along. Yes, the Pears found better opportunities elsewhere, but that feud was the real reason they moved. None of my family was happy when they found out I had feelings for your father. When I found out I was moving, he planned a small surprise wedding. My dad found out and stormed in right before we were about to seal our vows. He threatened that it was either his family or your father. And I choose your dad.”
The three siblings stood speechless mouths agape.
“I… I’ve gotta go,” Applejack said. After the middle Apple sibling left, the other two hastily followed their sister back to the farm.

Back at the farm, Bright Mac saw Applejack sitting on the entrance steps.
“Sorry I left so suddenly,” she said as she saw her dad approaching. “I just couldn’t stay there. I needed to go someplace and think.”
Bright Mac nodded.
“Where are Big Mac and Apple Bloom?” he asked.
“They went inside. Where’s mom?”
“She wanted some time alone with the tree.”
There was a short moment of silence before Bright Mac spoke again.
“She wouldn’t have kept this from you if she didn’t think it was best for you three.”
“No one meant any harm. And I can’t blame mom for what her family did. But that… that almost makes it worse!!!” Applejack shouted as she stomped the ground hard. “If she’s not to blame, what right do I have to be so angry!!!”
Bright Mac sat next to her calmly.
“I think I can explain,” he said.
Applejack looked towards her dad for the answer.
“All this time you’ve imagined what your mom’s side of the family could have been like, the love you could have gotten, and above all, the love you could still get some day. That was instantly taken from you.”
“Yeah, and whose fault is that?” Applejack scoffed.
Bright Mac winced at the harsh words, but he couldn't lose his temper now.
“I urged her to tell you. Your grandmother and I even considered telling you. But it was her story. She needed to tell it. And it wasn't until now that she felt ready.”
While she felt calmer, Applejack was still angry and decided to tell her father so.
“I'm still mad that I didn't know about this for 17 years,” she said. “But I can't do anything about that. At least we know now, I guess. And mom’s already lost so much of her family. I don't want her to lose any more.”
Bright Mac smiled as he put his arm around his daughter.
“Let's get inside, huh? We’re not getting any warmer out here.”
Applejack nodded and the two went inside.
“Oh dad?” she asked as they were putting their coats away. “If mom's real name is Pear Butter, where did Buttercup come from?”