Chapter 2: First Words and First Steps
"Dada." Came a small voice.
"Uh, AJ? Did he just call me?" Big Macintosh asked as he was feeding baby Harry some applesauce. Applejack was doing the breakfast dishes.
"His first word." Applejack said in shock. Dropping a plate in the sink and chipping it slightly. "Sugarcube?" She asked her foal.
"Dada. Dada." Harry knocked his hooves together while laughing. He reached for Big Macintosh who picked up his nephew and put him in the carrier on his chest. Harry made happy baby noises.
"Ya know we can't have 'im callin'n me his daddy and you his momma in public." Big Macintosh told Applejack who ruffled Harry's mane.
"I know big brother. But we still haven't really decided whose gonna be his parent."
"He's been with us almost a year ya know. Ya think we shoulda decided already?" The red stallion asked.
"Mmm." Harry was reaching for Applejack now. His little wings fluttering to escape.
Big Macintosh released the foal and he fluttered down to the floor. On his knees.
"AJ?" Big Mac asked.
"Shh." Applejack shushed her big brother. Realizing what was happening. "That's it sugarcube. Come on. Come to momma." She got down on her hindlegs and spread her front ones showing him his goal.
The foal eventually pushed himself up. His legs shakey as he moved forward.
"Sweet Celestia's flank." Big Mac said in shock. "He's walkin' AJ."
"That's it. Nice an' easy now." Applejack encouraged Harry who was steadily moving forward. A few more steps, and he collapsed forward into Applejack's open legs where she hugged and kissed him.
As Big Mac watched the interaction, he already knew who would be the foals parent. He quickly got the camera ready and set the timer.
Many years later, a gray maned Applejack looked at old family pictures with her husband Time Turner. Also old and gray maned. The couple closed the book of memories, kissed each other goodnight, and turned off the light in their bedroom.
End of First Words and First Steps...