The next morning the rooster crowed right as the sun's first rays stretched over the hills. Johnny got out of bed and stretched. His legs were a bit sore from yesterday but he walked it off as he went down to the kitchen. There he poured himself a cup of cider and started up the stove to make his great granny's signature flapjacks. He was halfway through the batter when he heard the pattering of little hooves against wooden flooring.

"Good morning pa!" Little Mac called happily. Johnny gave his son a smile.

"Howdy! How would ya like one of good old Granny's flapjacks?" Little Mac's bright green eyes went wide.

"Eyup!" he cried. Johnny hummed to himself as he flipped the pancakes. It was a old family song that was known as Apples to the core. Meanwhile Macintosh had rushed upstairs to tell his mother about breakfast.

"Momma! Guess what!" he called bursting into his parents bedroom. There he saw his mother sitting on the edge of the bed breathing heavily as Granny Smith sat beside her. Honeybell let out a small yelp as a contraction hit her. Little Mac faltered he wasn't sure what was going on. "Momma?" he asked hesitantly. Granny Smith waved him off.

"Go on little-n, your momma needs some time by herself for right now." Macintosh nodded his heart pumping. He thought that there must be something wrong with his ma, so he rushed downstairs and told his pa. Johnny felt a bubble of elation, his daughter was on her way! But seeing the worried look on Mac's face he put a hoof around his son.

"Don'tcha worry none, your momma's gonna be just fine." Little Mac felt relieved. His father had not once lied to him and why would he now? He went over to the table where his father laid out a heaping stack of pancakes. Little Mac wasted no time in devouring the delicious things and quickly asked for some cider to wash it down. Johnny gave it to him though one could tell his mind was elsewhere. As soon as he was finished Little Mac asked if he was allowed to go play in the apple orchards. Johnny agreed and the colt ran off. Johnny ate a few pancakes and went upstairs to see his wife.

Little Macintosh was running all over the farm his large hooves making thundering sounds as he ran. Of course he tried to buck a few trees but as always no apples fell. He sat down under a tree after a few more tries and thought about all of the ponies in his class. They all had their cutie marks! It just wasn't fair! He wished he had some friends to talk with, but since he spent most of his time on the farm it was hard to make any lasting friendships. There was one young colt he was friends with however, a young colt named Cyclone. He was the son of some wonderbolt (Macintosh didn't really know much about them) and though he was a fast flyer he was shy and hated flying in front of people. Little Mac could relate, though with his family he was outspoken and active, at school he was much more reserved and soft spoken. Maybe Cyclone was around town with his mom since she was an earth pony and worked in the fitness center. Sometimes Cyclone would go with his mom and practice his flying in the wind tunnel. Then again his ma seemed to be having some sort of problem. Maybe he better stick around and see if there was something he could do to help. With that firmly set in his mind he figured he could try and get some other chores done. He ran to the chicken coop and grabbed the basket. He then carefully walked inside, proceeding to pick up the eggs. The chickens squawked at the intruder and pecked him more than twice but Mac was determined to finish the job and make his pa proud of him. He slowly backed out of the chicken coop and carried the eggs back to the farmhouse where his pa was putting away the food looking a bit frazzled. Little Mac set the basket of eggs on the counter and beamed at Johnny.

"Look Pa! Ah got the eggs!" he proclaimed. Johnny nodded absently. Little Mac frowned.

"What's the matter pa? Is Momma sick or somethin?" Johnny shook himself.

"No, in fact she's gonna be having your little sister soon!" Mac's eyes went as wide as they possibly could.

"Really? Now?" he questioned excitement growing.

"Not right now but mighty soon." Little Mac jumped up and down.

"Ah can't wait!" he cried happily. Johnny scratched his neck wondering how to explain this to his son.

"Now Macky, your momma's gonna be in a heap of pain cause havin a babe is no easy thing. Ah just want ya ta know that she's gonna be fine." Macintosh frowned slightly, it sounded more like his father was trying to reassure himself than him. The worried father ushered his son back outdoors. "You go on and play, Ah'll come getcha when your sis is here." he said a bit hurriedly. Mac frowned deeper and stayed standing outside the closed kitchen door. It seemed like his father didn't want him around for his sister's birth. Of course he wasn't sure if he actually wanted to see it. He wondered how a baby could even come out of his momma's stomach. Wandering away he sat under an apple tree pondering the miracle of birth. It wasn't long before a pained shriek filled the air. Leaping to his hooves Little Mac ran as fast as he could back to the farmhouse, head pounding with fearful thoughts. Was his momma dying? Was his sister ok? Shoving the door open he ran upstairs where the door was ajar in his parents room. He peeked in and recoiled at the sight of his mother's open legs and wailing. He whimpered with fright sure that something terrible was going on. His mother let out another loud yelp and panted hard. She looked to Granny Smith and her husband who watched with wide frightened eyes.

"She's coming." she grunted. Mac felt a little joy at that but he was still worried, he wasn't quite sure what was going on. Once his mother had told him about birth and how his sister would come into the world but he couldn't quite remember how. Now he watched as the scene unfolded.

Soon there was a crying foal in her momma's arms and a traumatized colt outside the door. Both mother and baby were fine and cleaned up. Collecting himself, Johnny went to open the door to retrieve little Mac only to find him already pushing his way through. Though a little pale, Macintosh's face broke out into a wide smile upon seeing his little sister. He shyly walked up to his tired mother and baby sister. Honeybell gave him a weary smile and shifted to show him his now sleeping sister. Her mane was a light blonde while her coat was a lighter shade of orange compared to her mothers. Tiny freckles dotted her muzzle and though her eyes were closed Little Mac wanted to believe that they were green like his.

"She is as purdy as momma!" he exclaimed quietly not wanting to disturb her. Johnny nodded tears in his eyes as he gazed at his little daughter. She was adorable.

"She sure is." he murmured.