Fallen Eagle

Chapter 88: Another Apple Family Reunion Part I

Hello all of my faithful readers! I know...it's been nearly a year since I last posted a chapter. All I can say is quite a lot happened. I got a new job in IT, went to my first Everfree Northwest, lost my new job, obtained another new job in IT and moved in the time since I most recently posted. Nevertheless, I worked and chipped away at this chapter whenever free time would allow. It was originally meant to be longer, but I felt you all had waited long enough!

Also, it was so weird watching a new MLP film that didn't feature any of the G4 characters we've come to know and love, but I'm willing to accept change and see where the franchise can go from here. As for the New Generation film itself, I'd probably give it around a 6/10. There were parts I enjoyed. The comedy was actually extremely well done. I was not expecting it to be as funny as it was. Some of the characterization was good, such as Sheriff Hitch and Sunny, and the movie presented a good message of uncovering truths for yourself rather than relying on secondhand information at face value. However, some of the characters, namely the royal Pegasus family really didn't get fleshed out very much; the soundtrack was particularly weak save for one song; and I'm really concerned with how it all fits into the G4 universe. I am cautiously optimistic about where the series will take us, but I do have some concerns with it perhaps becoming a diet Friendship is Magic.

MonkeyBoy0118: Hey man, it's no problem! I'm just glad you're still sticking around!

ShinyGiratinaA001: Thank you! And that's not an issue! I've gone through several revamps of my account here on FanFiction over the years.

headreviewermk2: Thank you!

StacheKing: Long time, no see! You really have no idea how good it feels to hear that even after your break, I'm still able to entertain you! As for not changing your mind on characters, it's not really my intent for all of them, but as long as you feel the way I tie them up is satisfactory, then I'll take that as a win! And speaking of Spitfire, I do have BIG plans for her, so just wait and see!

The It: Indeed. However, the revelation of what Ivan and AJ's child is could be coming sooner than you think ^^

Shad03: I really can't thank you enough for the encouragement. It really takes a toll on me whenever I cannot update in a more quick and efficient way for you all. However, knowing that the delay between chapters isn't an issue for a lot of you, that definitely takes a lot of weight off my shoulders!

DarthLeo: That means so much to me, it really does. Especially as a fellow YouTuber. Having to juggle both FanFiction and YouTube is definitely a mighty task, but I promise to see this story through, no matter how long it takes!

Well guys, with that out of the way, I hope you all enjoy Chapter 88!

(Ten Days later. Sweet Apple Acres; Ivan's POV)

"Want some more cider, Ivan?" Applejack offered, the mare gripping the handle of a wooden jug within her teeth and pouring herself another glass.

I groaned, stretching my aching muscles as they popped from one hell of an exhausting day at the orchard. "You know it, hun," I mustered a grin, despite my body screaming at me to just collapse into a heap at the kitchen table.

AJ let out a muffled chortle and replenished my cider before rejoining me at the table. Now empty, the wooden jug was dropped from her mouth, almost tipping over on the tabletop as she too was worn-out from a hard day's work.

"Thanks, AJ," I leaned over, ignoring the burning in my back as I pecked her cheek. I gripped my mug as hard as my fingers would allow, throwing my head back and downing half of the cider. My Drive to End Hunger cap lazily tumbled to the floor, but I didn't care. Celestia's Summer sun was making me sweat so much, I could have opened up my own salt mine.

"Jus' think o' that pain as a reward fer yer hard work, Ivan," Applejack said as she practically slammed her own mug down. Several drops of that addictive tangy and brown nectar went to waste as they were flung from the cup, but AJ didn't seem to notice as she huffed and puffed to catch her breath, a look of pride on her face.

The past week and a half had granted us and our friends a period of relative calm after that pretty explosive morning with Celestia's court. We didn't find ourselves facing another villain, nor were any of my friends called upon by the Cutie Map to go solve a friendship problem somewhere in or outside of Equestria.

Nope, all of us were allowed to focus on our own jobs or hobbies, be it regal work, local work and mentoring Starlight in friendship for Twilight, baking sweets and making milkshakes for Pinkie, practicing aerial routines for Rainbow Dash, caring for animals big and small for Fluttershy, experimenting with new dress designs for Rarity or getting caught up with harvest and cider season for AJ and myself.

The only thing that sort of disrupted that period of normalcy was a letter sent by Celestia and Luna detailing when Spitfire's house arrest would begin. Rainbow and Soarin both were still coming to terms with Spitfire being let out a week from now, but their trust in Celestia and Luna superseded their concerns, especially after the reassurance the sisters instilled within the couple in their letter. Additionally, Flash Sentry did as he promised and headed back to Canterlot to assist the princesses in selecting the best guards for the job of watching Spitfire, so that really aided the duo of Wonderbolt captains in feeling at ease.

"When did that letter say Celestia and Luna would let Spitfire out, again?" I asked, grasping my cap from the floor and plopping it back onto my sweat-soaked hair.

"Oh, 'bout a week from now Ah think it said."

"Right. Hopefully it doesn't take Flash and the princesses the entire week to choose which guards have that job," I remarked with a smirk. "Then again, selecting the best schedule for each guard could give them a migraine," I shrugged my shoulders.

"It ain't gonna be easy, that's fer sure," Applejack nodded.

I chuckled. "You mean like how everything here has been easy as pie ever since we got back from Canterlot?" I was only half-joking of course. I lived for hard work in the outdoors, especially in the weather that Equestria could provide with the pegasi weather team as well as Celestia's gorgeous sun. However, now with Cider Season upon us, harvesting was becoming even more brutal once again. Not to mention, working hard at trying to get our bedroom up and running was still a top priority for the both of us. Unfortunately, with the extra workload that came with Cider Season, we really weren't gifted with much time or energy to chip away at that goal. Still, we were proud of whatever progress could be made on the future room just for the three of us.

As my mind bounced around from thought to thought, I found my eyes slipping from hers, glancing down until they rested upon her pudgy belly which was growing bigger by the day. Sadly, for AJ, with the love and happiness that her pregnancy brought us, the day that she would be forced to stop bucking for apples and doing heavy lifting of any kind was drawing closer. I knew she wasn't going to be thrilled with being stuck in Ponyville simply selling apple products with Big Mac. Even if she enjoyed the time and company with her brother, everyone knew she belonged out in the orchard.

I must have lost track of the time that I had been spacing out; the gentle, loving touch of a calloused hoof caressing my cheek startled me, erasing the daydream that had consumed me. "Hehe," Applejack chortled as my body trembled from the surprising touch. The mare didn't wait for me to stumble my way into an answer. Rather, Applejack took her hoof away from my cheek and grasped my hand, moving it over the top of her belly where our child rested. "Our baby is just as excited ta meet ya as we are to meet her, Sugarcube," Applejack kissed my cheek.

A soothing warmth gradually spread throughout my body. "I know," I smiled, letting out a choked back snicker while my hand gently massaged across Applejack's baby bump. Sure, it wasn't that big and wouldn't be for another month or two, but it was more than obvious that she was showing signs of carrying our child. "Or him," I added, realizing that Applejack had made a guess as to what our baby would be.

Applejack leaned over, resting her chin on my shoulder, and lazily nuzzling her cheek against mine. "Ah ain't ever gonna tire o' this, Ivan," she mumbled contently.

The soft breathing from her nose tickled my neck, and I happily reciprocated the affection. "I know," I whispered into her ear as our cheeks rubbed against one another.

The peace that AJ and I felt in that moment, simply embracing one another as we each held a hand and hoof to her belly was indescribable. For the briefest of moments, nothing else mattered to either of us. Harvesting apples; making and selling the cider; Spitfire, everything else seemed to melt away into obscurity as the comfort of each other's touch and the prospect of soon becoming parents overwhelmed our acknowledgement of the outside world.

"Takin' a special break, hmm?" Granny Smith's elderly voice obliterated the little world that AJ and I had become lost in. Quickly separating, we could do little to hide the scarlet blushes spreading rapidly across our cheeks as the matriarch of the Apple family moseyed over to the fridge.

"Uh…w-well…I," I stammered, babbling on like a moron trying to explain myself. Applejack, being smart, said nothing as she let the quick teasing from her grandmother pass over. Though, that didn't stop my girlfriend from chuckling as my mouth continued to run itself.

"Oh, don't fret none there. 'Tain't like Ah caught you two tryin' ta make more babies," Granny Smith nonchalantly popped the cork on a bottle of cider and proceeded to gulp it down.

"Granny!" Applejack blurted, her entire face going as red as the apples on her flank. I, on the other hand, kept my eyes glued to the wooden surface of the table, drumming my fingers and making note of every ding and scratch that I could to avoid looking in Granny Smith's direction.

Either because she didn't notice how mortified we had become or because she didn't give a crap about it, the elder Apple ignored us and pulled up a chair for herself, yanking the bottle of cider from her lips. "So, either of you make any progress on that room o' yers today?" She asked with a lick and genuine curiosity riding her voice.

With the thankful change of subject, I tore my eyes away from the well-worn tabletop and looked to my girlfriend. A frown spread across my face and disappointment weighed on my shoulders. "No, not really, Granny," I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

"Yeah, lately this Cider Season is really eatin' up whatever free time we got to work on our bedroom," AJ glumly agreed, her cheeks returning to their normal orange hue. "Not ta mention, havin' ta use a lot o' that time ta get everythin' in place fer the reunion really has our room on the backburner."

I froze for a brief second, the mention of the upcoming reunion still making feel uneasy. It was easy going over the plans with the Apples whenever we had free time, but that was only because of the time gap between then and the reunion itself. With each passing day, the clock ticked closer to when I'd have to face the reality of telling Applejack's kin that she was pregnant, and I was the one who had done the deed.

Of course, it helped tremendously to have AJ, Big Mac, Apple Bloom, Granny Smith and Pinkie Pie reassure me that they would stand beside me no matter the reaction I would get. Grateful as I was for the loving support, that horrendous memory of Julia and Heirloom successfully zapped any positivity I tried to look at for the reunion. I wanted nothing more than to share in the happiness that Applejack and her family held to meet up with their other kin once again.

"Mhmm, eeyup," Granny Smith nodded, unfreezing me from the daydream that had consumed me. "Ah kinda figured the extra workload wouldn't let y'all chip away at yer room fer awhile."

"I was hoping we'd be able to squeeze in some time after serving cider to the town and cleaning up in time for the next day, but we're just wiped out," I confessed, doing anything to add to the conversation and not worry Applejack or Granny Smith about my apprehensions. "That, and I didn't want to sound like I'm complaining; I always love helping out," I shot both Apple mares a smile, to which both ponies reciprocated.

"Oh, don't fret none there, youngin'," Granny Smith slid a reassuring hoof over my back. "Ah remember carryin' Applejack's father when we had ta repair the farmhouse after a twister blew through," she turned to AJ. "It was more frustratin' than a sunburn on the back o' the neck when Cider Season rolled around 'n Ah just didn't have the time ta pound in a few nails or anythin' Ah could do to help fix up the farmhouse."

"Got even more frustratin' when the doctor came about fer a checkup 'n told me Ah couldn't do anymore hard or heavy liftin'. Boy, Ah was madder than a wet hornet when he said that!" Granny shook her head at the memory. I couldn't help but grin at the short story that the elderly pony was sharing; it was always fascinating to listen to her spin a good yarn about Equestria in earlier times.

"Uh, right, but luckily Ah ain't there just yet, Granny," AJ grimaced, letting out a nervous chuckle for her grandmother.

"Ah know that, chickadee!" Granny exclaimed and took another swig of her cider. "Ah'm just sayin', ya might not have ta start takin' things easy just yet, but don't go overexertin' yerself just ta catch up on yer room."

"Ah promise Ah won't!" AJ swore.

"'Specially since y'all have plenty o' time ta finish it," Granny Smith paused, tapping a hoof to her chin. "How much have ya got done again? A wall up?" She asked, continuing on with her thoughts as if her granddaughter hadn't said a word.

"One wall and we have the door frame measured out," I replied. "We've at least got the hardest part done with the foundation all laid out, right hun?"

Applejack sputtered and proceeded to rub a hoof over her tired eyes. "Uh huh," she nodded. "Ah think what Granny's tellin' us, Sugarcube, is maybe we should just hold off on finishin' our room 'til Cider Season is good 'n done. Thank Celestia Ah'm not too far along," AJ put her hoof back onto her baby bump, "but once we sell off the last bit o' cider, we'll have the time back in our days ta get everythin' squared away," she assured me with a warming smile.

I smiled back at her and allowed the comfort of the mare's emerald eyes melt away the exhaustion plaguing my body and mind. "Yeah, you're probably right," I agreed and slid a hand over her free hoof. "At least then, we won't be rushing ourselves with the extra time we'll have. And, I mean, what's another few days wait anyway?" I shrugged.

"Mhmm, ya could do that," Granny cut back in, having more to say on the matter. "Or there's another way y'all could take a huge chunk out o' buildin' that room all at once," she scratched at her neck, hinting at something that she felt was obvious.

"Ah know, Granny, Ah know. We can always ask our friends fer help, but they already help us out so much durin' the day when it's Cider Season. Ah don't feel right askin' them fer even more help, 'specially on a project Ivan 'n Ah are more than capable o' finishin' ourselves," Applejack politely objected.

Granny took another gulp of her cider, letting out a quiet belch. "Hmm, Ah s'pose that could work too, but Ah had somethin' else in mind."

"Ohhhh. Sorry for assumin', Granny," AJ's ears drooped in embarrassment. "What were ya thinkin'?"

"Well, do ya remember a few reunions ago when ya went crazy tryin' ta make everythin' just right 'n perfect?" The elder mare pointed a wrinkled, green hoof at her granddaughter.

"…..Yeah," Applejack admitted through pursed lips and blushing cheeks, averting her eyes from the hoof pointed right at her.

"Uh huh, 'n remember how much fun the whole family had puttin' the barn back together as the last family activity? Well, why don't y'all ask them fer some help with that room o' yers at the reunion?" Granny suggested as she curled her hoof back around her now nearly empty cider bottle. "Now, y'all don't have ta finish it all up right then 'n there, but anythin' ta help ya meet that deadline without strainin' yerself silly should take a huge load off yer shoulders."

"It could even help the family bond with Cougar here when they see how hard of a worker ya snagged fer yerself, Applejack," she added, throwing her head back and emptying her bottle.

My eyes drifted to the floor as the two Apple mares carried on their conversation. Thoughts of what their clan would say if we asked them for their help drowned out Applejack and Granny Smith's words. As nice of an idea it was to use the reunion for their family to get to know me and I them, it was difficult to think about asking for their assistance in something this serious.

It was one thing to announce that we had laid the groundwork for starting a family together, albeit unintentionally. Yet, requesting that they help us finish a room that would cement our relationship outside of wedlock was a whole different ballgame altogether. If they would be displeasured at the idea of AJ and I having a child, how insulted would they feel if we asked them for such help?

"Huh," AJ pondered, holding a hoof to her chin. "Ah don't think that's too bad of an idea! Heck, that even helps us fix our problem o' tryin' ta figure out what we were gonna do as the sendoff fer everypony!" The mare exclaimed, brimming with excitement as a great big grin spread across her face. "We can use the games 'n other activities ta help Ivan 'n the family get ta know one another," AJ continued and turned to me. Her calling out my name had snapped me out of my daydream. "An' then-" Applejack stopped, her ebullience waning as our eyes locked.

"Oh Celestia! A-Ah'm sorry Sugarcube," she stammered, placing an apologetic hoof on my shoulder as the realization of what she was saying dawned on her.

It took me a second to get my bearings back on the conversation, but seeing that worried look plastered on my girlfriend's face kicked my natural instinct to comfort her into gear. As I glanced down at her hoof on my shoulder, I gently grabbed it with my hand, running my fingers over the calloused appendage.

"Hey," I softly grinned, "don't worry about it, Applejack. I'm fine. I don't want you to stop being excited over seeing your family all because of me," I assured her, applying more gentle pressure to her hoof. I wasn't fine; I knew it was a lie, and Applejack knew for damn sure that it was a lie. Trying to lie to her was like teasing a grizzly bear with a fish.

Fibbing to AJ did not sit well with me, but the last thing I wanted was for her and her family to miss out on the joy of reconnecting with their extended kin by worrying about me. I knew it was a lose-lose situation by trying to downplay my apprehension, but my desire to make Applejack happy briefly superseded my wisdom of being truthful to the mare.

Nevertheless, Applejack's worrisome expression faltered, giving way to a look of disappointment in her eyes. She didn't pull her hoof away, much to my surprise. Instead, she placed her other hoof over my hand, putting a stop to my soft massage. "Ivan," AJ began, her voice a much sterner tone, "now don't go doin' that, Sugarcube, please. You know ya ain't fine. There's nothin' wrong with feelin' concerned o' what ya think might happen, but lyin' about it ain't gonna help any of us."

I gulped. My eyes began to drift away in shame, but the sudden feeling of her hoof pulling on my cheek jolted them back to her emerald orbs.

"Don't look away either, Ivan, please," the mare pleaded, her voice and face softening. "Let me- er, us," she stammered, casting a quick look to Granny Smith who remained silent as she observed our conversation, "help ya."

"I-I'm sorry, Applejack," I sighed, giving my head a slight shake. "I know it was stupid to try and pull the wool over your eyes, but it just crushed me to see you lose your excitement like that."

The mare bit her lip. "Oh Sugarcube, ya know that yer own happiness matters, too, right?"

"Well yeah, but-" I attempted to argue, but Applejack's hoof on my lips brought me to an abrupt halt.

"But nothin', Ivan," she sighed, slowly taking her hoof away as I remained quiet. "Please," AJ begged as if her life were hanging in the balance, "don't put on a smile fer mah sake, Sugarcube. Ah don't want ya ta feel miserable n' afraid fer the whole reunion."

"Ah want nothin' more than fer ya ta have a damn good time yerself an' ta feel safe," she continued. "Ah understand that yer scared o' what'll happen ta me, Granny, Big Mac n' Apple Bloom, but don't feel like ya have ta keep that ta yerself, ever. If yer scared, then we'll be right there ta cheer ya up."

"I-I know, AJ," I couldn't help but stammer with so many emotions welling up within me. "I just don't want you to be scared either."

Applejack let out a chuckle and gave me a comforting grin. "Oh, trust me, Ivan. Ah'm scared o' what might happen too; Ah just know Ah'll have mah family ta lean on, includin' mah baby's daddy," she leaned in close and gave me a peck on the cheek. "Ah was just getting' excited about ya spendin' time with our kin because Ah know that Granny Smith's idea can really help ya grow close with everypony."

I could feel my heartbeat accelerating thanks to her kiss, giving me a slight boost in confidence to speak. "I mean, meeting the rest of your family is something I've wanted for some time, but with this bombshell and my dream and your family in Manehattan…." Words escaped me as I trailed off.

"Look Ivan, Ah believe ya, an' I want nothin' more than fer mah family ta meet mah special somepony, but don't think ya have to go n' blurt it out the second they pass through the orchard gates."

"I know," I repeated, "but it's just the inevitability that's gnawing at the back of my mind. It's like having an enemy pilot locked onto my plane. The unknown of when or if they fire if I don't get out in time-" I inhaled sharply to calm myself.

The next thing I knew, I felt a pair of strong, furry forelegs tightening around my body. "Shhhh," AJ cooed, rubbing a hoof on my back. "Just don't overthink it, Ivan. Ah know it's a bridge we're gonna have ta cross eventually, but don't let it control yer mind." The mare pulled away, ears drooped and a huge comforting smile on her face.

"Ya trust me, right, Ivan?"

Time nearly came to a halt; my brain could barely process the unexpected question. Blinking rapidly, I mustered up my answer, "Y-Yeah, of course….?" I said, confusion hanging on every word.

"Hehe," my girlfriend's nose scrunched in a cute snort, "Ah didn't mean ta catch ya off-guard, but that's good ta hear! All Ah'm sayin', Ivan, is spendin' time with the rest of our family throughout the day can help give ya the confidence ya need when the time comes," Applejack explained as she drug her hoof over my shoulder. She continued, "Not ta mention, buildin' a strong bond with 'em so they get ta know ya just like everypony else does."

Silence encompassed the room as I pulled away from Applejack, mulling over everything she had said to me. Of course, I knew it would be asinine if we just blurted out that she was pregnant the moment everyone arrived for the festivities. Yet, just hearing her say it helped immensely to make me feel better.

However, the most important thing I could glean from our conversation was that Applejack was 100% right. No matter what the fear haunting my mind was making me think, using this opportunity to spend time with her numerous aunts, uncles and cousins was the best shot to ease them into the idea that she and I were expectant parents. I understood that it would not work like a miracle and magically convince everyone, but we had to try.

And no, we would not try and butter any of them up. My entire goal would just be to honestly prove to them that Applejack and our upcoming child were my entire world now. I had to face my fears of their unknown response and not let it control me. If I faltered and backed away, if I allowed this fear to consume me, what kind of partner would I be to Applejack? Even worse, what kind of father would I be to our future kid?

"Y-You're right," I finally whispered.

"What was that Sugarcube?" Applejack asked as she put her hoof under my chin and gently lifted my head.

"I said you were right, AJ," I repeated, reaching out and tenderly cupping her cheek. "I really can't afford to overthink this. All I would do is end up making you, Granny, Big Mac, and Apple Bloom equally miserable and ruin the reunion for everyone." I ran my thumb over her freckles.

Applejack leaned into my affections. "Now Ivan, Ah wouldn't say any o' that," she said, trying to instill me with a little reassurance.

"No, it would," I disagreed, "but that's only if I allow it to happen." I stared deep into her eyes. "And I'm going to try my damndest to make sure it doesn't. You all deserve to be happy at your family reunion."

Applejack sighed, yet she continued to cradle her hoof under my chin. "An' you deserve ta be happy too, Sugarcube. Yer happiness matters just as much as everypony else's," she reiterated in a somewhat sterner voice.

"I know, Applejack, but I'm still going to take a page out of your book to help." The country mare's eyebrow raised in curiosity. "Setting up for the reunion should help take my mind off our big announcement, but I'm also gonna do my best to go in with a positive attitude and spend time with everyone. You know, like you said: Play some games, chat over your family's delicious cooking, all that!"

"All I can do is just that. I genuinely want to build a relationship with the rest of your family," I paused, moving my hand from her cheek to her shoulder. "And if that can help overcome our fears of what we have to tell them, then that's a huge bonus." I suddenly threw my arms around Applejack, enveloping her in a tight hug.

The mare quietly gasped from the abrupt movement, but she returned the loving gesture all the same, snuggling her head into the crook of my neck.

"That's all Ah can ask out o' ya, Ivan," Applejack said as she pulled away from the hug. "An' Ah'm not sayin' ya can't be afraid. Celestia knows Ah've got a fierce swarm o' butterflies in mah stomach. All Ah'm sayin' is, ya don't have ta be all alone with yer fears. Ah made a promise ta stick by yer side through the whole reunion, an' dammit Ah'm not gonna leave ya," she swore.

"Ya know," Granny Smith interjected before I could respond, "if ya want somethin' else that can help ya get ta know some members o' the Apple Family better, y'all can help add ta our family quilt. It's just a little somethin' us older ponies work on durin' every reunion ta catch up on what we've been doin'," she suggested with a shrug.

"Unless o' course that's a bit too much ol' pony stuff fer yer likin'."

I pursed my lips, mulling over her proposal for a moment. "Hell, anything you two believe would help form a connection," I replied, giving the wise, elderly mare a grin.

"We-hell, alrighty then!" Granny Smith explained, rearing up her foreleg and giving my back a good smack.

I let out an audible, "Oof!" from how hard she hit, knowing that it would probably leave a mark for the next day or two.

"Us Apples love tellin' stories," Granny continued, not noticing my wincing.

"You uh, you don't say," I seethed as Applejack tenderly massaged the area her grandmother smacked.

"Eeyup! I know Goldie Delicious would love ta hear 'bout how ya helped saved Princess Luna from them dragons," the green mare stretched, sighing happily as her muscles and joints popped like bubble wrap. "But at any rate, Ah'm hittin' the hay. Gotta get a head start on preparin' fer the reunion," she got down from her chair and headed for the staircase. "Don't you two stay up too late now, ya hear?"

With that, Granny Smith disappeared from view, ascending the stairs with only the slow thumps of her hooves on the wooden flooring detailing her trip to her bedroom.

Once her door slammed shut, both AJ and I let out audible sighs. "Don't fret too much, Sugarcube," Applejack reassured me, scooting her chair closer so that she could nuzzle into the crook of my neck once more. "The older Apples do enjoy shootin' the breeze with one another, but they won't force anythin' outta ya."

"Bah, I'm not too worried about that, AJ," I replied, resting my head on top of hers and stroking the back of her neck. "As long as there's plenty of cider to go around, a quiet activity to get to know your family sounds perfect to me," I gave her ear a little kiss.

Applejack snorted, ticklish from the contact of my lips. "Hehe, we got ya covered there, Ivan," she lightly pecked my neck. "But just in case, ya don't have ta tell them that story. Ah know exactly how uh….personal it is ta ya."

"Right," I said, reaching up and running my fingers over the scar on my cheek. A shudder coursed through my spine as the memories of that day flashed through my mind. "I'll probably have to explain how I got this anyway," I shrugged, taking my hand away from my face.

"Yet, with you, Granny Smith, Big Mac, Apple Bloom and even Pinkie Pie there, I think I can get through it," I said, exhibiting a little bit of confidence.

"Ah know so, Sugarcube," AJ corrected me, rubbing her freckled cheek against my neck.

We sat in silence, merely enjoying each other's company with nothing but the ticking of the kitchen clock and the occasional squawking of birds to disturb us. However, a certain thought refused to leave my mind. With all the talk of the family reunion and getting to meet every living member of AJ's family, that fateful Manehattan morning would not go away. One of, if not the, key thing dragging down my confidence was the hatred spewed forth from AJ's aunt and uncle.

"Hey hun?" I softly croaked, deciding to get this off my chest once and for all.

"Yeah Sugarcube?" Applejack pulled out of my neck, gluing her eyes right onto my own.

"Look," I began, giving my lips a quick lick, "I want to reiterate that I do not blame you at all for what happened in Manehattan."

Applejack's eyes widened and her body stiffened at the mention of that morning.

"But with us having a plan and being granted more time to spend with other members of your family," I quickly continued, yearning to comfort her, "I really think this has a better opportunity to work, and I'm not gonna chicken out," I promised, taking one of her hooves into my hand.

"I won't lie; there is still a small part of me that's terrified, but I don't ever want to leave your side. No matter what we have to face, I want to do it together. I want to prove to your family that you mean the world to me," I paused, glancing down at the slight pudge in her belly, "both of you."

"Aww, Ivan," Applejack wrapped her forelegs around my shoulders and yanked me down, locking her lips onto mine. Somewhat expecting it, I more than happily returned the favor, locking my hands together behind her back and fervently kissed her back.

Our mouths wrestled back and forth for God knows how long, but eventually, the need for air superseded our hot little session and we were forced to pull back. The two of us huffed and puffed, yet we stayed close in a loving embrace.

"Don't worry Sugarcube. Yer absolutely right that this has a heck of a better chance ta work. That's why Ah'm so damn adamant ta encourage ya ta try n' build some memories," AJ explained.

There was that word again: Memories.

A thought had crossed my mind. It would be a little bit of homework, but for the Apples, I'd be willing to do anything. "You know, speaking of memories, AJ, where do you keep your old family photo albums again?"

"Uhh, right over there in the livin' room bookshelf," Applejack pointed a confused hoof over to the room and object in question.

"Great! I was just thinking, if you're up to it, why don't we crack one open, and you can show me who's who again so I can get a refresher course ahead of the reunion? You know, to help show your family that I want to get to know them?" I suggested.

Little did I know how well she would take that suggestion. Applejack's eyes nearly became the size of dinner plates as she looked back and forth between me and the living room. "That's a heck of an idea, Ivan!" She exclaimed, planting a quick peck on my cheek and hopping down from her chair.

"We've got a little bit before we have ta hit the hay. That should be plenty o' time ta get through two reunions before we need ta get some shut eye!" She motioned for me to follow, to which I happily obliged.

As I followed my girlfriend into her living room, I could feel some of the stress plaguing my chest melting away. A small surge of confidence beat from my heart as I finally looked towards the Apple Family Reunion not with anxiety and fear, but genuine excitement to get this over with. I'll be honest, not all of the negative thoughts were gone, far from it. However, thanks to my girlfriend and her family's promise to help me see this through, I had the tools to fight those demons trying to bring me down.

The morning of the reunion could not come soon enough.

End Chapter 88


So, even with a lot of unknowns bearing down on them, Ivan and Applejack are ready to face the Apples during the Family Reunion. How will that go? How will AJ's extended family react to the big news? Will Ivan be able to build enough of a bond with them for them to understand?

Again, I want to apologize for taking over ten months for this chapter to come out. I just had so many things coming up that took away my time for writing, but I am happy to finally bring this chapter to you all. Next time will be the Apple Family Reunion! After that? Well, let's just say a MAJOR plot point will unfold! I hope you all enjoy!