“So, I think that was one of the best Pinkie parties of the year,” Quill said with a yawn as she scooped Scootaloo onto her back, “let’s get home, gals.”

Applejack and Rainbow trotted to catch up and sided with Quill. “Ah reckon yer right. That was a hum-dinger of a party. It sure is good ta be home in Ponyville. Ah liked bein’ away but we sure missed y’all. And it’s nice ta see ya and Scoots are so close.”

“Heh, yeah. Totally awesome how yer all close and stuff. Ah didn’t think it’d be as fast but you two are totally,” she yawned, “ready to be a part’a the family.”

“Heh, we’ll see about that. I’ve been taking care of the filly and house for a month, that’s all.”

“Well, she’s taken to ya like a worm to an apple durin’ harvest week. That’s good enough fer me ta know yer the kinda mare we need in our lives, even if it’s only as a boarder.”

“Heh,” Quill grinned weakly, “not a prob. Just another month in Ponyville. If it took a lot of work then it’d be a job and I can’t really charge you for living with you,” she mused as she yawned.

“Ah think we should just get home’n rest up. We’ve got a lot ta discuss and catch up.” Rainbow landed on Applejack’s back and promptly fell asleep. “Ah think that’s the plan, then.”

“Hehehe,” Quill tittered, “best plan of the day.”

…

The mares walked into the house and upstairs, depositing the sleeping pair in their appropriate beds before returning downstairs and going into the livingroom.

Quill went into the kitchen and shortly returned with a pot of hot water and several tea leaves.

“Ah, this’ the best way to end a day, I’ve found over the last couple weeks.”

“Ah see. So, what’ve you been up to? The house looks better than when we left, that’s fer sure.”

“Yeah, cleaning’s fun if you make it into a game. I just raced myself.”

“You pegasi and racin’, always goin’ at it.” Applejack said as she poured water over her tea leaves. “Anyway, how was yer time with Scootaloo? Ah like the house bein’ clean, by the way. Ya even got the nooks ‘n cranny’s Ah look for.”

“Thanks. I know it sounds like something I’d say, but I have a thing for nooks and getting into cranny’s,” she smirked as she set her cup in front of Applejack to have water added, “but seriously,” she started to yawn and covered her muzzle with her hoof, “I think everything went fine. I let Scootaloo start calling me auntie since I was the only family she had while you were away.

“We pranked each other a few times and I think I’m banned from the school house for a while still, but it was a great experience. If I had to do it again, I would. I really didn’t think foal sitting was going to be fun but it was a blast! I don’t want one of my own yet, but to think that they are actually fun…”

“Eeyup, they can be a hooffull too. Ya didn’t let her stay up late, did ya? Or spoil her diet with sweets?”

“Hehehe, nah. I know how important a good diet is to a filly and she was sleeping fine. Even had her friends over and, I’ll be honest with you,” she blew on her tea, “they’re experimenting with love sometimes.”

Applejack gulped and looked aside as she sat by the tea table and sniffled. “Well, fillies’ll be fillies, Ah guess. I remember doin’ that stuff when Ah was a filly, but it was fer the lovin’ feelin’ while mah friends did it fer the fun. Ah just hope she knows what she’s doing.”

“Oh, I gave her some tips,” Quill said taking a sip.

“Quill,” Applejack scolded, “Ah swear that if yer tryin’ ta teach mah baby girl ta love mares and take away her choice…”

“Oh, no such thing. It isn’t a choice, the way we live and who we love and you know that better than anypony. Look at you and Dashie, she was totally into colts and then boom, a night with you and she’s totally into mares. There’s something about you, AJ. And,” she moved next to her and sat down, nuzzling her before Applejack could take her first sip, “I love that about you.”

Applejack sighed and returned the nuzzle and didn’t resist the kiss that was placed on her lips. “Quill, Rainbow and me missed ya somethin’ fierce. Like a fruit bat loved mah apples,” Quill giggled as she kissed Applejack again and then nuzzled her orange neck, taking in the scent of the farm mare.

“You don’t smell like apples or the farm, AJ,” she said softly, “I kinda miss that.”

“Quill, what’re ya doin’?”

“I missed you both, so much,” she moved to lay her head on Applejack’s back while the orange mare hummed contently.

“Ah think it’s bed time.”

“Aww, I was just getting comfy, I don’t wanna go to bed yet.”

Applejack blew on her tea in the ensuing silence then drank half of it in a gulp. “Ah mean, come ta bed with me and Rainbow. We’ll talk in the mornin’ about a lot of things, including us.”

Next Chapter: Bonding Time 3 Estimated time remaining: 21 Minutes