Coral didn't emerge from his bedroom for several hours.

After Applejack had knocked on his door and delivered her stomach-churning ultimatum for his 'future' on the farm, he had returned to his bed, where slowly, he had drifted off back to sleep.

His head was still processing the new rules that she had set for him that morning, when he finally awoke sometime before noon.

It wasn't enough that Applejack didn't want him laying a hand on Applebloom, but she was giving him three strikes...and, he had (unknowingly) used one up already!?

There was also the realization that his hopes to help give Ponyville a new library, had also been dashed.

While a part of him disliked that Applejack had used the library funds to pay off some of the upset partygoers the other night, another part of him realized that her hand had been forced, and it was the only solution she could see to the situation.

It also didn't make him feel any better, that she had also taken additional funds out of what the family was earning for themselves, during the Cider Festival. He recalled how Applejack had been so excited over the last few weeks, thinking how the cider surplus this year, was going to mean some extra money for the Apple family.

Hopefully, they'll still have some extra bits earned when the festival is over, he thought, as he headed downstairs.

Looking around the Apple's living room, he saw Granny Smith, dozing in an easy chair. Around her, sitting on the tables and a few chairs in the room, were a number of the desserts that the Apple family women had made for the library fundraiser, still untouched, and probably never to be sold now.

Coral sighed, thinking how most of these items were probably going to go to waste. Dejectedly, he picked up an apple pie, and took it into the kitchen.

Getting himself a fork, he sat at he kitchen table, and dug into his "lunch." The pie was pretty good, but his worrying over what Applejack had told him, wasn't helping him in savoring his meal.

After it was finished, he chucked the fork into the pie tin, and put his head down on the kitchen table.

*knock knock knock*

"Hello?" came a familiar voice, causing Coral to raise his head. "Anyone home?"

"*snort* Huh-whuzzah-who?" grunted Granny, as she woke up.

"I'll get it," said Coral, backing up and rising from his seat. Opening the door, revealed the smiling forms of Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.

"Hi Coral. Hi, Granny Smith."

"Hi, girls," he said, holding back his massive hard-on, and stepping aside so they could enter. "So, I take it Rarity isn't coming today?"

"Yeah, sorry about that," replied Sweetie. "I told her you and Applebloom really needed her help, but she's still doing her 'deep cleanse' down at the spa. Maybe tomorrow?"

"I hope so," said Coral, looking at his swaddled stallionhood. "Loincloths are okay, but I want to be...semi-normal again, and wear underwear and pants. So, how's Applebloom doing this morning?"

"Well, actually, we haven't seen her yet," chimed in Scootaloo.

"What? But she's right outside the door!".

"Actually Coral...she isn't."

Coral's cock almost bowled over the two fillies, as he rushed to the door. Just as Scootaloo said, the area where Applebloom had been yesterday, was barren!

"What happened to her?" he cried, turning around so fast his cock almost knocked Scootaloo off her feet! "Did Applejack have her taken away? Why wasn't I-"

*SMACK*

"Stop yellin' like an old fool," said Granny Smith, pulling her hand away from Coral's head. "Cant'cha see these girls gots more tuh say?"

"Thanks, Granny Smith," said Sweetie. "Anyway, we talked to Applejack on the way up here this morning. She said that she and Big Mac moved Applebloom into the barn. Said it would be safer for her to be in there."

"What she probably meant, was she'd be safer in there...from me," replied Coral, sighing.

"What do you mean by that?" asked Scootaloo.

"I'll explain later," said Coral. "Why don't we go out to the barn and see her? You comin' with us, Granny?"

"I think I'll just take a load off in here today," she smiled, heading slowly back to her chair. "You young'uns got things to do, and ah won't get in yer way. B'sides, gives me a good story in case Applejack gets all stupid a'gin like last night."

After making a sandwich for Applebloom, the three headed out to the barn. Fortunately, Applejack had not decided to lock the doors.

Still, Coral gave a few polite knocks, before he heard a familiar voice say, "come in."

Opening the double doors, revealed Applebloom in all her swollen glory, her body still hidden behind her twin masses of tit-flesh. By the looks of things, she had shrugged off her blankets, which lay pooled around her over-sized body parts.

"Coral!" she cried, opening wide her arms, expecting him to wade into her bosom for a hug. Instead, he just stood there, and gave a little wave.

"Come on, Coral," said Scootaloo, poking him in his back. "Your special somepony's wait-ing."

"I...I can't," he replied.

"Now whut kinda silly talk is that?" asked Applebloom. "Girls, bring him on over. You know how shy he kin be sometimes."

"Sure thing," said Sweetie, grabbing Coral's left arm. "Now come along, Mister Leaf!"

"Sweetie, stop that," he said, trying to resist her pull.

"Will you *ungh* stop *ungh* resisting, Coral? *nngh* Applebloom's-"

"LET GO OF ME!!"

It was the second time in 2 days that the girls had heard him raise his voice, and like the day before, it made everyone freeze in their tracks!

Coral felt a pang of guilt for yelling, and tried to calmly remove Sweetie Belle's hand, whose grip had grown limp.

"I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. Really, I, I just have a lot on my mind this morning. But, the truth is, I...I can't touch you, Applebloom."

"WHAT!!!?" came a unified exclamation from all three girls.

"Why in the hay not!?" asked Applebloom. "Does this haftah do with Applejack?"

"Yes," confessed Coral.

He then proceeded to tell them about Applejack confronting him the night before, and how Granny Smith talked her down. He also related the early morning conversation, wherein he had been cautioned to not touch Applebloom, and how Applejack was implementing a strike system to keep him in line.

"So that's why she moved me in here," said Applebloom. "She didn't say much when it happened, just had Big Mac clear out parts of the barn, and then the two of em pulled me in on this tarp I'm restin' on!"

"She gave you a strike for milking Applebloom?" asked Scootaloo. "But you were just trying to help!"

"That's what I told her, too," replied Coral. "But she didn't want to hear my explanation."

"Well when she comes back tonight and checks in on me, ah'm gonna let her have it," said Applebloom. "She has no right to tell me who can and can't touch me. It's mah body, and I'll make my own decisions about it! Now come on over n' squeeze in!"

"Applebloom, don't make this harder than it already is," pleaded Coral. "I, we, only have a few weeks left with the zap apple harvest coming up. Don't mess this up-"

"Mess what up? Sis and Big Mac ain't around. Ah won't say a word, and Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo won't either, will ya girls?"

"Not me," said Sweetie Belle, pretending to zip her lip.

"Me either," said Scootaloo, following suit.

"I'm really, really sorry honey," pleaded Coral. "I have to respect your sist-"

"UUGGHHHH, why do you have to be so good at 'bein' good!?'" yelled Applebloom, frustratingly face-planting into her cleavage, which wobbled slightly from the impact.

Suddenly, Scootaloo grabbed Sweetie Belle's hand, and tugged her over to Applebloom's body. Coral watched as they disappeared behind the curve of his girlfriend's bosom. There was a quiet chittering of voices as the three girls huddled together, before they looked back at Coral...a move that signaled they were definitely up to something.

"Coral," said Scootaloo. "Just what did you agree to Applejack, about Applebloom?"

"That I wasn't to put my hands on her," he said.

"Just...your hands?" asked Sweetie.

"To the best of my knowledge, yes."

"And, yer absolutely sure that's what you agreed to, Mister Follow-The-Rules?" chimed in Applebloom.

"Absolutely."

"You heard him, girls...do it."

Huh-whuh?"

Next thing Coral knew, AB's friends sprinted over to him, and he found Scootaloo grabbing his left arm, and Sweetie Belle his right! They each hoisted his arms above his head, and proceeded to lead him into the massive yellow bosom of his beloved!

"Hey, what're y-girls, I promised-stop! I'll get in trouble!!" he protested, as the three waded through the soft-yet-firm yellow walls, where he was soon body-to-body, against Applebloom. As he was pulled closer to her, her hands reached out, shifting his huge cock to one side, so she could look him in the eye!

"Your sister is gonna have a fit!" he cried, returning her gaze, but seeing not a trace of fear in her eyes. "My heart's beating a mile a minute how, how can you be so calm like this!?"

"You promised Applejack you wouldn't lay a hand on me...right?"

"Y-yeah."

"Well, Coral Leaf...where are yer hands right now?"

"Well, your friends are holdi-ooooohhhhhh!" said Coral, as he started to chuckle, realizing what was going on.

"Girls, keep a grip on those things," said Applebloom, licking her lips. "This may take awhile."

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle just smiled, as their friend's lips found her stallion's, and ravaged his with a number of kisses.

Coral could do nothing but reciprocate, tasting the warmth of Applebloom's lips and tongue, as well as feeling the warmth of her bosom, squeezed around himself, and her friends.

Of course, Scootaloo and Sweetie also had a little fun, waggling his arms in the air, and playing with his hands. Coral tried his best to ignore them playing with his fingers or slapping his palms, high above his little makeout session.

After a few minutes, the two lovers stopped their lip-wrestling.

"Mmmm, I've been craving that all morning," said Applebloom, a dreamy look on her face.

"I think that was just what I needed too," said Coral. "I feel a little better now."

"Just a little?" she pouted. "I want mah Coral to feel a lot better! Girls? Will you help this stud with his undies?"

"With pleasure!" giggled the two fillies, and with their free hands, began to unravel Coral's loincloth, until his enormous shaft, was jutting up nakedly against his body.

"Now, let me take a look at yer friend," cooed AB.

The next thing Coral felt was feeling a tingling throughout his body, as Applebloom kissed and licked the other side of his massive member!

The bloated beauty continued the pleasurable sensations, as she began to smoosh what she could of her bosom, against Coral's hard-on and his body...a sensation that caused Coral to throw back his head in ecstasy.

The two lovers' moaned lustily, as their afternoon session continued. Coral almost broke his word about not touching, but fortunately, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo kept a firm grip on his arms, as the smooshing motion of Applebloom's bosom increased, and a familiar sensation began building up inside him.

Finally, there was no holding back, and with a massive groan, a thick, globby stream of cum erupted out of his balls, along his shaft, and up through his massive cockhead! Several gallons spouted upwards like a fountain...before splattering on the group below!

The stallion's spunk was in their hair, and had slopped onto Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo's tops! Their skin (up to where it disappeared into Applebloom's cleavage) also received a generous helping of his cum, which glistened in the sunlight from outside the barn door.

"Oh, no," gasped Coral, trying to stay on his feet after his mighty exertions. "This, is bad."

"Now now, big boy," gasped Applebloom, kissing his slightly-limp dick, and slurping up some of the cum on it. "This should wash right out. What do you say, girls? Feel like giving your best friend a nice good scrubbin'?"

"Sure thing!" cried Sweetie Belle. "Cutie Mark Crusader cum cleaners are GO!"

Coral managed to get in one last (cum-coated) kiss, before the girls extracted him from between the spunk-coated walls of Applebloom's chest.

Sweetie and Scootaloo suggested that he sit down and rest after his exertions, but Coral struggled through the after-effects of his cumdown, and claimed he wanted to wash their goo-soaked clothing.

Holding his loincloth's sheets over his still sizable cock, Coral waddled back into the farmhouse to fetch some soap and cleaning supplies.

Granny Smith was snoozing in the living room, though his heart was pounding hard, afraid Applejack or Big Mac would be coming back from the festival, and catch him in his state of undress!

Fortunately, he found the soap without any troubles and returned to the barn, where the girls had already hooked up the waterhose, and were spritzing each other in a playful fashion...naked of course, as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had disrobed, leaving a pile of clothing near the door.

"Okay, you dirty little girls," he smirked, handing some soap and shampoo to Scootaloo. "You young fillies clean yourselves up, while I take care of your clothes."

Finding a washtub and a washboard nearby, Coral quickly got to work.

As he scrubbed away on the washboard, he watched the two girls playfully soap each other up. They also took turns shampooing each other's hair, before Scootaloo spritzed them with the hose, washing the suds and soap off onto the barn floor.

The two then turned their attention to Applebloom, who ended up going through at least 3 bars of soap as she was lathered excessively from head to toe. The two fillies also paid extra close attention to scrubbing down where Coral's load had splattered onto her chest.

Eventually, all three fillies were squeaky-clean, and Coral finished washing their clothing a short time later. He had also given his loincloth's sheets a good scrubbing as well.

"We'll let em' air-dry," he said, laying them over some wooden bucks in the barn doorway.

"How like a gentlecolt," smiled Scootaloo.

"Yeah, a gentlecolt who is sticking to the rules and not touching those milktanks," said Coral, as he finished laying out the clothing to dry. "Wait a minute. I just thought of something."

"What?" asked Applebloom.

"Yesterday, you were feeling a bit full, and I helped relieve some of that pressure by milking you."

"Uh-huh?"

"Well, what if it happens again? Applejack won't let me touch you."

"Ugh, No duh. You keep remindin' me!"

"I think I know how we can still prevent that from happening again, and keep me from getting into trouble. And, it involves Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo."

"Us?" asked Scootaloo.

"What can we do?" chimed in Sweetie.

"Girls," smiled Coral. "How would you two like to become Cutie Mark Crusader Milkmaids?"

Needless to say, the two fillies had no objections to Coral teaching them his techniques for helping their swollen best friend.

Like yesterday, they rolled in several empty cider barrels. This time however, Coral instructed them on how to elevate Applebloom's bosom.

Of course, hefting their friend's milk-filled breasts was quite a chore, but eventually, they completed their task. Just like the day before, two barrels were placed under each breast.

"Now the key thing is to not hurt her," he said, as Sweetie worked her friend's huge right nub, and Scootaloo steadied an empty barrel in front of it. "Remember, she may be filled with milk, but she's still a filly with feelings. As she's milked, those feelings will affect the taste of what comes out of her."

"But we're just going to dispose of anything we get out of her," said Scootaloo. "Is it really that important?"

"You know, I said the same thing to my Dad when he taught me how to milk my Mom for the first time," replied Coral. "If it was important for me to learn it, it's just as important that you two get it right too."

As the lessons progressed, Coral had to hold himself back several times, from reaching out and showing the girls what to do. He forced himself to keep a tight grip on the fill-up barrel, as they sensually pulled and lightly-squeezed the huge nipples, squashing and stretching the masses of Applebloom's titflesh.

At first, it was hard for the two to get the hang of aiming the bulbous nips, and Coral ended up getting blasted with milk a few dozen times (it's lucky my clothes are being dried, he thought, as a stream of milk hit his chest). However, after a couple dozen tugs, the girls started to get the hang of it!

After filling one barrel, Coral and the girls moved over to the other breast, and repeated the process. In total, they filled up 4 barrels, as Applebloom wiggled her body and bit her lip, trying to keep herself from getting "too emotional."

Coral soon declared the lesson over, and the girls cleaned off their friend's nipples with one of her blankets, as Coral nailed up the full barrels. Having completed their tasks, the two fillies put their clothes back on.

"Well girls, congratulations," clapped Coral. "You just serviced your first milkmare."

"And we had a great teacher too," said Sweetie Belle, giving him a 'squishy' hug. "So, what are you going to do with the milk?"

"I'll have to get rid of it, I guess. I know there's a small stream that runs through the orchard. I'll just roll the barrels down there and dump the milk in the water. Um...care to give me a hand with my loincloth?"

Once he was wrapped up once again, Coral got down to work.

Given the distance, and having to roll each barrel down to the stream, it took Coral quite some time to complete his task. However, as dinner time rolled around, he returned to the barn with the last empty barrel.

"Thanks again, girls," he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I feel a little better, knowing you two can help Applebloom if she gets full."

"Um, speakin' of gettin' full, Coral," chimed in Applebloom. "Does it happen often?"

"Well, the only mare I have for reference is my Mom," he replied. "My Dad usually did a good job of keeping her at a comfortable level, but there would be some days where her production might increase more-than-normal. Those days, he'd maybe spend a few extra hours milking her."

"Did your Dad make much money on the extra milk?" asked Scootaloo.

"No. That was one of the problems we couldn't resolve, living where we did. Galloping Gulch is mostly wilderness, and while we did have some locals who would buy Mom's milk, there just wasn't much demand for it."

"Did he ever try just, going outside of Galloping Gulch to sell her milk?"

"He journeyed to some areas a ways out, but not too far. I recall one time, he left me in charge of milking duties for a few days. When he came back, he said that he didn't think it'd work out."

"Why not?"

"Almost every stallion or pony he asked about milk, claimed they wouldn't drink milk from a mare. Several told him it was disgusting. He even brought along a few bottles of Mom's milk with him, just in case anyone was open-minded enough to consider, but he came home with them all unopened."

"Ah can't believe he didn't get anyone to consider yer Mom's milk!" said Applebloom, stroking her chest.

"Well like I mentioned, it isn't common to encounter milkmares," replied Coral. "I will admit, on rare occasions when a few of my relations would visit, some wouldn't even go into my Mom's barn to greet her."

"What!? Now that's just plain rude!"

"I thought the same. When I started getting older, I almost told off my Aunt."

"You mean yer Aunt who'd send ya books from Manehattan?"

"Yeah. She and my Mom were fine communicating by mail, but on the rare occasion she visited, they never conversed face-to-face. Even with my Mom's milk in our fridge, she wouldn't touch a drop."

"Now that makes no sense whatsoever. How kin yer Aunt be so obtuse, sendin' you books to make ya smarter, but not acceptin' or conversin' with her own sister!?"

"I guess sometimes, there are some things that some ponies just don't see eye-to-eye on, even if it isn't hurting anyone," said Coral. "My Mom said she and her sister used to get along fine when they were younger, but when my Mom started getting...bigger, and producing milk like she was, her sister started to avoid her. Eventually, my Mom's sister just moved away to Manehattan, and rarely communicated with my Mom, except for some letters. It was when I was born, that my Aunt seemed to become a bit more, pro-active."

"How so?"

"Well, she seemed concerned about my education, and life out in Galloping Gulch. She'd send me things as I grew up, and on several occasions, she offered to bring me to Manehattan. Even offered to set me up to be educated there."

"And didja end up goin'?"

"No. The way my Aunt described Manehattan in her letters, I was eager to go, but my parents decided not to accept her invitation."

"That sounds a little selfish," said Sweetie Belle. "Your Aunt was offering them a chance to raise you in one of the most famous, and biggest cities in Equestria! Rarity can never get enough of Manehattan."

"Well, I was only 6 at the time, Sweetie Belle. Course, I was upset that I couldn't visit my Aunt. I sulked for a few days before my parents had a heart-to-heart talk with me, and explained their reasons."

"And what were they?" asked Applebloom, leaning in a bit closer.

"They said that even though my Aunt was family, and she wanted to help, my Mom and Dad decided that it was more important that they be involved in my life directly, and not involved in it many miles away. They claimed that one day I probably could leave them, but at that time, they wanted me by their side. They wanted to see me grow up, and become a respectable young stallion."

"And, whut did yer Aunt say to their response?"

"Well, she was disappointed, but, it allowed my Mom to keep requesting that she send care packages of books for me. Like I said, not much to do around those parts, so I had plenty of time to read."

"But still, you passed up a chance to be raised in Manehattan," reminded Scootaloo.

"Yeah, but think of it like this: If I had gone, and gotten an education there, and grown up with a bunch of city ponies, I don't think I would have made the choices I made. I didn't learn how to milk my Mom until my early teens, and who knows? I may have grown to consider my Mom and Dad's profession to be 'wrong.'"

"You do have a point there," chimed in Sweetie Belle.

"Plus, if I had gone, I may not have waited to travel until I was 18, and come to Ponyville, where I met you three, and the other ponies and stallions you know."

"Are you braggin' agin?" smirked Applebloom.

"Nope," said Coral, shaking his head in a 'Big Mac' way. "One book I read said that the decisions we make, affect where we end up, and with whom we meet. So in a sense, my parents are just as much the reason why I'm here in this barn with you girls, as I am for deciding to travel here."

"Wow...that's, pretty deep," said Scootaloo.

"That sounds a little like what happened to Applejack," recalled Applebloom.

"Care to tell me?" asked Coral. "A story for a story?"

"Well, alright," smiled Applebloom.

It had been awhile, but Applebloom related the story about how Applejack had attempted to live with some of her more well-to-do relations, but had grown homesick, and finally come home.

"Interesting," said Coral. "I never would have pegged Applejack as the kind of pony to consider city life."

"Well, she was young and all," said Applebloom. "Ah imagine it all sounded just as exciting to her, as it did you."

"But think of it," said Coral. "She made her decision, and look where she is now. She's the head of your farm, and, she even knows Princess Twilight Sparkle! Just like me, she probably could never have imagined what her future would bring."

"Yeah," replied Applebloom, rubbing her bosom. "Trying to fend off an over-sized stallion, from gettin' close to her big lil' sister."

As dinnertime rolled around, Granny Smith strolled out of the house, and noted the lateness of the hour to the girls.

Sweetie and Scootaloo said their goodbyes to Coral and Applebloom, with Sweetie promising to try again to get Rarity to come up soon.

As the two girls headed back towards town, Granny suggested Coral also say good night to Applebloom.

"Ah know you two are sweet on each other, but the last thing you need is another one of those streaks," said the old pony.

"I think you mean 'strikes,' Granny Smith," corrected Coral.

"Uh, that's whut ah said."

Coral decided to say goodbye on his own terms, and as Granny watched, he raised his hands in the air, and walked around behind Applebloom's chest.

"Not layin' a hand on you," he said to Applebloom. "Just like I promised yer sister."

"Good," she smirked, and before he knew it, her yellow arms had grabbed his body, and pulled him close for a good night kiss!

After a few minutes of lip-locking, Coral and AB parted, with Coral closing the barn door on his beloved.

"Ah'll be back with your dinner later," said Granny, before they shut.

After walking Granny back to the house, Coral decided to relax on one of the living room chairs, with his loin-clothed dick jutting up in the air.

"Say Granny, I had a pie earlier today," he confessed. "I hope you don't mind."

"Ah, I think them treats is fair game now," she said, slowly moving around the kitchen. "Given mah granddaughter ain't got time fer that thing you wuz doin,' I'm more worried about them goin' to waste."

"So, I can have one of these fritters?"

"Oh, go ahead. Ah don't even think Applejack knows how many of them desserts we still have in that room."

Hearing that, Coral helped himself to two.

Around 7, the sound of cart wheels turning was heard, signaling that Applejack and Big Mac had returned for the day.

"A lil' earlier than usual," remarked Granny Smith. "Mebbe today's sales went better."

It took some time before the two Apples entered the house. Big Mac was the first to enter. He simply nodded to Coral and Granny Smith, before heading upstairs. AJ followed a few minutes after.

"Well, welcome back, dearie," chimed in Granny Smith, as her granddaughter closed the door.

"Hi, Applejack," said Coral, trying to be friendly. "Sales go well-"

"Coral, just...hush," said Applejack, her eyes closed in frustration. "Granny, can you start us up some dinner?"

"Sure can."

"Coral...come with me."

It hadn't even been a full day, and Coral was again feeling like his stomach was in knots, as Applejack led him upstairs to his room.

Coral sat down on his bed, as Applejack closed the door, and pulled up a nearby chair (trying hard to keep contact with his eyes, and not his huge stallionhood).

"Now Coral, you remember we had our talk earlier this mornin,' right?" she asked, a stern expression still plastered on her face.

"Of course," he replied.

"I put certain rules in place, that are to be followed, remember?"

"Yes, I remember."

"Ah'm the head of this family, and I expect you to respect me."

"Applejack, I do respect you. Can you please just tell me what this conversation is about?"

"Coral Leaf...why was there milk in our cider barrels?"

Applejack then explained her day selling cider.

Around 11 that morning, Big Mac had hooked up a new barrel, and Applejack had simply passed the mug of liquid to a customer.

However, the customer took a drink and quickly spat it out, wondering why they had been served milk, and not the cider they had paid for!

Applejack had quickly refunded the pony's money, and hooked up a proper barrel of cider, before dumping the milky contents of the one barrel, onto the ground behind the cider stand.

"It also happened this afternoon as well," she said. "Now how in the hay did milk, which ah assume is Applebloom's, get into those barrels?"

"I don't know," said Coral. "I swear I-wait, I think I do know how that happened!"

Coral had just remembered how Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had sealed up the four barrels of mare's milk, after he had milked Applebloom the previous day. He quickly told the story to Applejack, whose expression still hadn't changed from it's stern demeanor.

"I must have let it slip my mind," he said. "I'm sorry Applejack, I-I guess they must have been in a hurry, and just put them with the other barrels-"

"Well there's still two more barrels full of my sister's milk in the stack outside," gestured Applejack. "You just made my job a little harder to stomach."

"Wh-me? But it was Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo-"

"DON'T!"

The word from Applejack's mouth petrified Coral, and he quickly shut up.

"Now, ah checked on Applebloom before I came inside. She told me you were in the barn with them...and her."

"I followed your rules. I didn't lay a hand on her-"

"So she told me. Ah looked her in the eye, and saw she was tellin' the truth. However, she told me, that you showed her friends how to...milk her. That...that's earned you yer second strike."

Coral couldn't help himself, as AJ's words suddenly sent him sputtering in protest!

"But, but-but-but Applejack, how is that a strike against me!? I didn't touch your sister! I just explained to the girls how to milk her in case she got too-"

"This is not the conversation I wanted to have after a long day, Coral Leaf. I'm just calling things as I see them."

But this is two strikes you've given me without explainin' beforehand-"

"It's mah fam'ly, this is MAH FARM! They're MAH! RULES!!" she shouted, getting to her hooves, looking down at Coral's green eyes. "Now, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are comin' by again tomorrow. I'll explain to them what I told you. Now, one more time: there's to be no layin' of hands on my sister, and no more...milkin'. Do we understand each other, Coral?"

Coral sat there for a bit. Deep down, he was upset that he was being judged for things that to him, were not necessarily his fault! However, he knew that even with two strikes hanging over his head, he still had a chance (albeit a slim one), to be with Applebloom a bit longer. He would just have to be incredibly careful going forward.

"Yes, Applejack. I understand," he said, trying to look her in the eye, and hoping he didn't look too upset with her.

"Well, alright then," said Applejack, going to the door. "Granny'll call up when dinner's ready. Ah gotta go clean up."

It didn't take long before Granny's voice rang up the stairs. Coral didn't dilly-dally. Upon hearing her voice, he headed downstairs, and prepared a plate of the spaghetti and sauce she had made. Applejack and Big Mac were also in he kitchen, though he did his best not to make eye contact with either of them.

"Thanks, Granny," he muttered, before heading back to his room, where he ate his meal in silence, with the door closed.

Putting the empty plate on the dresser, he tried to relax, but he just kept thinking about what Applejack had told him.

If he hadn't had his massive cock, Coral would have rolled over and buried his face in his pillow.

Instead, he simply pulled it out from under his head, and shoved it against his face, forcefully yelling into it a few times, before he went limp, and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Coral lay in bed, dreading another pounding on his door, and another lecture from Applejack, but that moment never came.

He heard Applejack and Big Mac going about their routine outside his door, before the house became quiet again.

Closing his eyes, he awoke a few hours later, and got himself cleaned up. Unlike the day before, he put on one of Rarity's shirts, and headed downstairs, bringing his plate and utensils from the night before, into the kitchen.

"Well, someone's lookin' nice," came a familiar voice from the kitchen.

"Morning, Granny," he smiled, cleaning off his dinner plate in the sink. "Sorry about last night. Applejack and I had a, little talk."

"Yeah, she told me this mornin'," replied Granny. "Jus' more nonsense like yesterday, by the sounds of it."

"Granny, I...gee this is hard to ask. Was I, wrong to...milk, Applebloom?"

"If'n you think ah'm like Applejack, you kin breathe easier," said Granny, prepping some coffee. "Us Apple's ain't perfect. Why, ah wasn't a perfect lil' filly in my youth. Ah disobeyed my Ma n' Pa, and wandered into the Everfree Forest one evening."

"Really?" asked Coral, picking up a couple more fritters sitting around the living room. "You had a, romantic rendezvous or somethin'?"

"Nah, nothin' like that. I was lookin' to help mah fam'ly. Yah see, it wuz like this..."

Ordinarily, Coral would have tried to get out of this situation, but given he didn't have anything else on his plate (and he was trying to find an excuse to keep from going straight to the barn), he sat at the kitchen table, and listened to Granny's story.

Granny told him about the story of how she came across the zap apples, and her close encounter with the Timberwolves. She also explained how the family's fortunes changed from that time on.

Eventually, after an hour's time (which had been filled with some ramblings Coral had to decipher about relations and Princess Celestia), she came to the end of her story.

"Well, that's quite a tale," said Coral.

"S'all true," said Granny.

"I don't doubt it. I know those Timberwolves are hard to make up when it comes to their viciousness. They almost got me and Applebloom when I first showed up."

"Yeah, and she told me how neat it wuz, you bustin' em up with that stick of yers," smiled Granny Smith. "Nothin' like a strong Stallion to catch a young Apple's eye. Ah should know!"

"Really?" asked Coral, a curious smile on his face. "And how do you-"

*Knock-Knock-Knock*

The question was forgotten, as a few knocks were heard on the kitchen door, which was then opened by Scootaloo.

"Hi, Coral. Hi, Granny Smith," she greeted. "Guess what, Coral? Sweetie and I got a little surprise for you!"

"Oh, honestly, Sweetie Belle," came a familiar, sweet voice. "I am too old for these silly-filly games, and so are you!"

Scootaloo made a shushing sound to Coral and Granny Smith, and walked further into the kitchen. This cleared the way for Sweetie Belle, leading Rarity through the door, one hand in Sweetie's and the other over her eyes.

"Oh come on, Rarity," smiled Sweetie, winking playfully at Coral. "I told you, it's a surprise!"

"I understand you want me to measure Applebloom and Coral," said Rarity in a huff, "but really, I could still use another day to get over that...that...incident in the barn."

"Yeah, sorry about that," said Coral, his voice making Rarity perk up.

"Ooo, Coral?" squealed Rarity, her hand slowly rising from her eyes. "Is my gallant stallion about?"

"Not yet!" said Coral, leading to Sweetie playfully slapping her sister's hand!

"OW! Honestly, Sweetie Belle, you may be 18, but your Mother is going to hear about that, unladylike conduct!"

Coral smiled, as Sweetie silently stuck out her tongue at Rarity, before he continued to speak.

"I just wanted to address you first, Rarity," he said. "I, I know that Applebloom and I, got a bit...carried away at the barn dance. I heard you and your, wardrobe ended up being a bit...'covered.' Sweetie Belle said you were, um, recovering at the spa?"

"Oh-hoh-hoh, Coral. 'Recovering' sounds like I was involved in an accident of sorts," replied Rarity. "I simply needed to, 'recompose' myself, after a rather....exuberant expression of young love!"

"I guess that's one way of putting it," he chuckled. "Anyway, I just wanted to say, speaking for Applebloom as well, we're both sorry for what happened. We honestly didn't know that would ha-"

"Oh-pah-kuh-pah-ku, there is really no need to apologize...though a number of my clients from Canterlot have cancelled some of their orders with me, it is not the end of the world for this pony! For like a phoenix reborn from the ashes, I too, shall rise above this!"

"I'm glad to hear," said Coral. "Okay, I think you can move your hand."

"Finally! Now, Sweetie told me you've gr-g-g-gro-gro-ga-gaga-googoo-gyaahh," slurred Rarity, as she got her first look at Coral's well-wrapped, 4-foot behemoth!

It took a few minutes for Rarity to calm down, her big blue eyes taking in how much Coral had swelled up since she had last measured him.

While she insisted he be measured at once, Sweetie Belle was quick to turn her sister around, and push her out the kitchen door, reminding her that Applebloom also needed to be attended to.

"Coral's gonna come with us too," she said to her sister. "You can measure both him and Applebloom at the same time. Okay?"

"Oh, um, yes, of course," said Rarity, as Scootaloo opened the barn doors.

This resulted in Rarity again devolving into verbal gobbledy-gook, upon seeing the enormous filly, who gave her a wave over her massive mounds.

"Hi gals, hi Rarity," said Applebloom, before her eyes settled on Coral. "And how's mah big studmuffin?"

"Hi, Applebloom," waved Coral.

"Well, come on then," she giggled, parting a small area inside her massive cleavage. "Come to Mama Applebloom! Ah wanna give you a proper greeting!"

"I...I can't do that."

"UGH! Coral Leaf, we went over this yesterday, fer zap apples sake," groaned AB. "Just keep yer hands to yerself, and get in here-"

"I received my second strike from Applejack because I showed Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo how to milk you," he said, the words tumbling out in a torrent.

"WHAT!!!?" came a collective gasp from the three fillies, and Rarity.

"Applejack told us this morning we weren't to milk Applebloom, but she didn't say anything about you getting another strike!" said Scootaloo.

"What is her deal, anyways?" asked Sweetie. "This is just ridiculous!"

"Wait-wait-wait-wait," blubbered Rarity, her eyes on the massive, golden globes before her. "You mean, y-y-you girls, milked Applebloom, like, a-a-a, a cow?"

"Ah am not a cow," retorted Applebloom, looking a little disgusted.

"Oh! I'm sorry dear, I didn't mean anything bad by comparing-saying you were-I-I-I just, never expected, um, that is-"

"Well, Coral milked her first," interrupted Sweetie, cutting off her sister's blubbering. "But Applejack gave him a three strikes rule, and promised to kick him off the farm if he used them up. He got his first strike after that."

"Well I, I-I-I-I admit milking a mare is a bit, uncommon but, it sounds like Applejack is going a, teensy bit overboard."

"A teensy bit!?" exclaimed Applebloom. "Now she's got my Coral so scared, he won't even come near me!? This is just the worst!"

Deep down, hearing her refer to him as 'my Coral,' made Coral's heart flutter a bit.

"I'm sorry Applebloom," he said, sadly. "If I still only had one strike against me, I would have waded into your bosom for a kiss, but given how it seems anything could set off your sister now, I just don't want to take any chances."

"It's not fair!" cried Applebloom, slapping her huge bosom, causing it to undulate from the forceful smack. "Why does Applejack have to be like this!?"

"There there, dear," said Rarity, going over to Applebloom, and giving her long red hair a few strokes. "I know your sister can be a bit...stubborn. But, I'm sure she'll come around."

"I doubt anytime soon," sulked Applebloom. "Everyday she seems to get dumber n' dumber."

"Aw come on," said Sweetie Belle, coming over to her. "We all have days like that. Course, Rarity's had a few more than me."

"WHAT!?" shrieked Rarity, her purple-curled mane flying up. "Why you little-"

Speaking of 'little,' said Sweetie, pointing to Coral and Applebloom. "These two aren't so, 'little' anymore Rarity. I think we need to see again, what makes you the Element of Generosity?"

After Rarity took a few moments to compose herself, she put on her glasses, pulled out her notepad and tape measure, and declared that it was time to get to work.

Sweetie Belle closed the door to the barn for good measure, and Coral removed his loincloth.

Knowing Rarity would want to measure him at 'full-mast,'Coral gave his cock a few strokes, til' he felt like he was going to explode.

Rarity's eyes were agog as she went to work with her tape measure. Sweetie Belle assisted in measuring the length of Coral's shaft, from his crotch, up to the tip (which had leaked a small bit of pre-cum!).

"Sweet Celestia!" exclaimed Rarity, looking at the tape measure, while slightly stroking his cock head. "Four feet long! I must say Coral, for being such a...massive stallion, you're handling your new size quite well!"

"Thank...you, Rarity," said Coral, feeling a tingling through his body, as she continued to stroke him. "I will admit, it...hasn't been, mmm, easy."

"I can only imagine, dear. Being so immense can be trying, but I am sure you'll bounce back with-"

"A-Hem!" said Sweetie Belle, shooting her sis a major case of the stink-eye.

"Oh, sorry," said Rarity, ceasing her stroking. "Yes, musn't dilly-dally. We have a new wardrobe to think about after all!"

When it came to measuring the girth of Coral's penis, Rarity scribbled down '22 inches' in her notebook.

She also found herself measuring his swollen scrotum, and had to admit, that it's 3 foot diameter was rather impressive. As she gazed at it, she could only wonder how much semen was contained within.

Next, it was time to measure Applebloom.

Rarity chose to focus on the girl's waist and hips first. Applebloom explained how the last time she had worn Rarity's jeans, they seemed to feel tighter, and Rarity's latest measurements to her waist and hips, soon confirmed her suspicions.

Applebloom's waist had gained an extra 2 inches since Rarity's last round of measuring, putting her at 26 inches.

When it came to her hips, the tape measure showed 45 inches: a 7-inch gain from her previous measurements!

Of course, when it came to measuring Applebloom's bosom, Rarity had to get creative.

Using Coral, Sweetie, and Scootaloo, Rarity would string out her tape measure as far as it would go (over 10 ft), and then rely on one of the others, to mark with their hand, where the tape measure ended (Coral used his arm instead, given his observance of the 'no hands' rule).

Once the measuring was done, Rarity calculated that Applebloom's bustline measurements, added up to an eye-popping, 396 inches (or, 33 feet)!!

"I must say, this is all quite astonishing," said Rarity, as she finished jotting down the numbers in her notepad. "But never fear, my dears. I will come through for you both, just as I have in the past few weeks."

"Thanks, Rarity," smiled Applebloom. "ah hope you don't use up all your fabric on account of me."

"Well, I do believe in efficiency, dear. However, when it comes to your chest, it may take a little time. I want your lingerie and top to be perfect, and at your size, I may not have it done for a few weeks. You'll most likely get your new panties and jeans sooner."

"I don't mind. Ah know you can pull it off Rarity."

"Thank you, my dear," said Rarity, turning to Coral. "And as for you, my studly stallion, I figure your shirts and all still fit well? That one you're wearing looks like it's still holding up."

"Yeah, feels like it," said Coral, flexing a bit for Rarity. "I just need some, bottoms to make me seem more...well, a little more presentable."

"You mean you don't like just wandering around with this loincloth?" asked Scootaloo, as she and Sweetie Belle began to wrap his package up again.

"Ho-ho-ho," mocked Coral, turning his attention back to Rarity. "I take it, given the extra size, it'll take some time for me too?"

"Yes, but not quite as long as Applebloom's tops. Now, I sense you want to be wearing normal bottoms again very soon, so I'll try to have something ready in a few days."

"Thanks, Rarity," said Coral, moving in for a hug, only to have his huge penis squish up and against Rarity's body!

"Sorry, he said. "Still, getting used to it."

"Oh-ho-ho-ho, don't even think of apologizing, Coral dear," said Rarity, walking over to him, and pushing the monster cock vertically, and giving him a hug, with the firm object caught in their embrace. "My Element of Generosity will always shine through, for those I deem worthy of my attention!"

"AH-HEM!!" came Sweetie Belle, clearing her throat a little louder, and looking at her older sister with a rather stern expression.

"What!?" squeaked Rarity, as she broke away from Coral. "Can't I be just as generous with my feelings, as I am with my fashion designs?"

Sweetie Belle just rolled her eyes, as Coral smiled a bit at her irritation with Rarity.

With her measurements in hand, Rarity headed back to Ponyville.

The girls and Coral politely waved her off, though once her purple mane was out of view of the barn, Sweetie stopped waving and gave a frustrated "harumph."

"I take it you're a little upset about something?" asked Coral smugly.

"I hope you appreciate what I went through for you and Applebloom," replied Sweetie Belle. "Honestly, she probably could have spent a whole WEEK at the spa!"

"Was it...really that bad?" asked Applebloom.

"My sister isn't the family drama queen for nothing," huffed Sweetie. "Let's just say, as much as she likes your body Coral, she's not one to appreciate a bunch of your...stuff, and Applebloom's milk, all over her body."

Sweetie then explained in greater detail, about getting Rarity back to Carousel Boutique, following the barn dance.

The messy cab ride, was followed by Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, having to drag the still-unconscious pony, up the stairs to her room.

Sweetie had stayed at the boutique, but sent Scootaloo home.

Both of the girl's dresses were also total write-offs, and Sweetie admitted it took her a few extra washes, to feel like she had cleaned out as much of the lover's 'juices' as she could, out of her hair and off her body.

Rarity woke up the next day with a loud shriek, and Sweetie claimed it just got worse from there.

She sobbed over her ruined dress, and her milk and cum-soaked hair and body, let alone the 'white trail' leading up the stairs to her bedroom.

"She made me clean the stairs like Cinderella, while she washed herself," sulked Sweetie. "Claimed she washed herself at least a dozen times, but still felt unclean."

"Aw gee Sweetie Belle," said Applebloom, feeling miserable. "Ah hope you realize that Coral and I didn't mean for any of this to happen."

"Well I don't blame you two," said, Sweetie, giving them a sheepish smile. "It's just that Rarity has to be so dramatic sometimes. She even had me hold a funeral for her dress."

"Oh come on, Sweetie," chuckled Coral.

"Coral, if anypony would hold a funeral for a dress that looked as bad as that one did, it's Rarity," replied Scootaloo.

"Anyway," said Sweetie. "Long story short, we buried the dress, she threw on some clothes, and then just went to the spa. They tried to get her to leave after hours, but she put up such a fuss, they let her stay overnight. It took me hinting that Coral had grown, to get her to come up here."

"I-I mean we, really appreciate what you did, Sweetie Belle," said Coral. "I'm sure you realize that."

"Of course I do," said Sweetie. "You're a terrible liar, so I would have known if you enjoyed hearing I suffered at the hands of my sister."

Coral blushed a bit, as Scootaloo and Applebloom burst out laughing at Sweetie's last line.

"Thanks, Sweetie Belle," smiled Applebloom, her laughter fading away. "If only negotiatin' with Applejack was so easy. Believe me, if she comes in here tonight Coral, ah'm gonna give her an earful regarding that strike she gave ya. Ah mean, I'm a big pony-well, not big as in, this, but-I kin make my own decisions! Besides, so what if my friends want to milk me? Ah mean, does Applejack just want me to get so big that mah boobs burst?"

"I know it's frustrating honey, but, just try not to get into a shouting match with her," suggested Coral. "Believe me, as much as I sometimes really want to tell her off, raising my voice isn't going to do anypony any favors."

"So yer solution is to just wait it out?"

"It appears to be my only option," sighed Coral, walking around to her body. "Remember, we still got a few more weeks left to be together."

"Without any contact whatsoever...and then you'll leave me," murmured AB, her chin dipping down sadly.

"Aw Applebloom, please don't make me feel so-"

"UNNGGHN!!"

Coral was surprised as her right arm suddenly shot out, as if she had meant to grab hold of his arm! Coral managed to back off just in time, though for a second, he thought she might try to grab him by the cock.

"AB, please don't do that again. I told you, I have to behave myself-"

"NNNGGHNNNNNN!!!" screamed the yellow filly, burying her face in her massive cleavage, pounding on their swollen forms in frustration.

Nearby, her friends looked on sadly at the frustrated couple, wishing they could help in some way.

Coral and the girls spent their afternoon and early-evening hours the same as the day before, with the barn door open, and sharing in each other's company.

However, the conversation meandered more than the day before, given that Coral wouldn't touch Applebloom, and there was to be no more lessons in milking her as well.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were on their 'best behavior,' and didn't try to push Coral into his girlfriend's waiting bosom. They did offer to take a Pinkie Promise, and let him get in a few cuddles, but even this wasn't enough to sway things in the huge, love-starved filly's favor.

A few stories were shared here-and-there, but the mood was definitely spoiled by the specter of Coral's final strike, hanging over his head.

Finally, it was time for the group to disassemble for the day.

Sweetie and Scootaloo promised to stop by Sugarcube Corner the next day, and bring some treats for their next meetup.

Coral and Applebloom found themselves in an awkward silence, before they parted for the evening.

Coral blew his special somepony a kiss, and she returned his gesture.

He was just about to close the barn doors, when her voice rang out.

"Wait, Coral!"

He looked at her face, the light from the nearby window playing across her face, which looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

"I love you," she said, trying to hide her sadness.

"I know," replied Coral, as he closed the door.

After the day out in the barn, behaving himself, Coral decided to try and sit down at the dinner table that evening with Applejack and Big Mac.

Hopefully, things weren't as bad as yesterday, he thought. I have to make this work...somehow.

It was the final day of the Cider Festival, and Coral wondered if it would bring out a bigger crowd, than the day before.

Eventually, Applejack and Big Mac returned to the farm, an hour later than the day before.

Granny had prepared some soup and bread for the family, and after Applejack brought some soup to the barn for Applejack, she sat down at the kitchen table with Big Mac, Granny, and Coral.

Eventually, Applejack opened up about their final day.

As Coral had thought, the crowd was definitely bigger than the day before, though not quite as big as they had hoped. Big Mac would be returning down to the cider stand, to retrieve 8 barrels that had not been opened.

"Um, you didn't come across one of the two with Applebloom's, milk, did you?" asked Coral, nervously.

"Nope," answered Big Mac.

"Guess they're somewhere in the 20 or so barrels we didn't open," replied Applejack. "Truth be told, ah had hoped this cider festival would have been a big success. Ah guess next year, maybe we just won't shoot so high."

"Any idea what you're going to do with that extra cider?" asked Coral, trying to keep up the conversation.

"Reckon we'll have to get rid of it like all these extra desserts," said AJ, gesturing to the living room, which seemed to have taken on a permanent smell of apple treats. "I really hate to waste all this hard work."

"I know," said Coral, trying his best not to mention the library fund that seemed dead as a doornail. "Though, maybe you can still sell some of that leftover cider?"

"Coral, the Cider Festival is officially over-"

"Yeah, but the zap apple harvest is coming up. Granny and Applebloom have told me how you sell your zap apple jam after the harvest. Maybe you could, I don't know, maybe, sell some of the unopened cider as, 'Apple Family Reserves' or something."

"Ah don't know," said Applejack. "We've never really sold our cider outside of the festival-"

"Well, ya never had a weeklong Cider Festival til' this year," chimed in Granny Smith. "B'sides, it's already a shame we're gonna haftah waste all those sweets. I hate to think about dumpin' all that cider as well."

"Eeyup," nodded Big Mac.

"Besides, it's not like it's going to become a tradition or something," said Coral, getting a little excited that Granny and Big Mac were agreeing with him! "Just a way to maybe make some more money, and, hopefully finish off your cider stock."

"Well, maybe," said Applejack. "Zap apple season's in a few weeks, ah, suppose it is doable."

"And Rarity should have my new jeans ready by then," said Coral, excitement in his voice. "Why, after I finish helping your family harvest the zap apples, I'd be more than happy to help sell the jam and the cider-"

"Now hold yer horses," said AJ. "You're just going to help with the harvest, and that's all. We can take care of selling our family's products just fine."

Coral's enthusiasm drained like a mug of cider. In his excitement, he had hoped to squeeze a few more days out of staying with the Apples, but it seemed that Applejack had no intentions of letting him extend his stay with her family.

"Ok," he said, quietly returning to his soup. "It was just a suggestion."

The family returned to their meal, with Granny giving Coral a small gaze of concern.

Now that the Cider Festival was over, the clean-up process began.

The next day, Big Mac retrieved the unopened barrels, while Applejack got to work unhooking and taking apart several items on the cider stand.

As she worked underneath the counter, a clopping of hooves was heard, and two shadows played across the counter.

"I say brother-of-mine, it seems we're too late," said one voice.

"So it would seem," chimed in another voice. "Well, guess this is what comes from being such busy little bees. Not enough time some days to just enjoy some good ol' fashioned apple cider."

"Well, sorry to disappoint ya," said Applejack, rising from behind the stand. "But you're correct. We finished sellin' cider last ni-"

It was then she saw the two stallions before her. Their red hair, straw hats, black bow ties, and pinstriped shirts immediately made her green eyes narrow into slits.

"Sweet Celestia, not you two again..."

Author's Notes:

And there you have it, another chapter down.

This one I feel sticks to my more dramatic style of storytelling, while also getting in something that I know some have wanted to know for awhile now: measurements!

As mentioned in a previous comments section, I had considered keeping Coral and AB's measurements largely to the imagination of the reader. However, I figured with Rarity measuring them, it'd be a no-brainer to include them here...though I do hope Coral's knees are chafed from his huge sac rubbing against them.

Rarity as always, is fun to add in, let alone getting a few fun jabs at her and Sweetie Belle are some highlights of any story for me. I did wonder if I was being a little too out-there with Rarity holding a funeral for her destroyed barn-dance dress, but...I could just see an image of Rarity wailing over the dress, as Sweetie stood next to her, arms across her bosom, wondering, "why did I get the drama queen sister?"

Coral and AB as characters, are also sometimes intriguing to write for. To me, it'd be so easy for Coral to just be straight-up angry at Applejack, but, allowing him to be a more patient (if irritated) young stallion, I think shows the integrity of his character.

Applebloom's moods can be fun but sad to write about. I want her to sometimes feel sexually pent-up, but often unable to act on those feelings because of her sister, as well as Coral's respecting the rules. My favorite line of hers in the chapter, is her asking 'why he has to be so good at 'being good'?'

It was definitely fun adding in some pop-culture references here-and-there. One reference came to mind completely by accident, and I think it definitely helped one scene out quite a bit.

Plus, there are the little references to the Apple's history and previous show episodes, that I did like informing Coral about, let alone him telling a little more about his family life. From what I understand, Galloping Gulch has never really been explored on the show, and that ability for it to remain largely unexplored area, allows me to give it some nice development here and there.

I sat on this chapter for a long time, trying to figure out just how to end it. I think the current political climate and being away from the story (I had been writing on a weekly basis until I stopped for the month of April), helped me finally find it's ending...and recall my love of cliffhangers!