After Applejack had finished her talk with Gentle Bounty about her sister Demure Prudence, everyone dug into the salad that Chestnut had made for lunch.

Gentle's story about her distant sister had definitely given AJ some 'food-for-thought,' but she also realized that she was still no closer to finding Coral, or a way to resolve Applebloom's resentments towards her.

As they finished their meal, Applejack once again brought up the suggestion, of making the couple a pie, with some of the apples she had brought with her from Sweet Apple Acres.

"Are you really sure you want to, Applejack?" asked Gentle. "You know you really don't need to-"

"Gentle, my minds made up," replied Applejack. "You and Chesney-sorry, Chestnut, have prepared some fine meals for me, and I just want to give you two somethin' to thank you fer how welcoming you've been."

"Well, alright, if you insist," said Gentle. "Chesney can show you to the General Store. Hope they have everything you need-oh and Chesney, can you pick up some stew fixins' while you're there? I'm gettin' a craving for some later on tonight."

Before they headed out, Chestnut prepared his wife another sandwich, and some carrots for a mid-afternoon snack. Once Gentle was taken care of, Chestnut kissed her goodbye, and he and Applejack were off.

"I still hope we're not borin' you to death with all our storytelling," he chuckled, as they made their way through the forested area surrounding the farm. "We just get so few visitors, and with Coral having been gone, it...well,guess it gets a bit lonely round here."

"Look, if'n you want to tell me stories, ah'm all ears," smiled Applejack. "I will admit, Gentle really gave me some things to think about, regarding sisters n' all."

"That's the way she is, wanting others to try and be happy. I think it rubbed off some on Coral. We both worked together raising him, though I think he was a bit closer to his Mom than me."

"Do you think it was because of, her...well, her breasts?" asked AJ, blushing sligtly.

"To tell the truth, I don't think so," replied Chestnut. "At the time when she had Coral, Genny's bosom was pretty big, though she was also starting to go through her 'second growth spurt,' as we called it. So, Coral's pretty much seen her being a 'big pony' his entire life."

"Did he ever, question it?"

"Eventually he did. When we'd go to the store when he was little, or walk over to some other pony's houses. Genny could still walk at the time, but she'd have to squeeze her way through doorways, or around furniture. After awhile, she soon just stopped going out to places with me.
"I remember one day, Coral asked me: 'What's wrong with Mommy?'
"I inquired why he said that, and he said that a mare had told him that she had heard of his Mommy, and that she was unable to do a lot of walking, because she was sick."

"Oh my," said Applejack. "What did you tell him?"

"Well, I could see he was very concerned, since he had been told Mommy was sick. So I sat him down and said, 'That mare was wrong. There's nothing wrong with Mommy. She's not sick, she's just being who she is....and who she is, is your Mommy. And the best thing you can do as her son, is to be there for her, because she loves you so much.'"

"That sounds really sweet. Did your talk work?"

"It did, though I did get a bit embarrassed when he saw that same mare in the General Store one day. He was only 5, but he went up to her and said, 'Hey, my Mommy isn't sick, you're sick!'"

Applejack couldn't help but laugh, causing Chestnut to smile.

"Oh, boy," she chuckled. "Granny'd prob'ly have yanked me out the door before I finished that sentence."

"Course, I did make him apologize. I understood he was standing up for Genny, but you know, he was so young, and still learnin' about how to behave."

"Well, speakin' as his employer, ah should let you know that ah think he, did a decent job of behavin' himself around me," said AJ, trying to ignore an image in her mind, of Coral resting atop Applebloom's enormous breasts. "Always seemed earnest and, eager to help out."

"That's good to hear," said Chestnut, as they continued on their way.

The Galloping Gulch General Store was the only building around for what seemed like several miles. The building's faded red color, made it stand out from the surrounding greenery. Along it's edges, white-painted slats outlined it's porch, and box-like structure.

A few signs advertising daily specials hung in the front windows, as Chestnut and Applejack approached the front door, and a small bell rang as they entered.

"Welcome, welcome," came a voice from behind the counter.

The proprietor of the store was a portly old stallion, with thin wisps of grey hair flecked along his somewhat droopy ears. A grey moustache hung over his mouth, and a pair of spectacles seemed to almost magnify his eyes to a startling size.

A pin-striped shirt could be seen just barely containing his pudgy form, and red suspenders held up his black pants.

"Hello there, Chestnut," smiled the old stallion.

"Greetings, Mr Gus," replied Chestnut. "Brought a visitor whose staying with us down on the farm. She wants to make me n' Genny an apple pie, and we figgered you had the goods to go with the apples she brought along."

"Well, I'm pretty confident we have what you need," said Gus. "And what is your name, young lady?"

"Applejack," AJ replied. "An' ya don't need to get all fancy-"

"Wait a minute," said Gus, wiping his spectacles, then squinting through them at her. "As ah live-n-breathe, are you-?"

"The Element of Honesty? As sure as Celestia raises the sun everday."

Before she could react, Gus had squeezed out from behind his counter, and was shaking AJ's hand.

"Oh my goodness, this is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms-I mean, Applejack! We're so far away from most of the bigger places, so we usually hear of you and your friend's doings through the papers. I mean, Discord escaping, the return of the Crystal Empire. I will say, we were fortunate that Tirek managed to not find us when he went on that rampage."

"Yeah, that was a bit of a challenge for my friend, Twilight," admitted AJ. "But when things need to get done, we're ready to do our part to help other ponies out."

"Well, I'd say your Element does suits you. Oh, I hate to ask but, could I get a picture with you? My wife Agnes won't believe this unless she sees it with her own eyes."

"Oh, sure," said AJ. "Anything for a nice stallion such as yerself."

And so, a few minutes later, Chestnut had snapped a picture of Gus and Applejack. Gus even offered to not charge AJ for any purchases in his store, but she kindly refused the offer.

Taking a wooden basket by the counter, Applejack began perusing through the store, looking for the pie ingredients. As she passed into the next aisle, there was a small hole between some baking soda boxes. Peering through it, she could see, and faintly hear Chestnut talking quietly to Gus.

"Come on, Gus, it's not gonna hurt nobody," he said.

"Chesney, I know times are a little hard for you and Genny, but I still say it's not doable," replied Gus.

"Gus, Genny's getting older, and so am I. And with Coral off out there on his own, we need some extra bits coming in. Cant'cha just, take a few bottles of her milk to sell?"

"Chesney, you've been at me about this for well over 20 years now. I'm a little greyer and most of mah hair is gone, but I still say to you now, what I said to you back then: there just isn't a market for Genny's milk, and unfortunately, I doubt there will be. The ponies I've known, have always drank cow's milk. It's been that way ever since ah can remember. Babies drink pony milk, but ah just don't think-"

*CRASH*

The two turned towards the sound, as AJ ducked down quickly, realizing she had accidentally knocked over a stack of pie tins.

"Sorry! Sorry!" she called out. "Found the pie tins!"

The racket quickly broke up the conversation the two stallions were having, and Chestnut headed down the aisles, gathering stew ingredients for dinner.

Before long, the two were being rung up by Gus. He once again offered to give AJ her supplies on the house, but she refused again.

"Well, alright, just thought it'd be nice to give some freebies to one of Equestria's famous ponies," smiled Gus. "Always willing to help out one of the good ones."

"Ah-haw shucks," smiled AJ. "Ah tell you whut, Gus. If ah do think of anything you can help me with before ah head back to Ponyville, you kin be sure I'll let you know."

And with that, she and Chestnut collected their groceries, and started off back to the farm.

"He seems like a nice fellow," said AJ, as the General Store disappeared behind them, as they passed into a wooded portion of the path.

"Yeah, Gus has been running that store for a long time," replied Chestnut. "He knew Genny's Dad when he was a young stallion. He's seen Genny and Demure grow up over the years too."

"So uh...what was that about Genny's milk?"

The question caused Chestnut to grow quiet.

"It was, nothing," he replied. "Just a suggestion."

"Have to say, it didn't sound like a suggestion-"

"So, did Granny Smith teach you any special-"

"Chestnut Solace, stop tryin' to change the subject!...please?"

AJ's outburst caused them both to stop in the middle of the path, as the echo of her voice faded off into the rustling leaves.

"Look I'm sorry, ah didn't mean to yell, I-I just, well, you and Gentle are a swell couple, and it sounded like you two could, use a little help."

Chestnut took a deep breath, and started walking again, though more languidly, with Applejack keeping pace beside him.

"If I tell you this, you promise not to tell Gentle, and definitely don't tell Coral when you see him again?"

"Cross mah heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye," said AJ.

"Um, what?"

"I just made a 'Pinkie Promise.' It's somethin' my friend Pinkie Pie does, to make sure a promise stays a promise."

"Well, you are the Element of Honesty, so I'll take your word for it. The truth of the matter is...Genny and I don't got much in the way of savings."

"Really? But you got yer house and the barn-"

"Well, y'see, when Genny's parents passed away, They left us the property, and a very generous inheritance that was split between us and Genny's sister. We were careful not to overspend beyond our means, but I will admit, we've never had a lot for luxuries, and we had to, cut corners on some things regarding Coral."

"How so?"

"Well, as you can see, there aren't a whole lot of neighbors nearby, and the nearest school that Coral could attend, is only reachable by train. I tell yah, Genny's sister was very vocal in her letters, when she mentioned that we might not even be able to afford putting Coral through school. That was when Demure offered to take care of him in Manehattan."

"Really?"

"Yup. Next letter Genny received, had all sorts of booklets and brochures. Demure said she was willing to set him up in her apartment, and make sure he went to any school that Genny and I approved of."

"And, which one did you two choose?"

"None of them. Genny wrote back to her sister, and said she wasn't interested in sending Coral away."

"But, why not?" asked AJ, as a squirrel hopped across their path. "Ah know Manehattan is known for having some really nice schools, and Coral could have learned so much going there."

"Demure said almost the same thing in her response," continued Chesnut. "Let's just say, her next letter wasn't so pleasant. She got a bit vocal with Genny, claiming she was throwing away Coral's future by keeping him here on the farm with us."

"Ouch," replied AJ. "I assume your wife had a few words to say regarding that?"

"She did, but the thing about Genny is, she doesn't get mad. She's an emotional ol' gal, and she wrote a letter from her heart, telling her sister why Coral wasn't gonna go to Manehattan."

"And, what did she say?"

"Basically, that even though Demure was her sister, we had decided to raise him on our farm. Genny told me, she wanted Coral to grow up, knowing his parents, and knowing that we loved him. And, when it came to school teachings, she requested Demure send us some home-schooling books and materials."

"So you and Gentle home-schooled him, his entire life?"

"Yep, up until a few months before he left on the train to Ponyville. I have a feeling that Demure wasn't happy about our decision back then, but after that letter Genny sent her, she sent the first of many home-school books. And, as soon as Coral started picking up the alphabet and learning to count, she sent him reading and writing books too. Me and Genny were surprised how well he took to them. Pretty soon, he was using words that we had to ask him what they meant."

"I know the feeling," nodded AJ. "He's taught me a few that have taken on new meaning for me."

"Anyways, we got off track," said Chestnut, adjusting his grocery sack. "As I was saying, we tried to make due with what was left to us by Genny's parents. We did alright for ourselves, but out here, it can be tough to make a living. That little garden we have next to the barn, half the time I try to raise vegetables and sell them off for some extra money."

"And yet, you couldn't find anyone to buy your wife's milk?"

"I tried. In the early days, when Coral was still a baby, I did try to get some ponies interested. I'd leave Genny and Coral in the barn, and travel around to some outlying areas, but most just looked at me like I was crazy. I've brought it up to Gus since he's the closest to us, but yeah, things have been kind of tight with us over the years. The last big spending we did, was some time ago, when we built the current barn Genny's now in."

"Well you know Chestnut, if you need some extra bits, ah'd be happy to-"

"No, just, stop right there," said Chestnut, a tone of finality in his voice. "I appreciate you wanting to help us, but don't take bits off the table your family needs."

"Well, okay," said Applejack, as the trees before them parted, and they found themselves back at the farm.

After getting their supplies unpacked in the kitchen, Chestnut got to work making his stew, while Applejack got her apples down from her room, and began work on the pie.

As dinner time approached, they both finished their creations, and brought the items into the barn to eat with Gentle.

"Mmm, that smells wonderful," said Gentle, as the aroma of Chestnut's stew and AJ's pie, wafted past her nose.

Applejack had never been a big fan of stew, but she politely went back for a second helping (most of the stew was water, anyway).

And then, it was time for the pie.

In a matter of seconds, both Chestnut and Gentle had gone from taking small bites, to quickly finishing off their first pieces.

"Good thing there's only us three," said AJ, still on her first piece as her hosts went for seconds.

"Mmmm, thank you so much for this, Applejack," said Gentle, licking some apple filling from her lip. "To tell you the truth, I don't know when the last time was that I had apple pie...or at least, apple pie as delicious as this."

"Ah'm glad you like it so much. I wish I could give you the recipe, but Granny swore me to secrecy. How about you, Chestnut? Any objections?"

"No, ma'am," said Chestnut. "I think I can see why your family's cider festival is so popular."

Pretty soon, the meal was finished, and Applejack helped Chestnut take the dishes back into the house for cleaning.

"Thank you again for baking us that pie, Applejack," said Chestnut, washing out his stew pot.

"Well, even when ah'm not working, I do tend to still be working," admitted Applejack.

As she scrubbed the silverware, she hesitated for a few moments, then, gave a little cough.

"Say Chestnut, it may not be any of my business, but...when was the last time you n' Gentle had some...'quiet time' together?"

"Oh, uh, maybe a few weeks ago?" He replied, his scrubbing getting a bit aloof.

"Well, given that ah gave you two a real tasty apple pie, why don't you two...burn off a lil' energy tonight?"

Applejack could feel her freckled cheeks blushing at the suggestion. Fortunately, she was turned away from her host.

"Well, maybe after you've left, Applejack. I should act as a proper host and-"

"Oh come now, Chestnut," she said, turning to face him. "If I can run mah family's farm down in Ponyville, I can find my way around this house by myself. Besides, I'll just make sure everything's washed and locked up before I turn in. Trust me, you got nothin' to worry about."

"Wellll, I suppose it would be okay-"

"There you go! Now, just get whatever you need, head on out to Gentle, and ah'll see you in the morning!"

15 minutes later, Chestnut came down the stairs in his maroon pajamas, with several blankets and pillows under his arms.

"Need a hand with those?" asked AJ.

"Nono, I got this," he replied, a smile on his face, that looked like it belonged to a mischievous teenager.

"Well, if you find the time, tell Gentle to have a good night."

Chestnut nodded, and headed out the front door. AJ watched him cross over to the barn, and soon, the open barn door was shut.

Once she saw the door was closed, Applejack started rooting through the cupboards. It was in the overhead ones above the stove, that she found what she was looking for: empty milk bottles.

Taking a dozen of them, she washed them out, and then placed them in the fridge.

Once that was done, she finished washing and drying the dishes and silverware, before carefully putting them back where they belonged.

With the house getting dark due to the setting sun, she flicked on the lamps in the living room. Without Chestnut, the house seemed quieter than usual. Ah wonder how things are back home, she thought to herself.

Walking into the living room, she noticed a wooden cabinet with two brass handles on it. Curiously, she opened the cabinet, to reveal a number of binders.

Pulling one out, AJ opened it up, and quickly found herself looking at a number of old pictures.

These must belong to Gentle, she thought, as she flipped through the pages.

Though they were in black-and-white, Applejack could clearly pick out Gentle in the pictures, along with her parents. She noted how gruff Genny's Dad looked, and how in most pictures, her Mom was usually the only parent, smiling for the camera.

As she turned the pages, she came to one showing a rather young Gentle, and another pony on the porchswing. Both were sitting properly with their hands in their laps, and smiling (with Gentle looking like she had begun to lose some of her baby teeth).

The girl who was sitting next to her looked to be a few years older. While Gentle's hair fell down in long dark strands in the picture, the older girl's hair ended just above her shoulders.

That must be Demure Prudence, thought AJ.

Going through more of the albums, she came across even more pictures of the girls. As she turned their pages, it was like watching them grow up before her eyes.

It was clear that Demure was growing up as AJ kept turning pages, but soon, Gentle began to show even greater development in other areas. Eventually, over the course of several more binders, AJ watched as Gentle's bust swelled up, soon spreading beyond the width of her youthful shoulders! She also noticed a change in attitudes as well. Whereas the two girls were smiling in their younger days, now as they entered their preteen-to-teen years, it was only Gentle who was smiling, while Demure had begun to wear a more stoic look on her face.

The pictures as Gentle grew into a teenager, rarely had the sisters together. It seemed as Gentle got bigger, the more distance there was between the girls. One picture AJ came to, showed Gentle sitting on the porchswing, the width and size of her breasts leaving little room for Demure, who stood to the side, standing straight and proper, her hands at her sides.

Soon, Chestnut as a young stallion began to enter the pictures. There was one taken of him waving from out on the porch, as well as one with him standing next to Gentle's Dad (though while Chestnut was smiling widely, the same grumpy expression from previous pictures, was still on the older stallion's face).

Suddenly, the sound of the living room clock striking ten, causing AJ to jump. She had been so enamored in going through the pictures, that she had forgotten the time.

Returning the albums to their cabinet, she headed upstairs, and was soon ready for bed.

I hope my plan works tomorrow, she thought, pulling her covers up to her chest, before drifting off to sleep.

With the crowing of the cock the next morning, Applejack got up, and prepared for the day.

She was soon downstairs, pulling out eggs, bread, and juice. In 15 minutes, she had three breakfast plates ready. She also filled three glasses with juice, and placed them in one of the milk carriers, she had found when putting the dishes away the night before.

Stacking the plates carefully (and holding the carrier with a few fingers), she made her way out of the house, and towards the barn. Giving the door a little knock, she pulled it open a crack, and called inside: "Hello? Anyone awake in there?"

"Applejack?" she heard Gentle's voice in the dark, before a sudden scuffling was heard. "Uh, just count to 25, and then turn on the lights, okay?"

"Okay," replied AJ with a smile.

In her mind, she slowly counted to 25, before hitting the switch.

As the lights flickered on, she was surprised to see some white puddles of milk underneath Gentle's plump, erect nipples.

Walking up the stairs carefully, she came across the couple, who greeted her with a polite wave.

"Breakfast?" said Chestnut (whose hair was a mess, and pajama top was on backwards!). "Applejack, you're too much."

"I just figured it had been awhile since someone made you two some breastfed-I-I mean, breakfast," she said, setting down the plates with a sheepish grin. "Ah gave you each an extra helping of eggs. Figgered you might be a little bit more hungry than usual, after last night."

"Oh Applejack, come over here," said Gentle, twisting her body and opening wide her arms, that embraced the orange pony in a hug. "You really are somethin' special."

"Aw, thanks," said AJ. "Now then, who's hungry?"

It didn't take long for the two lovers to eat up their portions. AJ was taking her time, when she decided to make her move.

"Say Chestnut, I was wondering if after we clean up, you'd like to accompany me back to the General Store."

"Oh, got some other apple concoctions we can try?" he asked.

"Nope. I got a little sales pitch I wanna give to Mr Gus."

"Sales pitch?" asked Chestnut, before his eyes registered that he had figured out what she was gonna sell. "Applejack, I told you yesterday-"

"Look, you've been tryin' to get him to sell some of Gentle's milk almost as long as you two have been together. Just let me give it a shot. I'm on yer side, and, ah wanna help you."

"And how are you going to do that?" asked Gentle, getting in on the conversation.

"Last night, ah refrigerated a dozen milk bottles," explained AJ. "I say we milk some fresh stuff from you, Gentle. Then, Chesnut and ah'll take it to Mr Gus, where I'll explain my ideas."

"Why not just use some of what we got from Gentle yesterday?" asked Chestnut.

"Because, I think today's milk will be even, fresher."

"How so?"

"Well, last night, you two were in such good spirits when I made you that apple pie, right?"

"Yeah?"

"And if I figger right, you two were having as much fun as two jackrabbits in a cozy lil' den, right?"

Shyly, Gentle nodded her head.

"And Gentle, what did you tell me the other day about what determines how your milk tastes?"

"My emotions," she replied, before her eyes suddenly 'lit up,' and she stifled a few giggles. "Applejack, did you have this all planned out!?"

"It came to me in spurts after ah was talkin' to Chestnut on the way back yesterday," replied AJ. "Look, just let me take a chance and talk to Gus. I might be able to change his mind."

After their conversation, Chestnut and Applejack returned to the house. While Chestnut cleaned the breakfast dishes, Applejack retrieved the refrigerated milk bottles, and soon found herself once again in front of Gentle's enormous bosom.

With a few well-placed tugs (and Gentle moaning contentedly above her), she soon had all 12 bottles, filled and capped. Carefully, she put some tape on them, and scribbled on the words, "Gentle Chestnut Farms Milk."

By the time Chestnut got back to the barn, AJ was ready. And so, after a short goodbye (and Chestnut leaving some food for his wife), the journey began.

"I still can't believe you came up with all of this yesterday," said Chestnut, holding one of the milk carriers.

"Well, ah will admit that a few days ago, I'd probably be thinkin' this whole trip was ridiculous too," replied AJ. "But you two did a good job convincin' me, that maybe, I just needed to be a bit more open-minded."

Pretty soon, the two were back at the General Store, the bell over the door ringing, and Gus rising from behind his counter.

"Well, hello there Applejack, Chestnut. What brings you two back here so soon?"

"I've come with a business proposition," said AJ, holding up her milk-carrier.

"Aw, sweet Celestia," sighed Gus. "Chestnut, are you putting your guests up to-"

"I want to make one thing very clear," said AJ, putting her carrier down on the counter with a noisy 'clink.' "Chestnut had noth-well, he had a bit to do with this, but our reason for coming here to talk was my idea."

"Really?" asked Gus, stroking his moustache.

"Mr Gus, yesterday you said if you could do anything for me, I just had to ask. Well, as the Element of Honesty, I intend to hold you to your word. What you can do for me, is to agree to sell some of Gentle Bounty's milk in your store."

"Applejack," he smile, patting her hand. "You truly are a wonderful pony, but I can't-"

"Why can't you?" she asked, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Well, it's just that-"

"It's just that it comes from a pony, right?"

"Well, that's part of it-"

"And what are the other parts of it?"

"Um, well," said Gus, beginning to fidget. "It's just that, well, I just-"

"Seems to me that that's pretty much the only reason," she said, giving him a look that made the older stallion avert his eyes from her.

"Applejack, please see it from my point-of-view. I have to make a living off my store. Maybe in, Manehattan they might accept Gentle's milk, but this is Galloping Gulch."

"Let me tell you somethin, Gus," said AJ, leaning up against the counter. "Every little business has to start somewhere. Take my family's apple farm. When my Granny Smith and her folks first settled their farm where it is, Ponyville didn't exist! Granny n' her folks struggled, but through perseverance, our farm is now a big part of Equestria, and, so is our little town. Sometimes, the most amazing things come, from the things you least expect."

Gus's fingers ran across his lips, pondering what AJ had just said.

"You speak from your heart, Applejack," he said. "But the minute ah tell my customers that this milk came from another pony, I could lose what little customers I got."

"Applejack," said Chestnut, putting a hand on her shoulder, "I told you, it's not as open a world around here, as it is out there. Come on-"

"Wait a minute," said Applejack, her gaze still on Gus. "Yer main concern, is that folks will think you're endorsing this milk."

"That's, one way to put it."

"And if you could sell it without fear of losing customers...you would?"

"I, guess you see where I'm comin' from," replied Gus. "This stuff'd need an endorsement fer sure, but it would have to be from someone most ponies could trust. I mean, no offense Chestnut, but not many know you-"

"I'll endorse it," said AJ, a tone of finality in her voice. "If you need an honest pony to swear by Gentle Bounty's milk, then, who better than me...the Element of Honesty?"

"Applejack," said Chestnut, "You don't have to-"

"No, I want to do this," she replied. "You've been trying to make this happen for years, Chestnut, and I say, today's the day fer it to happen."

"Well, that's all well and good," replied Gus, still looking a little unsure about what was transpiring. "But, how will we go about selling this milk?"

"Got some paper?" asked AJ. "I don't usually, but in this case, I'm willing to 'talk turkey.'"

And so, after about an hour of negotiations, Applejack, Chestnut, and Gus had worked out an agreement on paper.

Every week, Chestnut would bring up two dozen bottles of Gentle's milk. They would be placed in the main fridge, alongside a proclamation hand-signed by Applejack, in which she endorsed Gentle and Chestnut's 'efforts.'

"Well, I think that about does it," said Gus, looking at everyone, as he reviewed the penned agreement before him. "Anything else before we finish?"

"One last thing," said AJ, taking three bottles from a carrier. "I say we drink to this new business venture."

"Heh, n-now Applejack," said Gus, with a nervous grin under his moustache, "Come on now, I mean, I'm lettin' you and Chestnut sell some of Gentle's milk, isn't that enough-"

"Not fer me," she said, a stern look on her face, as she popped the cap on a bottle, and slid it over to him. "If you're gonna be sellin' this milk, even if you aren't endorsin' it, you better at least take a taste of it."

Gus stared at the bottle for a few minutes, before nervously picking it up.

"So, all I gotta do is take a drink, and we can sign this deal?"

"That's all," said AJ, popping the caps off two more bottles, and sliding one over to Chestnut. "You can just take a sip, but some of that has to go down yer throat."

"Well," sighed Gus, before slowly raising his bottle. "Here's, to the start of a new business venture."

AJ and Chestnut smiled, and clinked their bottles against his. Both of them took a good long swallow of Gentle's 'bounty,' but Gus merely took a few sips.

"I will say, it...it's not, bad," he said, setting the bottle back down, and capping it. "But, I still don't know if it'll sell."

"Just give it a chance, Gus," said AJ. "As somepony who has been asked to take chances, they sometimes give us good things in the end."

"Okay okay, you made yer point," said Gus, signing his name on their contract.

After Chestnut signed his name, he watched as AJ signed hers, sealing the deal!

After a handshake among all three of them, AJ and Chestnut left with their milk carriers.

"Wish we could'a left him the remaining bottles to sell," she told Chestnut. "But ah don't think Gus would have taken them, unless he had my endorsement to show customers."

"Applejack, thank you," said Chestnut, a look of respect on his face. "I, I just can't believe what happened in there!"

"Well, it's a start," she replied. "Hopefully soon, you n' Gentle won't have to worry about so much of her milk goin' to waste. Course, you won't sell much now, but one day, who knows?"

Needless to say, when they got back and told Gentle the good news, she squealed like a little pony, and gave her husband and Applejack a big hug.

"Oh Applejack, ah wish I could give you somethin' fer what you've done," said Gentle, as Chestnut headed into the house, to prepare lunch for them.

"Well, to tell you the truth," replied AJ, "Ah just wanted to help. You two have been tryin' yer best to get by for so long, and, been such carin' parents to Coral, just consider it good fortune for being the fine couple you two are."

"You are too good, Applejack," said Gentle. "I hope when you get back to Ponyville, you'll pay my good will forward, and work to patch up any issues with your sister."

"I, hope I can," said AJ, as Chestnut returned with some sandwiches.

"Guess the good news keeps on coming," he said, setting down the sandwiches, and pulling a sealed envelope out of his back pocket. "Coral sent us a letter!"

At the sight of the envelope, a look of nervousness washed over AJ's face. Fortunately, nopony saw it, as Chestnut eagerly tore it open, and began to read:

Dear Mom & Dad,

I hope you are doing well, and are staying healthy up in Galloping Gulch.

Given there's some time until the zap apple harvest, I decided to take a little trip. Not sure where I'll go, but hope to see some more of Equestria, than what was just in the history books Aunt Demure sent to us, all those years ago.

I told you in my last letter that the Apples were holding a barn dance, and it was quite an event. There were a number of fancy ponies and stallions, many that came all the way from Canterlot, at the suggestion of Rarity. She even made me a suit for the dance, and dresses for Applebloom and her friends. They all looked so nice, especially Applebloom, and I got to dance with all of them.

After the festival, Applejack decided that I could take a break from helping, so I found myself hanging out with Applebloom and her friends. It was after a few days of just sitting around, that I had a talk with Applejack, and she said I could take a little time to myself.

Anyways, I better get going. There's a lot of Equestria to explore, and I want to do good by Applejack and her family.

I'll write again soon. Hope to tell you more of what I see.

Love,

Coral Leaf

"Oh, I'm so glad he had fun at that dance," said Gentle. "He said in his last letter he was really looking forward to it. And sounds like he had fun with your sister, Applejack!"

"Huh?" said AJ, sounding as if she had just snapped out of a trance.

"Oh, are you feeling ok, Applejack?" asked Chestnut. "You look a little, pale."

"Um, oh, yeah, yeah I'm fine," she said. "Um, do you have any medicine in the house? I think I got a little headache comin' on."

"Sure," replied Chestnut. " lower-left of the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. I can show you-"

"Nono, that's fine," said AJ, getting up. "I got this."

Applejack almost stumbled down the steps from Gentle's platform, and tried to keep her focus, on her way back to the house.

Going into the kitchen, she poured herself a glass of water, before putting it down, slumping into a chair, and putting her head in her hands.

When she saw the envelope Chestnut held up, she had expected the worst: Coral telling how Applebloom and him had grown enormous at the dance, how she had implemented the three strikes policy against him, and telling how she had demanded that he leave...but none of those things had been in the letter!

Why? she wondered. He could have told them everything that I did. He could have dragged my name through the mud, but...he just said I let him go off on a short trip!?

Just the fact that he hadn't 'snitched' on her, made Applejack feel just as bad as if he would have!

As she looked at the barn through the screen door, AJ just didn't feel like going back out to Gentle and Chestnut so soon.

Going over to the couch, she fluffed up a few pillows, and lay down, trying to clear her mind.

In a few minutes, she was asleep.

When Applejack opened her eyes, the shadows were growing long through the windows.

I guess I needed that sleep, she thought, stretching, and sitting up. It was then that she smelled a sweet aroma in the air. As she turned to look at the table nearby, there was a plate with a few chocolate-chip cookies on them, and a note nearby:

Gentle had a craving for cookies. Didn't want to wake you. Saved a few for you!

- Chestnut

AJ smiled a bit, as she picked up a cookie, and took a bite. Pretty soon, she had finished them off, and as expected, she needed something to drink.

Going to the fridge, she saw the cow's milk on one side of the fridge, and on the other side, the unopened bottles of Gentle's milk that they had brought back from their meeting with Gus.

Without hesitating, she grabbed two bottles of the mare's milk, and closed the fridge. Popping the cap off the first bottle, she chugged it quickly, before opening the second bottle.

Getting a few gulps into the bottle, she set it down, and tried to collect her thoughts.

as she wracked her brain over why Coral hadn't called her out in his letter, Granny Smith's voice suddenly popped into her head:

Yeah, he did seem a bit outsized fer a stallion, but y'know, his heart wuz in the right place, n' ah think that's somethin' you don't realize.

AJ began to think of the times she had talked to Coral. He had almost never had a bad word to say against her, and often seemed to only speak up when he feared something wasn't right. Like...like, how she was treating him, without thinking things through, or...how she wasn't taking Applebloom's concerns into consideration.

Maybe, he will come back, she thought, remembering the note in the letter. And if he does, I'll...I'll hear him out if he comes back to the farm.

After finishing up the second bottle of milk, she washed both bottles out, and headed out to the barn.

"Knock knock," she called, through the half-closed door. "You two alright?"

"We're fine, Applejack," came Chestnut's voice from above the massive mammaries. "You coming up?"

"In a bit. Say Chestnut, do you have any paper and a quill? We need to write out my endorsement for the General Store."

After the three had eaten dinner, Chestnut brought some papers and quills up into the barn, as he, Applejack, and Gentle discussed what the endorsement message should be about.

Chestnut wondered for a second about mentioning that AJ had hand-milked Gentle, but it was quickly shot down.

"I think that might put some ponies off," said AJ. "No offense, Gentle."

"None taken," she replied.

"I at least feel we should tell how you two have been a fixture of your area around here. You could be like Galloping Gulch's best-kept secret."

"There's an idea," said Chestnut, jotting down some notes.

It was another hour or so, before the three had figured out their message. After Chestnut wrote out a rough draft, it was decided that Gentle would write out the final draft, given her handwriting skills.

Pretty soon, the message was finished:

Howdy everypony,

My name's Applejack, the Element of Honesty, and proprietor of Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville.

Recently, I discovered a wonderful milk drink, produced by two locals in Galloping Gulch: Gentle Bounty, and Chestnut Solace.

Meeting them was like finding your community's best-kept secret! Not only are they some of the nicest ponies I've met, but they produce some of the best milk I've ever had! I know my way around apples, but these two showed me things about milk I hadn't thought of before.

Through the generosity of this General Store's owner named Gus, we are exclusively giving everypony the chance to try Gentle Solace Farms' Milk.

I have tasted it myself, and I personally feel, that you will enjoy it just as much as I have. Go ahead, and give it a try.

Sincerely,

Applejack

The Element of Honesty
Proprietor of Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville

Once Gentle had completed the proclamation, Applejack carefully signed her name.

"Now that is just wonderful," complimented AJ. "I sure hope your milk sells well, Gentle. Oh, and Chestnut, you might want to get this thing framed before taking it to Gus. I can pay for the framing."

"No really Applejack," smiled Chestnut, as AJ pulled out some bits, and placed them on the paper.

"Please Chestnut, no 'no really's.' Just take em. Consider it a gift to get you two started in yer new business."

"I wish Coral was here to see this," sighed Gentle. "He'd be so happy to see what you're doing."

"Speaking of Coral," said AJ, "Does he usually write to you, often?"

"Ever since he arrived in Ponyville, he's sent us weekly letters," replied Gentle.

"Um, I hope you don't think I'm being out of line but, could I see them?"

"Well, I don't see why not," said Chestnut. "Might be fun to read what he has to say. Every letter we received sounded like he was having just as much fun working as not working."

And so that evening, Applejack found herself on the farm house's couch again, this time reading through Coral's letters.

The first one was rather self-explanatory.

Coral mentioned how he had come to Ponyville, and tried out for a position at Sweet Apple Acres. Strange enough, there was no mention of him passing out from kicking the first apple tree, or him and Applebloom encountering Timber Wolves.

The second letter made mention of how he had talked to a local, grey postal-pony with crossed eyes, who informed him that it took around three days for letters to get from Ponyville, to Galloping Gulch.

The third letter outlined how Coral had met Rarity, and how she had measured him for some new clothes. There was more talk about the harvesting, but also Coral talking about going swimming with Applebloom and her friends.

When was that, Applejack wondered to herself. She thought about it for a few more minutes, but couldn't recall Coral going swimming with the girls.

As she continued reading, she was surprised that in each letter, Coral seemed to include a little paragraph about each member of the family.

Granny Smith's a really fun old gal, he wrote in the third letter. I like to imagine she's what Mom's Mom must have been like. She's a little scatterbrained at times, but she loves her family.

Big Mac is probably the quietest stallion I've ever met, he mentioned in the fourth letter. However, I actually got him to open up, and it's surprising what he knows about cider-making. It seems when there aren't a lot of other ponies around, he comes alive.

Applebloom's getting a new dress for the Cider Festival, he wrote in a later letter. I can't wait to see what Rarity has made her. I've been reading this dance book that Princess Twilight Sparkle loaned me, and I hope I'll sweep her off her feet (Applebloom, not Princess Twilight).

Applejack couldn't help but chuckle a little at that last line. Reading on, she found a bit about herself, in a letter sent right before the Cider Festival started.

Applejack has really been working hard on getting things together, he wrote. It feels like we shouldn't be in such a rush, but she always seems to want us to be sure we're going to be ready on time. I guess I can't blame her. This festival is twice as long as their previous ones, and we got that dance in their barn she approved of! She's also been so nice, and is giving our Wednesday sales donations to the library fund. Plus, there's plenty of apple treats to sell for the fundraiser. Wish you could be here. I'm sure thesy taste as good as they smell (don't worry, I'm behaving myself and not eating anything for sale). I'm hoping this festival will be a big success for the Apple's, and that AJ will get the chance to relax after it's all over. If you ask me, she could use a vacation.

Applejack couldn't help but chuckle. If he only knew, she thought.

"Good reading?" came Chestnut's voice, as he walked in from the barn.

"Very, interesting," replied AJ. "Y'know, it's not often I've gotten to read what others think of me. To tell you the truth Chestnut...I will admit there are some times where I did get a bit, upset with Coral."

"It's totally understandable," said Chestnut. "After all, you are the head of Sweet Apple Acres, and you have certain ways of doing things. It's all part of the learning experience for a young stallion like him. Uh, if you don't mind my asking, how did he take it?"

"Pretty, well," she said. "He never really raised his voice to me, and often just wanted to be sure things ran smoothly."

"That's a relief. Tell you the truth, me and Gentle were a little worried that once he got out of the house, he might get a bit...rambunctious."

"Rama-whuh?"

"It means to get a bit out-of-control. We thought maybe when he was out of sight of us, he wouldn't behave himself."

"Well, he, usually behaved himself around me," smiled AJ, trying not to think (again) of Coral passed out on top of Applebloom's massive cum-soaked bosom at the dance. "I take it he behaved himself pretty well here?"

"Yeah, he was pretty good, though we had to kind of watch him when he started growing, 'down there.'"

"Really?" asked AJ. "Hope you don't mind my askin,' but was it, sudden?"

"It was, gradual," replied Chestnut, sitting down across from AJ. "I didn't really notice anything at first, until a few months after he turned 10, Coral complained that his underwear was feeling a little, tight. We just assumed he was having a little growth spurt, and his hips had gotten wider. Well, that was when we saw that..he was, 'bulging' out a bit."

"And...how did you take it?"

"It seemed a little early for that, I'll be honest. I didn't start my growing out, until I was 12. Course, what was shocking, was that Coral's size at 10, was about as big as I was when I started growing at age 12."

"Did you get him looked at?"

"We didn't have enough money for a doctor. And Gentle merely assumed that he was just an early-bloomer, figured he'd probably be done in a few years. Course, I think you've seen, things didn't turn out quite the way she said."

"Yeah," said AJ, trying not to think of the first time she had seen Coral's bulge. "Did he take it well? Hope this doesn't sound too strange, but-"

"You've just never seen a stallion as big as him before," finished Chestnut. "I think like most colts, Coral was curious. I will admit, a couple times, I caught him in the bathroom, measuring himself. He even asked me a few times, if I knew when he'd stop growing. At one point, he even asked if he might end up as big as Mom. I told him I couldn't say, that we'd have to wait and see."

As Chestnut said this, AJ thought over the letters she had been reading through. None of them had made any mention of Coral's recent 'growth spurts,' or any mention of just how big Applebloom's chest had gotten. She wondered what Chestnut would say if he knew just how big Coral was, the last time she saw him.

"Did, did it get in the way of him doin' chores?" continued AJ.

"As he got a little older it did. Course, soon enough he couldn't fit his underthings, and he was forced to wear just those overalls of his. He had to struggle a bit with his size, but we were willing to give him the extra time he needed. Helps when you're out here like this."

"It never really seemed his, y'know-what, slowed him down much that I could see," replied AJ. "Course, Applebloom's had to pull back on most of what she's done."

"I can imagine," said Chestnut. "Still, don't let her chest get in the way of what's important."

"I know," said Applejack, looking over Coral's most recent letter...before suddenly, her eyes darted over to an earlier letter he had written.

"Is something wrong?" asked Chestnut, as AJ's eyes read over several paragraphs. He watched as she then skimmed through several letters, and their envelopes. A few minutes later, she turned her attention back to him.

"Chestnut, ah think I need to head back to Ponyville right now," she said. "Can I borrow some of these letters? I promise I'll send them back to you and Gentle."

"Well, ah suppose," he said, as she folded a few up, and put them back in their corresponding envelopes.

"Do you happen to know when the next train headed south is?"

"I think the last one comin' through the station's in about an hour-"

As he said this, AJ 'galloped' up the steps with the letters in hand. A few moments later, came back down with her things.

"Are ya sure nothing's wrong-"

"No, Chestnut, ah think everthing's gonna be alright...ah hope."

Applejack packed her things as quickly as possible, before thanking Chestnut for what he had done for her.

As she burst out through the front door, she quickly rushed into the barn, taking the stairs two at a time, and almost spooking Gentle, who was nibbling on a cookie.

"Is something wrong-" asked Gentle, as the orange pony leaned down and gave her a hug.

"Ah need to head back," said AJ. "Thanks fer the talk, and ah promise, I'll try to make things right with Applebloom."

"Say 'hello' to the rest of yer family for us," called out Gentle, as AJ headed for the door.

"Ah will," came AJ's voice, as she sprinted out the door, and down the path to the train station, looking over her shoulder one last time at the massive barn. "And don't forget to have Chesney give mah declaration paper to Gus, y'hear?"

Applejack ran as fast as she could, afraid she'd miss the next train...only to find that she was 25 minutes early.

Getting her ticket, she waited impatiently until the train arrived. As she boarded one of the passenger cars, her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, thinking over what she had read, and the last few days with Coral's parents.

Ah hope that milk business works out for em, she thought as the darkness outside the train's windows, forced her to close her eyes. Soon, she had drifted off to sleep.

When next Applejack awoke, the familiar green plains of central Equestria were rolling alongside the train. As AJ rolled down her window and peered ahead, she could make out the crystalline top of Twilight's castle in the distance, bathed in the noonday sun.

Almost there, she thought, feeling eager enough to try and race the train to Ponyville station.

She managed to 'hold her horses,' and 45 minutes later, as the train slowed to a stop at the station, AJ leaped out of the train car, and headed into town.

Her first stop was Sugarcube Corner.

"Have you seen Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?" AJ asked Mrs Cake, who almost dropped a pan of muffins.

"Well, they were in here earlier t'day," she replied. "But I don't know where they went to-"

AJ was out the door before Mrs Cake could finish her sentence. She raced around a few more corners, before plowing through the door of Carousel Boutique, causing a ruckus as the door rattled on it's hinges.

"Really," came Rarity's voice from the back, as she 'bounced' out into the main room. "You may be a guest, but there's no need to knock my front door off it's hing-oh, Applejack. Did you just get ba-"

"Have you seen Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?" came AJ's rapid-fire question.

"Uh, why-yes! They're up in the guest bedroom-"

Applejack headed up the steps, and seconds later, threw open the door, startling the two ponies!

"Applejack?" asked Sweetie Belle. "What's-"

"Where's Coral Leaf?" she asked, looking from one flustered filly, to the other. "Ah know he's still in Ponyville. Where is he?"

Author's Notes:

Well, how's that for a cliffhanger?

In my mind, that ending was always a 'tentpole' of the story, and I'm curious if anyone can figure out how AJ came to this line of thought.

I came back to this chapter after a month, and did struggle to make some sense out of it. It does feel a bit of a long story, but I wanted to give more time over to us still getting to know more about Coral's family life, let-alone certain things his parents had to go through.

I like to think I'm basing a bit of the animosity between Gentle and Demure, on my own Mom and one of her sisters. My Mom was the third of 4 sisters, and one of her older sisters grew a bit 'distant' due to certain circumstances as they grew older.

Sometimes, I think these stories are just cheap ways for me to work through things without paying big money for psychiatry. :P

I swear, I could have written over a thousand more words about Chestnut talking about Coral's growth as a young stallion, but felt it good to just give a hint of that (maybe one day, we'll know the rest of the story?).

Well, better get working on Chapter 14. Hope the inspiration flows a bit smoother this time!