It was a wonderful feeling to really be part of the Apple family at the rodeo (held at the same place as “iron pony” competitions); I sat in the stands and cheered on Applejack with Apple Bloom, Big Mac, and Granny Smith. Ever since it was made public that Applejack and I were married, it seemed like some of the townsfolk (mostly young stallions) still resented me a little, but even they seemed to be smiling at me as I walked up into the stands with the Apple family. I'm guessing they were grateful of us the stopping of the train, otherwise I probably wouldn't have been getting looks like that from the likes of the young, single stallions.  

Applejack won the blue ribbon on every single event, and after each one she would smile and wave to us. When she made eye contact with me, we would both blush with love, which made my heart flutter. It was such a thrill for me to see her most admirable strength and determination working in the orchards carry right over into her participation in sports. When somepony else made a good play, she was always the first one to congratulate them. She was such a good sport; you could see in her eyes and her smile that she was truly happy for that pony when they did something good. I loved her so much as I watched her from those stands.

When the last contestant finished the last event, the mayor of Ponyville pulled all of the contestants over to the front of the stands for the victory ceremony.  She pulled Applejack out in front of the pack and held her right hoof high in the air.

“And the collective winner of this year’s Ponyville rodeo is… Applejack!”

The crowd let out a cheer and confetti from Pinkie Pie’s party cannon started showering over everyone. I clapped my hands violently and smiled with adoration, while Big Macintosh, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom cheered so loud that Applejack heard them over the rest of the crowd. I couldn’t help but laugh at what she must’ve been feeling. Oh man, she’s probably so embarrassed. It was almost too cute for me; her ears went down as she smiled and blushed looking up at her obnoxious family. She deserved all of it, even if she didn’t want it.

Fortunately, watching Applejack at the rodeo and walking home with her was enough to (almost) make me completely forget about the dreaded visit from Applejack’s Aunt and Uncle Orange, who were unaware of who, or more appropriately, what their niece had married.  Anyway, it was just the two of us at Sweet Apple Acres following the rodeo; the rest of the Apple family was in Ponyville doing their business. I heard Applejack turn the water from the shower off and grab the towell from the hook.

“Hey sugarcube, you need a shower?” she yelled from the bathroom.

“I’m good, honey! I took one this morning,” I yelled back. I was in the kitchen holding and nervously looking at a picture of the Oranges. They were both smiling very formally with a nighttime skyline of Manehattan in the background. Aunt Orange had a light yellow coat and an orange mane that was done in a really fancy style. She seemed to be wearing a lot of makeup, and she reminded me a lot more of Rarity then Applejack. I glanced over at Uncle Orange and let out a deep sigh, “Oh boy.” His green mane was combed and groomed so perfectly that I had never seen such a formal style on a stallion before. I’m to expect that this guy, who probably feels like her second father, is going to approve of his niece’s choice for a husband? Uncle Orange didn’t have any children, so that made Applejack even more like his daughter. They were so different from Applejack, who was gorgeous despite being so casual. She didn’t wear any makeup, she didn’t do hardly anything to her mane except the red ribbon on the end to keep it together, and she certainly didn’t wear any tail straighteners or anything like that, yet she was still one of the prettiest mares in the land. What if he doesn’t approve of me? If only he knew how much I love her.

Before I realized it, smiling Applejack turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs and galloped over to me in the kitchen. Despite being nervous, her presence still managed to relax me a little bit, and she looked pleasantly fresh after getting out of the shower. She trotted right up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek that I really needed as I slid the picture away. I smiled nervously but sincerely at her as she reached her front leg around me for a hug.

“You ain’t still nervous are you?” she said, resting her head on me.

“Well, I think it would’ve been smart for us to send them a picture or something,” I said, resting my hand on the back of her head.

“Honey, they love me! The rest o’ this here family loves you and they won’t be any different,” she said, closing her eyes.

“Applejack, they’re high-class ponies. I mean, let’s face it, I doubt they’re gonna see me and go ‘oh look, she married a human! How quaint!’”

“Honey, please! Don’t be nervous. Ah’ promise it will be alright, ah’ll be with ya the whole time,” she said. I rested my head on hers and closed my eyes. The love from her heart was the only thing I approached for consolation, and the only thing I needed. I was still a little nervous, but at least I had her.

“Here they come! C'mere, sugarcube!” said Applejack, smiling and looking out the front window. I walked up to have a look as she ran out the door to go out and meet them. They were standing right at the bottom of the porch steps, and they looked so excited to see Applejack as she ran out and hugged them. My heart started beating really fast as I watched their reunion.

“Aunt Orange! Uncle Orange! It’s so nice to see ya’ll!” said Applejack, stepping back from the hug. Both of them were smiling wide and looking eagerly at her.

“So nice to see you, sweetheart. We’re still upset that you left our home in Manehattan all those years ago!” said Aunt Orange, her words perfectly articulated.

“It’s lovely to see you, my dear. Enough of this, where is he? Where is the finest stallion in all of Equestria? Where is the perfect groom for my beloved niece?” said Uncle Orange.  My heart dropped into my stomach at those words. I can’t do this. I’m outa here.

“You sure gonna love him! Come on out, honey!” said Applejack with a smile. I abandoned my position by the window and headed for the back door. Applejack ran in and blocked my exit.

“Come on, honey, it’ll be fine! Ah’ promise!” she said. I started laughing uncomfortably and went to walk around her.

“Uh, you know, I, uh, just remembered that some of the trees in the south field are looking a little dry, I’m gonna go out there and water them.”

“Oh no you don’t! Come on, sugarcube!” she said, moving to the side and blocking me again. I lost it and threw my hands up in desperation.

“Applejack, this is going to be a disaster! They’re waiting for a stallion to walk out there! They’re gonna be in for a surprise that they probably won’t like!"

“It’s alright, sugarcube, ah’m with you,” she said, lowering her head and using it to push me towards the door. The sweetness in her voice was the only thing that kept me from running back as she pushed my back with her head. Please don’t be disappointed. I took a gulp as I unwillingly moved toward the door. This is it!

Applejack pushed me right out the front door so that I landed directly in front of Aunt and Uncle Orange.  The wide, eager smiles on their faces vanished into shock as I stood before them scared stiff with a similar expression. Applejack ran out with a big smile.

“Aunt Orange, Uncle Orange, ah’d like you to meet mah’ husband AJ! He sure is a cutie!” she said, rubbing my hair with her hoof as I smiled terribly uncomfortable. It was the most awkward ten seconds of my entire life as we stood there in complete silence, with the two of them looking at me with wide eyes and open mouths and Applejack standing in between us. Say something already!

“Well, uh, it’s nice to see that Applejack has some well groomed relatives!” I said, rubbing the back of my head with my hand and forcing a smile. Apparently that wasn’t the right thing to say as Aunt and Uncle Orange looked even more shocked then before. I laughed and blushed most uncomfortably and groaned as I looked at the ground. Well, at least it can’t get any worse.