"Thanks fer transportin' me," Applejack gratefully told her unicorn counterpart as she wiped away the magenta mist, "Sorry Ah had to cut the lunch date short."

"It's not a big deal, AJ, no need to apologize" Twilight reassured her with a warm grin, "Geesh, it's getting harder and harder for you to hide without anypony recognizing you, isn't it?"

"Ain't that the truth," she mumbled, forcing out a laugh. Waving at her family members ahead of her, she breathed in the fresh country air that she was thankful to have in her own backyard. Her younger sister along with her adolescent cousins played as the adults gathered around the picnic table. As he assisted his grandmother to her bench, Soarin beamed a large smile at Applejack. Nodding her head as a response, she turned to Twilight again and offered her some food.

"Oh I really shouldn't, it's your family time and I don't want to intrude," she replied.

"C'mon, it's the least Ah can do! At least have it to go," Applejack assured, strolling towards the kitchen window were the dishes were. With Rainbow Dash approaching them, Applejack quickly handed Twilight her plate and stepped aside.

"You guys are back early," Rainbow noticed, plopping mash potatoes onto her dish, "What gives?"

"The waiter recognized me and screamed," Applejack informed bluntly, "The rest is history."

"Ha! Those loons…" Rainbow trailed off. A large amount of laughter was soon heard causing the three ponies to view the sporting fillies. They were on piled on something that the chattering mares could not figure out at first. When his head popped out along with a big smile, the body they were on top of was revealed to be Soarin's. The snickering fillies continued to mess with him as his relatives gleefully observed the scene in front of them.

"Gold and Red Delicious y'all better be careful now!" Braeburn called out.

"Aw it's fine!" Soarin promised giving Applebloom a quick tussle of the mane.

"Speaking as their big brother, you'd be very surprised at their strength," he joked.

"So how's it going with you and Soarin," Rainbow asked in a lowered voice. Applejack took a while to revert her vision back to her friend.

"Good," Applejack answered, "It's actually going pretty swell."

"I bet you're pretty excited about planning that wedding," Twilight cut in, raising her eyebrows.

"Uh huh." Rainbow and Twilight exchanged expressions of concern from hearing a small tone of sadness in the earth pony's voice.

"So, did you guys ever talk about the whole nullification thing again?" Rainbow questioned, "I mean, didn't he bring that up like last week or something? I haven't heard you two talk about it since." A sigh blew from her lips.

"Ah don't know. Ah just…don't know what tah do anymore. If Ah don't get the nullification, then we're married. Fer life. And Ah just don't want to put myself in that sort of situation. Ah don't want to be trapped in something Ah'll be in fer the rest of my life. Till death." Applejack paused for a moment and closed her eyes. "Ah'm not sayin' that Ah don't care for him, 'cause Ah do. But Ah don't want to rush things."

"So what you’re saying is along with the time you've spent with him already including the mutual strong bonds and heartaches and support and respect for one another, you can also add on the loads of time planning for the wedding plus other press work and just throw it away like that with an immediate divorce?" Her green orbs shot open.

"Well we wouldn't do it right away-"

"Then when would you do it? Would you do it after months or years?"

"Rainbow, this isn't fair to me. Ah believe that marriage is sacred, not something that should be done to please other ponies!"

"Oh I see, marriage is sacred. So if it doesn't go exactly how you had the timelines planned then it's OK to just throw it away, right? Seems a little hypocritical if you ask me."

"You're oversimplifyin' things! And nopony was askin' ya!" she snapped back. Rainbow took a breath to recollect her thoughts.

"I'm sorry, AJ. I know this is hard," she mumbled, "It's just, he's practically like my brother. I care for him and don't want him to get hurt. I don't want either of you to get hurt."

"That's really sweet," she flatly stated, "But Ah don't know how much more of this lyin' Ah can take. Constantly lyin' 'bout how we met and fell in love and all that. Heck, Ah think Ah've lied so much sayin' Ah'm in love with him that it's becomin' easier and easier for me to say. And Ah don't like the fact that it's becomin' easier for me to lie."

"Maybe, they aren't lies anymore," Twilight gently interjected.

"What're ya sayin'? That only datin' for a lil' over three months that Ah love him? Isn't that a lil' fast, Twi?"

"Who says you have to fall in love slowly?" Twilight wondered out loud.

"Honestly, Ah think to mahself every so often that if Ah didn't have that one drink too many, then Ah wouldn't've had made that dumb dare…"

"Kinda funny you mention that. I was reading one of my psychology books and-" Twilight saw the confused look on Applejack's face. "You know, a book that study's your thinking process? Anyway, I was reading about how when your drunk, for some ponies, can cause one to expose truths in the deepest parts of their subconscious. Maybe there's something to that intoxicated proposal you made." Applejack gave a grunt.

"So what yer sayin' is Ah saw him as an instant husband after knowin' him for a coupla weeks?"

"Not exactly, but maybe you saw some key qualities in him that you liked. And knowing you for a while, you seem have a keen sense on character."

"Applejack! You see things clearer when you're drunk than sober!" Rainbow exclaimed followed by Applejack shushing her. "I mean, you two have great chemistry, both of you two love each other, and both sides of the family get long great with one another. Didn't you just get a hooficure or something with his mom?"

"She dragged me along."

"Right! I mean, look at my quote-on-quote in-laws. One's a crazy romantic that's constantly checking up on Braeburn and I while the other one is a bigot who I am sure hates my guts!"

"…Those ponies are mah aunt and uncle you're talkin' about…"

"Listen to me: you have enough stress already. Put this nullification thought out of your head for a while. Just a while. As far as I'm concerned, I don't even think you want to be separated from him right? I mean, you two are moving in together soon, right? You two can't just stay from hotel to hotel all the time!"

"Ya gotta point. Maybe Ah shouldn't think about somethin' that's not happenin' in the near future," Applejack concurred, viewing her approaching cousin with his infant.

"Your turn," he notified, handing a crying Summerfree to Rainbow.

"C'mon, Brae, you know how to change a diaper," Rainbow retorted.

"He's clean, he jus' hungry that's all-"

"Say no more," Rainbow interrupted, lowering her voice, "This kid sucks me dry every time. He's like my little vampire."

"That's no information than I needed to know, Rainbow," Twilight bluntly added.

"Enjoy your time with him now," Rainbow advised, heading back to the house, "And don't over think everything, Applejack."

"Got it," she blankly replied. After Twilight excused herself and thanked her family for the food to take home, Applejack joined her relatives. Although she was quiet, she could not help but feel content at the chattering ponies ahead of her. While Braeburn and Sequin Sparkle debated about whether or not Apploosa is the best tourist spot in Equestria, Big Macintosh listened intently to Jitterbug's back-story in his military service as Chitchat praised Granny Smith's 'youthful' skin. Soarin made his way next to his bride with a tussled mane and sheepish smile.

"Finally escaped them," he jokingly whispered, looking back at the young horses that were making their way to Applebloom's tree house. Surveying the colt starting to munch on his bread, Applejack unsuccessfully stifled her smirk. It was not a particularly special day-- the surroundings were very familiar-- and yet the country mare felt a warm growth within her. She was at peace; everything seemed perfect. Rainbow's words rang in her head as she slipped her hoof into Soarin's. It was funny, she thought, at how natural it actually felt to rest her head on his shoulder. How natural it felt to do so without any direction or cameras or scripts. Slightly confused at her sudden affection, the Wonderbolt asked why she was in such a loving mood.

"Ah'm just really happy," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

………………

During the process of planning a wedding, couples and their emotions tend to be tested. It can bring out the most ecstatic side of one another and can cause treasuring bonding moments between the pair. However, predictably, the demanding schedule could always make even the simplest decisions stressful.

"No no no no no no NO!" Applejack chanted as she held the plate in front of her, "This is tacky! Tacky tacky tacky!"

"And since when did you get so picky with décor?" Soarin sardonically questioned her.

"Since somepony had the bright idea to plaster all these Wonderbolt decorations on all the plates and silverware!" Applejack shot back, holding up a dish, "This is a weddin' not an advertisin' company!"

"Oh right and having carved apples as art décor by the catering table is appropriate?"

"Yes! Time and effort was spent to make those! Not to mention the money for a professional carver!"

"Yeah, well if you get to have the cut up apples, then we can have Wonderbolt dishes. It's not like the name is plastered on all of them, it's just the theme of it, you know? The colors with the nice pearl wings in the center, isn't it nice?"

"Ah'm not havin' those plates all over for the whole world to see!"

"Newsflash! The whole world is going to see this wedding! Including those stupid apples!"

"Stupid apples? Ah feel like this whole entire wedding process is strippin' away who Ah am and those 'stupid' apples are what's left of me! If those sculpted apples can't be a part of my special day then neither can that Luna-awful silverware!"

"If you guys ask me both sides have tacky tastes," the stylist interjected as he rolled his eyes.

"Applejack, you're married to a Wonderbolt!" Soarin spat out, ignoring the colt's comment, "Of course we have to have some sort of a Wonderbolt theme here."

"And Ah'm the quote-on-quote little lady who captured all the hearts of our fans with my darlin' voice, cutesy look, and delicious cuisine!" she sarcastically fought back.

"You know what? You can be so stubborn sometimes-"

"Oh don't start with that!" she yelled, beginning to storm out of the room, "Why can't ya look at it from my view?"

"Why are you leaving?" he shouted.

"Because Ah can't deal with ya right now!"

"Of course, be the immature one and walk out! Am I your husband or babysitter?"

"Oh hush up!" she shot back entering the back room and slamming the door.

"Mares and gentle colts, the mare who holds my heart!" he quipped loudly to all of his associates, "The bride who's the apple of my eye!" The door swung open as the country filly's head popped out.

"You, sir, can oh so kindly kiss mah flank!" she announced before shutting the door again.

………………….

Swirling the miniscule amount of liquid in his glass, Soarin raised his drink up till the candlelight brought out its burgundy tint. His date on the opposite side of the table followed suit.

"To nine months," he declared, clinking his glass, "Here's to surviving this madness." Applejack raised an eyebrow as she gave a sly smirk.

"So now are we that type of couple?" she questioned coyly, "The kind who celebrates every single lil thing and milestone in our relationship?"

"Well, now, think 'bout it. We started planning the wedding after three months of dating and we've been dating for nine months now. The management says the wedding will take about a year to arrange so that means-"

"That means we've made it to the half-way point!" she lit up, holding out the cup again. "Here here!"

"Exactly!" Soarin concluded, tapping his glass against hers, "It's going by quicker than we initially thought, huh?"

"Kinda. But why does it feel like these past six months have gone by and we've still haven't done or achieved anythin'?"

"Probably because we didn't," he teased, poking his food with his fork.

"Ah gotta say Soarin--and Ah'm sure Ah told ya this a million and one times--Ah'm glad Ah have ya in my life. Sometimes it seems like yer the only sane pony in this whole mess."

"Same here. And if you truly want the carved fruit at the wedding, you can have it. I'm sorry for our fight-"

"No, Soarin, Ah'm sorry. Ah went over the line. If ya want the Wonderbolt colors then go right ahead." Applejack paused to get her thoughts in order. "F'course, Ah'm sure Hard-Hitting will have all of it ran by the wedding coordinators just to have them turned down. Sometimes Ah wonder if this is even our wedding; it seems to be the publicists'."

"I hate to break it to ya, but it kinda is as unfair as it sounds." A waiter approached them, placing a note on the table ahead of him and told the couple that a phone call came in to have him give them a message.

"I've written it on this paper what she told me to tell you," he informed, handing the dinner check over to Soarin, "Is there anything else I can get for you guys?"

"No I think we're good. Thank you," Soarin replied, handing the note to Applejack after he left then pulling out his wallet, "I got the bill covered. What does the note say?"

"'After that little stint you two pulled with important clients and fans, your so-called break up is all over the news'. Boy, the media sure likes to over exaggerate, don't they?" Applejack cleared her throat and continued to read. "'Two words: damage control. Be at the studio at 8 AM tomorrow.'" Applejack folded the paper and plopped onto the table. "Sincerely the devil herself."

"It certainly sounds like Hard-Hitting," Soarin groaned, getting up from his chair, "C'mon, we better get back home. We gotta rough morning tomorrow."

…………………………

The lofty mare paced by the area where the photoshoot had been held. Stopping for a moment to watch the camera pony putting away his camera into his case, she gave a small wave as a thanks and observed him walking out of the room with his crew. As she grunted loudly, the publicist caught her reflection in a nearby window and squinted at it. A lone, blonde strand of hair tickled the air which she quickly tucked into her restrained bun. She asked Top Boss who had been sitting in a chair flipping through papers what time it was.

"11:45?" she screamed out then throwing her head back in annoyance, "We finished the photoshoot twenty minutes ago, where are those two?" Snapping her head towards the dressing room, her eyes darted at the closed door. "Applejack! Soarin! We have things to do!"

"I think this one is a good one," Top Boss noted, holding up a picture, "It's a sweet moment between them. What d'ya think, Hard-Hitting?" Placing one of her hooves on her chest, she made a tiny 'aww' sound.

"Autofocus has a gift. It's no secret why he's the best of the indust-" Both of their attentions reverted to the emerging couple.

"Howdy!" Soarin called out, tipping Applejack's hat and imitating her accent.

"Wassup?" Applejack played along, sliding in Soarin's Wonderbolt suit. She placed his goggles over her eyes and added, "Pretty righteous, huh?"

"Unbelieveable!" Hard-hitting snapped, as the two ponies broke into giggles, "Alright I've had enough of this! You two go back and change into your normal clothes."

"Sure thang, boss!" Soarin mocked, tipping his hat, "Let's go, lil' lady." As he reached for her arm she began to run.

"Way ahead of ya, buddy!" She jeered then stuck her tongue out. Hard-Hitting viewed the racing ponies and groaned.

"Why are they getting harder and harder to maintain?"

"Ah, they're just two kids in love," Top Boss commented, searching through the pictures again.

"Pretending to be in love, Boss. And they need to save that for the fans."

"I don't know," he sighed, letting out a chuckle, "Seems like the real thing to me."

Flower Picking

"Whoa, look at all the flowers!" Soarin exclaimed as he let the door close behind him, "It's like a forest in here or something."

"Lillies, my favorite!" Applejack rejoiced, sticking one into her mouth joyously.

"These flowers would make lovely table decorations, wouldn't they?" Hard-Hitting asked Top Boss, holding up a vase of roses and baby's breath, "And let's not forget to get the bouquet as well."

"Decorafuns?" Applejack asked herself, swallowing the flower she was chewing on, "Whoops."

"Hey, hey!" Soarin yelled, holding up a plant that made the business mare recoil back.

"Dear Celestia what is that?" Hard-Hitting screamed, covering everything on her face but her eyes with her clip board.

"It's a Venus Fly Trap. It actually eats flies. Pretty gnarly, right?" Applejack giggled at his enthusiasm and his complete obliviousness to the petrified pony.

"No! We are not going to have plants from another planet at this wedding! End of!"

"Fine, don't blame me when there are flies everywhere at the reception," he murmured.

Let Them Eat Cake

Later that week, the group of ponies prepared for the cake tasting. While in the cab, Applejack reviewed the checklist she made for the crew the night prior. According to Top Boss, the house she requested them to ensure has its usual resident present. They also accepted Applejack's request on driving to the furthest bakery they could find. Not only did she want the bakery to have a great distance, but also wanted to take the most obscure and unknown pathways to get there.

"And yer sure she's home, right?" she probed.

"Yes, Applejack," Hard-Hitting reassured. "There is absolutely no possible way she'd know where you're going." As the cab driver opened the door for them, Applejack snuck out while adjusting her sunglasses and head scarf. Peering around, she saw no citizens in her sight and straightened up a little. She pushed the door open and immediately gaped her mouth open.

"Wh-wha….how…?"

"Silly filly!" Pinkie Pie proclaimed, stuffing her mouth with cake, "Didja forget to invite me?"

Dressing Up

"Ah can't believe that Ah'm out shoppin' fer my lil' niece's weddin' dress!" Mother Apple celebrated as she sat next to Rainbow Dash, "Who knows, sweetheart, you may be next."

"Uh huh," Rainbow muttered, turning her attention to the empty pedestal in front of the mirrors, "C'mon Applejack you're taking for-ev-ah!" The group of ponies saw what they suspected at first to be a giant pillow was actually Applejack herself in what seemed to be a dress.

"Ah yes, this is from the latest Hoity Toity collection: Modern Bride," a sales pony explained. Applejack grimaced at her reflection and she turned to her friends. Their facial expressions varied from shock to confusion to disgust.

"It looks like you're a swollen marshmallow!" Pinkie Pie shrieked in laughter. The country mare rolled her eyes as she tried to contain the overwhelming amount of material on the gown.

"Even I have to draw the line on design standards of the fashion industry," Rarity retorted.

The following dress had a significant less amount of fabric used. In fact, Applejack noted the large size of the dress and had to hold it up with one hoof.

"Did the designer get the wrong measurements or somethin'?" Applejack questioned as she stepped onto the pedestal again.

"No no, dear, you just didn't finish tying it," the sales pony notified, pulling on the ribbon in the back, "Made by the famous designer Inseam, he tends to favor more of the medieval look when it comes to bridal gowns." As the assistant tied the ribbon, the waist suddenly shrunk drastically causing Applejack to feel an intense pressure on her whole midsection.

"Oh my…" Fluttershy whispered.

"This dress has the strength of five corsets!" the store pony added.

"A-Ah think Ah just…heard a rib snap," Applejack complained as she panted for air.

The final dress had all the pones in the room raise their eyebrows.

"Where's the rest of it?" Granny Smith gasped at her granddaughter's scandalous attire.

"We have Silky Smooth's latest creation," the sales pony publicized, "She believes that every bride must feel sexy not only for her husband but for herself. Especially on her big day."

"I thought the garter belt wasn't supposed to show," Twilight sarcastically pointed out.

"This is one hundred and ten percent no!" Applejack broadcasted as she looked at herself in the mirror, "Ah mean, is this fer the weddin' day or weddin' night?"

………………………………....

"What do you mean you didn't choose any of the dresses?" Applejack mindlessly stared at the jewels in the glasses to try to drown out the sound of Hard-Hitting's voice. "Those designers went out of their way to make those dresses for you and you just turn them all down?"

"Yes," Applejack answered, "Ah turned them all down. None of them were me."

"It doesn't matter if they were 'you' or not, do you know the importance of having a dress with a designer name such as Inseam or Hoity Toity? Especially as a public figure? A muse?"

"Oh Ah see, so my weddin' shouldn't be about the celebration of my and Soarin's love for each other. It should be about how many famous ponies can get on it and how much of a profit the management can make."

"We want you to look your best with the best dresses in the world. Now how are you going to get your dress?"

"Ah'm havin' a friend make it. She's knows me the best and she'll listen to me."

"A friend? A friend? Great…"

"Ah'll have you know my friend Rarity is an excellent designer-" Abruptly, Hard-Hitting's eyes grew large as a smile spread across her face.

"Rarity? Oh this'll make great press! Well why didn't you tell me you were friends with the Rarity?"

"…Because Ah see her as my friend and not another money maker?" Applejack watched the jeweler hand her another earring and listened to him babble about the cut and size of the gem. "And y'know what else? Ah don't want a new weddin' band."

"I know, Applejack, you told me a million times already," she nonchalantly reacted, "Now try it on."

"Did ya just hear…?" she trailed off, "Ah don't want it. Say what ya want about this cheap lil' Lost Wages earrin', it holds significance."

"Alright and this one can hold even more significance."

"Don't ya understand?" Applejack probed, pushing the earring away, "Ah'm not some dress up doll. Ah gotta put my hoof down somewhere! Ah'm losin' myself in all of this! Goodness, it's Uncle and Aunt Orange all over again…"

"You signed a contract, Honey. I protect your image while you let me fix it."

"Ah don't care anymore! My life is bein' run by dictators! My mama told me to think fer myself! And she sure as heck wouldn't approve of me bein' a gold-digger!"

"You're over-reacting like usual-"

"No you listen! Ah've tried bein' nice but you're too bull-headed to hear what Ah am sayin'! Yer a bully! Not only d'ya try to control me too much but ya put me down! Sayin' nonsense and insinuatin' that Ah'm not good enough. Don't think that Ah don't pick up on yer snide remarks-"

"Applejack. Applejack!" Hard-hitting hissed, noticing all eyes in the room were starting to stare at them, "That's enough!"

"No it's not! You think that Ah have no class! You think that Ah'm dirty or too reckless! Ah see the way ya look at me! You try to change me so much but ya can't change me. Ah won't allow it!"

"Ever since Soarin got with you he's been late and his focus hasn't been in check. Who could be responsible for that, hm?"

"Maybe he's not as mind-controlled as ya want him to be anymore. Ever thought of that?"

"Mind-controlled?" she repeated.

"Yes, mind-controlled. He's a lot happier now."

"More like disorganized."

"Well maybe you can help him out by getting off his back." The blonde mare approached the orange pony until their snouts almost touched.

"You know, you have such a pretty little mouth," she quipped, "It's be a lot prettier if you kept it shut." Applejack returned her statement with a smug grin.

"Ah, chauvinism at its finest," she sarcastically fought back, "My only job is to keep quiet and look pretty."

……………………………..

The Southern filly tapped her forelegs on her lap as she kept her eyes closed. Although she could only see black, she loved the familiar feeling of being inside her home back on the farm. Hearing her grandmother rummaging through her closet, Applejack offered her help which Granny Smith quickly turned down. A laugh escaped her lips and she reminded herself that stubbornness ran in the family. A cold feeling was felt in a certain area of her neck which made Applejack shudder. Granny Smith gave her permission to open her eyes.

"Oh Granny," Applejack said, staring at the necklace in her reflection. Setting her hooves on the dresser, Applejack bit her bottom lip to hold back the tears. "Ah remember Mama used to wear this."

"Ah figured this'd be good timin'." Swiftly, Applejack hugged the elder mare and retracted back. It was a simple, lone charm that was on the strand. Filled with a small line of diamonds, the pendant was shaped as a horseshoe. She remembered her mother calling it her favorite necklace, a necklace she wore every anniversary between her and the father. "You can continue its legacy."

Shame and guilt swelled within her as her heart beat against her rib cage. The air grew thick while the candles on the dresser seemed to dim. Ya gotta free yerself, AJ.

"Granny? Ah…Ah haven't been completely honest with ya. About the marriage." She saw the concern in her grandmother's eyes develop and felt a lump in her chest.

"What d'ya ever mean, sugarcube?"

"Soarin and Ah told ya we eloped because it was love at first sight," Applejack began, clearing her throat, "Well, it wasn't love at first sight. We didn't marry fer that reason." She stopped to view her grandmother's reaction. Her forehead creased with her existing wrinkles but she nodded her head to let her continue. "We, uh, had too much to drink at a restaurant for dinner." Slowly, Granny Smith helped herself to a seat on the bed. "Granny Smith, Ah'm so…deeply sorry that Ah've been lyin' to ya, to the world, and Ah feel like Ah need to get this off my chest. Ah'm not a liar. S-Soarin and Ah got married while we were…drunk." Granny searched her face for a long moment.

"Applejack-"

"Ah didn't want ya to be disappointed in me. Fer rushin' into somethin' so important while Ah was intoxicated. A-and Ah take full blame fer this. Fer hidin' this fer so long."

"Ah thought Ah raised better." Applejack quickly glared at the ground with her green orbs stinging. "Ah thought ya had better judgment. Goin' off with some stallion and drinkin' the night away. And to lie to those who are closest to ya? This long? For shame!"

"Granny, Ah feel so bad-"

"Ah see ya in another light, Applejack, and Ah must say it's not a good one." Soft sniffs came from the young mare and she took off the necklace to lie on the dresser. "Now what did ya do that fer?"

"Ah'm not my mother's daughter," she sniffed, "My ma was a good pony. And here Ah am, puttin' up a front to everypony Ah love."

"AJ-"

"Apples don't lie." It hurt Granny to see her young relative to deteriorate emotionally before her. Getting up, she put the necklace back on her neck and gentle rose her chin up to look at herself again.

"Apples are strong with a powerful conscience. Don't ever say yer not worthy enough to be an Apple."

"But-"

"Shh," Granny shushed, wrapping her arms around Applejack. They held still for a while.

"Granny, Ah thought you'd be angrier," she quietly added.

"Ah'm not happy with what ya just told me and it's gonna take a while to build my trust in ya again," Granny reminded, "But Ah'll always love and support ya."

"Thanks, Granny."

"Hmph," she joked as she left the room, "Ah remember back in the day when ponies drank too much, they'd get into bar fights. Not go off marryin' each other."