Putting in the long, hard hours to see a job done can be one of the most rewarding things in the world. When you finish the job, you will find there are few things in the world more satisfying then savoring it with someone you love. Imagine, then, how I felt today when I stood below the very last apple tree as Applejack bucked it, and the last apples of the season fell into the bucket below the tree, marking the end of "applebuck season."

One of my favorite stories I've heard since arriving here in Ponyville (one which, of course, was told to me by Applejack's friends and family, not herself) is something that occurred not but maybe a year before I arrived here in Ponyville. Applebuck season came to Sweet Apple Acres as it always does every year, and every tree was ripe with fresh apples that needed kicked. The significant part about this harvest, though, was that Big Macintosh had badly hurt his back, and he was in no condition to be bucking apple trees. Apple Bloom was far too young and undersized for such a job, and Granny Smith was just the opposite; too old.

That meant, of course, that there was only one pony capable of bringing in the harvest; Applejack. This part is terribly easy for me to see; she vowed to harvest every last tree in the orchard on her own, seeing as how no one else in her family was in physical condition to help her. As the harvest went on, Applejack bucked and bucked and bucked, fighting through exhaustion and lack of rest so that she might stay true to her word and bring in all of the sellable apples for her family's benefit. She worked so long and so hard, entirely out of love for her family and not for personal gain, that her friends began to worry about her. They offered her their assistance, and at first, Applejack was unable to allow them to do such a thing. She wanted to finish the job without having to put her friends to work. Finally, though, when Applejack had spent every last bit of energy in her mind and body, she accepted the help of her friends and graciously thanked them for all they did.

So after her courageous and selfless attempt to do everything herself, she received the help she needed and even learned a lesson in friendship that she cherishes to this day. She is always there to give her whole heart when helping someone else, but when help was offered to her, she had difficulty accepting it. It's things like what you see in this story that I see every single day, and it warms my heart to highest level to look into her young, beautiful eyes and see the kind of love and selflessness that radiates from them.

Today, however, there was no need for the help of her friends. Between Applejack, Big Macintosh and I, we had this harvest harvested faster then we've ever done before. Anyway, where was I? It was late afternoon, almost the exact same as when we left off the day before, the sky once agan gloriously blue and the sun shining brightly off of Applejack's glossy orange coat. Me watching, she walked up to the last tree, tired in body but strong-hearted as you ever saw. She gave it one powerful kick with her left hind leg, and down they all came. Applebuck season was officially over.

"Yee haw! We did it honey!" she proclaimed, jumping and kicking her front legs, I as looked on and laughed with heartiness seeing the joy in her. Both of us were perhaps especially cheery today; we had every right to be happy, seeing as how our hardest work of the season was complete. She walked toward me with a smile bright enough to blind, as I reached my arm and rested my hand atop her head, ready to walk back to the farm.

"Well, you know... you and Big Mac, mostly, but I guess you could say we," I said, knowing it would arouse a response.

"Oh, fingle fangle, honey! Ya'll did a great job with what ya could," she said, giving me a shove. She looked over and saw me smiling, realizing what I was up to, and giggled her life-giving laughter . "Why you little-!" She trotted up a few steps in front of me and gave my face a little sweep with her tail, to which I couldn't help but once again laugh with glee as she looked on with love and light in her fiercely jovial smile. "Daggum, you sure are happy today! Ain't nothin' better than seein' you like ya are right now, sugarcube." That's funny, I could say the same thing about you. I put my arm around her once more and turned my attention briefly to the magnificent countryside and blue skies surrounding our walk back through the orchard.

"How can I not be? I'm with you, aren't I?"  Applejack blushed as deep as I've ever seen her, something that if accomplished is in and of itself one of the most wonderful feelings I've ever experienced.

"Aw, shucks, honey," she said, topping it off with a quick resting of her nose into the side of my arm. "Whew! You need a bath, sugarcube!" she teased. I raised my eyebrows mockingly interested. "Maybe we oughta pull out the ol' firehose and just get you and the pigs all at once." I almost broke out into laughter again before I had the chance to respond.

"Actually, I was kinda hoping that - " I was cut off mid-sentence by my own cackling. Applejack squealed.

"Ah' swear, if you say anythin' bout Granny Smith..." before a moment, we were both howling yet again. To an outsider looking in, laughing all the way home with her is... indescribable, at best. It's a feeling I can't quite put into words, as it is with many if not most other joys that come from her.

"Ya know, ah' still got some treats to make for that hoedown. You wanna help me? Ah'll show ya how to make em'," she said, turning her to me with a smile.  

"Somehow I don't think I would prefer my cooking to yours," I replied. Applejack is the best baker in the land, but of course, there's something especially sweet and special about anything coming from her hoofwork. "But I would happy to come in and watch you after me and Big Mac have a go."

"Oh that's right, ya'll are gonna practice one more time 'fore the show tomorro', is that right?" she said.

"Eeyup." Applejack chuckled at my imitation of her brother, lighthearted of course; my brother in law is now one of my best friends, as he's always been to her.

"Ah' can't even have the smallest little hear at that song?" she said. Suddenly, the friendly barking of Winona could be heard, and in just a moment she was happily running alongside us. Applejack stopped and crouched in front of her beloved collie.

"Who's a little puppy! C'mere," she said in a high, spoiling voice, as Winona flipped over and briefly entered paradise as Applejack began rubbing her belly. I looked on, adoring them both; it seemed as though any hint of nervousness for the impending hoedown was all but incapable of arising. My love for my pony wife and the mountainous heights at which my feelings soared were too much for anything to even attempt to overcome.

"You are one lucky dog, Winona," I remarked, to which Winona barked, almost acknowledging me. Applejack turned around and smiled.

"Well shoot, if ya'll wanted a belly rub too, why didn't ya say so?" Oh gosh. My heart nearly erupted and I turned redder than a rose.

"Oh come on, I thought I needed a bath! I've been working outside in the trees and dirt all day, and we all know you won't how much you hate getting your hooves dirty," I teased sarcastically. Applejack stood up and began walking towards me, laughing heartily with a mischievous smile.

"Rarity wouldn't touch ya right now, ah'll say that much. But you best believe that ain't stoppin' me," she said.

"Hey, come on," I said, waving my hands in protest and backing up. "Applejack!" I took off into the trees, having more fun than Pinkie Pie at a dance party. I ran as fast I could for a moment, using my hands to push through the branches. I was evading her, but I wanted her to catch me at the same time. I threw myself behind a tree as my heart rate skyrocketed. I caught my breath and looked out the side. She was nowhere to be seen. Wow. This must be the first time I've ever outrun her. I smiled as I realized I had successfully hid from her, and could now go and ambush her. Except just as I turned my head back, a familiar face from a pony standing right beside me, smiling smugly and triumphanty, was right there in mine.

"Howdy," she whispered, as I yelped and I fell back violently, startled and more excited than ever. Applejack immediately jumped down and threw her hooves over me. I struggled futilely to get up to no avail.

"Hey, stop! Applejack!" I cried with laughter, enjoying myself fiercely as she rubbed away frantically at my stomach. Applejack's sweet laughter only added to the magic.

"How do you like them apples, you whipper snapper!"

She continued until we were both completely worn out, our stomachs hurting from all the laughing. When she finally threw herself back, she fell right into a spot where the rays of sun were penetrating the branches, as if searching for her to glorify her adorable appearance.

"You know, you could use a bath yourself," I said, gasping for air and leaning up on my elbows. She was physically worn out, not only from all her applebucking, but also from the energy we'd just spent with each other. Her mane was messy and she was covered in dirt like me, but it had no effect her beauty. "But I do have one thing to say, if you promise not to tell Rarity." I added. Applejack raised her eyebrows and smiled weakly.

"Oh yea? What's that, sugarcube?" she panted.

"It might make you gag," I warned, and she shrugged, her eyes longing for whatever I had to say. I hesitated for a moment, giving her a good look. She doesn't seem to care about her appearance, but she deeply appreciates compliments of that sort. That might not make sense at first, but if you think about it, it does.

"Even after a hard days' work, covered in dirt and in need of a bath, you are still by far the prettiest mare in the world."

As expected, she turned her head with a blush and an adorable smile, doing her best to kill me with the look in her eyes. I've been giving her compliments like that ever since I met her, but they've never lost their meaning, nor their positive effect on her. There are few things in this world, if any, that I treasure more then flattering her. Each time it's like an inner magic erupts and shatters anything undesirable. She didn't need to say anything to me; the way she was looking at me was more than enough payment.

Just before she had a chance to respond, we heard the faint voice of Apple Bloom not far ahead. The farm, it appeared, was just over yonder. Applejack paused and looked over in the direction of the farm, before looking back at me and smiling as she trotted over and laid down beside me. She motioned for me to follow her, so side by side we crawled up to a tree that was just in front of us, and peered out the side of it to see what her sister was up to.

"Shhh," she whispered, hoping to surprise her sister or to see what she was doing without giving away our presence. Perhaps our cheeriness was adding to our mischievousness. I looked and saw that the barn was only about a hundred feet from us, standing next to the barn Apple Bloom, and two other fillies were with her; one, a grey filly with a white mane, and the other a pink filly with a purple and white mane and tail.

"Is that Diamond Tiara on the right there?" I whispered.

"Darn-tootin," she said, with a look of alarm. "She ain't never seen eye-to-eye with mah' sister, her neither her friend there, Silver Spoon."

I knew that Apple Bloom had long had bully troubles with Diamond Tiara, and Applejack and I are doing our best to help her out; not by picking fights with Diamond, but working with Apple Bloom on how to handle herself, as well as how to respond like a member of the Apple family, etc. Helping Apple Bloom really allows one to see just how much Applejack loves her. She's always putting in the effort to help her, play with her, and comfort her in her afflictions. Her heart is superior even to the purest gold that is used to decorate the rooms of Princess Celestia in the interiors of the Canterlot Castle.

"What's happening?" I whispered, as we monitored their emotions and words carefully. We could not quite hear what they were saying, but Diamond appeared to be expressing dominant if not condescending body language. "Come on, Apple Bloom, you can do it!"

"Come on, sis! Show em' some how we act here out here on the farm," she muttered.

"You wanna go out there?" I said, turning to my wife. Before she could respond, though, we continued watching, and sure enough, even though the sun was shining bright and the skys were as blue as could be, we observed as Apple Bloom sunk her head and began walking without a destination in our direction. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were laughing. I sighed with anguish.

"Aww," said Applejack. As saddening as it is to see someone as cute as Apple Bloom down in the dumps, hearing that kind of tone in Applejack's voice is heartbreaking. As she walked unknowingly over toward us, Applejack and I looked at each other. We knew we were gonna have to instruct her.

"You wanna do this together, or do you want this one yourself?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"Together, you silly filly!" I couldn't help but grin a little bit, and so without getting up off my stomach, I raised myself up on my elbows. As Apple Bloom entered the trees with her head low to the ground and visibly upset, I whistled to her. She perked up eagerly, and when she saw me and her sister, she brightened up and hopped over to us.

"Sis! AJ! Did ya'll get the last tree?" she exclaimed,  laying down in between us.

"We sure as sugar did! How 'bout you, little sis? Did ya get any crusadin' in today?" said Applejack. Apple Bloom laid on her back and stared up into the canopy.  

"Eh, not really. Ah' was settin' up stuff in the barn all day for that thingy we got tomorro'," she said. Applejack smiled and rolled over on her side, facing her sister.

"Well cheer up, little sis. Did ah' tell ya yer favorite cousin's a comin' tomorro'?"

Apple Bloom shot up like a canon and seemingly asked the whole orchard.

"Really?!?" The smile on her face faded quickly as she realized how loud she was. It appeared as though she feared who may be listening. She came back down to the ground and sat her flank between me and her sister. "Well that works out great! Me and Babs er' gonna do so many fun things together we'll be dog tired 'fore that thingy's all said and done. And, Diamond Tiara never bullies me when Babs is here," she said with wide eyes. Applejack and I looked at each other with concern.

"Alright now, honey. What was that all about?" she asked, pointing her hoof in the direction of the barn. The smile once again faded on her face as she sighed with great melancholy. Applejack's face turned to care and worry as Apple Bloom's emotions fell.

"Eh, ah' don't really wanna talk about it," she said, sighing and closing her eyes, to which Applejack protested.

"Now Apple Bloom, we can't help you if you don't tell us what's goin' on. Maybe we should walk out there right now and have a talk with her, huh?" Apple Bloom looked up with fear.

"Naw, then ah'll look like a snitch," she proclaimed. Applejack put rested her hoof lovingly on her sister's back.

"Then tell us, Apple Bloom, what's goin' on, so we can help ya," she said, putting extra sisterly love and care into her gaze. Apple Bloom sighed once more.

"Ah' don't know, she's just so... confident. She's just so much better than me. Ah' can't seem to do anything right around her. She's always lookin' to get me down. Ah' wish ah' was as confident as she was. If ah' could make her feel the same way she makes me, ah'd - "

Applejack cut her off midsentence, with a startled look on her face.

"Apple Bloom! Have ah' raised you er' what? You know that ain't the Apple family way at all, bein' a bully to get back at a bully. Ah' thought you learned that on yer own sometime back with somepony named Babs," said my wife, staring intently at her. Apple Bloom anxiously tried to stand up, but her sister's hoof kept her on the ground with us.

"But sis, what am ah' supposed to do, let her walk all over me?" she exclaimed zealously. Applejack hesitated for a moment, staring at her sister with great affection. Amidst the silence, I knew she was ready to deliver some advice for all generations, which I would most likely remember for the rest of my life. Apple Bloom waited with docility for her sister to respond, as I did the same. I was like the child awaiting advice from the parent.

"Apple Bloom... ah' know you can fight. And hear me, sister, if one your friends is ever in danger," she said, tilting her head at me with a smile, "you best believe you can do whatever you have to save em', even fight em' if ya have to." Of course, we now both had in mind the couple cases (especially Trixie; yuck) in which the both of us fought evil to save the other. But Applejack got serious for a moment and leaned in towards her sister, ready to deliver the gold. "But it's our kindness that makes us Apples."

Both Apple Bloom and I stared on with great awe, and we both shook our heads in obedience to her words of wisdom. This one I will be saying to myself over and over again. When she said it, I was lost in a trance, as the sun suddenly seemed to shine on her all the more brighter, and I poured out my entire heart to her.

"Well," started Apple Bloom, "It's a pity ah' can't get Diamond to like me - "

"Pity?" I said startled. I could no longer hold my tongue. Apple Bloom flipped around and looked at me with fascination. "It's a pity that not every family has a little filly as lovable as you are, Apple Bloom. It's a pity that Diamond Tiara ... doesn't know what it's like to have a sister who loves her more than any other sister ever could," I said, the element of honesty proclaiming a doctrine. Apple Bloom's face lit up with foal-like innocence and delight, as I looked up at Applejack, smiling as lovingly as ever, with her only one-uping me with her ears down and her eyes twinkling with appreciation and pure love.

"Really?" said Apple Bloom with a huge beam, and at the sight of her sister's happiness, Applejack returned her emotions.

"Really, sis! Aww, come here you two," she said, drawing the both of us in for a hug. As we hugged like the happy family we are, and I felt as though I could fly to a cloud, I hatched an idea. But not before Applejack began tickling her sister, who began laughing wildly. I started laughing again myself at the mere sight of the sisterly love I was witnessing.

"Gee whiz, ah'm just the tickle monster today, aren't I, between you and him?" said my wife, falling back panting and pointing at me.

"I thought you gave me a belly rub," I said, and Apple Bloom turned to me and smiled.

"AJ is known for bein' ticklish. Ah' bet he's more ticklish then Spike!" she said, as the three of us began laughing. Idea, remember?

"Hey, Apple Bloom? Is she still out there?" I said with wide eyes. "I promise I won't make you look like a snitch. Remember what I told you the other day?" She placed her hoof on her chin and looked up with thought.

"Ah' think so."

"Well, come on, I'll show you what I was talking about," I said, walking over to Applejack. She was now sitting, but she looked at me with a curious smile, wondering what I was doing but trusting me at the same time. I offered my hand and smiled with my deepest feelings telling her "I love you" entirely with my stare. She eagerly took it, and I heaved her up. "Just follow my lead, we'll make our way around to the back of the barn, but we'll pass right by her. "

The three of us walked out of the trees and approached the barn, where Diamond Tiara was standing. I was going to give her a treatment I'd learned a long time ago, something that never failed. As we approached the stuck up filly and her friend, Applejack leaned over and whispered to me.

"What've you got planned?" she said friendlily. I looked over at her and winked.

"Trust me."

I couldn't help but smile as brightly as ever as we approached the two fillies; my mood, given the time I had just spent with Applejack and the looks she had just given me, had reached the heavens. Diamond's face was snobbish looking, unintimidated by the presence of Applejack and I as she judged us with her expression. As we began to walk past her, I turned to her and shot her a friendly grin and tipped my (invisible) hat to her.

"Hello there, Diamond Tiara." She turned her head, not looking me the eye.

"Um, hi," she said conceitedly, just as I expected. I suddenly stopped where I was and turned my body toward her, showing I was ready to engage her more. I looked with interest atop her head.

"Where did you get that?" I said, pointing to her tiara. Rather surprised by my question, she turned her head and raised an eyebrow.

"My dad bought it for me," she said, in a tone that said 'what do you wanna know about it?' "Why do you ask?"

"I just wanted to know because I have never seen anypony wear a tiara as beautiful as you wear it," I said. Diamond Tiara's expression faded into complete shock and bewilderment at my remark. I was telling the truth; as a matter of fact, she was the only pony I'd ever seen wearing a tiara. "Why, I wouldn't be surprised if you made it in Canterlot as a jewel model for them some day." My tone was as friendly but as serious as ever. Diamond Tiara's jaw dropped and her eyes were wide. It was as if she had never been given any kindness before. I bent down and placed my hand on Apple Bloom's head.

"This little filly here is lucky to have fillies like you at her school. She was just telling me how she wished she could be as confident as you some day," I said, to which Apple Bloom gave a very embarrassed smile. Diamond Tiara was all but dumbstruck. I think she had a hard time believing what she was hearing. The snobbery and arrogance in her expression was  gone.

"Apple Bloom? You said that?" she said, having to hear it for herself. Apple Bloom laughed uncomfortably but responded correctly.

"Yea, ah' sure did," she said softly. I smiled at Apple Bloom, and then Diamond Tiara.

"She did, alright. What do you make of that, Diamond?"

She looked on with shock for a moment longer, and then for the first time I've ever seen her, her she softened and the friendly face of a pony appeared on her expression.

"Thanks, Apple Bloom," she said with sincerity. I tipped my hat and walked forward, urging the other two to go along with me. I couldn't get a glimpse of how Applejack was taking this, but I had a feeling she was enchanted by it, which delighted me to think about.

"Well, we got some chores to do, best be getting along. See you later, Diamond, and have a great day!" I said as we walked along. The smile on Diamond's face was now bright and bold.

"Hey, Apple Bloom," she called out, and my wife's sister turned around eagerly. "Do you wanna hang out later?" Yes! I had to fight the terrible urge to jump up and proclaim it loudly, but I forced myself to continue what I was doing. I had played it perfectly. You see, that's what I told Apple Bloom the other day. I told her if she wanted to conquer her enemies, then she should "kill em' with kindness." Extremely happy for my young sister-in-law, I smiled and encouraged her, who could not believe what just happened.

"Yes," I said, nodding my head at her.

"Uh, sure! Ah'll see you at the clubhouse maybe?" she said awkwardly.

"Ok great, see you then," replied a now cheerful Diamond Tiara. The three of us walked forward until we reached the far end of the barn, out of sight from the both of them. I turned and faced them, and found to my unbearable contentment that Applejack was staring at me with stars in her eyes. I locked in on her as my heart nearly burst.

"That was amazin'! Thank you, AJ! Thank you so much!" exclaimed Apple Bloom, as she bounced around me with glee. I could barely notice her given the trance I had been put in by her sister's looks. Applejack was pouring out all of the treasures from her heart into mine at that moment. She was looking at me so with so much love and joy that there were tears in her eyes.

"Applejack," I said, with a gentle smile and a terrible blush, "why are you looking at me like that?"

Apple Bloom stopped her bouncing and looked at us with disgust, gagging her mouth with her hoof.

"That's it, ah'm outa here. Thanks, you guys!"

Applejack walked up to me slowly, staring deeply into my soul. I was totally hers. She stopped in front of me and softly laid her forehead on mine, allowing me to close my eyes.

"Ah' love you," she whispered. That was all I needed to hear. My hurt burst with the deepest affection. She brought her mouth up to me for a gentle kiss, which I enchantedly accepted. I could feel the beating of her heart, which was so closely united to mine. I removed my head but a few inches, so I could so with my own eyes her most loving smile. That was until a cheery, feminine voice interrupted us.

"Hello Applejack! Hello AJ!" Applejack and I threw ourselves backward, wholly embarrassed. The voice belonged to young purple mare named Cheerilee, who, true to her name, was standing cheerily next to a smiling Big Macintosh not twenty feet in front of us. Cheerilee is the school teacher here in Ponyville, of whom Apple Bloom is a student. Applejack began laughing uncomfortably, but shot me a smile to help out my lack of confidence, as I was now chuckling with terrible awkwardness as well.

"Uh, hi Cheerilee! Hi Big Mac!" I said, waving one hand with the other behind my back.

"Howdy, Mrs. Cheerilee, howdy big brother," said my wife. Forcing my smile, I was angry with myself. 'Mrs.!' 'Mrs. Cheerilee, you dummy!' Big Mac was not embarrassed in the slightest, but Cheerilee, on the other hand, clearly felt bad for having interrupted us. She is one of the nicest, friendliest ponies I have ever met. She often times comes over to be with Big Macintosh, who is kind of her "boyfriend."

"I'm awfully sorry, Applejack," she said, rubbing her neck with her hoof. "You two are married, after all. You can feel free to cuddle all you want, I think it's cute!" she said, her face changing back to more cheery at her last statement. Applejack and I 'cute'? This is one of the most delightful things someone can say to me. It demands a blush and an embarrassed smile.

"Aw, don't worry  about it Mrs. Cheerilee. Ya'll ready to practice with him, Big Mac?"

"Eeyup!" he said with a nod. Cheerilee turned and faced him, giving him a quick rub of the ear.

"See you later, sugarbear," she said, to which Applejack and I turned and looked at each other with glee.

"You too, punkin' pie," he replied, giving her some googley eyes.

Seeing our temporary parting moment is at hand, Applejack walked up to me and wrapped her arm around me for a big hug, our hearts trading magic.

"How come you never call me pet names?" she said chuckling.

"Because none of them can compete with Applejack," I said, as her ears fluttered and I gently brought her head off of my chest.

"See you tonight, don't have too much fun without me," she said.

"That's impossible," I said, resting my head on the top of hers. "Hey, tell Granny Smith I said hello, won't you? I haven't seen her since yesterday morning."

"Of course, sugarcube!" she pulled back, never ceasing to smile at me as Cheerilee left Big Macintosh. She finally turned around and the two of them began walking back together, chatting heartily as their voices faded. I stared on with Big Mac, who was casually looking on with a piece of wheat in his mouth.

"She is something else," I said, as I eyed Applejack with amazement.

"Eeyup. Cheerilee certainly is."