Limestone Pie clanged the bell hanging outside her door, calling to everyone within earshot. “Dinner! We’re having rock soup!”

Upon hearing this, Applejack went to the dining room and sat down at the table, trying not to gag at the smell of rock soup. She looked around at everypony who had gathered for the family reunion, silently doing a head count. However, somepony was missing. “Now, where’s Pelly gone off to?”

She trotted outside and searched around before finding her daughter lying down, looking as if she were about to puke. “Pelly? Y’all right?”

“Y-yes, Ma.” Pelly retched. “Ah can’t stand rock soup lately…it makes me sick.“

“Pelly-” Applejack began to approach her when suddenly, a large orange claw slammed down between the two mares. From its source came a giant puff of grey smoke that caused Applejack to shut her eyes tightly, the heel of her hooves digging into the dirt as she attempted to keep her ground. “What in tarnation? Opal c’mon, Ah can’t see!”

Pelly looked up at her dragon wife, pleading with her. “Opie…ya don’t have ta hover over me like that. That’s mah Ma, she’s safe!”

“And?!” Opal’s booming voice shook the ground as she curled up around Pelly, her wings holding her close. “Our child is in there, I’m not letting you go anywhere or near anyone! Look at you, you’re getting sickl”

Pelly sat up, becoming more firm in manner. “Our baby will be fine, Ah promise! Ah know yer worried, Opie, but all of this is normal for pregnant mares! P-please, don’t fret so much!” She sighed tiredly, but held firm to what she said.

“But you could get hurt! Or the baby! I have to keep you safe; nopony’s messing with you on my watch!” Opal continued to hover over Pelly and bore her sharp teeth at Applejack.

Applejack gazed up at the ferocious dragon, sweating nervously. “T-there there…Ah was jus’ checkin’ up on her! No need ta get yer head in a tizzy!” She gulped and began to back away slowly.

“Opie…” Pelly rubbed her temples. “She’s mah MA. She ain’t gonna hurt me. And Ah ain’t as delicate as ya think.”

“But-”

Pelly held up a hoof, silencing her. “How would you feel if Ah kept ya away from yer family? From yer Ma? You wouldn’t like that.”

“Oh…” A look of sudden realization appeared on Opal’s face. “Fine. You can pass.” She stepped out of the way. “But hurt her and you WILL get it!”

“Ya know, it looks like everything’s fine out here,” Applejack was still apprehensive, opting not to test the dragon any further. “Jus’ holler if ya need me!” She turned around and went back into the house.

Pelly gazed sternly at her wife and shook her head. “Oh Opie, when will ya ever learn…”