Apple Bloom lay comfortably beneath the covers of her bed, eyes open in contemplation as she stared at the ceiling. In such a short time span, she had learned so much about her parents; the story of two lovers whose bond was so strong that it was enough to challenge a family feud that had lasted for generations, only be reconciled nearly a generation later.

But for Apple Bloom, that was earlier on this very day. A warm smile grew on her face as happy thoughts about them surfaced in her mind. She let out a content sigh and closed her eyes, slowly beginning to drift asleep and imagining them outside in the warm summer fields on a breezy afternoon. Or at their homestead, sitting on the front porch holding hooves while enjoying the sunset together. She imagined them going to the market to buy ingredients for making a pie, or with all of their children playing in the yard as they pulled weeds. As the thoughts became less distinct, she realized that she wasn't actually in any of these imaginary scenarios. She was, after all, very young at the time of their passing.

A sudden realization dawned on her in that moment and her eyes opened, staring blankly at the ceiling. Was I born when my parents were alive? She thought to herself, shaking her head in disbelief that she'd never actually thought about it. When thinking about her parents or hearing about her siblings' stories, she always imagined herself in the picture.

Tossing and turning beneath the covers, she tried to piece together her earliest memories to try and reconcile things, but she quickly realized she wouldn't be able to sleep until she got an actual answer. Throughout the past day she had learned so much, but now she realized that something felt missing. A part of their story that went untold, for whatever reason. She wondered to herself if there was something she didn't know and couldn't believe that she'd never even thought to ask. But upon a second thought, she remembered that Granny Smith's previous hesitance to talk about the Pear family probably played a crucial role. As Apple Bloom grew older, it became apparent that despite how close her family was, there were still dark secrets hidden away. Now she was worried.

In the span of a minute, the calm and uplifting thoughts about her parents had shifted towards confusion and uncertainty. They buzzed in her head relentlessly until she couldn't sit still any longer. Unfurling herself from beneath a mound of blankets, she shifted herself off the bed and onto the wooden floor, feeling it creak softly beneath her hooves and headed towards Applejack's room. The lights were off and Applejack was asleep, her golden ponytail draped over the side of the bed.

She cracked the door open as quietly as possible."...AJ? You awake?"

Applejack stirred for a moment and opened her eyes lazily. "I am now, sugarcube," she replied softly, rubbing her eyes with her hooves. "What's botherin' you?"

She came through the doorway. "Well, I was thinkin' about mom and dad."

A warm smile grew on Applejack's face. "Me too. Can ya believe it? All these years and we never knew their story."

Apple Bloom tried to crack a smile, but she was too focused on her question.

Applejack took notice and sat herself on top of the bed, signaling her to come over. "What's wrong? Ain't you happy about learning their story?"

Apple Bloom sat down next to her sister. "Yeah, but...well, I was thinking about what all happened after they got married."

"Well, I'd imagine they took over the homestead after a while, had us kids and..."

Apple Bloom looked up towards her. "And what?"

Applejack opened her mouth to speak but quickly turned her face away to hide the sharp pang of emotion that suddenly overcame her. She wasn't accustomed to talking about that part of her life. Just like Granny Smith refused to talk about anything involving the Pear family before the events that transpired earlier, she had mostly repressed those memories from resurfacing.

"And what?" Apple Bloom repeated herself, putting a hoof on her sister's leg and prodding her expectantly. She eased back when she saw the tears on her cheek.

Applejack's eyes were moist with tears and soaking into the fabric of her pillow. "I...I can't. Not right now, sis."

"AJ, come on, this isn't you. Please tell me?"

The air was silent for a few moments, filled only with the faint sniffling of her sister. Apple Bloom was surprised to see how emotional she suddenly was. But Applejack recovered quickly and sat back up on the bed. "Go to Granny. She'll be able to tell us better'n I can."

Together, they trotted down the stairs and onto the main floor of the house. Outside on the porch, Granny Smith and Big Macintosh were relaxing before heading off to bed.

"Granny Smith?" said Apple Bloom.

She stopped rocking in her chair. "Isn't it past yer bedtime?" She said with a soft smile.

"Yeah, but...I couldn't sleep. I kept thinkin' about mom and dad, and what their lives were like before well, you know..."

Granny Smith's smile shrank instantly, and she signaled for all three of them to sit together. The suddenness of her mood change worried Apple Bloom. They gathered together on a wooden bench beside Granny's rocking chair. She then got up and left them, entering the house without muttering another word and leaving the three of them sitting idly on the porch. In the few moments before Granny Smith returned, Applejack looked into her sister's eyes, her cheeks still wet, and said something to her.

"Apple Bloom...when Granny Smith tells the story, I just want you to know...you don't have to feel responsible."

The hollow somberness of her voice genuinely scared her. "Responsible? For what?"

Granny Smith returned from the house with a dusty book and sat back down into her rocking chair. It creaked loudly for a few moments, then she took a breath and blew the dust off the book into the air. The wind carried it away from the porch and into the blackness of the night surrounding them. On the cover were the words Apple Family History. Volume 138.

"Is that--" Apple Bloom said surprised, "I thought Goldie Delicious had that."

"She did." Granny Smith wiped off the rest of the dust on the cover. "I asked to borrow it for awhile, figuring this would happen eventually...when the time was right." She sighed. "To tell ya' the truth, I should have told you a long time ago." She opened the book to a specific page and began reading. "After Pear Butter and Bright Mac got married, they moved into the Apple family's homestead and continued the family business as usual. Shortly after, however, they had their first child, Big Macintosh, whom was named as such for being an above-average weight at birth and quite large for a newly-born foal. Later was Applejack, who was born with a golden-yellow mane and a pair of white freckles. For several years, the Apple Family continued their honest work on the homestead, until..."

Granny Smith stopped talking for a moment and bit her lip.

"What does the book have to say about me?" Apple Bloom said with a small hint of worry in her voice.

"Well," Granny Smith continued...

Bright Mac sat impatiently in the hospital waiting room, his hooves tapping incessantly against the cold tiled floors. An annoyed mare opposite him shot him a glare, but he hadn't noticed. All he could think about was seeing their new baby foal. They had already gone through this two times before, but the whole process never failed to make him unreasonably nervous. He wanted to hold them in his hooves, to teach them how to work on the farm, and to tell them the story of how he met their mother. There were just so many things he couldn't wait to do all over again like he did with Big Macintosh and Applejack. His heart raced with anticipation.

While he waited, the doctors were performing tests to make sure Buttercup was ready to begin the birthing process. Business as usual, of course. A nurse came up to him looking tired. "Excuse me, Bright Mac, the doctor wants you for a moment."

Something in the tone of her voice startled him, and he quickly got up from his seat to make his way to where Buttercup was. This wasn't the usual procedure. The nurse's words echoed in his mind as he hastily entered the room. Buttercup was lying stoically in bed, but a faint smile grew across her face when he entered. The doctor looked worried, but kept his professional demeanor as he looked over his clipboard.

"Bright Mac," said the doctor as he placed down the clipboard, "I have some news for you. Please sit down."

His heart racing, he sat down on the bed next to Buttercup and held her outstretched hoof.

"As you may know, there are always small risks involved with the birthing process. We do all we can to minimize them, but unfortunately, there are some times when not everything can be prevented." The doctor took a short breath and sighed. "There may be a complication with the birth of your foal, and your wife is at risk."

Bright Mac's eyes widened and he turned to look into Buttercup's. She simply looked back, gazing longingly into his. He looked back to the doctor. "What risk?"

"There is a small, but above-average risk she may not survive the birthing process. We've taken every precaution to ensure everything goes alright, but we thought you should know that there is a risk involved."

His mind went blank, and his head felt heavy upon hearing those words. For several moments, he couldn't process anything until he noticed Buttercup's presence next to him. "H-h-how much of a risk?" He replied shakily, greatly disturbed. He looked into Buttercup's eyes again and was taken aback to how calm she seemed.

"It's hard to say," continued the doctor. "Scenarios like these are not entirely uncommon, but every case is different."

He looked back into Buttercup's eyes, trying to search for the right words to say to her, but the only thing he did was drip tears onto her blanket. She smiled calmly and held his hoof tightly with both of hers. "No matter what happens, you'll have our beautiful baby foal."

Immediately, tears welled up in his eyes and fell onto the blanket as he leaned in to hug her on the hospital bed. He felt her embrace wrap around him as she nuzzled herself closer. She let out her emotions and sobbed softly for a few moments before gazing up at him, tears beading in her eyes.

"We'll never be far apart, no matter what happens."

"Nothing will happen," he tried consoling her, but he realized that the words he was speaking were directed more towards himself. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

She sighed, wiping a tear from her face. "We're on a prickly path, Mac."

A smile grew on his face at the mention to their song. "But it's worth it just to see you smile," he continued the verse.

She smiled in return and locked eyes with him, gazing for several long moments. "What should we name her?"

"Apple Butter, after you?"

She smiled, but put a hoof on his and gave another suggestion. "How about Apple Bloom? After our tree. That way, when it blooms, we can always think of her."

"That's perfect." He rubbed another tear from his eye. "It's a beautiful name."

The doctor interrupted them. "We should induce the birth soon, as waiting longer may pose a greater risk. Would you like to be present?"

He stumbled upwards from their embrace, almost forgetting the urgency of the situation. But there was no doubt in his mind in how to answer that question. He wiped a tear from his eyes and replied with a confident but shaky voice. "Absolutely."

"I'll call in the nurses."

"...unfortunately due to a complication in the birthing process, Pear Butter did not survive giving birth to their third foal, Apple Bloom, a bright young filly with a crimson red mane," Granny Smith continued reading from the book.

Big Mac and Applejack were crying softly as the memories from their early childhood came back to them.

Apple Bloom stared at the floorboards of the porch, tears falling downwards and seeping into the cracks between them. "I...I don't know what to say," she muttered softly. Truthfully, she just didn't want to express the thoughts she was having. It was her own birth that caused her mother's passing, and she couldn't help but feel an automatic sense of guilt about it, despite knowing there was no reason for her to really feel that way. She knew now what Applejack meant by saying she shouldn't feel responsible.

"You don't have to say anything," said Big Mac. He sniffled once and continued, "It's just easier that way."

Applejack consoled him with a gentle embrace. His words spoke volumes to Apple Bloom. So much more made sense about her siblings to her now, so it was no wonder none of them had ever had the courage to tell her after going through something so terrible. Although she couldn't blame them since she never asked. Apple Bloom never thought to ask, since her family was still so close. To her it felt normal to only have a sister, brother, and grandmother.

"But wait," said Apple Bloom. "What happened to Bright Mac?"

"Well, I can tell you that," said Granny Smith. "Your dad came home alone with you in his arms. He didn't say much af'er tellin' me the news, his face solid as a stone. In the comin' days, he started gettin' sick and had to be admitted to the hospital. Nothing helped. I don't know all that happened while he was there, since I was busy takin' care a' you three, but during my brief visits...he just kept gettin' worse and worse. The doctors couldn't understand what was wrong, and well..."

Apple Bloom sighed. Another tear welled up in her eye and rolled down her cheek.

"But he was plum crazy about you," Granny Smith added to lighten the mood. "You shoulda' seen 'im, holdin' you in his arms all day. Couldn't get enough of ya."

The sounds of the night permeated the air during the lull of conversation. Crickets chirped and a cool breeze rustled the leaves on the trees surrounding them. The air was getting colder as the hours of the night continued to go by and Apple Bloom felt a shiver travel up her spine.

Applejack broke the silence. "...is there anymore in the book, Granny Smith?"

She rubbed a tear away from her eye and turned the page. "Some photos is all."

In the last few pages of the book were several pictures. The first two were pictures of Bright Mac and Buttercup holding Big Macintosh and Applejack on the days of their births. The third was a picture all of them smiling on the porch years before Apple Bloom was born. And the fourth was a picture of Apple Bloom being held by Bright Mac while laying in his hospital bed. All of them were held in place on the pages of the book, but that one was held in such a way that it could be removed with ease.

Apple Bloom took the picture out and looked at it for several seconds before turning it over to see a note written on the back side. She read it silently.

Dear Apple Bloom,

I'm sorry you never got to meet your mother, and I'm sorry you never got to truly get to know me, your own father. I'm holding you in my arms in this very moment, watching you play and marvel at all of the things in this hospital room. You are a beautiful young filly, and I know you will grow up to be just like your mother. I can see it in your eyes right now as they're filled with wonder. I wish I could tell you this now, but the doctors have told me I don't have long to live, so I hope you'll read this whenever the time is right.

Your mother once wrote a song for me, and in these days after her passing they've been on repeat in my mind. But every time I recall the lyrics, I can't help but think of you and my other two foals. Your mother never never wrote them down, but I am now and I hope that they'll live on through you.

We're far apart in every way, but you're the best part of my day. And sure as I breathe the air, I know we are the perfect pair.

On a prickly path that goes on for miles, but it's worth it just to see you smile.

And I cannot be pulled apart from the hold you have on my heart.

The seasons change and leaves may fall, but I'll be with you through them all. And rain or shine, you'll always be mine.

On a prickly path that goes on for miles, you're the only one who makes it all worthwhile.

And you should not blame me too, if I can't help fall in love with you.

I've told the doctors to make sure I'm buried with Buttercup next to the tree we planted not that long ago. I would have hoped to see it grow large one day, but it's enough for me to know that one day you'll be able to see it bloom, just like you.

As long as that tree stands, we'll never be far apart.

Love,
Buttercup and Bright Mac.

The next day, the Apple and Pear family sat together beneath the tree her parents had planted long ago. Its twisting trunks clung closely to each other and spiraled high above them and the leaves swayed gently in the breeze that meandered through the forest. Leaves rustled softly as birds chirped in the distance. A small stone plaque was situated at the base of the tree, overgrown slightly with grass and roots. On it were the words: Here lies Buttercup and Bright Mac, two star-kissed lovers whose time was short but full. May their love live on through the generations.

Talking to each other and sharing stories, they enjoyed each others' company while eating the tree's tasty fruits. Feeling like spending some time alone to herself, Apple Bloom trotted off to a grassy patch a little ways away and lay down to think. Applejack noticed and followed shortly after.

"You alright, sugarcube?"

"Yeah," Apple Bloom replied genuinely. "I think so. I just...wish I could have gotten to know 'em is all."

Applejack stumbled for the right words as she laid down on the soft grass next to her, their eyes looking at the tree. "I wish so too. Although, my memories are already fadin' too, and I reckon Big Macintosh feels the same."

Apple Bloom looked up at her. "Doesn't that make you sad?"

"Well, yeah...but it's not like I've forgotten 'em."

Apple Bloom stared at the grass as a gentle breeze rolled through the meadow, her face displaying a multitude of thoughts and emotions about what she said before replying.

Apple Bloom looked up at her sister, her eyes watering and voice very weak. "Why did nopony ever tell me?"

Applejack sighed, feeling absolutely terrible about herself. "Well, to be honest, sugarcube...I just wasn't ready. It's...somethin' I just sorta chose to forget. I wish I'd have been stronger for you."

"Even Big Macintosh and Granny?"

"Well, I can only speak for myself, but I think we both know Big Macintosh ain't the type for breakin' that kind of news. And Granny? Well, one can only speculate. She may have a tough skin, but every apples' got a core. It ain't easy losin' one of yer own, neither. I reckon she chose to forget too..." Her voice trailed a few moments. "It's not that I chose to forget, or Granny either, it's that it was just...easier to only think about the good times and, well, avoid thinkin' about the rest."

Another breeze swept its way through the treetops, whose leaves were beginning to appear a shade of pink and orange from the setting sun. After a few moments, Applejack noticed she wanted to be alone. "I'll leave you to yourself fer awhile."

She gently rustled up her sister's mane and left. Apple Bloom sighed and stared at the tree, watching its leaves sway gently in the breeze. She may not have ever been given the chance to know her parents, but she was glad to know what their lives were like when they were alive. Applejack's words echoed in her mind as she sat in pensive contemplation for several minutes. Before, she felt like it didn't make any sense to miss something she never had. But now, it felt natural. Her older sister and brother went through those feelings long ago, but she was never given the chance to process them herself. She knew now that she had never been given the opportunity to grieve.

As she continued to stare at the tree, tears steadily welled up in her eyes. But they weren't just tears of sadness, they were tears that needed to be shed. Tears that allowed her to move on from what she had never actually had.

A mother and a father.

Apple Bloom wiped the tears from her eyes, allowing her to see the tree more clearly again. She admired the two twisting trunks and the shimmering leaves with the sunset in the background, imagining what their wedding ceremony must have looked like all those years ago. She imagined the story of their budding romance, and what their voices would have sounded like. She imagined her father's face as he held her in his hooves for the first and last time, all while staring at the beautiful tree that symbolized their bond with each other, and now with her as well.

Despite having never lived among them, she knew they would never be far apart. Pulling out the picture of herself being held in her father's arms, she rubbed the remaining tears from her eyes to see his smiling face. She wished she could go back and experience that moment again, but found comfort in knowing how much they would have been there for her if they hadn't passed.

After one last look at the photograph, she gazed back up at her parents' tree and could have sworn she saw their faces in the leaves.