December 30th, 993 Domina Solaria

“Alright, you’ve evaded the question long enough,” Doug says as he idly runs one hand through Applejack’s mane. “What is the story behind Hearth’s Warming?”

The farmpony chuckles to herself as she shifts, trying to find a comfortable spot laying on her side with her head in Doug’s lap. She doesn’t like the feel of his jacket or pants, even the light ones, much preferring the warmth and softness of his bare skin. “Ah told y’already. Ah’m waitin’ for everypony to get here.”

“I mean,” Doug continues with a motion to the otherwise empty room, “you don’t have a hearth to warm.” His hand returns to her belly and settles on the obvious bulge. He rubs until he finds the harder skull, then lightly massages with gentle squeezes and soft caresses.

“Come on, partner,” Applejack returns mirthfully, enjoying the pleasant touch just as much.

“And don’t tell me that a stove counts as a hearth.” Doug nods resolutely. “You need an actual fireplace, where you burn wood. And a firepit doesn’t count.”

“It’s symbolic,” Applejack retorts, snuggling up against him. Her ears flick against his chest and leg, drawing his hand out of her mane and to them. He playfully nips at her, setting off a wild if ultimately self-destructive battle of ears versus fingers. It’s a long fight, full of flops and feints, with Doug trying to land pinches while Applejack bats him away with nothing more than anticipation and timing.

“You said that before.” Doug sighs as he concedes defeat to the reigning ear wrestling champion. He must have some tell, because how else could she manage to parry him so effectively? He rewards her with - what else? - more ear scratches.

“And Ah’ll keep sayin’ it, ‘cause it’s true.” Applejack glances up just before the creak of the front front porch. It must be Rarity, from the heavy sound despite the snow, and the front door opens to confirm her guess. “Howdy, Rares!”

Doug smiles as Applejack’s belly jolts, his hand in the perfect position to feel the kick. He lowers his head as she raises hers, meeting the other with a quick nuzzle. They both love every reminder of the happy, healthy foal growing inside, and he makes sure to give her plenty of said reminders - little scratches to her sides, gentle pets, or holding onto her belly when they make love or cuddle afterwards.

“Good evening,” Rarity replies, pausing in the doorway. A hoof goes to her own belly as she trades knowing smiles with Applejack. The shared moment is sadly brief as Rarity turns to the still open door. “Please hurry,” she pleads, stamping her hooves. “You’re letting all the cold air in!”

It’s true, they are, and the Apple farmhouse doesn’t exactly have much in the way of central, or even local, heating. Doug actually finds getting up early to help with the baking easier purely because he gets to hang around the hot ovens. Though it’s always hard to leave Applejack’s, and whichever pony might be sharing the bed’s, side. Especially on cold days like this one, though the clear skies tonight are less of a request and more of a command from on high.

“Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow Dash says as she swoops inside. Just like Rarity she pauses close to the doorway, a hoof going to her belly. “Hey, I think she realizes we’re all together!”

“Ah agree,” Applejack says with a whinny, her hoof leaving Doug’s leg and bracing her stomach. “Little tyke must’a felt y’all comin’, she was sleepin’ nice ‘fore ya got here.”

“Speak for yourself, this little sweetie has been having a go at my flank the entire time. And, let me tell you, my bladder does not appreciate it.” Rarity glances around the farmhouse, her muzzle pursing tight. “And, speaking of which, please excuse me for just a moment.”

“Oh,” Rainbow Dash says as Fluttershy enters the house, “also, we invited somepony else.” The way she says it conveys that there is no doubt in her mind this invitation will go over perfectly well.

“Hi, Dougie!” Pinkie Pie pronks into the house, grinning at Doug. She tosses him a cupcake that he barely snags in time. The next one sails through the air towards Applejack and she deftly catches it with her mouth. “We had some leftovers at the party! Just enough for you and Applejack!”

“Thanks, Pinkie,” Doug says, already feeling his cheerfulness beginning to wane. At least Rainbow shuts the door and the room has a chance to heat back up. And with this collection of ponies, it very likely will. He takes a bite of the cupcake, and the sugar infused deliciousness barely compensates for the exuberant mare. “Did your party go well?”

“It was amazing!” Pinkie Pie shouts to the rafters as she pronks about. “We had all sorts of games, and a huge tree, and we all gave presents and sang songs! Best party ever!”

“Sounds like you had fun,” Doug returns noncommittally. He forces a smile, taking another bite of the cupcake.

“I’m just sad you weren’t there,” Pinkie Pie says with a heavy frown. She rolls into his lap, lightly bumping her head against Applejack’s; neither seems to care. “Why didn’t you come?”

“Doug likes the quiet,” Applejack answers for him. “And, Ah’ll admit, Ah didn’t mind keepin’ him company.”

“Oh, that’s why you left early!” Pinkie Pie giggles to herself. “I thought you didn’t like my gift!”

“Well, that’s just it,” Applejack says with a faked grin. She rummages around, pulling out a single jug made of rock. She shakes it, and nothing happens. “Ah wasn’t exactly sure what to make of it.”

“It’s for one of my family’s favorite recipes!” Pinkie Pie nods her head vigorously, despite her head being right in Doug’s lap. “Rock cider!”

“Rock…” Applejack peers at the jug dubiously. “Ah’ll have to... try that sometime.”

“And since we weren’t able to give you your gifts at the party,” Rainbow Dash hoofs Doug a small box, “we figured we could do it now before we go to bed!”

“Bed?” Doug asks with a frown. He glances outside; it’s barely seven. It seems quite early, even though the Apple’s include ‘early to bed, early to rise’ as one of their mottos. “We aren’t staying up for the new year?”

“Eh,” Pinkie Pie says with an exaggerated yawn. “Even I can admit that there can be too much partying. Who wants to party-” she draws out the last three words “~all night long?” Her muzzle twitches as she grins, with an occasional spasm impossible to notice.

Doug’s eyes narrow. “No matter what?”

“Awww,” Pinkie Pie pouts as she sighs heavily. “You got me.” She rolls her eyes, then her body, ending up with her forelegs crossed inside Doug’s and her muzzle pressing against the floor. “I do like to party all night long. I just didn’t want you to feel forced into it.”

“New Years is one of the few times we do stay up all night to celebrate,” Doug says, relaxing as he leans back. Rainbow Dash joins him on the other side, Fluttershy content to listen quietly. “Most of our other holidays took place in the day. Except for Independence Day, but that’s just because the fireworks are easier to see at night.”

One hand goes to the cerulean belly. Of the three Rainbow Dash shows the most, and not just because she was the smallest to begin with. Each of them has gained about fifteen percent of their weight, which is high but not alarming by pony standards. It’s just that Rainbow Dash has the least amount to conceal it against. Applejack has plenty of bulky muscles which allows the foal to blend in to her generally heavyset build. And Rarity had a bit extra to begin with, the perfect amount of ‘cushion’, if you will, though it's not all in her flanks.

Another kick reverberates Applejack’s belly, echoing in Rainbow’s. Doug glances over at Rarity as she emerges from the bathroom, her own belly shifting noticeably.

“I daresay I hope they get used to being around each other,” Rarity remarks with a smile. “Because if they don’t, I’m afraid I will have to spend all of my time in the Boutique and never see any of you again.”

“Oh, Ah’m sure they’ll be inseparable,” Applejack counters.

Rainbow Dash prompts, “They might even finish each others…”

“Sandwiches?” Doug offers, smirking.

“They better not,” Rarity retorts. She taps a hoof against her chin as she reconsiders, “Unless it’s a sandwich of which I only took a bite to figure out what is inside. Then, assuming it isn’t cucumber, they are free to share.”

“Plus, we ain’t talkin’ ‘bout your sandwiches,” Applejack continues. “We’re talkin’ bout them sharin’ with each other.”

“Oh, fine,” Rarity says with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “I suppose I shall allow them to finish each other’s sandwiches.”

A brief moment of silence stretches before Doug asks, “So, what happens on Hearth’s Warming? Where did the celebration come from?”

“Well,” Applejack explains, “it all started with the three tribes - earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi - before they were united.”

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