There's so many emotions, so many thoughts raging through your mind when you are delivered news from your wife that she is expecting. Heck, I nearly passed out upon hearing it; not from anxiety, although I admit there may have been just a little bit of that. It was mostly because my heart is so in love with her that it could barely take in the fact that we had achieved such a wondrous unity as a couple that we were going to have a foal together. In all honesty, though, if you ask anyone, a married couple having kids is not unexpected, nor is it something that doesn't really cross the mind of just about any other romantic couple. But to me, the word "normal" does not exactly come to mind when I think about Applejack and I, and not just because of the no-brainer that she's a pony and I'm a human.

I guess another reason is because I was never really expecting any of this to happen in my lifetime, even with someone of my own kind. I have a genuine care and appreciation for all living things, but I never loved a human girl the way I love Applejack. I've never met a girl who is purer than Applejack. The phrase "cleaner than a whistle" does not do her justice; when I think of clean, I don't think of a sparkling newly-washed floor or a tidied-up barn. I think of her innocent heart and how it doesn't delight in selfish pleasure but taking joy in the company of her family and friends. She works tirelessly day and night, tending her trees and farm with care, never questioning it. She is country to the core, but while some people might shy away from that, I am only drawn closer to her through it, in awe at the simplicity and love in her lifestyle. She is kinder than a flower, more beautiful then the sunset, and cuter then a kitten. I can't help all these things, she just is.

Of course Applejack and I don't care. She loves me as the human I am, and I love her as the adorable pony that she is. But, as I mentioned, it seems that Applejack and I having a foal together is unavoidably going to lead to some feelings of uniqueness. Either way, upon hearing the news from her, I was in a mood that is not all describable. I was in ecstasy beyond comprehension, and excited beyond my wildest dreams. I have Applejack, and with her, no adventure is too grand, no love is greater, and as long as I am with her, I could never be sad.

I know, I know, you're eager to get back to the story. So why don't we go right back to where we left off? On the top of the hill overlooking our beloved farm, where the sun had just risen and magnified the mist and the morning dew drops on the leaves of our apple trees. Already, the hoedown the night before and all the fun we had with Fiddlesticks and the other towns ponies were a distant memory. I had been sitting in the grass with my hands on my knees, staring out at the sun-lit orchard and taking in what just happened. After some heavy breathing, and, as I mentioned, nearly passing out, Applejack eventually sat down beside me chuckling sweetly, raising her hat off her head and placing on my own with her hoof, and leaning her against my shoulder, the two of us looking out at the orchard together in loving silence. Eventually, my excitement turned to pure adoration as I felt her head on my shoulder. I love you. My breathing slowed, and I just kept on admiring our beautiful orchard. Her beautiful orchard, which she had graciously determined to be mine as well, along with Big Macintosh's, Apple Bloom's, and Granny Smith's.

I realized, though, that this day was not going be just like any other day. Nope. I wanted to spend it alone with Applejack.  We had so much conversing and sharing to do, so much abiding in the other's company. A good idea popped into my head at that moment. I wanted to get away from both Ponyville and Sweet Apple Acres, and spend the day with no one but her. I was in no state of mind to be troubled with anyone else.

"Applejack?" I muttered, still gazing at the farm.

"Yea, sugarcube?" she replied, not moving her head. This time I pulled myself away and smiled shyly at her.

"Did you wanna maybe go to the waterfall?"

She turned head towards me quickly and her dainty emerald eyes lit up at the sound of it. Despite her swift reaction, she paused for a moment, killing me with her love.

"Ya mean like right now?" Upon hearing her enthusiasm, I couldn't help but brighten my own smile, which answered for me.

"Ah'd be right fine with that," she muttered, her smile reaching blinding level.

Remember the waterfall? That place holds a special place in our hearts. It's pretty much where we went on our first "date." It's the spot where I realized I needed her and just how happy I was to be around her, and how much I admired her. The spot I realized I had acquired a different kind of feeling then the one I was expecting. It's also the spot where Princess Cadence, Applejack's friend who has authority to perform marriages, secretly binded our hearts together in matrimony. I don't think I've mentioned it since the early part of the first chapter of my second testimony, the one where we had our Manehattan adventure.

Applejack stood up and reclaimed her hat, lending down a hoof to help me up. She had a cheery smile, clearly finding my state of mind to be adorable; she already knew what she was going to tell me, so she wasn't in the state of surprise that I was. I, however, continued to stare at her dreamily, unable to do anything but look at her and truthfully say to myself interiorly that I love her. I was too caught up in the moment and my own feelings to do anything else.

"Come on, honey, let's go let the fam know where we're goin'," she said, planting a quick kiss on my cheek and moving behind me for a push with her head.

"Um, ok," I said blissfully and meekly, my cheeks red from the kiss I just received. She gave a nudge with her head and cackled in her country draw, and as I turned my head around to smile at her, my feet got tangled up underneath me as I started down the hill. I yelped out loud and clumsily tried to catch myself, but before I knew it, I was rolling down the hill like a ball.

I tumbled around and hit the bottom of the hill with a thud, face down. I was delirious for a moment as I heard a the hoof-stomps of a concerned Applejack running down the hill towards me. As I lifted my dizzy head and the final star circling my head disappeared. I actually started to chuckle at myself; here I was all worked up about Applejack's news, and I still managed to fall down the hill. I've got an idea. I flipped over on my back and closed my eyes, pretending to be unconscious as she drew near me.

"Sugarcube! Ah'm so sorry!" she said, kneeling down beside me. I laid there motionless as she laid her head on my chest to hear if I was breathing. I could barely keep it together at this point, fighting with all my strength not to laugh or crack a smile. When she drew near to my face, and placed her hoof on my forehead, I opened my eyes and smiled broadly and saw her big green ones looking right back at me.

"Why you little-" she giggled, standing up and pulling me up with her hoof. As soon as I stood up we hugged each other tightly once more, and upon feeling all of her tender love in our embrace, my feelings erupted as I quickly ascended to the realm the divine rapture. I'm going to be a dad... and you're going be a mom... My wildest dreams had been realized.

"C'mon, sugarcube, we're goin' to the waterfall. Just let me tell 'em where we'll be," she said, trotting towards the farmhouse. I watched her with glee for only a moment before I hurried after her, the morning breeze in my face.

As Applejack and I entered the farmhouse together, we found all three of the other Apple family members in the kitchen. There was a pot of perhaps oatmeal on the stove; Apple Bloom and Big Macintosh were at the table laughing heartily about something and only Granny Smith's flank was visible as she had her head in the pantry. Upon entering, the eyes of Applejack's siblings both turned to us with smiles. Upon seeing them, my heart rate increased as I thought about what lay in the near future. Oh, do we have something to tell you... I knew with full confidence that they would be thrilled to hear of the newest Apple family member. This family is the truest definition of the word you could ever find.  

"G'mornin' sis, mornin' AJ, up awful early, ain't ya?" said Apple Bloom.

"Eeyup."

Applejack and I turned our eyes to the other with guilty smiles. Clearly, we were not going to tell them now. I had just found out and was still absorbing everything, and I don't think Applejack was ready to tell them yet either. Granny Smith pulled her head out of the pantry and poked it towards us upon hearing Apple Bloom's greeting.

"Howdy you too!" she exclaimed in her aged but energetic voice. "Applejack, where'd the ladle get to? I can't find it nowhere, I don't think it done sprouted legs and ran off. How 'bout you AJ, you seen it? Oh Applejack can you two take a stand over to town this mornin'? Big Mac is got some plowin' to do," she said. She tends to speak fast and very quirky, but nonetheless charming.

However, when she mentioned that last part, Applejack shot me a brief glance with concern.

"Uh, ah' was actually hopin' we could have the day off together today, seein' as how plum-tired AJ is from the hoedown last night," she said. She can read me so well, not to mention she also knows me better than I do. She knew right away that I wanted to get away and spend time with her so we could talk about our new secret. But being the loving family member she is, she also wouldn't refuse family duty; I knew that, and immediately accepted it.

"Applejack, it's fine, really, I can do it," I said, as Granny Smith raised her eyebrow with mild concern.

"Well, Apple Bloom's got school today, but I suppose we could go one day without sellin' any apples," she said.

"Here, how bout this; ah' can handle it mahself. Sugarcube, you take the day off. Ah'll take a stand over yonder and sell some apples," she said, winking at me. I knew what she was up to; she's selfless, so she wants to take everyone's burden for herself and expect nothing in return. I love her for that, and I deeply admire her willingness to go to such great lengths for those she loves, but my initial reaction was that I didn't want her to do that.

"Applejack!" I said, wrapping my arms around her neck with affection and smiling at her nobly. "I'm ok, really. I want to go with you and help you," I said. Even though I wanted to go off and be alone with her, I really did want to help her. I understood why she had to do this, I wasn't going to miss it just because I maybe wanted to go somewhere quiet and alone with her. I want to help her at all opportunities, and I will never deny her my aid.

She smiled reassuringly at me, as though letting me know everything was going to be ok and that she loved me. We both knew of course exactly what we were thinking, but she couldn't say that out loud. Imagine a scenario where she says in reply "ya see Granny, AJ is kinda shell shocked right now, ah' just told him we're gonna have foal together, that's why he ain't in the best spot to be workin'." Yeah.

"Honey, ah' know that you are plum--tuckered out, and yer wantin' to help is cute and sweet. But please do this, fer me. It'll make me happy, sugarcube, you wanna make me happy, don't ya?" she said in her pleading, especially-sugar-coated tone. She's smart in that regard; she knows I can never deny her when she's like that. I sighed and nodded slightly and submissively to her adorable will. Still, what was I supposed to do? I needed her.

"Alright, Applejack. You get your wish. Just don't be too long, I can't - "

"Meet me upstairs, sugarcube, ah'll be right there."

Turning my head to the rest of the fam, I blushed deeply and smiled sheepishly, not hesitating in exiting the kitchen and heading for the stairs. As soon as I was out of sight from them, I hurried up the steps and over to our bedroom. Whew, that was close. I shut the door behind me and took a deep breath, even though Applejack would be on her way in any minute. As I began to ponder the wonder of Applejack carrying a foal, and not only that, but dare I say, mine, I blushed deeper than before and held my hand over my heart, but I was interrupted by a peculiar item resting on the dresser opposite the bed. It was our element of harmony; honesty, in the form of two gold necklaces. Applejack's was necklace was nearly the same as her cutie mark, which is three apples representing her destiny and special talent, which is this tending this apple farm and this Apple family. The only difference is that the necklace has a gem in the shape of just one apple from the cutie mark on her flank.

When we married and our hearts became one, I became part of the element of honesty as well, and I even acquired a necklace upon using the elements of harmony to defeat the dark unicorn in the first testimony. I walked over and picked it up, examining it. I gave it back to Twilight for safekeeping after it appeared magically around my neck moments after the element of honesty channeled through Applejack and I, and that was the last time I'd seen it. What is it doing here? I felt my heartstrings tugging upon seeing it; it was pure gold, with a marvelous gem in the shape of Applejack, down to her last detail, colors, cutie mark and everything (except no hat). This was especially touching to me since humans don't have cutie marks, at least not visible ones. But I had an invisible one, for sure, and it manifested itself on this necklace. Applejack is my cutie mark. I chuckled with felicity as I held it in my hand and looked over it. Twilight must have left them with us. But why would she do that?

I heard the door open behind me and the sound of hooves on the floor, and sure enough, I turned around and there was the angel, smiling with tenderness. She removed her hat and held it over her heart for a moment as her eyes deepened.

"Sugarcube, ah'm sorry, but ah' know how you feel right now and ah' know yer gears er' turnin' in yer head upon hearin' what ah' told you. Ah' promise you, ah' will sell some apples and before the high noon bell rings we will be together, and we can talk and dream till we fall asleep in each other's forelegs," she assured. Her compassion never ceases to amaze me, but I expect it from no one else at the same time.

I stared at her with a faint smile for a moment, giving her my love through my gaze. I sighed with a little more ease then before, and after setting the element back on the dresser, I turned back to her and laughed softly.

"I'll be here when you get back," I assured. Relieved to see my relief, she beamed for a moment before raising an enticing eyebrow.

"Ya wanna meet me there?"

"Meet you there?" She grinned smugly, as though she had some great proposition for me.

"Why not? You go on ahead, and when ah'm done with mah' sellin' ah'll surprise ya," she reassured, and upon hearing that, I immediately complied in my heart, though I paused in my speech, slowly smiling from ear to ear at her, to her great delight.

"Deal," I finally said, as she began walking towards me.

"C'mere, you," she remarked playfully, and squeezing me in her forelegs once more. I buried my head atop her mane and embraced all her warmth. I can wait for you. Only you.

She removed herself and turned around, walking out the door, and I felt my need for her increase tremendously as she disappeared from my gaze. The sound of her hooves made their way downstairs until I could no longer hear them, and I immediately wished I could hear them again. I longed to spend this glorious moment with her, but I would have to wait, as I just assured her and myself. I missed her already. Just a few hours, AJ.

So, after Applejack departed into town with an apple stand, I left the house as well and made my over to the Everfree Forest entrance near Fluttershy's house. This gave me an opportunity to ponder by myself on the unfathomable blessing my wife and I had been granted. Now it was still pretty early in the morning, and there was good chance the shy pegasus was still asleep.  I was rather hoping for this; Fluttershy is a kind and pleasant young pony and a good friend of Applejack's, but I wanted to avoid everypony but Applejack. I was deep in trance, and if I were to come across anypony I would probably be a nervous wreck, unable to think about anything else and risk spilling the beans. It didn't occur to me exactly what kind of consequences that could have, but I tried not to think about it.

To be extra careful, I walked a couple hundred yards to the side of the house just so I could be sure I wouldn't be seen. I began playing with the idea of how Fluttershy might react to such news, and I covered my blushing face with my hand. I could hear her delicate voice in my head. Oh! My... how lovely, Applejack. Congratulations! I can't wait to play with him. Um... or her. The orange, freckled face of Applejack was soon smiling at me in my imagination.

As I reached the edge of the forest, I turned back and observed the lush countryside before entering the forest, and out the corner of my eye, a flash of the colors of a rainbow; it seems a certain cyan pegasus was here to check up on her friend. Upon seeing her, I entered the forest and out of sight from anyone.

Had it been a little earlier, I would probably not be entering the forest by myself. It can be very scary in the forest when it's dark, and the darkness attracts dangerous creatures like timberwolves. The sun was up enough now, though, and the route which led to the waterfall deep in the forest was one of the lighter paths in the forest.

Under the canopy of the leafy upper branches of the trees of the Everfree Forest, I walked with a skip in my step even though I had a good, long, and lonely hike in front of me. Of course I was musing myself terribly, my eyes were pointed up as though to heaven. Even though the I was surrounded by green, the only green on my mind was the glittering emerald of the country mare's eyes.

We're gonna have to think of a name for him. Or her! Oh man... we're gonna need a cradle, baby-bottles... I wonder if we still have Apple Bloom's baby stuff? I cannot wait for this to happen. A surge of excitement ran through my entire body at such thoughts and as evidence I leaped unhesitatingly right over a small divit/brook that crossed the path. As I chuckled to myself, I imagined Applejack holding a tiny, sleeping baby pony, her gaze full of the most tender filial love I could possibly imagine. But then I came to a halt and stared into space wide eyes as a fascinating mystery came to me. Wait... so is our foal going to be a  ... pony?

That was a puzzler. I'm not a complete idiot; this had crossed my mind before. But for various reasons, starting with the fact there was no confirmation, I never fully addressed it until now. I began walking again, but at a loss, scratching my head. What does a pony-human hybrid look like? In this world I came to where magic exists in the boldest and most astonishing of ways, I knew it would've been silly of me to dismiss it. The two of us did consider that perhaps in our love, a foal between a pony and a human was possible. Regardless of whether or not I could perceive what such a foal would look like, it's going to happen. And I couldn't be more excited to find out. I put my hand to my chest and looked up at the lighting penetrating the canopy and dreamed of the one whom I need more than water or food. Oh Applejack... I wish you were with me right now. I love you so much... I'm so happy for you... for us...

Immediately our lives together, all the times we've played together or gone on adventures flashed before me. You see, the fact that I'm a human is not even the real reason I questioned having children with Applejack. Ever since I've known her, she's been the kindest, cutest girl I could ever think to exist. I've only ever tried to return good her selfless love and care to her through my own heart as best I can, but one thing I was afraid of was disrespecting her. It was her angelic purity and clean heart that had separated her from all the other creatures, pony or human, that I've ever met. The thought of disrespecting Applejack was something that could only be found in my most agonizing and despairing nightmares. That's why I was so excruciatingly disturbed at what Trixie had planned for her with her brother, because even if she ever recovered from the "love potion", she would've been heartbroken forever. What's more, I had never dreamed of meeting anyone who I trusted or loved enough to go so far as to have children with. However, it was just before I saved her that I realized that now I did trust and love someone enough to commit myself in such a way. It was Applejack. But I resolved to leave it up to her.

She revealed to me after we were reunited in Manehattan just how much she loved and trusted me. She gave me her whole heart when she married me, and with that, she gave me her undying and fully committed love. She told me as we danced in each other's arms that she would love to take this step with me and become united so closely as to be the parents of one foal, a mother and a father.  Upon hearing that request from her, I was overjoyed beyond what I thought possible. Upon her request and my consent, I knew I couldn't possibly disrespect her in the form of having a child. We're married, after all, and it was our love and appreciation for each other that magnified itself through us having a child together; a source of new life, born from our highest affection and desire to respect the other.

And now, coming back to reality, I minded my surroundings for a quick second to make sure I was in the right place. Everything looked familiar, except maybe a few new shrubs and bushes that had since grown along the path, so it appeared I was just fine. I still had a ways to go, though. Typically it takes me forty five minutes to walk there, it seems today was going to be about just that. I had mixed up my speeds; the first half was fast as I entertained myself with thoughts of our foal, and after that I was going quite slow as I pondered the mystery of our love, human and earth pony. Well, right on schedule. Nothing wrong with that. I tilted my head upward again towards the light and and began whistling my favorite jig as the birds in the forest seemed to join in with my harmony, adding their own beautiful elements. It seems I made the right choice coming to Equestria. Whether I have or not, this is my life now. And I couldn't be happier with it. I love a pony with all my heart, my soul, my mind, and my strength, and she happens to return it. The ultimate expression of true romantic love is the raising of a child, and that's exactly what awaits us. Can't ask for much more than that.

Our life is an adventure, however, and with adventure comes peril. But no amount of peril or suffering that isn't worth going through if it means being with sweet Applejack. In the fourteen months we've been married, we've had our fair share, starting with the battle between the elements of harmony- Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack and I- and a dark unicorn. Among others after that (at least ones you've read about) you've got the incident where Applejack and I saved Ponyville from a runaway train and then of course the epic night we had in Manehattan.

It occurred to me that our adventures most likely are not done with as I began to near the last part of the hike before reaching the waterfall. After all, the elements of harmony are Equestria's single most powerful and most important form of defense. The thought of a threat to Applejack was the most unsettling thought imaginable. Not only her, but our foal, now, as well. I felt an ember contained slightly inside me fire up a little bit, fueled by my unwillingness to see anything happen to my most beloved and most precious country mare. She can handle herself, she's the strongest minded person (or pony) I've ever met. But that doesn't mean she never needs my help. And it certainly doesn't mean I won't protect her from anything.

Are they any possible threats to Applejack's safety and well-being? Not to mention the rest of the family. I remembered Rainbow Dash had asked an almost identical question to Twilight last night at the hoedown. That's right, the hoedown was last night! Gosh that was so much fun. The fiddle and banjo are the greatest instruments ever. It seemed like months since that hoedown already, and it was just last night. Snap out of it, AJ! What was it Twilight said? Something about Discord.

Discord had been a villain in the past, manipulating Applejack and her friends into becoming the opposite of their true self, a story that infuriates me to the highest degree to think about.  A mischievous serpentine creature with a body made up of different parts from various animals, Discord, even though I've never met him, is said to be immensely powerful. The thought of that immediately made me cringe; I'm incapable of magic, you know, besides the magic within me of course. But we have found a way to beat villains far more powerful then ourselves on more than one occasion. And besides, he's not more powerful then the combined strength of the elements. But then again, was Discord really a threat? He'd supposedly been reformed, and was no longer doing evil deeds. Maybe I could relax after all. As long as I had Applejack, I was ok. I just want to raise our foal in peace and harmony.

I approached the last few steps of the trail and beheld the rushing sound of the falls just beyond the last trees up ahead. I walked forward and pushed the branches aside and walked through. It was just as I remembered it; a beautiful waterfall only about five feet wide and twenty feet high was cascading into a crystal clear pond. Along the banks of the pond was soft soil, and bright pink and white flowers made up the rim around the opening in the forest. The blue sky was back overhead, and the sun was right up overhead.

It was perfect for playing and swimming, as Applejack and I had utilized before; we'd been here many times since our secret wedding, but not for a good while. It was quite the romantic setting, but I admit, as I came through there, it hit me how different this was from the farm. 'Man... we do not belong here...' I joked with myself. Even though we are farmers at heart and country as can be, I still think this place is a nice getaway for us. It's fun, it's gorgeous, and it's different, perfect for, in my eyes, a beautiful relationship between a human and an earth pony.

Immediately as I moved my eyes over the landscape, memories of our first time here played in my mind. It was here that I discovered certain feelings for Applejack stronger than I'd ever felt as we played and splashed in the water and then watched the sunset up on the top of the falls. I remember sitting up there and thinking to myself how pretty Equestria was, especially this place. But sitting atop the falls, Applejack was suddenly the most beautiful thing of all, her shiny orange coat, golden mane, and white freckles making for a gorgeous sight. But more importantly, as I stared into those emerald eyes of hers, I saw the immaculate heart that she had within, and everything else about her from her accent to her innocently adorable country personality.

I was going to have to pass the time now, though. It would still be at least a few more hours until Applejack arrived. I came to the bank of the pond and sat down on the soft ground, which felt perfect for lying down in. I raised my knees and rested my elbows on them, peeking my head all around at the scenery. A very soft mist from the falls could just barely be felt where I was sitting, perfect for this warm day.

I wasn't sitting there long, though, before I scooted myself over to the pool. I peered my head over the edge of the water and gazed into my own reflection. There I was, but I was no less ashamed to be what I saw; my young face, bright blue eyes, and dark hair. I saw myself and I thought about Applejack calling me cute, and I smiled. So that's what I look like when I blush. Wow, that is really meek-looking. I can't be like that if there's ever a threat to her or our foal. My protective ember flared some seriousness into me, but I had looked away from my reflection at that point.

I fell back and sighed. I'm going to be a dad... As wondrous a thought as it was, I also felt the my heart pleading for Applejack's to draw close to it. I missed her dearly, and I'd only been away from her for an hour or so. I just wanted to be with her. Well, it's going to be a while before she gets here, so I better get used to it. After all, there's plenty of things I can entertain myself with until she gets here. Applejack had a way of getting me to look at the positive of things. And, it will be that much better when she does get here. Still, as I looked around me, as beautiful as it was, there was a serious lack of activities for me to do for the next few hours, and I knew it. But I knew right where to start if I was going to make it. I'm going to be a dad! Immediately I smiled.

I ended up sitting there for four hours, pondering all kinds of things, most of which were about either Applejack or our newly expectant son or daughter. Unable to think of things to do, the only thing I accomplished from a physical perspective was set some stones in a circle in case I wanted to make a fire. But that was not much good, seeing as how I didn't bring matches or anything. I must admit I did try rubbing sticks together for a while, but to no avail.

I was lying on my back, and was noting how far the sun had moved across the sky since my arrival, and turning my head in different angles to to see if I could try to make out images in the puffy clouds. It was still a bright sunny day, but we were approaching the evening hours. I wonder how Big Macintosh will react. Granny Smith? Apple Bloom will be thrilled to hear she gets to be somebody's aunt. It occurred to me that this foal would be raised primarily by Applejack and I, of course, but it was going to be raised on the farm. That means Big Mac, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith will all be figures in it's upbringing. I immediately thought of how all the members in the family are connected, not just in blood, but in friendship and love. Now that is a comforting thought.

It seemed as though the breeze was kicking up, and the sound of wind rushing through the leaves of the trees surrounding the waterfall could be heard slightly over the falls itself. I stood up and closed my eyes, taking in the deepest breath of fresh air I could through the nostrils. There were many nice scents in the air here, but none compared to the scent of the farm. I stared into my reflection once more, seeing the same human I saw before. She chose me. A human. That's a comforting thought as well. I felt as though I had been starved of food and water for days simply because I hadn't seen in her hours. My heart was aching to see her, to share my joy with her. It seems there would be no joy until she returned to me.  I'd give anything for the fragrance of apples right now.

I clasped my hands together and turned my head upward toward the skies with immense longing in my eyes. I just wanted my wife to be at my side. I closed my eyes and pictured her again, her loving beam breathing life into me and her voice soothing all of my weariness away. I sighed deeply and loudly, and my wishes were granted at the sound of a soft, familiar voice coming from a young, country female equine.

"You doin' alright, sugarcube?"

I immediately turned around, and there she was, with a bright, loving smile illuminating from her freckled face. She had on her cowpony hat just like usual, but there was a green saddlebag and sleeping bag straddled over her back. I barely noticed them; I was lost in her eyes as they poured essence and joy back into me again.

"Ah' see you got stones set fer a fire, that's perfect, ain't nothin' a timberwolf more afraid of then a fire. Ah' was thinkin' we'd just sleep here fer the night. Watcha think?" she said. I laughed gently. That sounded beyond heavenly.

"I think you know me very well," I said. She giggled and walked slowly towards me. "Did you sell many apples?"  

She laughed heartily, and I smiled from ear to ear at the sound of her laughter, but at the same time I realized apples were not on either of our minds. She paused for a while, giving me that soulstare that consumes me. She slowly took off her saddlebag and set it on the ground, taking the sleeping bag in her mouth and spreading it across.

"Sugarcube, ah'm sorry about that," she said softly. "Ya didn't need to have sellin' apples on yer plate today too," she said. I shook my head softly, smiling as reassuringly as I could.

"Applejack..."

I didn't know how to respond. The apologetic tone in her voice was melting me, and I was on the verge of breaking out into tears given the magnitude of everything that happened just from a simple delivery of words. I couldn't do anything but look directly at her, loving her with all of my heart. My feelings were just so deep. She sensed how I felt, so she didn't say much, she just stared with great care.

"C'mere, sugarcube."

She laid down on her stomach on top of the sleeping bag and looked up at me for a moment. She eyed for me to sit down beside her, which I immediately did without any question, but I was still having trouble keeping myself together. Be strong, AJ, be strong, just like her. She smiled at me, reassuring me that everything was just fine.

"A-Applejack?" I muttered, as I fought back tears. She rolled over on her side, keeping her eyes and her loving smile on me. Then she pointed her head at her stomach. I held my hand over my mouth, unable to breath. Excitement channeled through me like electricity. I slowly and gently placed both hands on her belly and brought my ear down to a rest. It was so soft, and it moved up and down. I could not make out a heartbeat, but somehow, I knew. I can't explain it, maybe it's the magic that we experience from the unity of our hearts, I don't know. But I somehow knew she was with foal, albeit the early stages. I drew myself away and began crying, at the same time laughing in disbelief.

I sat up and began wiping my tears away from my shirt, hiding my face from her. I felt her sit up as well. I felt so weak and  for crying like this, but at the same time I figured it just meant I cared. Looking back on it, it's sillier to think she thought any less of me for shedding some tears, quite the contrary. I did care. I cared as strong as I possibly could. When I rested my head on her belly and felt it for myself, I was just overwhelmed with joy. I am just so attracted to your beautiful heart.

"I'm sorry," I said, pulling myself away and covering my eyes. She sat back up and frowned, wrapping a foreleg around me. I was back in her arms where I belonged.

"Hey, ah'll have none of that."

She brought her lips to mine and began kissing me. As I gave her my love in the form of simple kiss, my heart erupted for her, and I wrapped both arms around her and we embraced as hard and as long as we ever have. With no other soul would I ever unite mine as half as intimately as with I do with yours.