It's More Than Just A Bow...
Author's Note
Idea came partly from hearing this and partly from my own thoughts. (listen to it whilst reading for added mood and feels)
Also, for those without a mother, I know it is hard but having others by our side who decided to stay with us will always stay with us, no matter what. Make the most of them and enjoy them while you can.
It's More Than Just A Bow...
Apple Bloom laid curled in a small ball on her bed in her bedroom, twiggling at something between her hooves.
Her room was empty and quiet, the only occupant and sounds in the room being her and her breathing. Looking at the outside world from her window that sat comfortably in the wall that overlooked the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, the moon was out and hung in the sky like a glowing white beacon.
It was way past her usual bedtime but the small filly was too distracted by her thoughts to fall asleep. Instead, she lay on top of her comfortable bed with an occasional cold whisp of night air touching her along her back, making her shiver softly.
Her eyes leaked a tear or two as she kept them locked onto the pretty, pink accessory in her hooves: her bow.
But it wasn't just any bow, it was a bow that belonged to one of her relatives, somepony who loved her dearly. The only thing that upset her was the fact that she knew she wasn't around anymore and that she wouldn't see her again.
Memories of her still lingered around in her fragile mind and she could only remember a few from her younger age than what she is now. The mare on her mind was the one that looked out for her from her day of birth and took care of her alongside her older sister, Applejack, and big brother, Macintosh with her father.
Like she had the bow, Applejack had the same Stetson that was worn by her father. In Apple Bloom's case, she had gotten the bow from her mother when she passed.
As for how she passed, she wasn't so sure on.
It was basically her main reason for being noticeably sad on occasions such as Mother's Day. Whenever she was at school that day and everyone was making cards for their beloved mothers and speckling them with assorted glitter and paints and various other methods of decoration, she would always be awkwardly sat at the back in a sad silence, watching her fellow classmates as they went about making and designing their cards.
Her friends and even Cheerilee would try to cheer her up but nothing could fill her incomplete heart without her mother around, nevermind both her parents that were gone from the world.
A loud sigh escaped her and she would always respond with a ''Ah'm fine.'' and brush them off before silently crying to herself as she slumps on her desk with her head in her hooves.
Out of her entire class, she appeared to be the only one without parents to come home to. She only had a few ponies to go back to when she returns home after school that were her remaining family. Since being brought into the world, Granny Smith had taken the role of their mother for her three orphaned grandchildren and raised them as her own with Big Macintosh and Applejack to help out and pitch in when they were needed most during the bringing up of their baby sister to make sure she was and stayed happy.
She curled herself into a tighter ball as she held herself tighter, holding the bow close to her chest as she let out a cry and some tears managed to pour from her eyes.
Though she never really knew her parents, she knew for sure that they loved her dearly and she loved them all the same with all of her heart. From behind her turned back, she could hear her door slowly creak open followed by the soft tapping of hooves against the floorboards.
''Apple Bloom?'' The voice of Applejack called, presumably attracted to her younger sister's room upon hearing her crying. The hoofsteps became louder as she came closer to her sister and sat next to her on her bed in concern. ''Apple Bloom, what's wrong?'' She asked and placed a hoof to her back as Apple Bloom cried harder.
Placing both her hooves around her younger sister, Applejack easily and carefully lifted Apple Bloom, who was still holding onto her bow, before pulling her into a comforting hug. When Applejack's eyes settled on the pink accessory, she knew immediately what was wrong.
She frowned and felt great sympathy wash over her, herself getting a little emotional. In her hooves, Apple Bloom held onto her big sister as she cried, burying her face in her chest. To comfort her, Applejack stroked her mane, causing her tears to cease a little. Being in the embrace of her close sister made her feel more secure, how she imagined her mother's own embrace to be like.
''Applejack?'' Apple Bloom asked, looking up to meet the emerald eyes of her sister as she wiped her eyes with a hoof. ''W-What happened to Mum and Dad?'' The question made Applejack froze and she started to feel awkwardly uncomfortable in the situation she was now in. The only thing that made it harder for her other than finding the correct terms for a filly such as her sister to understand was that she was a terrible liar, and the Element of Honesty.
However, despite all of that, she knew that Apple Bloom deserved to know what happened, even though it would probably be best if she was a little older so that she'd understand better.
''A-Apple Bloom, Ah...'' Applejack paused, feeling the tears coming on as her mind snapped back to the memory of their parents. ''...Ah was hopin' until ya'll were slightly o-older, but Ah suppose ya best knowing about it sooner rather than later.'' She released her grip on Apple Bloom and let her down so she could sit next to her. Solemnly, Applejack took off her hat and placed it on the bed, her eyes starting to glisten.
''Mum a-and Dad...they...they...'' Her emotions getting the best of her, her tears began to break loose from her eyes. It was a rare sight to see a pony such as her cry and this time, Apple Bloom hugged her, giving her the comfort she needed to manage to find her voice. ''They were in an ac-accident. Just when ya'll were a baby.'' She said, struggling to keep her voice under control. ''Ah remember that Granny came to me and Macintosh when we were lookin' after you an'...an'...'' She broke down, crying uncontrollably as if she was remembering it like whatever happened took place seconds ago.
Seeing her sister cry made Apple Bloom cry again, too. Like Applejack did for her, she wrapped her small hooves around her and hugged her chest as best and as comfortingly as she could. Shakily, Applejack leaned down and hugged her back, nuzzling the top of her head.
''I-It's alright, Applejack.'' She said softly.
''Oh, Apple Bloom, Ah really don't know how to tell ya about it. Ah don't think either of us are ready.'' She said with a sad frown and a sniffle. ''You're still too young and Ah do think it'd be best if Ah told ya when ya get a little older.'' Momentarily looking to the pink bow laying beside her hat, she picked it up and looked at it for a short moment or two, caressing it gingerly with a hoof.
Quietly, she tied it into Apple Bloom's mane at the back where it now belonged before she took her hat and placed it back upon her head. They both shared a smile. ''She woulda wanted ya to have it, sugarcube. She always did love this bow an' I know she loved ya all the same.'' She leaned towards her sister and placed a kiss to her forehead. ''As long as ya'll have it, ya'll will always have her with you, no matter what.''
Apple Bloom's lip trembled and a tear slid down her cheek. Pulling her into a hug that they both settled into, Applejack rested her head on top of Apple Bloom's and she began to hum a song that their mother always used to sing to her when she was crying to put her to sleep, and it did the same even now.
