Her Little Gem

"You're what?!" Applejack's bewildered gaze met the white unicorn's. Her orange jaw hung open in shock.

Rarity shuffled nervously within the crowd around her. "Oh, do keep it down, darling. You know how news like this spreads," she said, placing her hoof over her friend's.

Applejack quickly closed her mouth, lowering her stetson back over her mane. "Holy mother of Celestia, do ya really mean it?" Her emerald eyes twinkled, as she cupped a hoof over her lips in a whisper.

Rarity gave a strained smile, her nose wrinkling at the spittle that came from Applejack. "I believe so, Applejack. But ooh.." she held her forelimb up to her head melodramatically. "It was quite hard to come to this decision."

The farm mare grinned, patting her friend on the shoulder. "Oh, Ah can only imagine," she replied, hoisting her basket up higher on her back. "What made ya think of such a thing?"

Rarity bit her lip, studying the ground. "Oh, well. I don't know. It's just something I've been missing for a while," she said softly.

Applejack nodded. "Yep, sometimes the best things in life are like that. Just like me and mah apples."

Rarity made a face, rolling her eyes. "Yes, darling. Just like your apples."

Applejack chuckled, a deep rolling laugh. "Ah'm only kiddin. It sounds mighty excitin', Rares. Ah'm proud of ya. But Ah gotta get back to sellin' these apple fritters. Is that alright if Ah see ya later? Ah reckon this is something ya want to do on your own."

Rarity nodded eagerly, wrapping her hooves around her friend's chest. As they pulled away, Applejack with a clap on the back, Rarity waved goodbye.  "Good luck!" Applejack called, facing back for just a moment as she trotted away. "Although, Ah know there are other ways of gettin' a foal!" She winked

Rarity harrumphed at her retreating form, her face a bright red. Wasn't that just like her? But, for some reason, she still found that she was smirking.

Her heart pounding erratically within her chest, Rarity took a deep breath, continuing on her way past the fair's many stalls to her destination. As she walked, the sounds faded behind her.

The night before, she had finally come up with the single most important choice of her life, however complicated it might of seemed under the dark of Luna's night sky. She had littered her room with crumpled up papers and notes on pros and cons.

Rarity never realized how hectic it was to come to a single conclusion; she would have to compliment Twilight the next time she came out of a multi day studying session.

After analyzing her deepest desires and feelings, (and many tubs of vanilla oat swirl ice cream later) Rarity had fallen asleep content.

She was going to adopt a foal.

Just thinking about it made the alabaster unicorn's face light up. Surely that was what she was missing! And not only a foal; but a filly! One that would fill the hole in her heart that Sweetie was leaving, and allow her to raise somepony who still depended on her.

"Besides, it's a good enough time, as it is," Rarity mused to herself. She was reaching the age of 23, and knew that she was extremely capable of handling a young, adorable pony.

Mother and Father will be so excited! But then her smile fell. But would Sweetie feel the same? She envisioned her sister, heartbroken and upset over the possible new addition to the family, never to speak to her again.

"Ugh, again with the dramatics, Rarity," she consoled. "I'm sure she will be fine." I hope. Shaking her violet tresses, Rarity guiltily shoved the thought away.

"Uh, hello? Excuse me, miss? I'm Rarity, and am here to adopt a filly." Her stomach exploded in butterflies at the words. She nearly squealed.

The caretaker looked up from the desk, her glasses almost sliding off her nose. She had old, wrinkled, faded grey fur, and a rat's nest of blue curls beneath a very tacky pink hat.

Rarity visibly winced. But, through her not very chique glasses, she noticed, kind, wise eyes. She smiled warmly at the old mare in greeting.

"Rarity? Nice to meet you, the name's Honey Petal. But you can call me mother, just like the rest of the wonderful children here," the caretaker said.

Rarity pursed her lips. What a kind lady. Thankfully, not at all like she had imagined from the orphan books that she had read as a child. "Why, of course... Mother." Still, the name didn't seem to fit, but Rarity complied.

Honey chuckled. "I've heard much about you from around Ponyville. You're the famous fashion designer, element bearer, multiple-savior of Equestria, and best friend of Princess Twilight Sparkle, are you not?"

Rarity mouth went dry. "Well, when you say it like that..." she rubbed the back of her white neck.

Honey seemed to find amusement in Rarity's embarrassment. "Relax, dear. Would you like to see the filly's dorm room, now?" she asked, leaning forward on the table, over the papers.

"Would I?" Rarity gasped loudly, clapping her hooves together in excitement. Seeing Honey's bemusement, Rarity quickly regained herself, blushing. "Yes, I wouldn't mind," she answered, lifting her nose up.

Honey Petal got up, muttering something about eager, young parents. Rarity, with an unladylike spring in her steps, followed the older pony down the hallway, and stopped at a wooden set of stairs that spiraled up. "Ooh," she remarked, craning her neck up. "Very antique."

Honey Petal just furrowed her brow, already beginning to make her way up the steps. Rarity trailed behind, ever so often glancing down in awe.

As the neared a door at the top, Honey slowed. "Oh, Celestia, not again," she murmured. Rarity's ears perked up at the ruckus... fracus, coming from behind the door, loud enough to startle a Fluttershy.

Honey, frowning, threw open the door with a burst of her magic. Rarity gaped, joining the caretaker over the threshold. "Oh my," she whispered.

Scattered across the room and the many beds, ran at least 25 fillies, screaming and yelling and tumbling everywhere. But, they all seemed to be looking at something at the part of the room that was almost empty.

"Emerald Joy!"

Honey dashed into the room, falling down on her knees beside a bed against the wall. Rarity cocked an eyebrow, stepping after the mare. She heard the sounds of squeaky sobs.

"I'm sorry, Mother!" the voice cried beneath the bed, scrabbling on the hardwood floor. "I'm sorry."

Rarity's breath caught in her throat at the sound. She peered under the dangling sheets, the hushed voices of the fillies behind her.

What she saw succeeded in tearing her heart out. Pushed against the wall was a tear-stained  butter yellow colt, with emerald green hair and blue innocent eyes. All signs would have pointed to the fact that the little pony was a earth pony, except above his forehead sat a severed horn stump.

Rarity, without even realizing what she was doing, rushed forward and embraced the sobbing colt in her warm arms.