the Apple Family Secret

Apple Bloom pushed more boxes out of her way and watched as the dust on them settled. Those boxes contained many family photos of Apples of the past. Pictures of memories both happy and sad. But was not what Apple Bloom was looking for.

"Come on think Apple Bloom what could be this Big Family Secret that you don't know about?"

She thought to herself . The young Filly couldn't focus at all as her mind drifted back to the conversion she had overheard Granny Smith and Apple Crisp discussing at the Apple Family Reunion earlier that week. The whole family was in a buzz that Applebloom had gotten her Cutie Mark something the young filly worked so hard to get. Her and Babs were passing the barn discussing how happy that were to have their cutie marks and Apple Bloom explaining how Diamond Tiara and her were now friends, when she heard Granny Smith's voice.

"She ain't need to know the truth she's happy not knowing it at all!"

Apple Bloom and Babs hid behind the barn door.

"But Mamma she has the right to know She is not a child anymore she has her Cutie Mark. She needs to know, all of us have kept this secret from her but now she is grown up. You, Applejack and Big Mac need to tell her. Show her the evidence."

"Apple Crisp I know you love Apple Bloom. I know every time you look at her you think of Apple Slice and Orange Blossom. She has Apple Slice's orange eyes and Orange Blossom’s red mane." Said Granny almost like she was about to cry.

"Mamma I'm sorry Apple bloom isn't the one that isn't ready you are." Apple Crisp hugged Granny Smith "I will let you tell her when you are ready."

Apple Bloom looked through more boxes of old photo albums and knick knacks but it wasn't what she was looking for.

Apple Bloom grunted in frustration pushing more boxes off to the side.

"Oh forget this I'll just ask Apple Jack what Auntie Apple Crisp meant."

She was heading to the attic ladder when an old trunk sitting in the corner caught her eye. Apple Bloom turned to the trunk and opened it. inside was nothing but an old journal. the title on the front slightly faded but still readable read. The Apple Family Secret

"Jackpot!" Apple Bloom screamed in her mind. Closing the trunk and carefully placed the journal on her back as she climbed down the ladder, and retreated into her room.

She pulled the pillows off her bed and plopped on the floor carefully opened the journal. The first page was written in Granny Smith's penmanship.

"I wish this was easy but I guess nothing can be done about it now.The damage has already been done.I don’t mind helping Apple Jack with this.After the tragic loss of Apple Slice and Orange Blossom. Celestia knows we need some good news. We will be keeping this journal to write down our thoughts but this will stay in the family.We will make up some story about it to the town.”

Apple Bloom looked puzzled. She carefully turned the page. The next page was written by Applejack.

“If there was a lesson to be learned here it would be be careful what you wish for. Don’t get me wrong I am grateful for this blessing despite the circumstances of how it happened. I knew I shouldn’t have been outside during that time, but my stubbornness got the best of me I thought I’d be fine if Big Mac and I stayed away from each other. But it happened so fast. Now I’m pregnant with a foal. Granny was understanding but was disappointed. I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

“A lost family member? I have a niece or a nephew! Or maybe they are twins!” Apple Bloom’s mind was going in all directions. She was was picturing what this lost family member looked like and how she could find him or her, how she could befriend them like she did Babs “We are about the same age so maybe another family member adopted the foal.” she turned to the next page

"It's been about two weeks since I found out about my foal. I'm not showing yet so I'm still in school. Rarity is excited because she told the class she's going to be a big sister. I'm glad for her maybe my foal and the new member of Rarity's family will be friends."

Applebloom smiled "so the foal is around Sweetie Belle's age too."

Applebloom read the next entry this time it was from Big Mac

" I don't exactly know what to write in this here journal? Maybe I should start with how nervous and ashamed I am. Applejack is my sister and I took advantage of her at that time. By the time Granny could get to us and get me off of Applejack the damage was done, but that don't mean she didn't tan my hide afterwards. I still can't sit down without feeling uncomfortable. Apple jack stop going to school today. Granny told the teacher there was a family emergency and that we would be gone for a while. Sometimes I'll put a hoof on Applejack's belly and feel the foal kick. While it does bring me a smile. I hope this foal is healthy."

Applebloom continued reading entries with out finding any clues to where the secret family member might be.

She turned to the last page of the journal.

“Maybe where to foal is now will be on the last page.”

“It’s a girl she was born last night.”

Apple Bloom looked at the date “so I have a niece and we have the same birthday neat.”

“She has My mama’s red mane and my dad’s sunset eyes and a coat like a drop of sunshine. Granny is letting me keep her. We are just going to tell the town she was living with a family member and that Mama had her before the accident. She’ll grow up thinking I’m her sister and Big Mac is her brother. This is the best thing for her one day we will tell her the truth.We will still be a family. I am so glad Granny is letting my keep her. She is my daughter my little Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened as she reread that last sentence over and over.

“wha-what?” Apple Bloom then saw a folded piece of paper slid in between the last page and the back of the book. Swallowing she unfolded it and saw it was her birth certificate she looked at the name of her parents. Apple Jack and Big Mac.

“No no It’s not true it can’t be true.” she said an old picture then fell out of the journal. Apple Bloom picked it up and looked at it. It was a picture of a young Apple Jack and Big Mac holding a newborn foal. Apple Bloom gasped.

“That’s me.” she said

Apple bloom was so lost in her thoughts that she didn’t notice or heard her door open.

“Why?” She wondered

“Apple Bloom?” she turns around to see Apple Jack Big Mac and Granny Smith standing there.

Apple Jack saw the journal on the floor and signed

“Come on Sugar Cube we have a lot of explaining to do.”