Love on the Orchard

“I’m sorry AJ.”

Her crying became uncontrollable and she became frantic. She called upon Big Mac and Apple Bloom to come into the room to help her. The branch that was sticking out of my side was quickly pulled out by Big Mac while Apple Bloom and Applejack held me down.

“GUUUUHHAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh… uh… hhhhh.”

“Rio….Rio no please wake up RIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

From what I could feel my body was being bandaged quickly and with precision. In my mind however I could see my father’s image right in front of me and he began to speak to me.

“Hey Lil Buddy I missed you. How are you?”

“D…Dad…DAD!!!!”

I jumped into his arms and held on tight not knowing how long I’d have to be with him. I didn’t even know if was dead or not. He already knew however.

“Rio we don’t have much time. I have some advice for you before you wake up.”

“Dad wait please don’t go please not yet. I miss you so much. I love you dad please I’m begging you don’t leave yet.

“Rio listen to me son.”

He knelt down while still holding onto me tightly.

“Rio never let your fear take over who you truly are on the inside. Always let the real you shine brightly so that everyone can see your soul for what it truly is. I love you son and I always will. I promise you we’ll see each other again but much later. I’m proud of you Lil Rio. I always have been. Bye for now.”

“Dad….no wait DAD!!!!”

I awoke to AppleJack sitting by my bedside. When she noticed I was awake the first thing she noticed was my tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ5mqXgSmhY

Cred goes to Pony Evening Star for this incredible music. Please listen to while reading. thanks.

“Rio are you okay. You’re crying whats wrong?”

“I just…. miss my father. He took care of me and raised me and I guess when I passed out I saw him. He held me close and lovingly just like he use to when I was just a foal.”

I beckoned AJ over to my side.

“AJ my actions toward you were not how I truly felt about you. Applejack I’m going to be completely honest with you here and now.”

“Rio its okay you don’t have to if…..”

I raised my hoof, caressed her right cheek and spoke up.

“AJ I want to do this. I want to do this for you and for me. AppleJack I want to share with you my true feelings about you.”

“Rio I….I.”

“Applejack the day I first met you it was like looking at an angel. You looked so happy and cheerful. I couldn’t help myself when I looked at you. My heart was beating so fast and even at this moment it still is whenever I see your face.

Applejack when you kissed me on the cheek that day I couldn’t get that moment out of my mind. I kept replaying over and over in my head each time my smile grew.”

“But Rio why did you fly away then? Why were you so scared?”

“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings by me not being ready to share them. I’m ready now. I want you to know that this is coming from the deepest part of my heart. The part that only holds a place for you in it.”

“Applejack I love you.”

Her ears drooped and she had a look of confusion and tears. Until I made my move with what energy I had.

“R..Rio…I…..I.”

I leaned over fighting through my pain and kissed her square on the lips and held it there till I could feel her breathing calm down. When the kiss was broken I gave into the pain and let myself fall back into the bed.

“I hope you’re not mad at me for what I had to do. I’ll leave in the morning and you’ll never see me again if it’s what you wish.”

As my eyes began to close to fall asleep I felt pressure on my chest and I opened one eye to see Applejack resting her head there.

“Rio…don’t leave me tonight please.”

“Aren’t you mad at me?”

“No Rio I’m not the least bit mad at you.

Rio ah love you too.”

“Y..you do AJ?”

She nodded with a tear filled smile. I let out a relived sigh of joy but was reminded of my pain when a breeze of cold air made its way into the room from the open window. Now normally one would just shake it off but with my wound it hit me pretty hard so my body began to quiver and the pain quickly returned to me.

A soft smile appeared on AJ’s face and my pain was taken away from me once more when my whole body was flooded with warmth. She joined me in the bed, cuddled herself next to me and held me as close as she could to keep me warm.