//------------------------------//
// Spring begins, Romance continues 
// Story: The Best things are a Rarity 
// by mlpserenity 
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With flowers beginning to take bloom, Celestia's sun showering the land with its warm rays and animals frolicking about, Rarity knew it was the beginning of spring indeed. Winter Wrap-Up had occurred the day before and she was very proud of herself as she watched the birds chirping happily in their new homes, crafted by yours truly. Moreover she was extremely proud of all the citizens of Ponyville for making this wrap-up of winter go off without a hitch and more importantly on time.

Rarity was trotting over to Sweet Apple Acres with a bounce in her graceful steps. She had spent Hearth's Warming Eve with her parents and sister and had returned only recently. Two days ago in fact, just in time to take part in the wrap-up. Unfortunately, to her at least, this meant she only had time to unpack and sleep before being whisked away to help, which she did so with great pride as a citizen of Ponyville. She had hardly any time to relax or more importantly, to spend time with her wife of two years, Applejack. Although she was used to being away from her for long periods of time, what with both of them being very busy with their businesses, she still longed to see her face, to hear her beautiful laugh and to feel her gentle touch.

As the Apple Family home became visible through the trees, Rarity began to speed up her pace just a bit, the though of being able to be with Applejack again giving her urgency. She had chosen to come by early in the afternoon because she knew that, for a couple of days at least, the farm would still be letting the trees recover from winter and as such, Applejack would have large amounts of free time. Time that Rarity was not going to let go to waste.

Rarity could see Granny Smith sleeping on her rocking chair on the porch. She could still vividly remember when the kind elder mare had given her and Applejack approval of their relationship. Rarity had teared up, but Applejack had spewed gushes as she hugged her grandmother and repeated, "Thank You", between joyful sobs.

Applejack came into view, coming from the east field, pulling along a cart filled with broken and dry looking branches. Applejack had told her once that it was the wood they used for kindling throughout the year. She was wearing the scarf Rarity had made her for Hearth's Warming last year along with a vest and of course, her beloved stetson.

There and then, Rarity decided she wanted to be a little mischievous and surprise her lover. She rushed over to the door and whispered to Granny Smith, "Sorry to intrude kind madam." She knew that even when being playful, you must never forget to be a proper mare. Quickly, she rushed inside and upstairs, ever vigilant of the others of the Apple family as she tiptoed through the door marked 'Applejack'.

While inside the room, Rarity began to wonder where she would hide and more importantly, how to make her appearance. Although Applejack frequently enjoyed pranking around with Pinkie and Rainbow Dash, she was never one to enjoy being on the other end of them. As she heard footsteps coming up the hallway, she had to think quick and thus, she decided the closet would do. Applejack came in, took off her vest and threw it at the hamper, but missed, allowing the vest to settle on the floor.

"Really Applejack, you could put some care into how you treat your clothing", sighed Rarity quietly. Then, as if Applejack had heard her small plea, the stetson and scarf were put, with great care, onto the coat rack. Rarity knew the stetson was precious, what with it being given to Applejack by her late parents. A tear began to form in the corners of Rarity's eyes as the though that Applejack treasured her gift just as much graced her mind.

Distracted by the sweet act, she failed to notice Applejack coming to the closet. Rarity reacted, but too late. As Applejack opened the doors, Rarity fell over, having lost what she had been leaning on. 

"What 'n tarnation?!" Applejack was recovering from her sudden fall and wondered why something so heavy was in her closet. Didn't take long to realize that it wasn't a "what" but rather a "who".

"Rarity? What were yall doing in mah closet?", asked a confused and slightly annoyed Applejack.

"Oh, hello darling. I was attempting to surprise you with the sight of your beautiful Rarity", Rarity batted her eyelashes and looked at Applejack, who cocked an eyebrow, "and it appears I have succeeded".

Getting up, Applejack answered, "Coulda just came in like ya normally do. Either way, I'm happy tah see ya Rarity." Applejack leaned in and planted a kiss onto Rarity's welcoming lips.

Separating from Applejack, Rarity happily proclaimed, "I come bearing gifts for for you my sweet and for your family as well."

"Aww shucks. Ya didn't have tah do that Rares."

"Nonsense, I always bring gifts for those I love on Hearth's Warming Eve. Sadly though, these come a bit late, on the count of me being away for the holidays, but rest assured the feeling remains strong."

"Rarity, ah don't deserve a mare like you." After giving Rarity one last kiss on the cheek, Applejack took Rarity's hoof and led her downstairs to meet the rest of the family.

They welcomed her as always and so began small talk as she distributed the gifts to their recipients. Applebloom squeed as she opened hers to find a small fortune in turquoise gems.

"A little birdie told me that you have a crush on a certain little purple dragon and I'm sure he would love these and, more importantly, the one who gives them to him", Rarity said with a wink. "Do stagger them out though dear. We do not want him to have another one of his greed episodes."

Applebloom ran up to Rarity and gave her the biggest hug she could muster. "Thank you Rarity, thank you thank you thank you", she excitedly repeated.

"You can thank me by letting me see you two holding hoof and claw during Hearts and Hooves Day", Rarity smiled.

"Rarity that was very thoughtful", Applejack said as she hugged Rarity.

"Oh, you know how I love to see love blossom and those two would look adorable together", Rarity hugged back.





Hours passed, with telling of the how everyone's holidays went. Applebloom had long ago retired to her room, still holding the gems in her hooves. It was too cute for words. Granny Smith had come and gone from her naps, but this one looked like the last one for the day. Big Macintosh announced he was tired and was off to bed, leaving only Applejack and Rarity alone.

Rarity leaned her head onto Applejack's shoulder. "I missed you", said Rarity while looking at the fire place and remembering all the time they had spent like this. Sitting next to each other, watching life pass by, with every moment being memorable from simply having each other. Rarity couldn't help but smile, with a small tear of joy forming in the corner of her eye.

Applejack answered in kind by pulling Rarity closer by the shoulder and gently placing her head on top of Rarity's, "I missed you to sugarcube."

For a few minutes, they simply enjoyed the warmth of each other and the fire. Then Applejack softly kissed Rarity on her forehead and whispered into her ear, "The night don't have tah end yet", with a playful, suggestive tone.

Rarity, who appeared to be taken back by what Applejack had said, responded,  Why Applejack" with a tone that she suggested she was appalled, but quickly added in a tone similar to Applejack's, "I thought you would never ask."

Applejack got up, leading Rarity to her room with a quick pace. As she opened the door, Rarity rushed in and threw herself onto the bed with a 'thump'. "C'mon Rares, ya know we can't make too much noise. Mah sister and brother's rooms ain't too far away", Applejack whispered loudly.

Rarity grinned slyly, "I figured you would say that dear, so, with the help of Twilight, I found and learned a spell to cancel noise being emitted from a room."

"Really?", inquired Applejack with a raised eyebrow and a skeptical look.

Rarity's horn began to glow and a small wave of blue magic swept across the floor, walls and ceiling and then dissipated. "Yes, really. Now get over here and take me Applejack Apple", Rarity announced sensually while batting her eyelashes.

Applejack climbed onto the bed on top of Rarity and began to kiss her while wrapping her forelegs around Rarity. Rarity did the same around Applejack's neck. Applejack pulled away after a few seconds of this, smiled and said, "I love you Rarity." Rarity smiled back and looked into the eyes of her lover, "I love you to Applejack."

For the next few hours, they dedicated their entire existence to making each other happy. To them, for a while at least, they were the only ponies in the entire world.