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// WIthout a Doubt 
// Story: Timed Ramblings 
// by Midnight herald 
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	From the moment Applejack had met Twilight Sparkle, she’d known that the young, uptight mare needed some good home cooking and a new set of friendly faces to let her loosen up a little. And that night, the longest in a thousand years, She’d looked into Twilight’s eyes and seen a nervous, budding trust and friendship. And she’d found in Twilight a friend who wouldn’t back down for anything, somepony brave and stubborn enough for Applejack to see past her stupidity and stubborn family ways and finally ask for the help she needed. Applejack had watched with pride and joy as Twilight took to wearing Ponyville like a second skin, took to loving Ponyville like a second family. So when Twilight had told her in no uncertain terms exactly how much Twilight wanted her, she’d known without a doubt that Twilight was telling the truth.

It had taken long nights full of serious talks and loving reassurances from Rarity for Applejack to finally see that she wasn’t intruding on anything her three friends had, to finally agree that she was just as welcome as Twilight had been, months back, and finally relax and open herself to the love they offered. Through those nights, Applejack had seen exactly how kind and honest and thoughtful and heartachingly selfless Rarity was, and she’d remembered those half-thoughts and idle fantasies she’d squashed out once Pinkie had Rarity out, halfway through the winter slump. She saw past the elegance and glamour once more, to the mare she respected, to the mare she admired, to the mare she found beautiful... And when Pinkie’s strong hugs and playful nuzzles turned to lazy caresses and chaste kisses, when Rarity would smile and wink over breakfast, her well-shined hoof teasing Applejack’s beneath the library table, Applejack knew without a doubt that she was loved, that was safe, that she had another home to come home to.

Fluttershy had taken some coaxing, after Applejack had noticed the half-pained, half-guilty looks she shot them at pony-pet playdates or their picnics together. And with Applejack’s solid insistence and Rarity’s careful hints and questions, the four of them had made their way into Fluttershy’s cramped, overheated kitchen, had sat and talked and confessed and watched as Fluttershy’s shock had faded away into confusion, as that confusion had melted off her tense face and that glorious, saintly smile of hers had bloomed and grown to stretch across her soft yellow muzzle, and she’d thanked them for extending their trust and love to her, as if it were something to be repayed. And Applejack had known without a doubt that with her mares by her side she could do anything, make anything happen.		
And time had passed, gloriously. Pinkie would show up at just the right time to help her slumping mood with treats or banter or a well-intentioned prank. Rarity continued to give wonderful advice and the occasional romantic dinner with wine and fancy cuisine, would brush out Applejack’s mane and file her hooves, because she could see how much Applejack wanted to be a lady sometimes... Nights spent with Twilight, learning more about the stars above her than she’d known was possible, sitting still while the librarian read aloud to her, cozy and safe, wrapped up in a warm blanket and a warmer voice... Days spent with Fluttershy watching animals at play, holding down sutures and cooking dinners, sharing folktales and old songs from the earth and clouds, sighing in contentment as the peaceful stillness that surrounded her lover seeped into her own heart, her restless hooves her busy mind... But when Rainbow had sat bravely in front of the five of them and asked them if there was a place for her there, Applejack had been the first to kiss the pegasus and draw her into their warm pile of hooves and wings and deeper into their hearts. Because Applejack knew without a doubt that the six of them belonged. And she knew without a doubt that she was the luckiest mare in the whole magical land of Equestria, to have such wonderful ponies who she loved, who loved her right back.

Applejack started as Fluttershy’s gentle wing gave her a firm nudge. Her eyes darted around and crinkled up with a smile... Rarity stood, teary-eyed and grinning far past the point of propriety. Twilight quivered with equal parts excitement and joy and happiness. Pinkie stood perfectly still, radiant, but Applejack could see the billions of songs and jokes swimming inside her bright blue eyes. Rainbow, for the first time in a long time, was too busy looking at the others to even consider the partly-cloudy sky, and Fluttershy... Fluttershy stood proud and calm and smiling, even in front of the hundreds of ponies lining the grounds beneath them. And Applejack knew without a doubt exactly what she had to do, had to say.

So she looked Princess Luna right in the eyes, rolled her shoulders beneath her heavy, gorgeous dress and smiled. “I do,” she said, loud and clear. Her voice echoed over the heads of the ponies behind her, before they all erupted into thunderous applause, into catcalls and cheers, more noise than she’d heard ponies make in her entire life. And she knew without a doubt, as she traded joyful kisses with her lovely new wives, that she’d never said truer words in all her life.