I’d like to thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. I can still remember that evening in the orchards, just before this all began. We were all laughing about some joke or another, and I wanted nothing else in the world but to kiss you. But I didn’t know why, and I didn’t know how, how to kiss you and show you how much I wanted you. But you could tell, I guess, from my face or something, and so you did. And it was perfect. That whole night, with all the kisses, with all my crying, with all our talking, was the best night of my life. Thank you for letting me into your lives like that, and thank you for opening your hearts to another.
Applejack thought, tapping at the paper and leaving little speckles of graphite as she chewed on her words, sounding out various thoughts until she found the ones that were true. Rainbow would be home from her first tour today, and Applejack needed to say this. She’d tried to do the same thing right before RD had left, but she’d ended up choking up and breaking down during dinner instead, weeping freely and mewling about how much she loved both of her girls so much. So she figured she should be prepared this time.
You girls have made me so much better than I used to be. I’m calmer than ever, happier than ever, and I love it. You’ve taught me to laugh instead of yelling, you’ve taught me that it’s okay to cry when I need to. And you’ve gotten me to realize how beautiful I am, in a way I never saw before you showed me. And I’m not so scared about letting other ponies take control, thanks to you. I’m not afraid of being loved and giving love freely, thanks to you. Nowadays, I can’t hardly remember why I was so scared in the first place. Thank you.
Two distinctive, familiar bursts of laughter floated through Applejack’s open window on the lazy August breeze. She looked down the road and smiled gently around the tooth-scarred stub of a pencil as a pink and a blue pony frolicked towards the front gate. Then she turned her attention back to the paper at her hooves, writing feverishly.
You two are the loves of my life, no doubt about it. I feel like I can do anything, with ponies like you supporting me. I reckon I smile almost as much as you now, Pinkie, and my heart couldn’t hold all the love I have in it, since you give me so much every day, even when you’re not around. So I guess I’ll have to give even more to you. And Rainbow
Applejack stopped, trying to think of any words to describe what she meant. She glanced out the window again and chuckled as Raibow flew a loop above Pinkie, gesticulating wildly with her hooves. From Pinkie’s expression, Rainbow was probably describing a show the ‘Bolts had done. She smiled wider and picked up where she’d left off.
And Rainbow, You showed me that a tough pony can cry. You showed me that dreams shouldn’t have to come at the price of values. You showed me that I don’t have to win everything every time. You set me free from myself, and I sometimes feel like I’m flying just as high as you ever did. Thank you both for everything. I love you more than words can say, and I believe I always will.
I’m not asking you to marry me -- well, not yet, anyhow. Not ever, if you don’t feel comfortable being tied down like that. But it would mean the world to me if you’d live your lives with me.
Two sets of excitable hooves banged on the front door. Applejack neatly folded her paper, tucked it inside her hat, and practically galloped downstairs. Her heart hammered in her chest and her smile threatened to take her jaw glean off. She waited for one second at the door before opening it, so that Rainbow and Pinkie tumbled across her threshold, off-balance from another knock. They looked up at her with laughing eyes even as their mouths twisted into comic parodies of wounded pouts. Applejack play-glared at them, gesturing to the door.
“The poor thing’s been through enough without you two beating it half to death,” she chided, before breaking into a wide grin. She tackled the two of them, rolling back out into the afternoon sunshine, nuzzling and kissing every inch of them she could reach. Finally, Rainbow pushed her back hard enough to get back on her hooves, grinning through a light layer of dust.
“Hey, Applejack,” she said, shaking herself off with a warm grin.
“Hey, hotshot.” Applejack smooched her and then beckoned both of them indoors. “There’s something I want to say to you both,” she admitted, pulling the paper out. She blushed. “I wrote it down, to make sure I said it right...”