The Vows That Seal the Deals

Shadow Force had been locked in his room, reading a few books to keep himself ready for anymore appointments he had with any kind of family that had some complications in their daily lifestyles. Lately he's had to do most of the work since his cousin, Eternal Flames had been busy with tending to his fiance, Sunset Shimmer. From what he had heard from across his room, her mood swings had ranging from mad to sad at a rapid pace. Shadow offered to help out, but Eternal insisted on tending to her on his own so as to show that he didn't need to be carried around all the time. He was well aware of his actions when he wanted to bless her with a child.

During Shadow's time off of work, he had either exercised working on his body muscles as well as increasing his stamina with some laps around the town. Other times, he'd just play a little game of solitare by himself at home since some of the guys had proposed to their marefriends who were now their soon-to-be wives. There was also one thing he did during his freetime that he had to do for his beloved duo, Lyra and Bon Bon.

It seemed like an ordinary day with Shadow Force in one of his family therapy sessions in his own room. However, this session was with Filthy Rich, Spoiled Rich and their daughter, Diamond Tiara. The things they explained to Shadow Force sparked interest to him.

"Listen, darling, you mustn't be so harsh on our dear Diamond Tiara!" Filthy Rich said to his wife all frustrated.

"Don't give me that nonsense, you tend to spoil her rotten thinking money can buy her happiness!" Spoiled Rich retorted.

"And who do you think she gets her spoiled attitude from?" Filthy retorted.

"I will NOT be made the enemy here! All you do is spend your money on our daughter and not even ONCE spend quality time with her! Dr. Force, do you understand what I have to deal with?" Spoiled Rich asked Shadow.

"Yes, every word." Shadow replies calmly. "So far, from what I'm hearing, you two have been struggling to find a solution to how you're suppose to raise your daughter. But tell me this, you two. What are your methods of parenting that you feel are right?"

"I'm trying to convince our daughter to not "befriend" some of the common fillies and colts who have no higher standing then ponies who are of our standards." Spoiled replies with her eyes closed and her head held high.

"I on the other hoof, want to make sure my little Diamond is happy, so whatever she wants...she gets." Filthy Rich implies.

"Hmm...I see. Well I just have to say this: Mrs. Rich, I understand you're trying to turn your daughter, Diamond, into a young mare of high class and high standings. However, your daughter won't have a very good social standing to other ponies. You have to take into consideration of letting your little daughter try to socialize with other ponies her age, otherwise she'll end up with no pony to turn to." Shadow explains, earning a nod from Spoiled Rich.

"See, I told you, dear." Filthy Rich gloated.

"Hang on Mr. Rich, there's something I'd like to tell you as well. While it is good that you care deeply about your daughter's happiness, and the fact that you'd do anything to keep her happy. But you shouldn't spoil her rotten so much, otherwise when she grows up, she'll end up having to rely on your funds in order to survive in the outside world. I may not be a parent, but there comes a time in the life of all fathers when they have to start reassuring that their daughters and/or sons have to work and fend for themselves. I know she's still little, but you have to take in account that life isn't always happiness and sunshines...or money." Shadow explains.

"What exactly are you getting at?" Spoiled Rich asked.

"What I'm trying to say is that for you, Mrs. Rich, you shouldn't expect so much from your daughter who's probably given you more than you could ever ask for since the day she was born. As for you, Mr. Rich, you should consider spending more time with your daughter by not just spending your bits on whatever she likes whenever she wants. Try spending time with her by either joining her at her tea parties, or even playing some friendly games with her like hide-and-seek or tag."

"Wait, are you saying my parents are bad ponies?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"No, of course not, they just have to approach this parenting in a way that could benefit this entire family. But most importantly, benefit you, since I'm sure you've had a few struggles here and there with your mom and dad, maybe even at school." Shadow explains to the little pink filly with a warm smile. "Well, this is all the time we have for now, but if you wish to make another appointment, I'll be more than happy to do so at anytime." he says to the parents.

"Very well then, how does 2 weeks from now sound?" Filthy Rich asked.

"That should be long enough. Just try to take the lessons into account. It might help you and your daughter out." After Shadow said that, the family then walked out of the room.

Shadow then decided to head downstairs 15 minutes later, only to see his dynamic mare duo, Lyra and Bon Bon sitting on the dining room table playing a friendly game of poker.

"Hey, look, Bon Bon, it's our stud!" Lyra says, pointing to Shadow as he's walking down the stairs.

"Well, it's about time you got out of there. You must've had quite the session up there with that Rich family. I don't see how you can handle these family therapy sessions." Bon Bon implies.

"I enjoy helping families when their in need. But onto a different subject. I have something I want to show you girls. It wasn't too difficult for me to get, but it wasn't easy either." Shadow says.

Lyra and Bon Bon were confused at first, since they didn't know what Shadow meant by that. They then see Shadow walk over to a bookshelf and take what looks like a big box.

"Girls, could you come over here, please? I got something I want to say to you and show you." Shadow says. Lyra and Bon Bon then walked over to Shadow who then kneeled down and opened the box revealing two platinum hoof bands. One had Lyra's cutie mark engraved on it and the other with Bon Bon's cutie mark engraved on it. The two girls gasped at the sight.

"Lyra, Bon Bon, I feel like I couldn't be more lucky to have you both come into my life as my 2 marefriends. But I feel like I'm ready to take the next step into our lives. So, I only have one question for you girls." Shadow explains. Lyra and Bon Bon soon got teary eyed as they knew what was coming next. "Lyra and Bon Bon, will you marry me?"

"Is that even a question?!" The girls asked in unison and then lunged at Shadow, hugging him tightly.

"I'll take that as a "yes." Shadow replies happily, hugging his girls.

"How about we have our wedding 2 and a half months from now?" Lyra asks.

"Come on, Shadow, what do you say?" Bon Bon asks.

"I don't see why not." Shadow chuckles. His girls then squealed with joy and pressed their lips against his simultaneously.