Promises Broken and Beautiful Surprisesby n_neptuneChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 1“What do you mean, he’s gone?!” Rainbow shouted as she glared at AppleJack. AppleJack sighed, finally putting down the hammer she’d been using to fix one of the fences on the farm. “I don’t see how I could be any clearer, Dash,” AppleJack answered. “He left for Appleoosa last night after a letter came from cousin Braeburn. I know that you two are together now and have been for a while, but he’s a grown stallion and can make his own decisions,” AppleJack continued. “Why is this such a big deal?” The farm pony asked. “It’s…” Rainbow Dash paused, not really sure how to explain the situation to her friend. She and her best friend’s older brother, Big Macintosh, had been dating for almost a year, but had only been ‘public’ for about eight months. Rainbow Dash had wanted to keep their relationship a secret for the first few months. Partly because she didn’t want to get in a fight with AppleJack, and partly because before she’d started dating Big Mac, none of her relationships had lasted beyond 6 months. “It’s our one year anniversary in two weeks, and it’s kind of a big deal for him to be here,” Dash finally admitted. “That so?” AppleJack said, raising an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you guys had been going for that long. ‘splains a lot, actually...” She trailed off, but Rainbow didn’t notice. “Yeah, we have…do you know how long will he be gone?” Dash asked, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. “He didn’t say, but knowing Braeburn it can be anything lasting from one week to a month or two,” Applejack explained, then smiled. “Trust me Rainbow when I say if he misses your anniversary, he’ll have a pretty darn good reason.” She chuckled, and Rainbow Dash finally noticed that something was off with the way she was acting. “What do you know that I don’t?” Rainbow narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Something for me to know and you to find out,” Applejack laughed fully. “Rainbow, I know it’s too far for you to fly, but if you want there’s a train leaving for Appleoosa in about an hour. You can talk to him yourself.” Applejack offered. “Don’t think I won’t,” Rainbow Dash challenged, then took off for the train station. “Oooh she’s gonna be happier than Apple Bloom on Hearth’s Warming,” Applejack smiled, picking her hammer back up and continuing work on the fence. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- “NEXT STOP APPLEOOSA!” The train conductor called out, snapping Dash out of her impromptu nap. Dash readied herself to exit the train quickly, having not brought anything with her as she wasn’t planning on staying more than an hour or two anyway. Just long enough to talk to Big Mac and then take the train after back to Ponyville, hopefully with her boyfriend in tow. As the train stopped, Rainbow was the first one off. Not even bothering to touch the ground, she took to the air and kept her eyes focused downward, keeping a sharp eye out for Big Mac. After a few minutes of searching, she spotted him near what looked like a construction site. There were lots of machines and the start of a large hole being dug into the ground. “Mac!” She shouted, descending rapidly and landing with a flourish in front of a very large, very tired, and very startled Big Macintosh. “Rainbow?” Big Mac asked, surprised and the sudden appearance of his nearly year-long girlfriend. Before he could say anything else, Dash put a hoof on his chest and gave him a glare that would stop anyone cold. “What’s the big deal heading out of town for who knows how long TWO WEEKS before our anniversary? And you’re building a house?! Not cool!” Rainbow started out quiet, growing angrier as she continued and gesturing to the construction site around her. “Building houses isn’t exactly quick work, Big Mac! Were you even planning on being back in Ponyville on time?” She finished, then backed up a few steps and took a few deep breaths like Twilight taught her to do. “Explain,” She finally said, fixing Big Mac with an intense stare. “Over here,” Mac eventually said after a long pause, leading Rainbow to a place out of the way of all the machinery and the other earth ponies who were starting to stare at them. “Well?” Rainbow asked. “My uncle, Apple Gem and my aunt, Perfect Cut are moving here,” Big Mac explained, looking around nervously. Rainbow knew he hated confrontation, and so she softened her expression slightly. This appeared to give him the courage to go on. “Braeburn needed help, and said they’d pay me. I really needed the bits,” Mac finished, shifting the dirt on the ground with one of his front hooves nervously. “Why couldn’t you just tell me before you left?” Rainbow asked, still angry but now giving him the benefit of the doubt. He was helping his family, after all. That kind of loyalty was something that Dash not only understood, but appreciated in him. “I would have…something,” Dash tried to say ‘I would have been fine with it,’ but realized that she probably wouldn’t have. Mac smiled and, taking a risk, pulled Rainbow Dash into a kiss. It was warm, intense, and managed to convey everything he felt for her without any words. As he deepened the kiss, they both believed that words were overrated anyway. Dash, breaking off the kiss, finally asked. “Do you have any idea when will you be back?”. “When my aunt and uncle get here, no idea when,” Mac responded. Dash gave an irritated sigh, then backed away from Big Mac. “At least try to be back, all right big guy?” She smiled, “Maybe get the day off or something?” She offered as a possible solution. “I’ll try,” Mac agreed. “I promise you’ll really like my present for you, it completely rocks!” Dash gave him a wink. “I guarantee you’ll like mine for you more,” Mac laughed. “Oh it’s so on!” Dash joined in the laughter, taking into the air and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before zipping off to the train station. As she waited for her train, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Mac had chosen to stay. If he’d needed bit for the farm, she could have very easily lent him some from her salary as head of the Ponyville’s weather team and as a Wonderbolt reserve. It never occurred to her that he might have needed the bits for something other than the farm, or that he might be getting paid in something other than bits. Chapter 2Rainbow Dash stepped onto the train back to Ponyville, she picked out a comfortable seat and settled down for a long nap. She smiled as she thought back to when she and Big Mac first started dating. /*/*Start Flashback*/*/ It was spring of the previous year, late match, and a few weeks after winter wrap-up. Rainbow Dash loved this time of year, as spring always required a lot of clouds to be in the sky. Perfect for napping, perfect for complicated flight routines that required obstacles, and the requests for rain from the nearby farms gave plenty of work for the weather team to do when she actually felt like working. She lounged on a particularly fluffy cloud, soaking up the sunlight. She heard some ponies talking below her cloud, and her curiosity was peaked. She decided to find out who it was and, peeking over the edge of the cloud, saw that it was Big Mac and Applejack, each carrying a cart full of apples to the market for sale. “I ’Dunno why you keep saying no to her, Big Mac,” AppleJack said loudly as they walk underneath the cloud Rainbow Dash was sitting on. “Cheerilee has got to have asked you out about ten different times now. Seems like a perfectly nice pony to me, so what’s your problem with her?” She challenged her brother, looking over to gage his reaction. “She just ain’t the one for me,” Big Mac responded, focusing on pulling the cart instead of his sister’s stare. “And just who is? I know you took a fancy to Pinkie’s twin for a time…” AppleJack pointed out, nearly startling Rainbow Dash off of her cloud. “Nnooope, not telling,” Big Mac responded, pulling his cart ahead of Applejack’s and nearly running away as she called after him. ‘Big Mac liked Marble Pie?’ Rainbow Dash thought, stunned. She tried to picture them together, and she had to admit that their shy personalities matched perfectly. ‘They are third cousins though, so that’s kind of gross…’ She reasoned. ‘Besides, he needs someone who will bring him out of his shell, someone who will challenge him, someone who would stick by his side, someone awesome, someone…’ “Someone like me,” She continued her thought out loud. She frowned, not liking the ‘girly’ direction her thought were taking at all. She knew very well that Big Mac was handsome, loyal, funny, kind and all around a great guy. Most mares in Ponyville had a crush on him, with a few exceptions. Rainbow Dash was not one of the exceptions, and she knew it. And she really didn’t like the idea that he’d finally set his eye on a special somepony. “I’m Rainbow Dash, for crying out loud!” She eventually said, standing up on her cloud and taking a defiant stance. “If I want him, I’m not going to sit back like some pansy, I’m going to DO something about it!” She shouted to no one in particular, as the sky was free of pegasai at the moment. And so she did. She spent the next several weeks trying to attract the stallion’s attention. She practiced her best stunts over sweet apple acres, gave them perfect weather for growing their trees despite what the schedule said. She even offered to help the eldest apple with his chores, failing miserably but enjoying his company all the same. Finally, in the second week of April everything came to a head. Big Mac was at Roseluck’s flower stand, picking out some of her more delicious-looking flowers to put into a basket. Rainbow Dash, who’d noticed him in the market from the air, came landing down beside him. “I’m tired of waiting for you to ask me,” Rainbow Dash said, getting his attention. “So I don’t care what Twilight’s stupid book says, I’m going to ask you.” She continued. “Ask me what, Miss Dash?” Big Mac said with a smile. “Do you want to go on a date with me?” She asked, all smiles and confidence on the outside, but on the inside as nervous as a little filly. “Eeyup,” Big Mac said without hesitation, smiling. “Really?” Rainbow Dash said, grinning. “OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH! That’s awesome!” She did a loop-de loop in the air, then realized that the entire market was staring at her. “I mean, of course you said yes. Who wouldn’t? I’m me, after all.” She said, landing back down on the ground and regaining her ‘cool’. “I’ve had my eye on you for a few months, if I’m being honest,” Big Mac admitted. “In fact, these were supposed to be for you,” He said, grabbing the large array of flowers he’d paid for from Roseluck’s stand in his mouth and presenting it to Rainbow. “Did you get daises? They’re my favorite,” Rainbow Dash said, looking at the bouquet and realizing that it was, in fact, mostly daisies. “Eeyup” “Want to go on that date right now?” Rainbow said, putting the flowers in her saddlebags and pointing to Sugarcube Corner, which was two houses down from where they were. “Don’t mind if we do, Miss Dash,” Mac said, smiling at his good fortune. /*/*End Flashback*/*/ Dash‘s first stop after getting off the train at Ponyville was SugarCube corner. She might not be sure Mac was coming back for their anniversary, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t talk to the one mare who knew everything about parties about planning one for her and Mac. “Pinkie?” Dash called out as she walked into a nearly empty sugarcube corner, closing the door behind her with a kick and looking around. “In the kitchen, Dashie!” Pinkie called out, and Dash followed what could only be Pinkie’s voice into the kitchen that smelled deliciously of cakes and other pastries sold at SugarCube corner. “I needed to talk to you-” Desh got out before a scone was shoved into her mouth. It tasted like apples and cinnamon. “What do you think? Does it taste good?” Pinkie asked with a bright smile. “Tastes great,” Rainbow said honestly. Apple and cinnamon was one of her favorite flavor combinations, and was often present in the cooking at Sweet Apple Acres. “I wanted to talk to you abou-” Rainbow Dash started, but was cut off by Pinkie Pie. “Planning a party for you and Big Mac’s anniversary?” Pinkie asked, taking another tray of scones out of the oven and setting them to cool. She turned to Rainbow Dash only to see her looking astonished. “You have a Pinkie Sense for that?” Rainbow asked. “Silly, I have a Pinkie Sense for every party-worthy occasion!” Pinkie beamed. “So you like the scones as the food for the party?” Pinkie asked. “Wha-?” Dash asked, then looked down at the scones. Apple and cinnamon flavored, and now that she took a look at the scones. She could clearly see the decorations on them. They were triangle-shaped, and half the triangle had a rainbow pattern on it, the other half had a red background with a green apple in the center. “Whoa, Pinkie! They’re awesome!” Dash exclaimed, giving one of her best friends a bone-crushing hug. “When I plan a party, I do it right! That’s why I’m practicing the food and decorations,” Pinkie explained. “Remember, it’s-” “Two weeks from now on Saturday? Got it!” Pinkie giggled, rushing Dash out of the kitchen. “Now go see Rarity! She’s making you a dress!” “She’s WHAT!?!?!?!” Rainbow Dash’s face took on a horrified expression, stopping Pinkie from pushing her out the door by holding onto the doorframe. “What would she go and do that for?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. She tried to run through all of the reasons in her mind why Rarity would get it into her head that Rainbow wanted a dress of all things for her anniversary party. “Big Mac asked her too. She’s making him a suit, too,” Pinkie said with a grin, finally managing to get Rainbow out of the door and slamming it shut behind her. Pinkie let out a fit of giggles that lasted around five minutes. “She thinks she’s the one throwing the party but OOOH is she going to be the one surprised!” Pinkie exclaimed to the cake twins, who had just waddled into the kitchen at the smell of baked goods. Chapter 3Rainbow Dash had spent the last two weeks planning the perfect anniversary party. She had planned the details with Pinkie, Sat for dress fittings with Rarity, and invited Fluttershy, AppleJack, Spike, the rest of the Apple family, the Cakes, and the former Cutie Mark Crusaders. Twilight was the one hosting the party, as it was being held in her castle. She hadn’t talked to Big Mac in the past two weeks, but not for lack of trying. Braeburn had returned her messages each time, saying that Big Mac was far too busy getting their aunt and uncle’s house built for them in Appleoosa. But she was an optimist, and those responses didn’t stop her from hoping that he had still managed to wrangle having the day off of working with his cousin and all of the others there. As she flew toward Sweet Apple Acres, doing a few impressive stunts along the way, she noticed that AppleJack was out plowing the fields, getting them ready for spring planting. From what Rainbow Dash could tell, it looked like seeds for hay that AppleJack had laid out. She frowned as she knew for a fact that this was a job almost exclusively done by Big Mac. Dash angled her flight toward the field where AppleJack was working, and landed in front of the orange earth pony. “No luck yet, sugarcube,” AppleJack said before Rainbow had a chance to even ask the question. “Besides, the train don’t get in until ten. I’m surprised you’re behind is even up the early! It’s only eight o’ clock!” AppleJack joked, playfully hitting her friend in the shoulder with a hoof. “That’s not why I’m here,” Rainbow Dash lied, at least partly. “Pinkie needs some more apples for the scones tonight.” “And you just happened to volunteer your services in picking them up?” AppleJack raised an eyebrow. “Well duh, you guys ARE shorthanded, and I happen to be the best flier around!” Dash proclaimed proudly. She then laughed. “Besides, do you have any idea how early Pinkie gets up to bake everything? No wonder the mare has so much energy. Its nuts!” “Probably as early as I get up,” Applejack pointed out. “Whatever,” Dash waved her hoof. “But I need a bushel to bring over to Pinkie’s, pronto.” Dash explained. AppleJack agreed and loaded a bushel of apples into Rainbow Dash’s saddlebags. It was a bit heavy, but nothing that she couldn’t handle or would hinder her flying. She flew to Pinkie Pie’s house first, dropping off the apples. She then flew to Twilight’s castle where Rarity was waiting to help all three of them, and Fluttershy, get ready. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Rainbow Dash didn’t like waiting. For anything. She was as impatient a pegasus as anypony had ever met, and no one in Ponyville would disagree. She knew that the last train from Appleoosa can in at seven in the afternoon. When eight passed, then eight thirty, then nine, Rainbow Dash had eventually given up hope that Big Mac would make it. Pinkie had been prepared, and turned the anniversary party into a ‘let’s-cheer-Rainbow-Dash-up sleepover party’ They laugh, they joke, they play sleepover games, and eventually they all get out sleeping bags (Pinkie is always prepared for sleeping emergencies!) and try to drift off into dreamland. Rainbow noticed that Pinkie carefully stored the decorations in an unused storage room in the castle, confident that they’ll be used another time. /*/*Start Flashback*/*/ Rainbow Dash and Big Mac had been going out for about a month, and it was May. Just starting to turn from spring into summer weather. Rainbow Dash looked on proudly as they walked through Sweet Apple Acres, knowing that she had helped make their crops grow by making sure they had absolutely perfect weather. Unfair advantage at the marketplace? Please, she’s Rainbow Dash. She gives everyone an unfair advantage just by being around her awesomeness. “Thoughts?” Mac asked, looking down at Rainbow Dash as they walked through the trees, talking a break from their busy work schedules to catch up with each other. “I want to go someplace special tonight,” Dash said, looking up at Mac. “There’s this field where I practice my stunts that’s great for stargazing. You up for a picnic there tonight?” Dash inquired with a confident smile. “Eeyup, chores should be done by seven.” He reasoned, “That okay?” “I can meet you here at nine, give you some time to clean up?” She smirked. “And cook?” He laughed. “You know it, big guy!” She joined in the laughter, taking to the air and giving him a quick kiss on the lips. “See you then!” “I love her,” Mac said out loud, staring at Rainbow’s retreating figure. He didn’t notice that she faltered in the flying slightly at his impromptu confession, or that he was still within her hearing range when he said it. Eight hours later, Rainbow Dash was back on the farm to lead Big Mac to where they would be having their picnic beneath the stars. They walked in somewhat comfortable silence through Ponyville, finally making to the field. ‘Luna’s outdone herself tonight’, Rainbow Dash thought hours later, looking up at the beautiful night sky over Ponyville. She and Big Mac had whittled away those hours talking about anything and everything, and it was now nearing midnight. Rainbow Dash looked up at her boyfriend and realized how much she appreciated that he actually TALKED with her, something he didn’t do with anyone outside of his own immediate family. It made her feel special, cared for, and above all, loved. In that second, she made her decision about how she was going to respond to Big Mac’s earlier confession. “I know I talk about how great I am a lot,” Rainbow said, curled up with Big Mac on the picnic blanket, the food long since eaten. “But you’re really awesome too,” Rainbow Dash admitted. “I really love that about you. And…well, if you tell anyone I said this, I will kill you, but I love you,” Rainbow Dash smiled, giving Big Mac an expectant look. “I love you too, Rainbow Dash,” Big Mac said with a bright smile. Those were the last word either of them spoke that night, as no more were needed. /*/*End Flashback*/*/ Dash sighed at the memory. She looked at the clock that now read 1:00 AM. The day after their anniversary. Rolling onto her side in the sleeping bag, she slowly drifter off into sleep. She was Rainbow Dash after all, and it wouldn’t do to have her friends see her crying like a foal over some silly missed anniversary. Especially when she knew he wasn’t going to make it. Twilight looked over at Rainbow Dash as she tossed and turned in her sleeping bag, and thought to herself. ‘I hope Rainbow’s worth it, Big Mac. Because you’ll have to face one angry pegasus when you get home.’ Chapter 4“For the last time Derpy, I don’t need a ‘cheer-up’ muffin, I’m not sad!” Rainbow Dash practically shouted, nearing the edge of her patience, but not wanting to take it out on the well-meaning mailmare. One who was currently standing on her doorstep holding her daily mail and a muffin. “If you’re sure, Rainbow,” Derpy said, eating the muffin herself and flying off to deliver letters to the house on her route. “Now if only it were that easy to get Rarity off my case,” Rainbow Dash sighed, flying off to town hall for the daily weather meeting. She’d gone three whole weeks after her and Big Mac’s anniversary acting like everything was normal, not letting anyone see her effected by emotions. She’d gone to work and done it up to her standards. She’d hung out with friends and coworkers, laughed and traded stories, and done everything else that she would normally do. It was almost enough to convince herself. She couldn’t help but keep an eye on the train station though whenever she heard that distinctive whistle. That Saturday, twenty one days late, she finally saw a large red pony exiting a train form Appleoosa. She flew at top speed to the train station, still not sure whether to yell at him or kiss him silly. She still hadn’t made up her mind when she noticed how utterly exhausted he looked. Big Mac, to Rainbow Dash, had never looked in worse shape. He had bags under his eyes, was walking very slowly and slightly off balance, and his coat was dull, matted and covered in mud. He reminded Rainbow Dash of when Twilight had first come to Ponyville and AppleJack had tried to do an entire harvest by herself. Only ten times worse. Immediately, several images flashed memories flashed through her mind. /*/*Start Flashback 1*/*/ “I hope you like it,” Big Mac said as he pushed an envelope toward Rainbow Dash. It was early August, a little less than four months since they had started dating, and it also happened to be Rainbow Dash’s birthday today. There was a large crowd of people outside, but she and Big Mac had set time aside for him to give her the gift in private. “I’m sure It’ll be better than what the cakes got me,” She laughed, blushing slightly at the thought of the…informative…set of books that the married couple had given Rainbow Dash. Specifically targeted to pegasai / earth pony couples, of course. Complete with diagrams. Big Mac just chuckled and waited for Rainbow to open the envelope. “No WAY!” Rainbow Dash said after she took the hint and opened her present – Two box seats to the Manehatten Annual Derby, one of the most high-end and exclusive pegasai races around. Rainbow Dash had even though of asking Celestia or Luna to help get her tickets, but the diarchs had refused. Now she knew why. “How did you pull this off?” She asked, flinging her forelegs around Big Mac’s neck in a tight hug. “I might have helped one of the judges fix their wagon while they were in Ponyville a couple of months ago. Thought of you when he told me what he did,” Big Mac explained with a smile. He’d always believed that being good to others was rewarded, and in this case it turned out to be true. “You’re amazing! I can’t wait!” Dash cheered, practically squeeling. “There’s more,” Big Mac said with a smile. “What?” Dash asked. “I asked Twilight about that fancy cloud-walking spell she does,” Big Mac explained. “I had to tell her what your present was, of course, but she agreed to cast it on me so I can be in the stands with you!” He beamed. Rainbow Dash responded by giving him one of their most intense kisses yet. “I think I’m ready to tell everyone about us,” Dash said when they had pulled apart once again. “You mean it?” He asked, looking like it was Christmas come early. “Dibs on not telling AppleJack!” She laughed, putting a foreleg up to her nose. /*/*End Flashback 1*/*/ /*/*Start Flashback 2*/*/ It was the fall harvest season, late September, and they’d been dating for more than five months. “Can you put some more empty baskets under those trees?” AppleJack said to Rainbow Dash, gesturing to a row of unharvested trees to her left. “I must say Rainbow, I know you’re dating my brother, but I didn’t expect you to do so much to help out,” AppleJack admitted, giving Rainbow Dash a rare compliment on her work. “And you’ve been doing pretty well, too.” “I try,” Dash laughed. “Though I’m not the one doing the actual bucking,” She pointed out in a rare fit of modesty. She went back to where the empty baskets were in the barn, piled high in one corner and four carts full of baskets of apples sitting right outside the door. She put four empty baskets on her back and headed out the barn door. Unfortunately, she lost her balance while walking past the carts. It was like it occurred in slow motion, Rainbow Dash recalled. She felt herself slip on a bit of muddy ground near the carts, the baskets falling off her back, and herself barreling into the carts. She watched in shock as one cart knocked into the next, and eventually all four of them falling into the river downhill from where they had stood. After a second, her reflexes had kicked in and she tried to catch them, but they were too heavy and even she couldn’t be in four places at once. A few seconds later, the apples were floating in the water and the Apple siblings were barreling around the corner, coming to investigate the cause of the noise. “I’m so sorry, Big Mac,” Rainbow Dash said, starring in horror at the four carts full of apples turned over into the river. “It’s okay Rainbow,” Big Mac said, putting a comforting hoof around her shoulders. “The hay it is! That’s ten percent of our crop there, Big Mac!” AppleJack yelled after taking in the situation. “And do you remember your first harvest? When you destroyed almost a quarter of the crop by being too aggressive with the trees and knocking out all of the growing apples along with the ripe ones?” Big Mac challenged, causing AppleJack to look down in shame. “I…I reckon we’re each allowed one big mistake our first harvest,” AppleJack finally conceded. “I can pay for the ruined apples, honest,” Rainbow said after a minute of awkward silence between the three, staring down at the apples floating down river. “Don’t,” Mac said, and Applejack agreed quickly. “We’ll make do, and we wouldn’t want to cause you hardship over one little mistake.” “He’s right,” AppleJack admitted. “You’re part of the family now, after all.” “You really think that?” Dash asked, looking at Big Mac. “Eeyup, mistakes and all,” Big Mac agreed. /*/*End Flashback 2 */*/ /*/*Start Flashback 3*/*/ “I’m fine,” Rainbow Dash protested, spots covering her head, body and wings. She coughed, sneezed and then gasped as she tried to regain her breath. She was sleeping on the couch. It was January, and right in the middle of flu season. He and Big Mac had been dating nine months and now she had caught the feather flu. She felt disgusting and was sure she looked even worse. “Stay laying down, Rainbow” AppleJack said from the kitchen where she was making a vegetable soup to help Rainbow Dash through her bout of illness. “I don’t know why you didn’t get your vaccine this year, honestly.” “I’m allergic to one of the ingredients they use to make it,” Dash explained from her nest of blankets on the couch. “We understand, Dash,” Mac said, putting a cold washcloth over her head and handing her a box of tissues as she was about to sneeze. He had been by her side through the past few days of her being sick, as he couldn’t catch feather flu, and it meant more to Dash than she would ever admit to anyone. “I want my soooup,” Dash complained just as AppleJack was walking out of the kitchen with three bowls full of delicious-smelling soup. Rainbow Dash sat up eagerly as soon as she saw her, nearly knocking over a large pile of tissues right onto Big Mac. “Here it is, you lazy pile of feathers,” AppleJack said, placing the soup in front of Dash, who rearranged her blankets in order to get at the soup properly. Big Mac, ever the caring coltfriend, helped her get more comfortable and sat next to her, moving the tissues out of the way. “So you’re off of work for two whole weeks, huh?” AppleJack said, starting to eat her own soup and crackers. “At least something good comes out of this,” AppleJack offered, trying to be positive. “Its policy,” Rainbow Dash said with a yawn, leaning against Big Mac for support. “Otherwise one pony could get everypony sick,” Dash explained. “It’s awfully catchy. The doctors say I’ll be non-catchy in a week and a half.” She ended with a sneeze. “We’ll take good care of you, don’t worry,” Big Mac said, looking at AppleJack. Apple Bloom was out with the other crusaders at the moments and Granny Smith was out to lunch catching up with some other relatives that had come to visit Ponyville for the week, so it was just them. “Here you go, Dash,” Mac said, putting a pillow behind Dash so she could sit up better, and ignoring his own soup in favor of helping her. “What did I do to deserve such an amazing coltfriend?” Dash asked, leaning against Big Mac. “You’ll make it up to me,” Mac replied. /*/*End Flashback 3 */*/ Rainbow, looking down at how tired Mac was, knew in her heart she’d already forgiven him for being three weeks late, and she’d even forgiven him for barely writing these past few weeks. She flew down quickly and landed next to him. “Rainbow?” He asked, looking at her with tired eyes. “Hey Big Mac,” Rainbow said, putting her head under one of his forelegs in order to help him keep walking. He gave her a weary smile. “Sorry I’m late,” He said, and Rainbow’s heart melted. “You’d better make it up to me,” She quipped with a grin, letting him know that all was forgiven. Chapter 5The first thing Rainbow Dash was aware of the next morning was just how comfortable and right it felt being snuggled up to her Coltfriend once again. After over a month of sleeping alone, she wasn’t about to not stay over at Sweet Apple Acres. Giving a yawn and stretching languidly, Dash opened her eyes and saw that Big Mac was awake as well and staring at her in amusement. “How you feeling?” Rainbow Dash asked, climbing out of the bed and continuing her morning wing stretches on solid ground. “Better,” Big Mac answered, getting out of the bed as well. “Finally got some sleep.” “Of course you feel better, I helped take care of you,” Rainbow Dash boasted jokingly. She knew that her forgiving Mac for everything was a big part of why he was feeling better though, so I wasn’t like it was a lie. That and the fact that she had spent all yesterday afternoon making sure he was as comfortable as possible and not awoken by anyone. “Can you do something for me?” Mac interjected, looking slightly nervous. “For you? Name it,” Dash said with a winning smile. “Come to Twilight’s castle tonight in Rarity’s dress,” He said, looking down at the ground. “I want to have the party we were supposed to.” Mac said. Rainbow Dash beamed, giving Big Mac a kiss on the cheek. “Of course I will. We’re going to have the best belated first anniversary ever!” Dash gave him a hug. “But I’m late for work, and if I’m not there to give out the weather assignment, Thunderlane will mess things up and I’ll never hear the end of it.” “Eeyup, I got work too,” Big Mac responded, watching as Rainbow Dash flew right out of the bedroom window. Turning to the hallway, he called out “You can come out now, you sneaks. I know y’all were waiting for her to leave.” Sure enough, AppleJack, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith came into the room. “So did Uncle Apple Jem and Aunt Perfect Cut help you out?” Applejack asked with a larger-than-life-grin. “They’re in the saddlebags,” Mac confirmed. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Hours later, Dash had once again made herself somewhat presentable. She’d brushed her hair, preened her wings, and threw on a dress. The fact that she was even willing to do that said more than she knew to her friends. “To Big Mac and Rainbow Dash, may they have many more happy years together!” Twilight shouted, lifting a glass of cider with her magic. All around the room, friends and family did the same. Everyone who loved and cared about the couple was there. The elements of harmony, spike, the apple family, the former cutie mark crusaders, the cakes, and a couple of other close friends. “I’d like to speak,” Big Mac said, drawing the attention from Twilight’s toast back to him. Rainbow Dash was slightly confused. She knew that Big Mac didn’t like to speak around anyone but his close family and her. Looking around the room though, she saw he had everyone’s attention, and they all looked…excited? Twilight gave her a push and she moved to stand next to Big Mac. That seemed to make everyone more excited. ‘Has pinkie spiked the punch again?’ Dash thought, but decided to focus on her Coltfriend. Big Mac turned to Rainbow Dash. “Dash, we’ve been together a little over a year. I’ve seen pretty much every side of you, good and bad. You’ve seen my good and bad sides too. I work too much, I’m not the most handsome around, and I’m stubborn as anything,” He chuckled, knowing that it was a flaw they both shared. “We’ve seen each other at our worst, yet we’ve made it through. And I know that I don’t want to spend my life with anyone but you by my side.” Dash’s eyes widened, as it final occurred to her what he was about to do. He withdrew from his coat pocket a small velvet box, and placed it on the floor of the room. The box was designed to be easily opened by earth pony hooves, and he opened it to reveal two beautiful earrings. One with a green apple inlaid on a red background, with a braid of sandy hair hanging from it. The other had a tri-colored lightning bolt with a cloud on top, inlaid on a cyan background. It had both a rainbow-colored braid and a cyan feather handing from it. “Rainbow Dash, will you marry me? Mac asked, lowering one foreleg.” “YES!!! OHMYGOSH! Dash exclaimed, rushing forward and hugging him tightly, nearly knocking the earrings out of the way. She then proceeded to give him a kiss, ignoring all of the other cheering ponies in the room. The only one that truly mattered to her at the moment had her full attention, and that was what counted. “Finally!” Pinkie Pie shouted, looking like she was ready to burst. “Wait, you knew?” Rainbow Dash accused, finally stopping kissing her new fiancé. “We all knew, dearie,” Rarity stepped in. “Why do you think he asked me to make you a dress and him such a stunning suit?” She pointed out. “I simply had to know what the outfits were for, so I could make them suit the occasion.” “And good luck trying to hide an upcoming ENGAGEMENT from my pinkie sense. That one was a whopper, let me tell you!” Pinkie laughed at the memory of it. “And the rest of you?” Dash asked, looking around the room. “I had to cast the cloud-walking spell so he could go to Cloudsdale and ask your father for your hoof in marriage, as well as your first molted feather and lock of hair,” Twilight answered with a smile. “Not to mention, he wanted to throw the party at my house.” “And I was the only one who knew where they lived,” Fluttershy continued the tale. “We’re his family. Like the big lug can keep a secret from us,” AppleJack laughed, gesturing to herself, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom. “I still say he worked too hard for those damn things,” Granny Smith frowned. “Not that I don’t like you being engaged, Dearie” Granny Smith said at Rainbow’s slightly hurt look. “But that boy’s been working himself to the bone for the past who knows how long, and he came back with nothing left!” Granny Smith announced. “That’s why you went to Appleoosa?” Dash asked, looking at Mac in a whole new light. “Eeyup,” Big Mac responded, falling back to old speech patterns in his embarrasement. Dash kissed him again to show her appreciation. “How do you think they paid him? Apple GEM and PERFECT CUT run the most exclusive engagement earring business in Equestria,” AppleJack answered for her flustered and embarrassed brother, as he didn’t seem too keen on speaking at the moment. “APPLE JEM AND PERFECT CUT!?!?!” Rarity exclaimed, grabbing the earring that Twilight had placed back near the couple and examining them with awe. “Are they really that good?” Twilight asked. “The best,” AppleJack confirmed, knocking Rarity on the head and grabbing the box from her and handing it to Big Mac, who put it back in his suit pocket. “Wait, everypony!” Pinkie Pie shouted, causing everyone to look over at her. “What is it pinkie?” Fluttershy asked. “Is something wrong?” “YES! The decorations! They’re for an ANNIVERSARY party, not an ENGAGEMENT party!” Pinkie answered, then grinned. “Luckily I came prepared.” And with that, she used her party-pony skills to seamlessly change the decorations to fit. It wasn’t the anniversary party Dash had originally planned, and it wasn’t even on the right day. As she and Mac put their earrings in, she realized It was so much better than she could have ever hoped.
Chapter 1“What do you mean, he’s gone?!” Rainbow shouted as she glared at AppleJack. AppleJack sighed, finally putting down the hammer she’d been using to fix one of the fences on the farm. “I don’t see how I could be any clearer, Dash,” AppleJack answered. “He left for Appleoosa last night after a letter came from cousin Braeburn. I know that you two are together now and have been for a while, but he’s a grown stallion and can make his own decisions,” AppleJack continued. “Why is this such a big deal?” The farm pony asked. “It’s…” Rainbow Dash paused, not really sure how to explain the situation to her friend. She and her best friend’s older brother, Big Macintosh, had been dating for almost a year, but had only been ‘public’ for about eight months. Rainbow Dash had wanted to keep their relationship a secret for the first few months. Partly because she didn’t want to get in a fight with AppleJack, and partly because before she’d started dating Big Mac, none of her relationships had lasted beyond 6 months. “It’s our one year anniversary in two weeks, and it’s kind of a big deal for him to be here,” Dash finally admitted. “That so?” AppleJack said, raising an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you guys had been going for that long. ‘splains a lot, actually...” She trailed off, but Rainbow didn’t notice. “Yeah, we have…do you know how long will he be gone?” Dash asked, trying to sound casual and failing miserably. “He didn’t say, but knowing Braeburn it can be anything lasting from one week to a month or two,” Applejack explained, then smiled. “Trust me Rainbow when I say if he misses your anniversary, he’ll have a pretty darn good reason.” She chuckled, and Rainbow Dash finally noticed that something was off with the way she was acting. “What do you know that I don’t?” Rainbow narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Something for me to know and you to find out,” Applejack laughed fully. “Rainbow, I know it’s too far for you to fly, but if you want there’s a train leaving for Appleoosa in about an hour. You can talk to him yourself.” Applejack offered. “Don’t think I won’t,” Rainbow Dash challenged, then took off for the train station. “Oooh she’s gonna be happier than Apple Bloom on Hearth’s Warming,” Applejack smiled, picking her hammer back up and continuing work on the fence. -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- “NEXT STOP APPLEOOSA!” The train conductor called out, snapping Dash out of her impromptu nap. Dash readied herself to exit the train quickly, having not brought anything with her as she wasn’t planning on staying more than an hour or two anyway. Just long enough to talk to Big Mac and then take the train after back to Ponyville, hopefully with her boyfriend in tow. As the train stopped, Rainbow was the first one off. Not even bothering to touch the ground, she took to the air and kept her eyes focused downward, keeping a sharp eye out for Big Mac. After a few minutes of searching, she spotted him near what looked like a construction site. There were lots of machines and the start of a large hole being dug into the ground. “Mac!” She shouted, descending rapidly and landing with a flourish in front of a very large, very tired, and very startled Big Macintosh. “Rainbow?” Big Mac asked, surprised and the sudden appearance of his nearly year-long girlfriend. Before he could say anything else, Dash put a hoof on his chest and gave him a glare that would stop anyone cold. “What’s the big deal heading out of town for who knows how long TWO WEEKS before our anniversary? And you’re building a house?! Not cool!” Rainbow started out quiet, growing angrier as she continued and gesturing to the construction site around her. “Building houses isn’t exactly quick work, Big Mac! Were you even planning on being back in Ponyville on time?” She finished, then backed up a few steps and took a few deep breaths like Twilight taught her to do. “Explain,” She finally said, fixing Big Mac with an intense stare. “Over here,” Mac eventually said after a long pause, leading Rainbow to a place out of the way of all the machinery and the other earth ponies who were starting to stare at them. “Well?” Rainbow asked. “My uncle, Apple Gem and my aunt, Perfect Cut are moving here,” Big Mac explained, looking around nervously. Rainbow knew he hated confrontation, and so she softened her expression slightly. This appeared to give him the courage to go on. “Braeburn needed help, and said they’d pay me. I really needed the bits,” Mac finished, shifting the dirt on the ground with one of his front hooves nervously. “Why couldn’t you just tell me before you left?” Rainbow asked, still angry but now giving him the benefit of the doubt. He was helping his family, after all. That kind of loyalty was something that Dash not only understood, but appreciated in him. “I would have…something,” Dash tried to say ‘I would have been fine with it,’ but realized that she probably wouldn’t have. Mac smiled and, taking a risk, pulled Rainbow Dash into a kiss. It was warm, intense, and managed to convey everything he felt for her without any words. As he deepened the kiss, they both believed that words were overrated anyway. Dash, breaking off the kiss, finally asked. “Do you have any idea when will you be back?”. “When my aunt and uncle get here, no idea when,” Mac responded. Dash gave an irritated sigh, then backed away from Big Mac. “At least try to be back, all right big guy?” She smiled, “Maybe get the day off or something?” She offered as a possible solution. “I’ll try,” Mac agreed. “I promise you’ll really like my present for you, it completely rocks!” Dash gave him a wink. “I guarantee you’ll like mine for you more,” Mac laughed. “Oh it’s so on!” Dash joined in the laughter, taking into the air and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek before zipping off to the train station. As she waited for her train, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel disappointed that Mac had chosen to stay. If he’d needed bit for the farm, she could have very easily lent him some from her salary as head of the Ponyville’s weather team and as a Wonderbolt reserve. It never occurred to her that he might have needed the bits for something other than the farm, or that he might be getting paid in something other than bits.
Chapter 2Rainbow Dash stepped onto the train back to Ponyville, she picked out a comfortable seat and settled down for a long nap. She smiled as she thought back to when she and Big Mac first started dating. /*/*Start Flashback*/*/ It was spring of the previous year, late match, and a few weeks after winter wrap-up. Rainbow Dash loved this time of year, as spring always required a lot of clouds to be in the sky. Perfect for napping, perfect for complicated flight routines that required obstacles, and the requests for rain from the nearby farms gave plenty of work for the weather team to do when she actually felt like working. She lounged on a particularly fluffy cloud, soaking up the sunlight. She heard some ponies talking below her cloud, and her curiosity was peaked. She decided to find out who it was and, peeking over the edge of the cloud, saw that it was Big Mac and Applejack, each carrying a cart full of apples to the market for sale. “I ’Dunno why you keep saying no to her, Big Mac,” AppleJack said loudly as they walk underneath the cloud Rainbow Dash was sitting on. “Cheerilee has got to have asked you out about ten different times now. Seems like a perfectly nice pony to me, so what’s your problem with her?” She challenged her brother, looking over to gage his reaction. “She just ain’t the one for me,” Big Mac responded, focusing on pulling the cart instead of his sister’s stare. “And just who is? I know you took a fancy to Pinkie’s twin for a time…” AppleJack pointed out, nearly startling Rainbow Dash off of her cloud. “Nnooope, not telling,” Big Mac responded, pulling his cart ahead of Applejack’s and nearly running away as she called after him. ‘Big Mac liked Marble Pie?’ Rainbow Dash thought, stunned. She tried to picture them together, and she had to admit that their shy personalities matched perfectly. ‘They are third cousins though, so that’s kind of gross…’ She reasoned. ‘Besides, he needs someone who will bring him out of his shell, someone who will challenge him, someone who would stick by his side, someone awesome, someone…’ “Someone like me,” She continued her thought out loud. She frowned, not liking the ‘girly’ direction her thought were taking at all. She knew very well that Big Mac was handsome, loyal, funny, kind and all around a great guy. Most mares in Ponyville had a crush on him, with a few exceptions. Rainbow Dash was not one of the exceptions, and she knew it. And she really didn’t like the idea that he’d finally set his eye on a special somepony. “I’m Rainbow Dash, for crying out loud!” She eventually said, standing up on her cloud and taking a defiant stance. “If I want him, I’m not going to sit back like some pansy, I’m going to DO something about it!” She shouted to no one in particular, as the sky was free of pegasai at the moment. And so she did. She spent the next several weeks trying to attract the stallion’s attention. She practiced her best stunts over sweet apple acres, gave them perfect weather for growing their trees despite what the schedule said. She even offered to help the eldest apple with his chores, failing miserably but enjoying his company all the same. Finally, in the second week of April everything came to a head. Big Mac was at Roseluck’s flower stand, picking out some of her more delicious-looking flowers to put into a basket. Rainbow Dash, who’d noticed him in the market from the air, came landing down beside him. “I’m tired of waiting for you to ask me,” Rainbow Dash said, getting his attention. “So I don’t care what Twilight’s stupid book says, I’m going to ask you.” She continued. “Ask me what, Miss Dash?” Big Mac said with a smile. “Do you want to go on a date with me?” She asked, all smiles and confidence on the outside, but on the inside as nervous as a little filly. “Eeyup,” Big Mac said without hesitation, smiling. “Really?” Rainbow Dash said, grinning. “OHMIGOSHOHMIGOSH! That’s awesome!” She did a loop-de loop in the air, then realized that the entire market was staring at her. “I mean, of course you said yes. Who wouldn’t? I’m me, after all.” She said, landing back down on the ground and regaining her ‘cool’. “I’ve had my eye on you for a few months, if I’m being honest,” Big Mac admitted. “In fact, these were supposed to be for you,” He said, grabbing the large array of flowers he’d paid for from Roseluck’s stand in his mouth and presenting it to Rainbow. “Did you get daises? They’re my favorite,” Rainbow Dash said, looking at the bouquet and realizing that it was, in fact, mostly daisies. “Eeyup” “Want to go on that date right now?” Rainbow said, putting the flowers in her saddlebags and pointing to Sugarcube Corner, which was two houses down from where they were. “Don’t mind if we do, Miss Dash,” Mac said, smiling at his good fortune. /*/*End Flashback*/*/ Dash‘s first stop after getting off the train at Ponyville was SugarCube corner. She might not be sure Mac was coming back for their anniversary, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t talk to the one mare who knew everything about parties about planning one for her and Mac. “Pinkie?” Dash called out as she walked into a nearly empty sugarcube corner, closing the door behind her with a kick and looking around. “In the kitchen, Dashie!” Pinkie called out, and Dash followed what could only be Pinkie’s voice into the kitchen that smelled deliciously of cakes and other pastries sold at SugarCube corner. “I needed to talk to you-” Desh got out before a scone was shoved into her mouth. It tasted like apples and cinnamon. “What do you think? Does it taste good?” Pinkie asked with a bright smile. “Tastes great,” Rainbow said honestly. Apple and cinnamon was one of her favorite flavor combinations, and was often present in the cooking at Sweet Apple Acres. “I wanted to talk to you abou-” Rainbow Dash started, but was cut off by Pinkie Pie. “Planning a party for you and Big Mac’s anniversary?” Pinkie asked, taking another tray of scones out of the oven and setting them to cool. She turned to Rainbow Dash only to see her looking astonished. “You have a Pinkie Sense for that?” Rainbow asked. “Silly, I have a Pinkie Sense for every party-worthy occasion!” Pinkie beamed. “So you like the scones as the food for the party?” Pinkie asked. “Wha-?” Dash asked, then looked down at the scones. Apple and cinnamon flavored, and now that she took a look at the scones. She could clearly see the decorations on them. They were triangle-shaped, and half the triangle had a rainbow pattern on it, the other half had a red background with a green apple in the center. “Whoa, Pinkie! They’re awesome!” Dash exclaimed, giving one of her best friends a bone-crushing hug. “When I plan a party, I do it right! That’s why I’m practicing the food and decorations,” Pinkie explained. “Remember, it’s-” “Two weeks from now on Saturday? Got it!” Pinkie giggled, rushing Dash out of the kitchen. “Now go see Rarity! She’s making you a dress!” “She’s WHAT!?!?!?!” Rainbow Dash’s face took on a horrified expression, stopping Pinkie from pushing her out the door by holding onto the doorframe. “What would she go and do that for?” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. She tried to run through all of the reasons in her mind why Rarity would get it into her head that Rainbow wanted a dress of all things for her anniversary party. “Big Mac asked her too. She’s making him a suit, too,” Pinkie said with a grin, finally managing to get Rainbow out of the door and slamming it shut behind her. Pinkie let out a fit of giggles that lasted around five minutes. “She thinks she’s the one throwing the party but OOOH is she going to be the one surprised!” Pinkie exclaimed to the cake twins, who had just waddled into the kitchen at the smell of baked goods.
Chapter 3Rainbow Dash had spent the last two weeks planning the perfect anniversary party. She had planned the details with Pinkie, Sat for dress fittings with Rarity, and invited Fluttershy, AppleJack, Spike, the rest of the Apple family, the Cakes, and the former Cutie Mark Crusaders. Twilight was the one hosting the party, as it was being held in her castle. She hadn’t talked to Big Mac in the past two weeks, but not for lack of trying. Braeburn had returned her messages each time, saying that Big Mac was far too busy getting their aunt and uncle’s house built for them in Appleoosa. But she was an optimist, and those responses didn’t stop her from hoping that he had still managed to wrangle having the day off of working with his cousin and all of the others there. As she flew toward Sweet Apple Acres, doing a few impressive stunts along the way, she noticed that AppleJack was out plowing the fields, getting them ready for spring planting. From what Rainbow Dash could tell, it looked like seeds for hay that AppleJack had laid out. She frowned as she knew for a fact that this was a job almost exclusively done by Big Mac. Dash angled her flight toward the field where AppleJack was working, and landed in front of the orange earth pony. “No luck yet, sugarcube,” AppleJack said before Rainbow had a chance to even ask the question. “Besides, the train don’t get in until ten. I’m surprised you’re behind is even up the early! It’s only eight o’ clock!” AppleJack joked, playfully hitting her friend in the shoulder with a hoof. “That’s not why I’m here,” Rainbow Dash lied, at least partly. “Pinkie needs some more apples for the scones tonight.” “And you just happened to volunteer your services in picking them up?” AppleJack raised an eyebrow. “Well duh, you guys ARE shorthanded, and I happen to be the best flier around!” Dash proclaimed proudly. She then laughed. “Besides, do you have any idea how early Pinkie gets up to bake everything? No wonder the mare has so much energy. Its nuts!” “Probably as early as I get up,” Applejack pointed out. “Whatever,” Dash waved her hoof. “But I need a bushel to bring over to Pinkie’s, pronto.” Dash explained. AppleJack agreed and loaded a bushel of apples into Rainbow Dash’s saddlebags. It was a bit heavy, but nothing that she couldn’t handle or would hinder her flying. She flew to Pinkie Pie’s house first, dropping off the apples. She then flew to Twilight’s castle where Rarity was waiting to help all three of them, and Fluttershy, get ready. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Rainbow Dash didn’t like waiting. For anything. She was as impatient a pegasus as anypony had ever met, and no one in Ponyville would disagree. She knew that the last train from Appleoosa can in at seven in the afternoon. When eight passed, then eight thirty, then nine, Rainbow Dash had eventually given up hope that Big Mac would make it. Pinkie had been prepared, and turned the anniversary party into a ‘let’s-cheer-Rainbow-Dash-up sleepover party’ They laugh, they joke, they play sleepover games, and eventually they all get out sleeping bags (Pinkie is always prepared for sleeping emergencies!) and try to drift off into dreamland. Rainbow noticed that Pinkie carefully stored the decorations in an unused storage room in the castle, confident that they’ll be used another time. /*/*Start Flashback*/*/ Rainbow Dash and Big Mac had been going out for about a month, and it was May. Just starting to turn from spring into summer weather. Rainbow Dash looked on proudly as they walked through Sweet Apple Acres, knowing that she had helped make their crops grow by making sure they had absolutely perfect weather. Unfair advantage at the marketplace? Please, she’s Rainbow Dash. She gives everyone an unfair advantage just by being around her awesomeness. “Thoughts?” Mac asked, looking down at Rainbow Dash as they walked through the trees, talking a break from their busy work schedules to catch up with each other. “I want to go someplace special tonight,” Dash said, looking up at Mac. “There’s this field where I practice my stunts that’s great for stargazing. You up for a picnic there tonight?” Dash inquired with a confident smile. “Eeyup, chores should be done by seven.” He reasoned, “That okay?” “I can meet you here at nine, give you some time to clean up?” She smirked. “And cook?” He laughed. “You know it, big guy!” She joined in the laughter, taking to the air and giving him a quick kiss on the lips. “See you then!” “I love her,” Mac said out loud, staring at Rainbow’s retreating figure. He didn’t notice that she faltered in the flying slightly at his impromptu confession, or that he was still within her hearing range when he said it. Eight hours later, Rainbow Dash was back on the farm to lead Big Mac to where they would be having their picnic beneath the stars. They walked in somewhat comfortable silence through Ponyville, finally making to the field. ‘Luna’s outdone herself tonight’, Rainbow Dash thought hours later, looking up at the beautiful night sky over Ponyville. She and Big Mac had whittled away those hours talking about anything and everything, and it was now nearing midnight. Rainbow Dash looked up at her boyfriend and realized how much she appreciated that he actually TALKED with her, something he didn’t do with anyone outside of his own immediate family. It made her feel special, cared for, and above all, loved. In that second, she made her decision about how she was going to respond to Big Mac’s earlier confession. “I know I talk about how great I am a lot,” Rainbow said, curled up with Big Mac on the picnic blanket, the food long since eaten. “But you’re really awesome too,” Rainbow Dash admitted. “I really love that about you. And…well, if you tell anyone I said this, I will kill you, but I love you,” Rainbow Dash smiled, giving Big Mac an expectant look. “I love you too, Rainbow Dash,” Big Mac said with a bright smile. Those were the last word either of them spoke that night, as no more were needed. /*/*End Flashback*/*/ Dash sighed at the memory. She looked at the clock that now read 1:00 AM. The day after their anniversary. Rolling onto her side in the sleeping bag, she slowly drifter off into sleep. She was Rainbow Dash after all, and it wouldn’t do to have her friends see her crying like a foal over some silly missed anniversary. Especially when she knew he wasn’t going to make it. Twilight looked over at Rainbow Dash as she tossed and turned in her sleeping bag, and thought to herself. ‘I hope Rainbow’s worth it, Big Mac. Because you’ll have to face one angry pegasus when you get home.’
Chapter 4“For the last time Derpy, I don’t need a ‘cheer-up’ muffin, I’m not sad!” Rainbow Dash practically shouted, nearing the edge of her patience, but not wanting to take it out on the well-meaning mailmare. One who was currently standing on her doorstep holding her daily mail and a muffin. “If you’re sure, Rainbow,” Derpy said, eating the muffin herself and flying off to deliver letters to the house on her route. “Now if only it were that easy to get Rarity off my case,” Rainbow Dash sighed, flying off to town hall for the daily weather meeting. She’d gone three whole weeks after her and Big Mac’s anniversary acting like everything was normal, not letting anyone see her effected by emotions. She’d gone to work and done it up to her standards. She’d hung out with friends and coworkers, laughed and traded stories, and done everything else that she would normally do. It was almost enough to convince herself. She couldn’t help but keep an eye on the train station though whenever she heard that distinctive whistle. That Saturday, twenty one days late, she finally saw a large red pony exiting a train form Appleoosa. She flew at top speed to the train station, still not sure whether to yell at him or kiss him silly. She still hadn’t made up her mind when she noticed how utterly exhausted he looked. Big Mac, to Rainbow Dash, had never looked in worse shape. He had bags under his eyes, was walking very slowly and slightly off balance, and his coat was dull, matted and covered in mud. He reminded Rainbow Dash of when Twilight had first come to Ponyville and AppleJack had tried to do an entire harvest by herself. Only ten times worse. Immediately, several images flashed memories flashed through her mind. /*/*Start Flashback 1*/*/ “I hope you like it,” Big Mac said as he pushed an envelope toward Rainbow Dash. It was early August, a little less than four months since they had started dating, and it also happened to be Rainbow Dash’s birthday today. There was a large crowd of people outside, but she and Big Mac had set time aside for him to give her the gift in private. “I’m sure It’ll be better than what the cakes got me,” She laughed, blushing slightly at the thought of the…informative…set of books that the married couple had given Rainbow Dash. Specifically targeted to pegasai / earth pony couples, of course. Complete with diagrams. Big Mac just chuckled and waited for Rainbow to open the envelope. “No WAY!” Rainbow Dash said after she took the hint and opened her present – Two box seats to the Manehatten Annual Derby, one of the most high-end and exclusive pegasai races around. Rainbow Dash had even though of asking Celestia or Luna to help get her tickets, but the diarchs had refused. Now she knew why. “How did you pull this off?” She asked, flinging her forelegs around Big Mac’s neck in a tight hug. “I might have helped one of the judges fix their wagon while they were in Ponyville a couple of months ago. Thought of you when he told me what he did,” Big Mac explained with a smile. He’d always believed that being good to others was rewarded, and in this case it turned out to be true. “You’re amazing! I can’t wait!” Dash cheered, practically squeeling. “There’s more,” Big Mac said with a smile. “What?” Dash asked. “I asked Twilight about that fancy cloud-walking spell she does,” Big Mac explained. “I had to tell her what your present was, of course, but she agreed to cast it on me so I can be in the stands with you!” He beamed. Rainbow Dash responded by giving him one of their most intense kisses yet. “I think I’m ready to tell everyone about us,” Dash said when they had pulled apart once again. “You mean it?” He asked, looking like it was Christmas come early. “Dibs on not telling AppleJack!” She laughed, putting a foreleg up to her nose. /*/*End Flashback 1*/*/ /*/*Start Flashback 2*/*/ It was the fall harvest season, late September, and they’d been dating for more than five months. “Can you put some more empty baskets under those trees?” AppleJack said to Rainbow Dash, gesturing to a row of unharvested trees to her left. “I must say Rainbow, I know you’re dating my brother, but I didn’t expect you to do so much to help out,” AppleJack admitted, giving Rainbow Dash a rare compliment on her work. “And you’ve been doing pretty well, too.” “I try,” Dash laughed. “Though I’m not the one doing the actual bucking,” She pointed out in a rare fit of modesty. She went back to where the empty baskets were in the barn, piled high in one corner and four carts full of baskets of apples sitting right outside the door. She put four empty baskets on her back and headed out the barn door. Unfortunately, she lost her balance while walking past the carts. It was like it occurred in slow motion, Rainbow Dash recalled. She felt herself slip on a bit of muddy ground near the carts, the baskets falling off her back, and herself barreling into the carts. She watched in shock as one cart knocked into the next, and eventually all four of them falling into the river downhill from where they had stood. After a second, her reflexes had kicked in and she tried to catch them, but they were too heavy and even she couldn’t be in four places at once. A few seconds later, the apples were floating in the water and the Apple siblings were barreling around the corner, coming to investigate the cause of the noise. “I’m so sorry, Big Mac,” Rainbow Dash said, starring in horror at the four carts full of apples turned over into the river. “It’s okay Rainbow,” Big Mac said, putting a comforting hoof around her shoulders. “The hay it is! That’s ten percent of our crop there, Big Mac!” AppleJack yelled after taking in the situation. “And do you remember your first harvest? When you destroyed almost a quarter of the crop by being too aggressive with the trees and knocking out all of the growing apples along with the ripe ones?” Big Mac challenged, causing AppleJack to look down in shame. “I…I reckon we’re each allowed one big mistake our first harvest,” AppleJack finally conceded. “I can pay for the ruined apples, honest,” Rainbow said after a minute of awkward silence between the three, staring down at the apples floating down river. “Don’t,” Mac said, and Applejack agreed quickly. “We’ll make do, and we wouldn’t want to cause you hardship over one little mistake.” “He’s right,” AppleJack admitted. “You’re part of the family now, after all.” “You really think that?” Dash asked, looking at Big Mac. “Eeyup, mistakes and all,” Big Mac agreed. /*/*End Flashback 2 */*/ /*/*Start Flashback 3*/*/ “I’m fine,” Rainbow Dash protested, spots covering her head, body and wings. She coughed, sneezed and then gasped as she tried to regain her breath. She was sleeping on the couch. It was January, and right in the middle of flu season. He and Big Mac had been dating nine months and now she had caught the feather flu. She felt disgusting and was sure she looked even worse. “Stay laying down, Rainbow” AppleJack said from the kitchen where she was making a vegetable soup to help Rainbow Dash through her bout of illness. “I don’t know why you didn’t get your vaccine this year, honestly.” “I’m allergic to one of the ingredients they use to make it,” Dash explained from her nest of blankets on the couch. “We understand, Dash,” Mac said, putting a cold washcloth over her head and handing her a box of tissues as she was about to sneeze. He had been by her side through the past few days of her being sick, as he couldn’t catch feather flu, and it meant more to Dash than she would ever admit to anyone. “I want my soooup,” Dash complained just as AppleJack was walking out of the kitchen with three bowls full of delicious-smelling soup. Rainbow Dash sat up eagerly as soon as she saw her, nearly knocking over a large pile of tissues right onto Big Mac. “Here it is, you lazy pile of feathers,” AppleJack said, placing the soup in front of Dash, who rearranged her blankets in order to get at the soup properly. Big Mac, ever the caring coltfriend, helped her get more comfortable and sat next to her, moving the tissues out of the way. “So you’re off of work for two whole weeks, huh?” AppleJack said, starting to eat her own soup and crackers. “At least something good comes out of this,” AppleJack offered, trying to be positive. “Its policy,” Rainbow Dash said with a yawn, leaning against Big Mac for support. “Otherwise one pony could get everypony sick,” Dash explained. “It’s awfully catchy. The doctors say I’ll be non-catchy in a week and a half.” She ended with a sneeze. “We’ll take good care of you, don’t worry,” Big Mac said, looking at AppleJack. Apple Bloom was out with the other crusaders at the moments and Granny Smith was out to lunch catching up with some other relatives that had come to visit Ponyville for the week, so it was just them. “Here you go, Dash,” Mac said, putting a pillow behind Dash so she could sit up better, and ignoring his own soup in favor of helping her. “What did I do to deserve such an amazing coltfriend?” Dash asked, leaning against Big Mac. “You’ll make it up to me,” Mac replied. /*/*End Flashback 3 */*/ Rainbow, looking down at how tired Mac was, knew in her heart she’d already forgiven him for being three weeks late, and she’d even forgiven him for barely writing these past few weeks. She flew down quickly and landed next to him. “Rainbow?” He asked, looking at her with tired eyes. “Hey Big Mac,” Rainbow said, putting her head under one of his forelegs in order to help him keep walking. He gave her a weary smile. “Sorry I’m late,” He said, and Rainbow’s heart melted. “You’d better make it up to me,” She quipped with a grin, letting him know that all was forgiven.
Chapter 5The first thing Rainbow Dash was aware of the next morning was just how comfortable and right it felt being snuggled up to her Coltfriend once again. After over a month of sleeping alone, she wasn’t about to not stay over at Sweet Apple Acres. Giving a yawn and stretching languidly, Dash opened her eyes and saw that Big Mac was awake as well and staring at her in amusement. “How you feeling?” Rainbow Dash asked, climbing out of the bed and continuing her morning wing stretches on solid ground. “Better,” Big Mac answered, getting out of the bed as well. “Finally got some sleep.” “Of course you feel better, I helped take care of you,” Rainbow Dash boasted jokingly. She knew that her forgiving Mac for everything was a big part of why he was feeling better though, so I wasn’t like it was a lie. That and the fact that she had spent all yesterday afternoon making sure he was as comfortable as possible and not awoken by anyone. “Can you do something for me?” Mac interjected, looking slightly nervous. “For you? Name it,” Dash said with a winning smile. “Come to Twilight’s castle tonight in Rarity’s dress,” He said, looking down at the ground. “I want to have the party we were supposed to.” Mac said. Rainbow Dash beamed, giving Big Mac a kiss on the cheek. “Of course I will. We’re going to have the best belated first anniversary ever!” Dash gave him a hug. “But I’m late for work, and if I’m not there to give out the weather assignment, Thunderlane will mess things up and I’ll never hear the end of it.” “Eeyup, I got work too,” Big Mac responded, watching as Rainbow Dash flew right out of the bedroom window. Turning to the hallway, he called out “You can come out now, you sneaks. I know y’all were waiting for her to leave.” Sure enough, AppleJack, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith came into the room. “So did Uncle Apple Jem and Aunt Perfect Cut help you out?” Applejack asked with a larger-than-life-grin. “They’re in the saddlebags,” Mac confirmed. -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Hours later, Dash had once again made herself somewhat presentable. She’d brushed her hair, preened her wings, and threw on a dress. The fact that she was even willing to do that said more than she knew to her friends. “To Big Mac and Rainbow Dash, may they have many more happy years together!” Twilight shouted, lifting a glass of cider with her magic. All around the room, friends and family did the same. Everyone who loved and cared about the couple was there. The elements of harmony, spike, the apple family, the former cutie mark crusaders, the cakes, and a couple of other close friends. “I’d like to speak,” Big Mac said, drawing the attention from Twilight’s toast back to him. Rainbow Dash was slightly confused. She knew that Big Mac didn’t like to speak around anyone but his close family and her. Looking around the room though, she saw he had everyone’s attention, and they all looked…excited? Twilight gave her a push and she moved to stand next to Big Mac. That seemed to make everyone more excited. ‘Has pinkie spiked the punch again?’ Dash thought, but decided to focus on her Coltfriend. Big Mac turned to Rainbow Dash. “Dash, we’ve been together a little over a year. I’ve seen pretty much every side of you, good and bad. You’ve seen my good and bad sides too. I work too much, I’m not the most handsome around, and I’m stubborn as anything,” He chuckled, knowing that it was a flaw they both shared. “We’ve seen each other at our worst, yet we’ve made it through. And I know that I don’t want to spend my life with anyone but you by my side.” Dash’s eyes widened, as it final occurred to her what he was about to do. He withdrew from his coat pocket a small velvet box, and placed it on the floor of the room. The box was designed to be easily opened by earth pony hooves, and he opened it to reveal two beautiful earrings. One with a green apple inlaid on a red background, with a braid of sandy hair hanging from it. The other had a tri-colored lightning bolt with a cloud on top, inlaid on a cyan background. It had both a rainbow-colored braid and a cyan feather handing from it. “Rainbow Dash, will you marry me? Mac asked, lowering one foreleg.” “YES!!! OHMYGOSH! Dash exclaimed, rushing forward and hugging him tightly, nearly knocking the earrings out of the way. She then proceeded to give him a kiss, ignoring all of the other cheering ponies in the room. The only one that truly mattered to her at the moment had her full attention, and that was what counted. “Finally!” Pinkie Pie shouted, looking like she was ready to burst. “Wait, you knew?” Rainbow Dash accused, finally stopping kissing her new fiancé. “We all knew, dearie,” Rarity stepped in. “Why do you think he asked me to make you a dress and him such a stunning suit?” She pointed out. “I simply had to know what the outfits were for, so I could make them suit the occasion.” “And good luck trying to hide an upcoming ENGAGEMENT from my pinkie sense. That one was a whopper, let me tell you!” Pinkie laughed at the memory of it. “And the rest of you?” Dash asked, looking around the room. “I had to cast the cloud-walking spell so he could go to Cloudsdale and ask your father for your hoof in marriage, as well as your first molted feather and lock of hair,” Twilight answered with a smile. “Not to mention, he wanted to throw the party at my house.” “And I was the only one who knew where they lived,” Fluttershy continued the tale. “We’re his family. Like the big lug can keep a secret from us,” AppleJack laughed, gesturing to herself, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom. “I still say he worked too hard for those damn things,” Granny Smith frowned. “Not that I don’t like you being engaged, Dearie” Granny Smith said at Rainbow’s slightly hurt look. “But that boy’s been working himself to the bone for the past who knows how long, and he came back with nothing left!” Granny Smith announced. “That’s why you went to Appleoosa?” Dash asked, looking at Mac in a whole new light. “Eeyup,” Big Mac responded, falling back to old speech patterns in his embarrasement. Dash kissed him again to show her appreciation. “How do you think they paid him? Apple GEM and PERFECT CUT run the most exclusive engagement earring business in Equestria,” AppleJack answered for her flustered and embarrassed brother, as he didn’t seem too keen on speaking at the moment. “APPLE JEM AND PERFECT CUT!?!?!” Rarity exclaimed, grabbing the earring that Twilight had placed back near the couple and examining them with awe. “Are they really that good?” Twilight asked. “The best,” AppleJack confirmed, knocking Rarity on the head and grabbing the box from her and handing it to Big Mac, who put it back in his suit pocket. “Wait, everypony!” Pinkie Pie shouted, causing everyone to look over at her. “What is it pinkie?” Fluttershy asked. “Is something wrong?” “YES! The decorations! They’re for an ANNIVERSARY party, not an ENGAGEMENT party!” Pinkie answered, then grinned. “Luckily I came prepared.” And with that, she used her party-pony skills to seamlessly change the decorations to fit. It wasn’t the anniversary party Dash had originally planned, and it wasn’t even on the right day. As she and Mac put their earrings in, she realized It was so much better than she could have ever hoped.
