A Winter wonderland

Sums, sums sums. It is tax season again, and I spent all yesterday evening at my work desk pouring over invoices, sales receipts and bank statements. I had so much to do that I even ate my dinner at my desk.
'The king was in his counting house, counting out his money...' I sang to myself as I attempted to add up the row of earnings in my ledger for the hundredth time. However I was interrupted by the mantelpiece clock striking eleven As I glanced at it, a small box tied with red ribbon caught my eye and I knew it was time for bed.

Today was Saturday, and a very fine Saturday it was too. I closed the shop, in order to enjoy the fine spring weather with Winter.

I met her at the main entrance to Canterlot Park at eight O'clock precisely and saw that she had changed her manestyle again. She now had it cut like Spitfire, the Wonderbolt captain.
'Hey Winter! Hope I didn't keep you waiting too long?' I called out as I crossed the road.
'No, I just got here!' she replied

With that, we began a leisurely stroll around the massive park. Canterlot Park is a large expanse of land, tucked away on the edge of the city. The main attraction is the large fountain set amidst a vast lawn of soft grass, bordered by well kept gardens. But there is also a copse of trees, and a little beck leading into a small lake. There was an ice cream cart by this lake, so I bought us an ice cream each. I chose orange chocolate chip, and Winter went for strawberry. We sat on a park bench and watched the swans swimming placidly as we ate our ice creams.

The sounds of the little fillies and colts playing on the playground drifted across the lake from the distant shore, and the sounds of the wildlife on a wonderful spring day seemed so magical to my mind.

'Isn't it a lovely day?' I asked, by way of a conversation starter.
'I suppose.' she replied indifferently.
'Come on, The blossoms are nice, aren't they?' I prodded her, pointing to a nearby tree.
'I guess. But I'm still getting used to the reduced work hours. It's always so hard to adjust to having more free time.'
'I for one am glad that you do have extra time.' I replied, putting an arm around her.
'Me too I guess, it means I get to spend it with a really handsome guy. Somepony really sweet.' she replied, snuggling into me.
'Oh? Should I leave so you can meet up with him?' I teased.
'Silly! I'm meant you!' she replied, laughing.

Once we had finished our ice creams we moved on. We walked through the copse of trees, marvelling at the many fine specimens of trees and bushes. We came upon a small clearing in which there was a picnic area as well as a wishing well.
'Oh Mark, lets throw in a coin and make a wish!' Winter said enthusiastically.
'Alright, why not!' I replied, pulling out a bit from my pocket.
I held the coin over the well and we closed our eyes. 'Ready?' I asked
'Ready!' came the response.
And so, wishing for a long and happy life for us, I tossed the coin gently into the well.

By late afternoon our path led us back to the park centre. We stood awhile in front of the elegant Italianate fountain with the impressive sculpture of Luna and Celestia endlessly spouting water from their horns high into the air as its centrepiece. By degrees I became aware of a need to answer a call of nature.
'Winter darling, I'm afraid I have to go spend a penny, I'll be right back. I'm just going to duck into those public lavatories across the way there.'
'OK, I'll wait here for you.' she replied
I made my way to the toilet block as decorously as possible while also moving with all the urgency that was needed.
When I got the there, I was dismayed – but not surprised, to find that the gents loo was designed for Ponies. Pony toilets are far lower to the ground, and present more difficulties than the specially made one in my own home. Luckily in this instance, the difficulties were not so great as they might have been, and I completed my business without too much fuss.

Once I returned to Winter's side it was half past three, and we decided to go to our favourite cafe for a late lunch or perhaps an early dinner.

We had an excellent meal in an almost empty cafe, having beaten the evening rush. While we were enjoying an after dinner coffee, I pulled a small box out of my pocket and slid it over to Winter.
'What is this?' she asked, picking it up.
'Open it and see.' I replied

Inside was a silver sixpence, and a card which she proceeded to read aloud.
'I've got sixpence. Jolly, jolly sixpence.
I've got sixpence to last me all my life.
I've got twopence to spend and twopence to lend
And twopence to send home to my wife. '

'Winter -' I said, reaching across the table to place my hand on her leg, 'Will you marry me? That sixpence is an heirloom I have kept with me ever since I turned eighteen. It was given to me by my dad, who got it from his dad. It's a tradition in my culture to give a sixpence for luck in marriage, and I was given this to present to whoever I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Winter, I would be the happiest person in Equestria if you would be my wife.'
She sat there with a look of supreme shock on her face, before with tears welling in her eyes, she nodded.
'Yes!' she replied thickly, tears now flowing freely.
I swept her into my arms and we hugged until she had calmed down

And so that is how I come to be engaged to the most wonderful mare in all of Equestria. Right now it is a little after six in the morning, and I am writing this with repeated glances at Winter as she slumbers on. She looks a million times more beautiful asleep, and though I hate to wake her, breakfast will be ready soon.