Baking a little magic

“What do you want me to make for you girls?” Spike asked as he jumped upon a chair, “surely something romantic?”

“Well, I was hoping,” Twilight stuck her tongue out at the young drake, “I was thinking of spaghetti with daisy and rocket... what you think?"

"I think I can make that... do you have the recipe?” Spike asked, jumping down and opening the fridge.

“Yeah, it’s around here somewhere.” Twilight replied as she trotted over to her saddlebags, opening the right side up and levitating a small piece of paper, “Right here.

She rushed back over to Spike, who was unloading the fridge and placing the items on the counter. “Here,” Twilight handed the paper to Spike who took a look over it for a few moments, “can you make it?”

“Of course, we have what’s on the list.”

“Wow, how do you know?”

“Who do you think stocks the fridge, Celestia?” Twilight smiled sheepishly and looked away for a moment, “I do it when you are off on your adventures. I’ve got nothing better to do anyway...”

“Oh Spike... I’m sorry. I’ll try to be around more.” Twilight stepped forward and hugged him.

Spike squirmed, but eventually resigned himself to his fate. After a few minutes of (secretly) enjoying the moment, he coughed. Twilight released him and stepped back. “Alright, when is Pinkie coming round?”

“At about nine... what’s the time now?” Twilight looked over of the clock and saw that it was quarter to eight and gasped, “Oh no, it’s so late and I haven’t washed or picked out clothes or anything!”

“Twi, calm down. Go and do whatever and I’ll start here.” Spike interrupted, after a few years of her outbursts, he knew exactly how to settle her down.

Twilight sighed, “Alright, thank you... I’ll see you a bit later.”

“Okay, have fun getting ready.”

Twilight rushed up the stairs as fast as her legs could take her and into her bedroom. She had to pick out the perfect dress before anything else.

She opened up her wardrobe and looked over her many dresses she had collected from her time in Canterlot; would even make Rarity jealous. “No, no... Gah.” Twilight stomped her hoof and spun around, “I am not in the mood for this.”

She decided that a bath might be the best thing to relax her and take her mind off her nerves. Twilight walked into the bathroom and closed the door, making sure it was locked.

She turned the warm water tap, and reached for some water salts with her magic. Dropping some in, she watched as the water rose. Once it was to the level she wanted, Twilight stopped the water and placed her front legs in before twirling and placing her back legs in.

She began cleaning herself of the entire day’s activities; of her time with applejack, her "session" with Pinkie and her stress.

Before she knew it, she was fully relaxed and about to fall asleep. Stopping herself, she shook her head and climbed out of the bath. Legs still shaky, she dried herself off and exited the bathroom.

As she walked to her room, an aroma of cooked vegetables and spaghetti made its way to her nose, making Twilight take a deep breath, "I hope Pinkie likes it..."

Twilight walked into her room and closed the door. Walking over to the wardrobe once again she sighed and started to look over her dresses again, but nothing worth noting made itself known. Sure there were great dresses, but nothing that Pinkie would appreciate.

That’s when the idea hit her. Instead of wearing a dress, she could go "as is". Sure she could be risking it, but she would be anyway.

Twilight closed her wardrobe and turned towards her dresser. She picked up some perfume in her magic and sprayed just enough in front of her and walked through it.

“Done.” She said to herself, mentally checking off everything so far.

Twilight looked over at the clock and saw the time read five to nine. Pushing her nerves down and away, she gulped and walked towards the stairs.

Once down on the ground floor, Twilight walked over to the kitchen. She noticed that the plates were already set out on the table and stopped for a minute to admire Spikes handiwork. Smiling, she nodded to herself and wandered into the kitchen, “The table looks great, Spike. Thank you.”

“Oh no worries, it’s the least I could do for you.” Spike replied, blushing as he finished the final few stirs of the spaghetti.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“I haven’t seen you this excited for almost anything and lately you’ve been pretty stressed.” He said.

“I... I guess I have been. I just kept going over the various ways Pinkie could turn me down... But that doesn’t matter anymore!” Twilight replied, grinning. “How is the food coming along?”

“Oh, it should be finished any time now. You should check if Pinkie is here yet.”

-KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK-

“Oh, I can’t believe this is happening!” Twilight shouts out, rushing towards the door.

Twilight trotted up to the door, brushing her hair with her magic. She stopped and sighed, pushing her nerves down. She reached out and grabbed the handle with her hoof; she turned it and pulled.

“Hi.”