Windy and Shy: Onward and Upward

Windy and Rainbow Dash ceased their familial squabble when they noticed their respective Shys' return from the bedroom.

"Fluttershy." Rainbow Dash fixed her hair as she stood up straight. "You okay?"

"Mm hm." Fluttershy nodded.

"Does that mean I can keep my title of cool aunt?" Windy asked.

"Of course." Fluttershy hugged her with a laugh.

"Thank goodness." Windy patted her back as she squeezed her.

"Mom explained things pretty well." She admitted. "It's just a lot to adjust to."

"There's a lot of that going around." Bow said in consolation.

"So, you're okay with this, Dad?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Bow chuckled in thought. "I... had to make a decision about it." He began. "Taking everything into consideration, I made the decision to always stick by your mom; just like I promised on our wedding day."

Windy leaned against his chest with a happy smile. "I keep putting that promise to the test, that's for sure. Thankfully you're always the rock I know I can hang on to."

"You girls must be hungry after your trip." Evershy noted. "How about I make dinner for us?"

"It's getting late." Windy interrupted. "Let's just go out; it'll be easier and we can relax and catch up."

"Okay." Rainbow Dash nodded.

"You mean I get to drive some more?" Bow asked with fake enthusiasm.

"I'll drive." Evershy volunteered with a laugh.

"Great." Windy took the girls under her arms. "Where do you want to go?"

"Well, it's been forever since we've been in town." Fluttershy thought. "I really miss Palamino's, we don't have one where we are."

"Perfect." Windy hugged them against her. "To the Shy-mobile!"

"Mom..." Rainbow Dash groaned as everyone headed out the door.

The Italian hole in the wall brought back pleasant memories as it was a standard of the girls' childhood when they were growing up. They nestled into a corner booth; Bow taking the inside curve with Windy at his side, Evershy on the end and the girls on the opposite side. They were quick to order some long time favorites and all took a round of drinks to accompany their lemon waters.

Windy smiled at the girls, taking a sip of her Campari. "So, how long has this been a thing?"

"About six months now." Fluttershy answered, hooking her arm around Rainbow Dash's. "Honestly, when we started officially dating things didn't feel different in the slightest."

"That's the sign of a strong relationship." Bow noted.

"Yeah, well... that's how I look at it." Rainbow Dash shyly admitted. "I wasn't going to let her wind up with some jerk who would just take advantage of her." Fluttershy smiled and kissed her cheek.

"Aww, isn't that cute?" Windy put her arm around Evershy. "Like looking in a mirror." Windy copied the gesture of affection.

"So, how has your university time been going?" Bow asked. "You're on your second year now, right?"

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash confirmed. "We're between semesters right now so it's mostly just been working and league practice for me; the college soccer season starts up again next month."

"And what about you, dear?" Evershy glanced over at Fluttershy. "Still enjoying the nursing program?"

"Definitely." Fluttershy nodded with a bright smile. "I'm lucky enough to get paid for time spent training on the hospital grounds outside of classes. Between the two of us we manage to hold onto the apartment."

"That's wonderful, I'm so proud of you two." Evershy lauded.

"We all are." Windy assured. "It isn't as easy at it used to be to maintain a school and work life."

Their talk was briefly interrupted by the arrival of their meals. They spent the rest of the dinner just talking about normal life, taking a break from all the craziness and drama that had plagued them all for days now. It was a welcome reprieve and a good look at what their new normal could become. When they got back to the house, Bow set the girls up in the den with an air mattress and spare linens. Everyone went to bed that night feeling better in one way or another; particularly Evershy, who had her fear of her daughter's rejection put to rest.

The following morning, Windy and Evershy were able to indulge in the act of making breakfast for their little girls again; and while they felt like a whole as they ate they couldn't ignore the fact that they were one short. After eating, Fluttershy took her mother aside while the others tended the kitchen.

"Hey mom, I'd like to go see dad today." Fluttershy said as they left the earshot of the others.

"I think that's a good idea." Evershy agreed.

"It's just... I know he's going to have his own side to all this." She continued.

"Yes, he will." Evershy nodded. "Whatever he has to say though, it doesn't change where I stand. You're free to agree or disagree with either of us; just as he and I will have different outlooks, you're going to have one of your own and that's okay." She softly took her wrists. "I don't ever want you to feel like you have to take sides; one thing that I know will never change is how much we both love you."

Fluttershy smiled with a comforted nod. "Thanks, mom."

"You can take my car if you want." Evershy offered.

"Okay." She waited while Evershy went to get her keys, once in her possession she returned to the kitchen and took Rainbow Dash's hand. "Dashie, I'm going to see my dad."

"Oh." Rainbow Dash fidgeted with uncertainty. "Do you... want me to go with you?"

"It's okay, I need some alone time with him."

"Alright." Rainbow Dash nodded. "Call me if you need me though."

"I will." Fluttershy gently kissed her lips. "Be back later." She hurried out for the car and headed on her way.

"She going to see, Cirrus?" Windy asked from her spot at the sink.

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash said with slight concern.

"That's good." She admitted with a sigh. "I'd like to be more supportive on that front, but I'm pretty sure he hates my guts about now."

"He doesn't hate you, honey." Bow assured. "He knows you aren't the cause of what's happening."

"Bow is right." Evershy added as she returned to the kitchen.

"I guess I'll know for sure if my ears start burning." Windy chuckled.

"Rainbow Dash?" Evershy smiled down at her. "Is there anything you'd like to do today while Fluttershy is gone?"

"Nah." Rainbow Dash shook her head. "The last two days have been long, trying to catch a flight and getting out here... I'm wiped. I think I'll just chill till she get's back." She headed back towards her temporary room.

"How about us then?" Windy asked as her daughter trotted off.

"Actually, I was going to see what we could do with that room to make things easier for Evershy." Bow relayed.

"Really?" Evershy asked.

"Yeah, can't have you living out of suitcases forever." He smiled at her. "Besides, I've run out of housework so I need something to keep busy."

"Thank you." She smiled in appreciation.

"Yeah, you should look into decorating it how you like, Shy." Windy chimed in.

"Oh, I don't want to just go around redecorating your house."

"Our house." Windy insisted. "You aren't just a guest."

"She's right." Bow nodded. "If you're going to be here now then you should definitely have your own space that feels like home to you."

"You really don't mind?" Evershy asked again.

"Hey, as long as nobody touches the garage or the main bathroom then I'm good." He shrugged. "Those places are very important to a stallion.

Windy laughed and slapped his shoulder. "Spoken like a true 'guy'."

The trio spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon taking measurements, weighing options and spit-balling ideas for Evershy's room. She eventually had a solid list of what she wanted to do and what additional furnishings would get her sorted out.

The session halted around five when Fluttershy finally returned; Rainbow Dash came running once she was back and found her with a not disheartened look on her face. "Shy, how'd it go?" She asked.

"Okay." Fluttershy nodded. "He's... doing better than I thought he would be." She glanced over and saw her mother coming to join them. "He said a lot of the things you did, mom. Mostly though, we just talked about normal stuff; I guess he doesn't want this to hang over our heads any more than it already is."

"That's good to hear." Evershy smiled.

"Our return flight is tomorrow." She looked over at Rainbow Dash. "But I want to come back when we can schedule a real vacation."

"Sure." Rainbow Dash agreed. "Whatever you want to do, we'll make it happen."

"Thank you." Fluttershy smiled as she yawned. "Ooh, I'm sorry."

"Rainbow Dash said you've had a long couple of days." Evershy recalled. "How about you just take it easy now?"

"Good idea." She slowly nodded. "I could use a nap."

As Rainbow Dash took her back to the room, Evershy returned to her own. Bow and Windy were still idling, not wanting to pry too much.

"How's she doing?" Windy asked.

"Good." Evershy sat on the bed. "She's just worn out from everything."

"Can't blame her." Bow leaned against the wall. "But at least she's past the bluntest part."

"Yeah." Windy sat beside Evershy. "I think we all are."

"Well, I think we've done enough for now." Bow pocketed his measuring tape. "If you're up for it, you two can go shopping tomorrow while I'm taking the girls back up to the airport."

"I think that's a great idea." Windy agreed.

"Okay." Evershy patted her leg. "Once Fluttershy is rested, we should spend the rest of the day with them while they're here."

"No arguments here." Bow headed for the door. "I'm going to get cleaned up."

"Ooh, I better give him a hand." Windy muttered over to Evershy with a grin.

"Go." She pushed Windy off the bed with lighthearted laugh.

They spent that night enjoying their time with the girls, not knowing when they would see them again. The following morning, after a heartful goodbye, Bow took Windy's car and left with them for the airport. While he was gone, as suggested, Windy and Evershy headed out to gather items on their list. The furniture store afforded them an armoire and extended dresser to solve her storage issues; they picked up paint and supplies at the hardware store, color matching towels, mats and accessories for the bathroom at the mall and finally lunch. Bow returned home near two in the afternoon, finding the house suspiciously quiet. He heard faint music coming from Evershy's room and found the duo already well into repainting the room.

"Getting a little ahead, aren't you?" He looked over the walls.

"Maybe." Windy silenced the radio on her phone. "But we know what we're doing."

"Really?" He smiled. "Is that why there's no painter's tape along the ceiling or floorboards?"

"Pssh." Windy waved him off. "We've got steady hands, it's fine."

"Sorry, Bow." Evershy went to him with a stripe of paint on her cheek. "I guess we just got excited to get started."

"Nothing wrong with that." He chuckled. "Color looks good."

"Shy picked it out." Windy informed.

"Alright, well let me grab a drink and I'll come help you get this done." He offered.

"Thanks, hon." Windy saluted as she walked by.

"Yes, thank you Bo...OOW" Evershy lurched forward and into him, Bow catching her and holding her upright. Evershy looked up at him in embarrassment and quickly pulled her hands from his chest, casting her eyes back across the room. "Windy!"

"Whoops." Windy grinned at them. "Must have slipped." She restarted the music and took up her roller again.

"Subtle, honey." Bow shook his head, offering Evershy and apologetic smile; although their eyes held on each others' a bit longer than usual before Evershy pulled herself back.

"It's okay." Evershy assured. "Just Windy being Windy."

"That's always her excuse." He laughed as he headed for the kitchen.

"Why'd you do that?" Evershy grumbled as she picked up her brush.

"Why?" Windy eyed her. "Did you not like it?"

Evershy pursed her lips. "You're such a goof."

"That isn't a no." She smiled, returning to her work.

With Bow at their side, they finshed the first coat for the bedroom and moved on to the bathroom; stopping to eat once it had its own new shade. After their break, they went through and applied a second coat where needed and then began moving the new furniture inside from the garage. Bow set it into position under Evershy's direction while Windy swapped out the bathroom accents. Lastly, Evershy was able to empty the rest of the luggage which held the remainder of her things and by the evening she was able to look upon her new suite.

"Well, how does it look?" Bow asked as he sat in the chair.

"Perfect." Evershy answered in near tears.

"Awesome." Windy kissed her.

"That's good." Bow pushed himself up; as he passed her he hugged her from the side. "Welcome home, then."

Hearing that made Evershy feel better about many things. "Thank you." She smiled warmly as they looked over their hard work.