Free Fall Into Happenstance

Light stood mute for a second, the concept rolling through his head like a tidal wave. In truth? He wasn't surprised. The signs were obvious and being a medical professional himself, he should have noticed this. But in a fit of personal denial, he obviously ruled it out.

The tidal wave ran its course, and he sat next to her, wrapping a hoof behind her to pull her close to him. "I...." he opened his mouth to speak, but the words failed. How was he to comfort her? It was obvious from her reaction to the news she wasn't thrilled, and he didn't blame her. They were barely just dating, not married, and she more than likely didn't want the burden of a foal at this point in her life with everything going on. Top that off with the irresponsibility of himself in letting this happen. Had he ruined her life? That thought shook him to his very core. The mare that he loved more than anything in this universe....and now he caused this. "Rory....." he stumbled out. "I don't know the right words...I would lie to you if I did. On one hoof, I am terrified that I have caused you a burden that has ruined your life. On the other.....it's...our...." He couldn't even finish the sentence. Here, in her womb, was their future; their family. He reached out a hoof, touching her stomach. The flood of thoughts that rushed through his head in that instant were incredible. The two of them in a park, flying a kite with a pegasus foal, laughing away the cares of the world. Another one, sharing the joys of their daughter's first accidental magical spell.

"What are you going to do?" he whispered finally, incredibly nervous for her answer.

Still shaking, tears silently falling, Rory shrugged slightly. "I... I don't know..." Her voice trailed off. "I want to go home." She muttered. "I don't want to talk about this in public..." She looked around, hoping she wouldn't see anyone she'd recognize. "But I... I couldn't wait to tell you until we were back...I would have..." her voice cut out and she simply shook her head, standing clumsily on all fours.

Light nodded and quietly escorted them both home. He didn't say much, well, nothing at all really, during the entire trip. Shutting the door behind them, he took her scarf off, placing it with his on the counter, and escorted her to the couch. "Let me get you some tea..." he said, hopeful that she would be the one to initiate further conversation as he made his way towards the kitchen, still shaky.

Aurora took hold of his  hoof before he walked away, shaking her head, but not making eye contact. "No thank you... just... please stay with me. I have a lot going through my mind, and I really just... I need to let this out."

Light froze, turned, and sat down beside her, simply nodding as he stroked her back. "Of course love...please talk to me. I'll just be blunt...I am at a loss..."

"I... I'm terrified, Light." She sniffled, tears still streaming as they had done the whole trip home. She clutched at his free hoof with her own, weakly trembling now. "In my heart... somehow I know I should keep it... but my family... you..." She cast an exasperated glance to the ceiling to try and hold back her tears, but it was of no use. She looked to him now. "Celestia, you haven't even met my family, we've barely been together for a more than a month... how could this happen?" She knew damn well how, but was still in utter disbelief.

"And what's worse, I don't have a well enough paying job to support a child... and what am I supposed to do about my last semester? Sisters help me, my father is going to be furious..." She shuddered, bringing her hooves to her muzzle now as her sobs began to take full control. Her little rant was justified, though all the things she mentioned were easily taken care of. Still, in her mind, the world was toppling over her.  As her body racked with each tremor, she shook her head. "And now... you're burdened with this atop your legal and professional problems... we just can't catch a break."

Light firmly planted his hoof on her leg, using the other to gently turn her face to his. "Don't you ever worry about money and taking care of this child. When I am employed again, there will never, ever, be a fear of that. Besides...there is something else I haven't really told you about. I have...an inheritance...but we can talk about that later." He did his best to smile despite the situation. "You, or anything associated with you, a child of ours included, could never be a burden upon me. I would love it as much as I love you. My problems are but tiny ripples on the waters of life, while my future and life with you are currents that push it along."

He sighed in sympathy. "I don't know what to tell you about your family, nor your choice on what to do. It is your body, and I will not judge or carry opinion on whatever you decide. I love you, and that love is unconditional as long as you want it. And I will be by your side through it all, be it getting a lecture from your father, or months from now in the delivery room."

Mouth slightly agape, she just stared blankly at him while she processed what he was saying. She did the only thing she knew she could do for comfort, and latched onto him in the hug of her life and just sobbed. She wasn't sure for how long, but was grateful that he was there for her, that he was going to be there for her no matter what she chose. She let that reassurance wash over her, and while it helped, it still wasn't enough to push the doubts from her mind. "I can't bring myself to forcefully end it... it goes against everything I am. I cannot deny that I don't think I'm ready for this, but I have plenty of time to think things over and decide what to tell my family. Or rather... when to tell them." She took a few deep breaths as she wiped her subsiding tears away. Blushing, she placed a hoof tenderly over her abdomen. "Who am I kidding? There is no good way to tell them, nor a good time. And no matter what I wish, the circumstances are as they are..." She looked to Light once more.

"If I'm going to do this, I don't want anyone else but you beside me." Her voice was still shaky, but her resolve was becoming more absolute. Sure, there was always putting the child up for adoption... but would that really be fair to Light Heart?

Light kissed her on the forehead, squeezing her tight against him as he melted her into him. "As if there was any doubt who would be by your side." Despite his earlier thoughts, he forced himself to worry about her first, and the consequences, responsibilities, and...excitement, of a family later. "There is always adoption...if you don't think you are quite ready for this. It wouldn't be fair to yourself, nor our child, if you were unhappy because of a mistake we made. Regardless though, as I said, I will stick by and support you one hundred percent, whatever you decide." Reaching up, he brushed some of the tears from Aurora’s cheek, which had already started matting her coat. "Worry about your family later...they are third in all of this. You are first, I am second, they are third. All things in time."

Letting out a sigh, Rory was becoming more and more calm in the pegasus' embrace. Her breathing evened out, and her mind slowed pace. "Time... at the very least that's something we have a lot of. I suppose we just have to take this day by day." She wiped her muzzle and laid there for some time, wondering what on earth was the next step.

"Well... now what?" She asked after a while. She knew he wouldn't have a real answer, but she needed to talk about something. Anything.

“Do you feel okay to go for a walk? Some fresh air, quiet...and no ponies around, could do you some good."

Rory thought for a moment, looking unsure as to whether or not she really wanted to go. "Well, you are the medical professional." She said finally. "If you think it'll help, then I'll give it a shot."

"It's more of my opinion as someone who loves you, and sometimes walking around somewhere quiet and tranquil is a wonderful way to put your mind at ease, organize your thoughts, and move forward." Giving her a final squeeze and a small kiss, he made his way to the kitchen and packed a small bag with a few bottles of water and some fruit. Fetching their scarves, he helped wrap hers around her neck, giving it a little tug to secure it. "I think I know just the place. I heard of a park just outside of town near the edge of the valley. Apparently there are some waterfalls there. Want to see if we can find them?"

"You mean Saddlebrook Falls? I've never actually been... and it might be nice and peaceful this time of year since it's getting to be so cold. I think I'd like that very much." She murmured, glancing back to make sure her boot laces were tied securely. Pulling her jacket on once more, she retrieved her house key from her purse and tucked it into the jacket pocket.

"That's the place..." he said, wrapping a wing around her as he shut the door behind him.

He kept her tight against him for the entire trip, and as before, not a lot of conversation was had. Both were deep in thought as they mulled over the recent events. The journey took about half an hour, and as expected, the park was quite empty. Being a weekday, in the middle of the afternoon, and a bit cold outside, the time was perfect for a relatively solitary but easy hike.

"The trail map here says the hike is fairly easy, but just in case, I'll be here to help you over anything too strenuous. I know you are still reeling about from your nausea. Whenever you need to stop, just do it. I don't care if it takes all day to get up there, I will go at your pace."

She nodded, giving a small smile. It was quite possibly the first she'd smiled all day. "Thank you for considering that... though my mind has been so preoccupied with other things since we left the house, I haven’t really noticed it. I completely forgot about the antiemetic my doctor gave me..." She felt a little silly. "I'll just try to keep my mind off it, and maybe it won't be so bad?" She thought aloud.

Glancing over the area and catching a chill from a gust of wind, Rory shivered and was glad to have dressed warmly.

"The mental battle of illness is seventy-five percent of it. Keep your mind on other things...like this handsome stallion right here for instance.." He flexed for her, giving her his best mock bravado. "...often does more good than even the strongest drugs." He chuckled a bit at his foolishness, but also happy to see a smile on her face once again.

She let out a pitiful little laugh, and she wiggled her way under one of his large wings. Placing a kiss on his neck, she let her nostrils fill with the scent of his mane; one of the most comforting smells she'd ever known. "Well then, if it's going to take me all day to get up the mountainside, we better get a move on." She said, feeling in higher spirits than she was before. It was remarkable how he could do that to her simply by being there and flashing that wonderful smile.

Leading the way, Light made his way up the trail that wound its way through the parks small mountain. The trail was lined with trees, leaves already turned from the autumn chill. He was waiting for her to initiate conversation, his job was just to keep her preoccupied so she could get well and make rational decisions without the frustration of illness bearing down upon her. The sound of the waterfall churned in the distance, but it was still a ways away yet.

"Have you ever been to a waterfall before?" She asked. "I can only recall ever visiting two or three, and it was when I was very small. My parents took my sisters and I up to the fish hatchery to feed some of the breeding specimens once, and I remember stopping at the side of the mountain and just filling water bottles straight from the stream flowing down the rock face. It had to be the purest, most crisp water I've ever tasted."

"I have seen quite a few..but being a pegasus kind of gives me an easy terrain advantage to find them." He turned his head to her and smiled "Maybe one day I can take you to a few of them. They are nestled so far off the beaten path that only pegasi, or incredibly adventurous non-pegasi would ever find them."

"I'd love that. I'd love to travel just about anywhere. There's not many places I've had the privilege of visiting outside my home town, and the few places surrounding it." She sighed. Fumbling through her thoughts to find things to discuss. "Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been?"

"Ask me that question when we find the waterfall. Until then, it may not be a fair answer." He said with a sly grin as he trudged along the path. "What about you?"

Her eyes lit up a little as she thought once more of her first flight. "The sky..." She grinned. "Our cloud... our little slice of heaven." She beamed. "Being up there with the clouds, the stars, and the utter silence, save the wind rushing past my ears. Looking down on the tiny towns and villages below, and feeling alive for the first time in my life. Just... seeing the world from a different view. It was one of the most wonderful things I've ever seen." She seemed to get lost in thought for a moment.

"It will always be just our place....an escape from the world we know whenever we want it. You  just need to say the word and I will take us there." His mind wandered as well. Those nights were nothing short of amazing, and the thought of them just made his heart stick a beat. "Do you ever wish you could go back in time? Not to change something....but to relive something?"

"Yes, I do sometimes." She smiled, and something occurred to her; it was perhaps the most clarity she'd had all day. She stopped walking, and turned to face him. "I don't regret a single moment I've shared with you. Not one." She sheepishly turned her face away for a moment, before embracing the stallion.

"Maybe... maybe a child won't be such a bad thing?" She wondered aloud. "If it was created from the most beautiful, raw, and powerful experience I've ever had... perhaps it's not the end of the world. And if..." she suddenly felt a lump rise in her throat. "... if it's anything like you, I have nothing to be fearful of..." She  kissed his cheek. "And most importantly... I have y-you. And, no matter what life throws at me, you'll be there every step of the way to see me through it."

Light stopped when she did and listened to her, his heart racing faster as she spoke. This is why he wanted to bring her here for; to search out her inner feelings and discover what it was that she felt in her heart she must do.

"No Rory, my love, it is certainly not the end of the world. It's quite the opposite in fact. You know, maybe that star we saw that night, the one connecting us together in the heavens,  wasn't a symbol of just us. Perhaps it was foreshadowing this....our child. A child born of pure love to shine bright and give us hope no matter how dark the skies get for us."

"He brought a hoof up to her face, brushing her cheek as he touched his nose to hers. "Not just a beginning for us, but a beginning for somepony else. Somepony who will grow up with two of the most loving, caring, and passionate parents that existed."

Tears formed in his eyes as the thought excited him more and more. "Our Little Star...."

The tears flooded once more from Aurora's eyes, and at the very last words, she broke down in his arms. The difference was that her tears now stemmed from a feeling very different than the despair and terror that gripped her once before. She dared to think it was joy, as she clung to him tightly, shivering as the wind scattered leaves all about them.

"I love you..." She managed to whisper after a moment. "And I am so, so very grateful for you, for your tenderness and understanding." She pulled away, smiling as she locked eyes with him, wiping a tear from his cheek with her hoof. "I-We're going to be parents..." She felt awestruck as tiny flashes of their future played out in her mind. What would the child be like? She found herself hoping for such things that  made her second guess reality. This...this wasn't a dream. And in spite of all the awful and terrifying things that come with something so unexpected, she found that she truly didn't hold any regrets, nor would she ever regret this decision for as long as she lived.

“I love you too...” he whispered softly as he nuzzled under her neck. “Come on....we still have a ways yet before we reach the falls.” A shiver ran down his spine as he wrapped his wing around her once more, urging her on up the trail. No, not a shiver, but a tingle that coursed through his body from head to hoof. It was the word she spoke; parents. Was all of his thoughts and dreams of their future he had recently simply coincidental, or was it something else at play?

As they walked he touched a bit more on the subject. “We got a long time to think about the little one, but we still have our own issues to attend to in the meantime. What are you going to do about school?”

Leaning close for warmth, Aurora didn't hesitate to respond. “I’m too close to graduation to stop here. I think I’ll push through with my course work. Three months out of eleven won’t be such a big deal, and I don’t need to spend money on the whole cap and gown thing.” She paced herself, cautious over a few damp and mossy areas. “Besides, slinging some paint on a canvas and sitting around with a sketchbook isn't that strenuous.” She grinned.

“What are you going to do about work?” She asked quietly. “I’m still incredibly nervous about the hospital ordeal.”

“This certainly changes things a little, yes, but I am hopeful for a positive outcome from all of this. The subpoena was delivered today actually, and within the next 48 hours we should hear more. We decided to just meet them officially in front of a judge rather than on the side. I not only shows we are serious, but that we have strong and valid case.”

He sighed. “But if all else fails, I will resort to frying hayfries and doing odd jobs for anypony if that is what it takes.”

Aurora sighed “I’m glad there is hope for things to go our way. And I’ll still be able to pull in some comparable wages from commissions. Maybe I’ll paint a few extra pieces and ask them to be displayed in the coffee shop downtown? They have been pestering me for something to display there, often times art will sell right off the wall. If my work is as good as others make it out to be, I shouldn't have any problems with that.” She nuzzled under his chin, minding her horn so she wouldn't poke his eye out.

They walked up the path for some time, Rory stopping every now and then to look at a few plants that caught her eye. She felt slightly sick, but it wasn’t something she couldn’t manage. The sound of rushing water becoming increasingly louder as time passed meant they’d arrive soon.

“So, how do you feel about all this?” She asked after a while.

“Well, right now, the sound of all that water is really making me have to pee.” He glanced out the corner of his eye at her with a smile. It might have been ill-timed, but he couldn’t resist a golden opportunity when it presented itself. Shaking his head after a few seconds, he replied “Nervous? Excited? Anxious? Scared? Try all of the above, and maybe a few other words I can’t think of to describe it.” Kicking at a few rocks up the trail, he could feel the moisture in the air growing heavier. “I’ll admit, I expected to have more time for, well, the two of us, to explore the world and enjoy some peace and quiet. But, I guess now we'll just have to accommodate?”

Aurora laughed “You always find a way to make me smile.” Brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, she ducked from underneath his wing and trotted towards the edge of the overlook. Bracing a hoof on the wooden rail, she looked out at the misty valley beyond them, taking in the beautiful sight and smell. “More time for us to explore...” She murmured. “I don’t suppose we’ll be doing much of that for a little while.” Huffing a laugh, she kicked a pebble off the edge. “I don’t suppose we can still have peace and quiet with a foal, can we?” She didn’t look back at him as she asked.

“Well. no, not much peace and quiet with a foal...” he joined her at the railing, looking down as his eyes chased the pebble down into the frothy water. “Or exploring...” Sighing, he kicked his own down, trying hard to make it follow the same trajectory. “But, we do have each other, and so far that has been an adventure in its own right. We will always have love, happiness, and laughter, regardless of what changes come our way. I suppose we might have to make our own adventures, closer to home, with the company of another whom we will love and cherish.”

Aurora leaned against the pegasus, laying her head over the back of his neck and nuzzling it, letting his familiar scent mixing with the moist and fresh air around them overtake her senses. “We’ll make our own adventures alright. I think raising a child is an adventure in and of itself. I haven’t the slightest clue where to begin.” Swishing her tail back and forth, she let it intertwine with his, taking another deep breath. “I’m glad we came here today.”

“I know you aren’t feeling well, and your head is probably a jumbled mess, but I know you better than you maybe know yourself sometimes, and I knew you needed to get away.” He went quiet after that, just enjoying her presence, her touch, and the tranquil scenery. From the corner of his eye, he could see another couple approaching on the trail, but at the sight of them, they quietly turned around and went back down the path. Light nodded politely at them, but he was sure they couldn’t see the gesture.

“Let’s take our time here, take it all in, and then let’s go get something light to eat. With your medication, you should be able to hold some food down if it is what I think it is. And we really need to get you plumped back up...you are turning into skin and bones!” he said with a hint of a smile, playfully poking at her side.

Smiling as she cast her gaze back to him, Aurora sat back gently on her haunches. She took a moment to levitate one of the canteens from Light’s saddlebag and took a few long swigs from it. “I won’t argue with that. I’ll have to take better care of myself now more than ever.” She put the canteen back where she found it, looking back over the falls.

Nodding, he too, turned his gaze back down into the frothy waters. “You’ll have help of course. Not that I was going anywhere anyway...” he said quickly, hoping she didn't think that this is the only reason he planned on staying with her. Who was he kidding; she knew him better than that, and he knew she knew that, but sometimes you just need to hear it. “And I meant it when I said I would have loved you regardless of the choice you have made. I am with you because I love you; no conditions, stipulations, or pre-requisites. Just you, and you alone. Everything else in our life is just icing on the cake.”

“I know that, love. My dilemma was making a choice that I could live with, no regrets.” She said, still smiling. “And actually... I could go for some cake right about now.” She giggled. “Maybe some yellow cake and chocolate icing. The classics are classics for a reason, and I have never in my life turned down cake.”

Chuckling, and tapping her cheek lightly with a hoof, he gave it a quick peck before nodding back down the path. “Far be it from me to turn down that combination. But perhaps you should get something a bit more nutritious in there first. Then we can have the sweets.”

Walking down the path, the mood that this trip started on was completely reversed. They talked, joked, giggled, hit, nuzzled...and thought. Thought about the abrupt change in their life, and what it was going to hold in store for them.

Despite feeling more at ease by the end of the day before, Aurora’s thoughts kept her up a good bit of the night. She attempted to sleep in, to catch a few more precious moments of rest even though the sun was shining brightly through her window. The unicorn glanced around and noticed her other half wasn’t in the room; most likely downstairs doing chores or some such thing. With a yawn and a stretch, she crawled lazily out of her bed and trudged into the upstairs bathroom for her morning routine. The shower felt better, it seemed, than any other shower she’d had in her life. Spending a bit of time just standing under the hot water, Rory finally decided to get out when the water refused to stay warm, even with the knob turned all the way to hot. Her nausea wasn’t quite so bad today, though it was still early. Drying her mane and braiding it to the side, Rory slipped on a baggy sweater and some wool socks and made her way downstairs.

Upon her arrival downstairs, she was greeted with a set table complete with a small bouquet of flowers ( picked outside from the looks of it) and a light breakfast. Light was bringing the last plate onto the table from the kitchen when he noticed her make her entrance.

“Good morning dear.” he said with a smile, setting the plate down before sliding her chair out. “I figured we could both use a good meal to start the day, considering the meeting with the judge today and you needing to take better care of yourself.” He put two pieces of the french toast on her plate and slid over the syrup. He himself scooped a few pieces of fresh fruit next to his toast, which he proceeded to cover in a light coat of honey; his favorite.

Rubbing an eye and smiling in reply, Rory seated herself carefully as Light held the chair for her. “Thank you, hun. This smells really good. Did you sleep well?” The unicorn asked, pouring just a bit of syrup onto her breakfast, and daintily cutting the slices of bread. She also partook of some fruit, avoiding the blueberries. It took her a moment to notice the flowers arranged on the table, but when she did, her smile grew wider.

“Well as I could have considering what is happening today. I am hopeful this will all be resolved. I was confident going into today, but now, I am starting to worry.” He chuckled nervously as he played with his food on his plate. “The stakes are a bit higher now....” he said quietly as he cut an eye back to her. “Regardless, they did agree to meet in front of the judge, so that means they are nervous, but not forthright going to settle for our demands.”

Rory’s ear twitched as he looked at her, though she continued on with her meal. “Well, nervous is good, right?” She asked hesitantly. “I guess... I guess I’m still confused as to how all this is going to work. I thought it was a sure thing that they were going to settle.” She paused to take a bite. “Would you like me to come with you?”

Reaching across the table, he laid a hoof gently atop hers as he shook his head. “No hon, I wouldn’t want to subject you to what might happen given how much of a worrywart you could be. While I appreciate the concern and would always welcome the support, it’s probably best if Star and I handled this alone.”

Sighing, he skewered some of the pineapple and strawberries before shoving them in his mouth. “I should probably be getting ready soon. I feel as if I am doing everything I can this morning to stall.”

She cast a downward glance at his hoof over hers, not feeling up to arguing over it. “Alright dear, if you think it’s best.” She was mostly finished with her now soggy toast, and only a berry and slice of pineapple remained. Wiping her mouth with a napkin, Rory stood and levitated her plate from the table. Pausing, she smiled and placed a soft kiss on Light’s cheek. “Better get going then, I suppose; but not without a few good luck kisses.” She planted a firm kiss on his muzzle then. “If you are finished, I’ll take your plate to the sink.”

Nodding, he couldn’t help but feel some of the tension ease up as he returned the kiss to her cheek. “You always know the right thing to do to make me smile....” he said softly before nuzzling her gently and retreating upstairs to get into the shower.

After watching the pegasus leave her sight, Aurora made quick work of disposing of trash and rinsing off the dishes. One of the perks to being a unicorn was multitasking, and it allowed for quick clean up. When she was finished, Rory poured herself a large glass of water and brought it over to the coffee table with her. Finding a comfortable position, she pulled a sketchbook and pencils from the side table and began doodling various gesture drawings and warm up exercises. If she was going to be home all day, she might as well do something productive for school. She hoped it would help time pass faster, so that it wouldn’t seem so long that Light Heart would be gone.

Hours passed, and morning turned to late afternoon. The door to the house creaked open as Light made his way into his house. Peering over at the couch, he saw her diligently at work on a canvas in her “workstation”. Her attention turned immediately to him, ears perked up wide. His expression was stoic and emotionless; well, emotionless as he could make it given his nature.

“Rory, are you at a point where you could stop? I suppose there is a lot to tell but I am starving, and would much prefer to share without my stomach rumbling or us having to work in the kitchen. Cavatelli’s?” he suggested with just the hint of a smile.

The mare nodded in response, turning to wash her brush in a cup of water, and thoroughly drying it in a towel. “Sure thing, dear. Let me fetch my coat.” Slowly standing and stretching her long legs, Aurora sauntered over to where Light stood, stealing a quick kiss before bypassing him to retrieve her things. Levitating her small coin purse and tucking it once more under her long scarf, she stood by the door. “Ready when you are, love.”

His walk was a bit faster than usual as he made his way to the restaurant they have come to know and love, especially when feeling lazy or needing a meal in a pinch. However, he made sure not to push her too fast and tried to stay mindful of her pace. He made small talk along the way, asking about her day and the projects she worked on. He only told her once to hold off until they got to the restaurant for questions regarding his meeting, and it wasn’t long before they arrived and he pushed the door open for her.

The restaurant was oddly quiet for this time of night, but it was easy to see why. The place was empty. And not just lacking of patrons; literally empty save the two of them and a few workers.

Shrugging his shoulders at Rory, Light made his way to the table they sat at on the day they first met. To say they were both sentimental would be an understatement; they made a habit to have this table any chance they had.

“Before I start, is there anything you are dying to know so I can put your mind more at ease, or would you rather I just start from the beginning?” he said, nodding politely to the waiter as he inquired about their usual drink order and appetizer.

Biting her lower lip, she thought carefully before speaking. “Is it bad?” She whispered, eyes set on the pegasus, hooves pressed firmly on the table’s surface. She nodded only when the waiter placed the drinks in front of them, but never reached for her glass.

Placing his hooves firmly on hers, his mouth turned up into a small smile. “You take away all the fun and drama of telling a good story when you want to skip straight to the end.” He chuckled a bit as he gave them a pat. “No love, it’s not bad. There is a question today that has yet to be answered, and is it making me nervous, but hopefully it will get resolved soon and it will be the answer I desire. Anything else?”

She shook her head, smiling sheepishly. “No, I don’t want to spoil anymore of your fun.” She snickered, feeling slightly relieved. Sure there was worry in the back of her mind, but she dared not show it. “So, the question of the day; how did everything go?”

Taking a sip of his drink, and a quick nibble from the newly delivered garlic rolls, he cleared his throat. “Well, I’ll try to skip some of the boring details and stick to the general gist of what happened. First, and foremost, we were right; they were nervous. It became apparent to Star and I both, quickly, that they have had problems with this in the past but nopony ever took legal action about it. They turned a blind eye simply because of his tenure and and his families “contributions” to several hospital funds and refurbishment projects. This time though, they found a pony who wasn’t going to put up with such backwards methods in me.” He took another nibble before putting the roll down, his stomach clenching up a bit. “It wasn’t 5 to 10 minutes into the conversation when they offered me a job. Not just a regular nursing job mind you either, but head ER nurse, which is exactly what I held in Ponyville.”

Nearly choking on her own garlic roll, Rory dabbed at her muzzle with a napkin before speaking. “Head ER Nurse?” She gulped some water. “I mean, that’s fantastic, but what’s

the catch?” She twirled a lock of hair in her hoof, and her tail twitched slightly behind her.

He sighed. “Well, there was no catch. At least for me. It was mine, all I had to do was drop the case and promise not to pursue anymore legal action regarding gender inequality. With that said....I declined. And boy did they raise some eyebrows then. But they didn’t meet my one demand of them, one that even if I didn't get a job there, that I insisted that they execute; that pony has to go. If I am going to work in that hospital, I refuse to do so under the same roof as him.”

Rory was thankful she hadn’t taken another sip of water. “Hon, that is a catch. Sure, you get the best possible job you can get, but you have to drop your case. Who’s to say he won’t fire you later? Or worse? Can it even get worse than that?” She nibbled at her hoof, eyes rolling around in thought.

“So... now what happens?” She asked, eyes wide.

“Well, that is what took the rest of the day. That discussion, argument, case....whatever you want to call it.” He looked over and nodded at one of the employees as he pulled out a small unsealed envelope from his bag he always carried on him. “I could just tell you what happened, but it is much more fun to read about it.” He set the letter down on the table between them before making his way out of the booth. “Excuse me hon, I need to head to the restroom. Hopefully that will explain everything a bit more than I could possibly summarize, and stay here.” He gave her a quick kiss with a smiling face before retreating to the back of the restaurant.

Confused, she glanced at the envelope for a moment without blinking. Looking around the room, she levitated the letter and carefully pulled the seal open. Rory slowly unfolded the parchment, bringing it closer to the candle on the table so that she could read it without straining her eyes.

There were two pages, the first being a court letterhead that, summarized, stated that it was the  will of the court that the actions of the hospital were in violation of Equestrian Equal Opportunity Employment regulations and recommended the immediate termination of any employees found in violation of this practice, or be subject to immediate and strict financial penalties.

The second letter, was a bit different. It was a simple piece of paper, scribed in what Rory

recognized was Light’s writing. It read...

"But even though the proceedings are over, the question of the day still lingers in my mind. How do I ask it? I know what I want to say, being one of the simplest questions a pony could ask. But the precedence and meaning behind it make it almost as if I am trying to move the earth itself to get it out of my lips. Can I even do it justice with words when words have failed me so often before, especially when it comes to you, and us? So here I am, resorting to one of the ways I have no difficulty with when it comes to putting words to thoughts, and that is through paper. Trying to tell you how much I love you, how much you mean to me, is never easy for me because I never feel it does it justice. I could tell you a hundred times over and it would feel as if I simply told you hello or goodbye. But when I see you and you smile at me, when we walk huddled close together, when we cook meals together, when we huddle up close in the darkness and pour our hearts out to each other...and when we kiss. Those are the only ways to show you just how much I really love you. I have been searching for words ever since I met you, and I never found them. But what I have been searching for this entire time has been right in front of me; actions. Sure it is a cliched saying, but actions really do speak infinitely louder than words. Through actions, I can show you what my heart truly desires.

And right now what my heart truly desires, is right behind you, if you simply turn around...."

Rory felt her hooves become shaky and her heart raced in her chest. She hesitated, taking a deep breath before bracing herself on the tabletop and turning her head.

Hovering behind her quietly, Light held out a silver chain on which was attached a silver ring. In the center was a traditional-cut diamond, roughly half of a karat. Surrounding that diamond were 3 smaller amethyst stones. The ring itself was simple, and so was the chain.

"If you do me the honor of being yours forever and always, I would love to put this around your neck in my first act as your husband to be." Still smiling, he said with a broken voice paired with tear-filled eyes. "Rory my love, will you marry me?"

Aurora’s jaw dropped, and her magic faltered, letting the letter fall listlessly to the table. She felt a rush of things at once; surprise, happiness, nervousness... it all muddled together in the strange and subtle cry that left her lips. She felt as if the air had been forced from her lungs, but was surprised to find that she did not shed any tears. She always expected that she would, but tears never came; only a grin as wide as she could muster as she looked up at him, nodding her answer.

As he landed gently to the side of the booth, a loud cheer erupted from the backroom of the restaurant as the owner and staff celebrated the happy occasion. Light raised a hoof to them with a smile, and they nodded understandingly as they slowly began to return to work. Sliding the necklace over her neck, his smile was beaming as a tear made his way down his cheek. “It took me almost two weeks to find this, but it couldn’t look more perfect on you. The amethyst really brings out your eyes.” he said quietly, sliding in to sit next to her and resting a shaky hoof over her thigh.

Squealing, she threw her hooves around his neck and placed a kiss on his cheek. After holding him for a moment, Rory sat back and took a good look at the ring. “This is beautiful...” she paused, admiring it, then suddenly letting it fall back to rest over her chest as she looked back to her now fiance. “Wait, two weeks?” She was already reeling from the proposal, but knowing that he’d been searching for weeks for this raised another question. “How long have you been planning this?” She had to admit, in the back of her mind, there was the thought that he’d done this simply because of the foal they discovered the day before. But now, that thought was slowly fading.

Chuckling a bit, Light Heart finally had the nerve to eat, so he took a quick bite of the garlic roll he had been neglecting. “Truthfully? Since the day I moved in. I knew it was inevitable, so there was little stopping me from acting on it. But I do have a bit of a confession. Some of the trips to the lawyer were not exactly as long as I claimed, especially the last week. I spent a lot of time shopping, and working with these knuckleheads here...” he waved a hoof to the kitchen “... to plan this with little notice. I figured we could celebrate a few things at the same time. I wasn’t expecting the news regarding the foal, but that is just one more reason to celebrate.” He panted a bit at his sentence, realizing in his excitement he had been forgetting to breath. His ears dropped slightly as he squeezed her hoof. “I was tired of the negativity; your illness, my struggles with the job, my flashbacks, and your fears regarding your family. I wanted something good for us, something positive and concrete to look forward to. Something...happy.” His eyes cut back to her as his ears perked up again. “Now we can be a proper family.”

The smile never left Aurora’s face as she listened, fidgeting slightly from excitement. “So is that why the restaurant is so empty on a Saturday?” She looked around to confirm that they were still the only ponies in the place. Glancing back down to the necklace, she nuzzled close to Light. “You sneaky stallion.” She chuckled. “Thank you, for all the trouble you went to. This is hooves- down the best surprise I’ve ever had.” Rory paused once more, trying to gather the chaos of thoughts swimming around in her mind.

“Family...” she let the word roll off her tongue; it held an entirely new meaning for her now.

“I know unicorns sometimes wear the rings on their horns, but I figured you might like the necklace better. Less flashy.” He said, tingling a bit as he watched her eyes lock-in as she became lost in thought.

Through the excitement of everything, and the relief of having it out of him, Light Heart just sat there, unsure what to do next. Looking over to her, he chuckled “Now what?”

As if in response to Light Heart’s question, Aurora’s stomach grumbled. “Heh, well let’s get through dinner and just enjoy the rest of the evening. Then I suppose making the announcement tomorrow to friends and family will be in order. Oh Sisters, you still have to meet the rest of my family.” She giggled, levitating her water glass and taking a small sip.

Light almost dropped his glass as he choked a little bit. “Dear Celestia you are right, I still haven’t even met anyone aside from Storm. Why do I keep forgetting that?” His brain started turning again, the gears going into overdrive as he started to get nervous. “How do you think they are going to take...everything? Are you going to tell them EVERYTHING?”

Rory chuckled nervously. “Well, we’re going to have to tell them everything at some point. It wouldn’t do us any good to be dishonest about the foal, but we should also make it painfully clear that it’s not the only reason we are going through with this.” She downed the last garlic roll and guzzled more water before carrying on. “I definitely want to tell Storm and Dusty first. They’ll be on our side, and make breaking the news to my dad much easier.”

“I suppose a little trip to the observatory and Cloudsdale are in order then?” he said after exhaling heavily, once again able to partake of the meal. “Maybe we could even swing by my place in Cloudsdale, if it hasn’t fallen to pieces by now.” The muscles in his stomach contracted a little bit at thinking of his childhood home. “And I am excited about meeting the rest of your family, despite the circumstances. I just hope I can make a good impression on them . I know what happened with us was a bit...unplanned, but we are consenting adults and not foals ourselves, and I am sure that eventually they will understand that.”

The look Rory gave Light Heart was almost incredulous. “I’m surprised, actually, that you’re okay with going to Cloudsdale. The only issue is the fact that I’m a Unicorn. I know we have the Featherwieght spell, but it only lasts for an hour at a time. I don’t know how many times I can feasibly cast it, either.” She let out a sigh and shook her head, returning to the meal. “I don’t want to get too ahead of myself. I’m sure we’ll figure something out when it comes to making the trek to Cloudsdale. And we have a little time yet to tell my parents, so let’s just take it easy and not over think things.” She wasn’t sure if she was saying it more for his sake or for her own.

“I have heard of a cloudwalking spell, but I am no unicorn so I have no idea how difficult it is to actually perform. While I am fascinated by magic and loved studying it growing up, I’ll still never comprehend spell difficulty.” He realized he was starting to ramble and cleared his throat. “But you are right, all things in time, of course.” He smiled, leaned in, and kissed her on the cheek. “For the time being, lets celebrate our child, my job, and our future together.” He lifted a hoof and waived it toward the kitchen, sending a few scurrying around behind the scenes.

“Gladly.” the unicorn beamed, taking a sip of water. “Do you have any more tricks up your sleeve? I was wondering if maybe we could take a longer route home tonight; catch a glimpse of a few stars?” Aurora flipped a corner of the fallen letter up and down a few times before looking up to Light Heart. “I’d like to revel in this current state of happiness.”

He let out a quick, but quiet laugh deep from his gut. “No dear, no more tricks, I promise. Didn’t think much beyond this point. Heck, I didn’t even think about your family despite in the back of my head knowing that it would eventually come to that.” Squeezing her hoof a bit, the smile that planted itself on his face the moment she agreed to be forever part of his future never faded. “I am in absolutely no hurry tonight. If I could stop time and linger here for ages, I would.”

Turning to face the pegasus, Aurora gently cupped Light’s face in one hoof, while holding his hooves with her other. “So would I, but we’ll have to make due by just enjoying the time we have. Though it feels a lot more like flying than ‘making due’ to me.” She slowly brought him in for a gentle kiss, letting a wave of calm and happiness wash over her.

His eyes fluttered a bit from the kiss as his heart skipped a beat. It didn’t matter that it was probably the 100th or 200th time his lips touched hers; it still felt electric. By the time he pulled back from the embrace, the waiter made his way over with a small, personal size cake, and two wine glasses. One was filled with a champagne, the other, a sparkling cider. “Well, I had one more surprise I suppose...” Light said with a chuckle as he nudged the cider to her. “I swear...last one!”

Throwing her head back in laugher, Rory thanked the waiter who grinned in response as he shuffled away. “You and your surprises. I trust that mine isn’t alcoholic?” She asked as she sniffed at it, and Light nodded in affirmation. Looking at the cake, she gently placed her dinner plate to the far side of the table and used her magic to scoot the cake plate towards them. Casting a mock look of disapproval at Light, Rory asked “Are you sure this is the last surprise? Not that I’m complaining, so far the surprises have been phenomenal.” She placed a kiss on his cheek.

“Well, maybe the last for tonight. But you committed to me now, so you signed up for a lifetime of surprises.” He nuzzled into her neck as he dug his fork into the cake. “I just hope that the majority of them are good.” He said with a hint of mirth in his voice. He paused for a second after the first bite, and cast his glance sideways to her. “I know we might get flack for jumping into this so soon...we are doing the right thing, right? I mean, I should feel doubt, trepidation, or hesitation, but I don’t. That is a bit scary to me, to say the least.”

Taking a sip of cider, Rory paused before taking her own bite and lowered her fork. “If I felt this was the wrong thing to do... I wouldn't be doing it. My heart is telling me that this-no, you are the right way. I have a bit of a confession to make myself.” She placed the fork on the plate, cake untouched. “The very first day you spent at my house, I had... well I let my mind wander. Looking at photographs of my parents and sisters, I realized that that was a future I wanted.” She paused, placing a hoof over her stomach.

“And in that moment, I knew I wanted that future with you, and you alone. Surprises and all. So honestly? There is no fear, no reservations or doubts. You are the stallion I want to spend the rest of my life with, and that truth does anything but scare me. To hell with what others say or think.”

“Oh it’s not the truth that scares me. I just never expected myself to fall so hopeless, madly, and deeply in love so quickly. But, if the shoe fits...” he couldn't help but grin at the reference, wondering if she got it. His smile was classic Light heart; big, dumb, and goofy.

He raised his glass to hers and continued his grin. “Then I propose a toast; To hell with others!”

Aurora couldn't help but smile wide at him, the tears she couldn't muster before suddenly surfacing as she raised her glass and took a sip. She most certainly caught his reference, and a flurry of memories came to her once more. She was lost in that beautiful gaze, his lilac eyes echoing the cries of her own heart. The thought that he loved her like he loved nothing else in Equestria filled Rory with immense pride and at the same time, humility. The way he looked at her told her everything she needed and wanted to know; the kind and gentle twinkle that shone only for her. Setting the champagne flute back down on the table, Rory slipped her forehooves around the stallion’s neck in a firm embrace.

His smile wavered from goofy to a genuine, heart-felt purse of his lips that echoed the sentiment carried in her eyes. As her hooves locked around his neck, he touched his nose to hers as he closed his eyes. “Remember that trick I taught you on the first day we met, how to capture a memory? I want to capture the look in your eyes right here forever, because I want this to be the last memory on my mind should anything ever happen to me. I want to recall this moment, and feel the love radiating from you, because I know that even in the worst pain, it will bring me peace and serenity.” With that, he closed his eyes and the world around him fell still as he burned what would be the most important image in his life, into his mind.

Following suit, Aurora closed her eyes and brought him tightly within her grasp. She would have gladly stayed like this for an eternity, if not for all the obvious hindrances. After a long while the unicorn let out a heavy sigh, opening her eyes and brushing a lock of Light’s hair from his forehead and firmly planting a kiss.