>There you were, in front of a little church.
>Among your friends and family, repeating those sacred words.
>The preacher said, "Son, kiss your bride."
>And you raised her veil.
>Just like the night you met, time just stood still.

>For whom the bell tolls?
>It tolls for thee.
>Your vision fades to black.

>You open your eyes to see three little fillies standing on top of you, staring you in the face.
>The school bell was ringing loudly.
>"Hi Mr. Anonymous!"
>You let out a loud groan.
>Is it that time already?
"Good morning girls."
>They giggle at you.
>You are clearly out of it.

>"It's time to go home, Mr. Anonymous!"
"Oh. Right. Very well then."
>You roll over on your stomach and push yourself to your feet.
>The fillies took this opportunity to jump you and ride on your back.
>You were not expecting it and fell forward.

"Ow."
>They don't seem to notice.
>"Let's go Mr. Anonymous!" commanded Applebloom. "There's cutie marks that need ta be gotten!"
>You felt your chin, it hurt a little but there were no marks.
>You were still half asleep, but decided to play along.
--
>You stand.
>Sweetie Belle rode on your head this time and the other two on your shoulders.
"So are you all going home then?"
>"No way!" said Scootaloo. "We're going to our super cool clubhouse!"
"Well then. You're gonna have to show me this 'super cool clubhouse' of yours."

>Their clubhouse wasn't very far from Sweet Apple Acres.
>Applebloom had told you that it used to be Applejack's until she gave it to them.
>They fixed it up themselves.
>They were quite the carpenters if they fixed it up this good.
>Applebloom said she did most of it, but the others had a part in it too.

>You dropped them off and started back home.
>"I'll take you girls back to school next week. Okay?"
>"Don't ya wanna stay 'n play with us Mr. Anonymous?" asked Applebloom.
"Sorry girls. I need to get home. There's something I need to talk to Fluttershy about."
>"Is it about 'lovey-dovey' stuff?" Scootaloo asked with a sickened voice.
"Yes, very."
>Scootaloo stuck her tongue out while the other two fillies d'awwed.
>You laughed and waved goodbye.
>They called out and waved back.
--
>You wanted to talk to Fluttershy about last night.
>You didn't mean to stay out all day.
>But you couldn't just leave the fillies at school.
>And the trip to Sweet Apple Acres just sort of happened.
>Hopefully she won't be upset with you.
>Maybe she'll be proud of you if you mention you settled your differences with two of her friends.

>You walk in the front door, only to be greeted by Fluttershy and Rarity.
>"-all ready to start when he gets- Anon!" greeted Rarity.
>Fluttershy flew into your arms and gave you a kiss.
>"Welcome home, sweetie."
>She never called you sweetie before.
>Last night sure was something special.
>If she wasn't bold toward you before, you can't deny it now.

"How are you this evening, my little daisy?"
>You just pulled that out of your ass as quickly as possible.
>You said something right because she started glowing.
>Rarity audibly d'awwed in the background.

>"Rarity and I were just talking about you, Anon."
"Really?"
>"There's a very special surprise waiting for you in Ponyville," said Rarity.
"Do I get a hint on what it is?"
>"Of course not, darling!"
"Yeah, why would I..."
>You give a small chuckle.
--
>"We were just waiting for you to get home so we can take you there." said Fluttershy.
>'Aw come on!'
>You just got back from being in Ponyville all day, and now you gotta go back?
"I kind of just wanted to relax and talk to you Fluttershy."
>"Oh. Well, we can talk on the way there. If that's okay with you."
>This must be a big surprise.
"Alright."
>You hold the door open and step to the side.
"Ladies first."

>The two mares walk past, Rarity giving you a sly wink.
>She knows.
>Why wouldn't she know?
>Fluttershy tells her everything.
>You're not upset about it though.
>You've told a couple ponies already as well.
>And you never said it was a secret.

>You follow them out the door and walk in between them.
"So I take it Rarity already knows about last night?"
>"Oh, yes, darling! I think it is absolutely beautiful what you two are doing!"
"Very well. Since she already knows, do you care to talk about it with me in front of her?"
>Fluttershy paused briefly.
>"Do you?"
"A little bit. But if she already knows then there's no reason we can't talk about it."
>"Oh, okay."
--
"So... uh... I really don't know what to say. Do you have any questions or something?"
>Fluttershy seemed just as embarassed as you were.
>"Um... I don't know what to say either."
"Well, crap."

>"How was it?" Rarity piped up.
>You and Fluttershy stopped and stared at her.
>"What? I'm only trying to help."
>Well as long as it gets you both talking...
>You continue walking.

"In all honesty? The best pony I've ever been with."
>You turned to Flutteshy and smiled.
>Fluttershy blushed and turned her head away.
>Rarity giggled at you both.
>Rarity spoke again.

>"Fluttershy told me all about your romantic picnic under the stars last night, Anon. I think that was the most romantic thing I have ever heard! I wish I had a stallion of my own who was just like you."
>Fluttershy looked to Rarity, and then smiled up at you.
>If you were something for even a high-class pony like Rarity to be jealous over, then she knew you were something special.

>"The candlelight dinner, the romantic way you gave her the rose, and then your special night together..."
>Rarity suddenly shrieked like a fangirl and started clopping her hooves to the ground.
>"It's just so adorable!"

"I'm glad you're so accepting of this Rarity. I would've thought inter-species relationships would be looked down upon."
>"Well you're not just some mindless animal, darling. You are an intelligent being capable of logic and reason. You are as equal as anypony else."
"Noted."
>"Although ponies may be initially shocked to see you two together, they will be generally accepting of the two of you."
>That was very relieving to know.
--
>Another short silence folowed until Rarity broke it again.
>"So have the two of you thought about taking your relationship to the next level?"
>The next level?
>We only just got here!
"Yes we have, actually."
>"Ooh! Do tell!"
"There has been a few mentions of children, but we've never had a serious conversation about it."

>Rarity d'awwed.
>"I would solutely LOVE to see the children you and Fluttershy would have!"
>You wouldn't.
>What if they turn out to be horrible abominations of nature?
>But that's just your paranoia speaking.
>And although you would love to start a family someday, there are a few complications with that.

"Actually Rarity, I don't even think that's possible."
>Rarity looked at you, one eyebrow raised.
"I'm of a different species from you ponies. I don't even think our genes could mix enough to even form a baby."
>Fluttershy looked to the ground.
>Upon hearing this, she grew very sad at the thought that you may never have a full family.
>Rarity had also gotten a little sad in the face, but perked up quickly.
--
>"Why, darling, there's nothing a little magic can't fix!"
>You and Fluttershy looked back at her.
>"I'm sure there's a spell somewhere that can cause an increased fertility in the two of you. Even if it's just for a night!"
>Fluttershy grew a big smile.
>If there was a chance, she will try to find it.

"That would be wonderful, actually."
>You looked down at Fluttershy and scooped her into your arms.
>You gave her a kiss and Rarity d'awwed again.
"If there is truly a way, we should at least find it. Even if we don't use it, it would be great just to know that the option is there for us."

>That was the end of the conversation about you and Fluttershy.
>The rest of the way to Ponyville was just idle chatter.
>When you finally did reach Ponyville, you set Fluttershy on the ground.
>You followed the two ponies as they led you through town.

>They lead you to Sugarcube Corner.
>So the surprise is inside?
>Did Pinkie Pie make you some more of that awesome cherry pie?
>You sure hope so.
>You begin to drool a little bit at the thought of sinking your teeth into it.
--
>Rarity entered first, followed immediately by Fluttershy.
>You walked in after them.
>Pinkie Pie was standing her post behind the counter.
>When she saw you enter, she ran to the wall and pressed a big red button.

>Suddenly streamers, confetti, balloons, and ponies everywhere.
>"SURPRISE!!!"
>A banner unraveled itself from the ceiling.
>'Welcome to Ponyville, Anonymous'
>They tricked you!

>This was all a ploy to get you to come to a Pinkie Pie party!
>And it worked.
>Applejack and Twilight were also there.
>Looks like you were really friends now.
>There were a bunch of other random ponies, but you didn't recognize them.

>Pinkie Pie wheeled out a tall, yellow, 3-layer cake with pink borders.
>It had the same words as the banner going down each layer in pink frosting.
>That's cute.
>It looks like Fluttershy.

>You can try to hide your smile, but it would be futile.
>You put your paranoia aside.
>It wasn't a trick as they never tried to hide it.
>They just said that it was a surprise.
>How did you not see this coming?
>You were just standing outside Sugarcube Corner less than a minute ago.
>And you already knew this was the epicenter of parties in Ponyville.
--
>Amidst all the cheers, you manage to speak.
"How did you all know it was my birthday today?"
>The cheering stopped.
>Pinkie Pie looked up at the banner, looked to the cake, and back to you.
>She gasped, jumped up to the ceiling, tore down the banner, and wheeled the cake back into the kitchen with lightning speed.
>You were stupified.
"Did I say something wrong?"

>In a flash, Pinkie was back out with a new banner, and new lettering on the cake.
>'Happy Birthday, Anonymous'
>Somepony pressed the button again, as more streamers, confetti, and balloons rained down from the ceiling.
>The cheering resumed.

>Fluttershy jumped on your back when you were distracted by the commotion.
>You instinctively caught her and held her piggyback-style.
>A few ponies d'awwed.
>She whispered in your ear.
>"I didn't know it was your birthday today."
"I had been counting the days, but I forgot. The party just now reminded me."
>She kissed your cheek.
>"Happy birthday, sweetie."
--
>The party continued without a hitch.
>A few ponies came up to congratulate you and comment on your relationship with Fluttershy or your guitar skills.
>A simple thank you from you would send them on their way.
>Pinkie Pie had cut you an enormous slice of cake.
>You will never be able to eat this.
>You got maybe a quarter of the way through before you set it down.
>Your tummy feels funny...

>Fluttershy sat next to you the entire night.
>Neither of you were much for mingling, so you just sat next to each other and talked.
>Pinkie Pie had noticed this and called everypony to attention.
>She ran up and whispered something to the DJ pony, then waved to you.
>"This next song is for two very special someponies," announced the DJ. "Would you please make your way to the dance floor?"

>A spotlight shined on you and Fluttershy.
>Damn it, Pinkie Pie.
>You weren't much of a dancer, but it looks like you have no choice in the matter.
>Fluttershy had grabbed your hand and was leading you to the center of the dance floor.
>You grew very nervous and kept repeating in your mind,
>'Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap'
>You were about to be embarassed in front of everypony in Ponyville.
>Fluttershy had a calm look in her eyes.
>And that smile...
>You find relief from her just as the music starts.
--
>It's a slow beat song.
>Not unlike slow jams from your world, but without the words.
>The lights were dimmed, save for the one spotlight.
>It was just you and Fluttershy out on that empty dance floor.

>Fluttershy was standing on her hind legs with her front hooves in your hands.
>You both started to slowly rock side to side, while slowly spinning yourselves around.
>This wasn't so bad actually.
>The music started to pick up a little bit, but retained its slow tempo.

>Fluttershy had spread her wings and rose to meet you eye-level.
>She silhouetted herself against the spotlight and for one second, you thought you saw an angel.
>The moment her lips touched yours, you got a funny feeling.
>Something shot right through you.
>It felt like electricity.
>Your heart skipped a beat in time.

>You both close your eyes, and suddenly you don't know where you're at.
>You are lost out on this dance floor, spinning around, and around, and around.
>They're all watching you now.
>They can see you falling in love all over again.
>They think you make a perfect pair.
>As the music plays, you just hold each other close.
>And you danced.

>The song ended and the lights came back on.
>Everypony cheered for you once again.
>You and Fluttershy stood still and held each other.
>You were both lost in time.
>You finally came to when the DJ began the next song.
>It was normal party music and nothing to feel over.
--
>You begin to walk back to your seats with Fluttershy.
>But you catch a flash of rainbow in your peripherals.
>You turn to look and you see Rainbow Dash.
>She was crouched low and watching you both.
>You excuse yourself from Fluttershy and walk towards Rainbow Dash.
>She sees you coming, and before you can say hi, she races out the door.

>You just stand there, dumbfounded.
>Applejack walks up to you and bumps you in the side with her hoof.
>"Don't worry 'bout Rainbow, sugarcube. She's a stubborn pony, that one. She'll come 'round soon enough. You best get back ta your gal."
"Yeah. Thanks Applejack."

>As your walking, you hear somepony call everypony's attention once again.
>You haven't seen this pony before.
>She introduces herself as 'Mayor of Ponyville'.
>She calls for you to come up to the DJ's stage.
>"I take great pride and pleasure in presenting the pony of the hour, Anonymous, with this, the deed to a plot of land just outside the Everfree Forest!"
>As you accept the scroll, the ponies begin to cheer and clop their hooves.
>"I would also take this opportunity to let you know, that your place of residence is already under construction!"
>More cheering and clopping.

>Whoa, whoa, whoa... What?
>When did they decide to do this?
>And why would they even consider just giving you land and a house?

"I don't know what what to say. But I do have one question. Why?"
>"Fluttershy had spoken to me about your living situation," spoke the mayor. "She made a very convincing arguement that you needed a large place to call your own. She said that being near the Everfree Forest would also keep you close enough to Ponyville, but far enough away so that if there are any hostilities from the citizens, you would be able to find solitude."
--
>You turned to stare at Fluttershy.
>She looked away in embarassment.
"And the construction crews?"
>"I t-talked to them and convinced t-them to build the house," stuttered Fluttershy. "I even managed to get you a large discount on the home and the plot."

>So THAT'S what Fluttershy was doing the whole time you were apart!
>It doesn't take over 5 hours to go to the spa for a little pampering.
>Not to mention the rest of the time she was running errands while you were speaking to Twilight.
>Fluttershy is truly the best pony in Equestria.

>Without warning, you reach out and grab Fluttershy.
>You bring her up and she meets you with a deep kiss.
>More cheers and d'awws from the crowd.

>You are not even keeping score anymore of who is doing more for the other.
>This stunt alone has killed any hope of you every catching up to her.
>The most you can do now is keep trying to make her happy.
>There is also one pony in particular you need to win over before all else.
>But tonight, it's party time!