//------------------------------// // Make the Best // Story: Living in the Present, Hoping for the Future. // by FlutterDash979797 //------------------------------// "Hey, we're looking for a ride... a older stallion who brought us here said he would pick us up... Rough Rider was his name..." Rainbow pressed the phone against her cheek. "He's right here, waiting for a fare. What's the address?” a voice replied over the phone. "Umm..." Dash reached for her note and repeated the address. "When will he be here?" "30 minutes or so. Sound good?" "Yeah. Thanks." Dash hung up the phone and made her way to Fluttershy. The timid mare was resting on the dock; the tip of her foreleg hooves submerged into the water. They would dip the water softly and quickly. Bubbles and ripples complimented her motions. "He's on his way?" Fluttershy turned her attention to Rainbow. "Yeah. Should be a half-hour or so. Everything is packed, ready to go. The boys are upstairs; they're just hanging before we leave. I think we're all in the same boat; they don't want to leave either." Rainbow took a seat next to Fluttershy and snuggled closely. She sought warmth as a method to soothe her fears of leaving. "Who would? It's amazing up here. But I was thinking. We have it really nice back home. All of our friends really miss us and we're pretty lucky to live in such a beautiful town." Dash lit with excitement. "Yeah... I do miss parts of home. I gotta prank with Pinkie soon!" "Not on your marefriend I hope!" Fluttershy giggled. She knocked Dash’s shoulder firmly. "Nopony is safe! You're just a little lucky. I'll go easy on ya’!" Rainbow nuzzled her mare. "Maybe I'll get you one of these days..." Fluttershy's giggles contained a hint of evil. "Huh? You? Pranking?" A cyan eyebrow raises in question at the unusual behaviour of her best friend. "Well... I do know you better than anypony else. I might get you one of these times Dash." "Then I'm not holding anything back! You're on filly!" Dash reached for a hug and giggled into her marefriend's forelegs. Fluttershy wrapped her left foreleg around Dash and snuggled her closely. Dash openly embraced this comfort; pressing tightly against the timid mare. Rainbow clearly sought her love for comfort and security. Fluttershy knew the past days had left her marefriend vulnerable, yet she had never seen her embrace the thought so comfortably. The breeze that chilled the pair so delicately was now gone, making way for a strong wind. White caps rippled the water; a distinct sight from the normally dead surface. Fluttershy's mane gave into the weather; dancing with every movement of the wind. "Wanna head up, get ready ‘Shy?" A portion of Fluttershy's mane impacted her face. "Yes. It's time. We'll get everything outside and make sure we are ready to go." Fluttershy lifted her love upward and held her hoof at they trotted towards the cabin. "Game over man! Game over!" Angel buried his head in several couch cushions. "I can't believe it, but I'm agreeing with you, man!" Tank's head withdrew into his shell. "Whenever my mom goes over to Fluttershy's house, I'll bring some movies!" "We still have a lot more to watch... and so little time! Let's plan on having a weekly movie night!" "Or a gaming night! We can do whatever we feel like!" "With our moms like this, I'm sure we'll see each other quite a bit." Angel hopped toward Tank. "Bro-hoof man!" "Right on!" Tank threw his fist towards Angel. "Hey Angel?" "Yes?" "You were totally right about that bet. And I'm glad you were. You maybe kind of a jerk sometimes, but your heart is at the right place. You really care about Fluttershy!" "Ugh... Thank you... but never say stuff like that again! I'm think I'm going to barf!" Angel gagged. "Speaking about that bet..." "I haven't forgot about it! You'll get it, you crazed Leporid!" "Hey mares! I heard you need a ride." Rough Rider approached the pair, carrying the carriage behind him. "Yeah! Good to see you again!" Rainbow flew towards him and shook his hoof. "Just let us grab our stuff and we'll be out." Rainbow signaled Fluttershy to collect their bags. "Oh... and yeah, we can't forget our pets either!" "Take your time gals." Rider removed the harness from his back. "Need any help with your bags?" "That is very nice of you sir, but I think we're good. I might need a help getting my bunny to leave though!" Fluttershy smiled. "I don't go by sir, ma'am. I'm just Rider. I'm not important enough to be called sir." "Well, okay Rider. But an awfully nice stallion like yourself should be called sir." Rainbow removed her saddlebags and placed them on the carriage. Tank slowly followed behind, carrying a few small bags on his shell. He was lifted by Dash and placed on the carriage seat. "You were awesome this weekend bud! Thanks for being patient with Fluttershy and myself... Also, keeping that bunny in line!" Rainbow hugged the tortoise softly. "Alright, give me five! Up high... to the side! Down low..." Tank's foot slapped her hoof. "Too slow... crap! How did you do that?" "Angel Bunny, we need to go now. Mom's right here. You can sleep on the way home. I'll make you a really nice meal when we get home!" Fluttershy searched every corner of the cabin. "It's okay sweetie. Just come out!" "Umm... Fluttershy... do you need help catching that critter of your's?" Rainbow opened the front door and waited for a response from her marefriend. "I guess so... but I don't think he'll listen to you. He's not even listening to me." "Oh believe me. I got something to bribe him with!" Angel reached for a DVD case. "I got a special edition copy of Iron Pony. I'll let you have it if you come out!" Within a second, Angel hopped on Rainbow and attempted to grab the DVD. The athletic mare snatched it out of the bunny’s grasp. Dash held a stern look on her face as she reproached the crazy critter. "You'll get it... but we got to go now." "Deal." An accompanying energetic nod told Dash she had won and she allowed him to snatch up his prize. Angel leapt up onto Fluttershy's head, cradling the DVD as if it were his baby. "Looks like you gals are all ready. Climb aboard." Rider placed the saddle on his back and waited patiently for the couple to get comfortable in the carriage. Both ponies snuggled close together, while Angel remained perched on Fluttershy's head. Tank was right next to Rainbow, proudly wearing his custom sunglasses. "We're ready when you are Rider!" Dash noted. "Alright... you know, my wife will be happy to hear about you guys..." "Huh?" Both mares were puzzled. "She runs the restaurant in town. She was worried all last night; that's all she was talking about. I told her that I met you guys... and that you said you weren't a couple. I knew it. And I also knew that you two would not break up." "Oh my... your wife was so nice to us! Sorry we gave her a scare! I didn't know she would be so concerned..." Fluttershy felt sorrow over the waitress. "Oh... she's fine! She just thought you guys were the cutest couple! Every night she would tell me about you guys! How you made each other laugh and smile. It reminded her of when she met me." He gently laughed into the breeze as his glorious memories were being relived. "There's a lot of laughing and smiling, that's for sure!" Dash giggled. “But I kept telling her... they'll be fine. It's just life, you know? Nopony's life, or relationship will be perfect, so you just kinda got to make the best out of the situation. It seems like a really easy thing to recognize, but so many ponies forget it." "Isn't that the truth?" Dash agreed. "Just don't worry about it! You know how many times I have fought with my wife? More than I can count! She's a lot smarter than I am... and the worst part is; she know's it! But we've made it through every time... and we always will. Just like you gals." "How long have you and your life been together?" Fluttershy asked. "40 years and counting. Three kids. Eight grandchildren. It's been a life, that's for sure. But we swing life away. Together." Rainbow took a quick look at Fluttershy, who was busy conversing with Rider. She imagined 40 years with her love; the thought warmed her heart. If four days with Fluttershy can be this great, imagine a lifetime! She pressed close against her, trying to imagine their future. Thoughts of both ponies, growing old and remembering all of their moments together. "So I guess, my advice for you gals is just to look at life through a simple eye. You're going to get angry. Sometimes at each other. You're going to fight. You know the drill. But take time for each other. My wife and I go for a walk every night. We have never skipped it when we are both home. I don't know what you mares like, but find some good common ground. Make it a routine. And don't overthink love; it's really simple. That's why it's so great. Pretty obvious advice, I know. But it's worked for my wife and I. And it will work for you." His words filled the air with a warmth that comes from years of love and care. "Let your wife know that you guys are the nicest couple we have ever met! And we'll be seeing you guys soon; I think part of our routine will be returning here a couple times a year!" Fluttershy was impressed with the kind nature of the old stallion. "Just doing my job, ma'am. With those pets, I'd say you gals are a happy family!" Rider kept his pace slow, enjoying the chat with both mares. "Hey Tank?" "Yeah?" "When they move in together... it's pretty obvious that they are going to real soon... we are going to be brothers... or something like that. How crazy is that?" Angel displayed a slight level of kindness, surprising his sturdy companion. "Well, I can think of worse things. Not many... but there are a few. I have a feeling that many adventures await us... all four." "What gives you an idea like that?" "Let's see; two lovestruck mares, one crazed, hyperactive bunny and a chill tortoise. That is one shell of a family. We are simply too cool to not have adventures." Tank pondered the future for a brief moment. "Ain't that the truth! But right now let's start small. Your mom just bribed me with Iron Pony; we could collect all six movies and watch them all in a row! It that awesome or is that awesome!" Angel lept in excitement, carefully landing back on his caretaker's head. "It's a deal, man! I'll have a salad there for you as well." "Cherry on top!" The excited critter lept into the air with excitement as if he were brandishing the all important topping. "Here we are gals. I hope your train ride goes well. I guess I'll see you sometime in the future. Take it easy!" Rider stopped his steps and parked the carriage near the station. "Here's your bits. Plus a little extra." Dash offered him a stack of bits. "Nah, keep it. Wife's orders. I was only supposed to take money if you mares weren't together. If you were a couple, she demanded the ride be free. And for my sake, don't get me in an argument with that crazy old mare! Like I said, she's a lot smarter than I am!" Rainbow laughed several times. "Okay, when you put it that way, I guess I don't have much of a choice then!" "We'll see you soon Rider! We are looking forward to it!" Fluttershy shook his hoof. "As am I. Seeyah gals!" He trotted outward, searching for another fare. "So this is it, isn't it?" Rainbow threw her foreleg around Fluttershy. "Well, you can stay over tonight. If you want..." Fluttershy suggested shyly. "Is that even a question? Hay yeah! Let's do it!" Rainbow’s excitement bubbled to the surface, intoxicating her marefriend as well. "And maybe tomorrow night?" The creamy mare sounded very hopeful and wore a smile on her face that melted her daredevils heart. "Hey... we haven't been together that long! But I can't say no to that smile. Why not?" Two lips passionately greeted each other, much to the disgust of two tiny creatures.