//------------------------------//
// The Race To Prepare 
// Story: Blue Eyes and a Beat 
// by TheOriginalDash 
//------------------------------//

I went home briefly, to clean out the spare room. Thankfully, Vinyl helped, so it only took about twenty minutes to get everything packed away. I laid out some fresh bedclothes on the mattress, and went to grab a change of clothes and a jacket. I figured I might as well spend the rest of the day with Vinyl. We probably wouldn't get much alone time for the next few days.

As a last minute thought, I grabbed a couple of Santa hats. Hey, it's almost Christmas. I plopped one on my head, and carried the other on top of the pile of clothing. I deposited the items in the back seat, and skipped up to the passenger door. I slid in smoothly, only hitting my head once.

Vinyl laughed when she saw the hat, and I grinned at her. "Ho ho ho, little miss! I'm just your friendly neighbourhood Santa Claus!" She collapsed into a fit of giggles. It was probably good that I didn't grab the beard.

I reached back to grab the other hat, and placed it on her head. She smiled widely, and straightened it in the rear view mirror. I buckled in as she started the car, and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

"Now I have a Mrs. Claus. And she's the most beautiful one I've ever seen." Vinyl blushed, the color matching the red in the hat resting on her vibrant hair. I was glad that I could make her blush. She really is amazingly beautiful; an angel I could call my own.

"Don't sell yourself short there, buddy. Without the horrendous beard, you're absolutely gorgeous." She leaned over and pulled me in for a little mouth to mouth. Yep, definitely a good idea to leave the beard.

I pulled away first, desperate for air. She sat there for a few seconds as well, panting quietly. Eventually, she realized that we had been just idling in the driveway for several minutes. She kicked the car into gear, and we drove off.

I sincerely hoped no one saw us. I've never been much for exhibitionism. PDA is limited to hand holding and hugging, usually. Now, I will cuddle if we're somewhere just a little more secluded, like the park. But I can't honestly ever remember even kissing anyone in public. And face-eating is definitely off-limits. So, I kinda just broke my own rules. Vinyl is just too good at dragging me after her when there are rules to be obliterated. I guess I can't blame her.

I leaned my cheek against the window, using the cold temperature outside to cool my warm face. I was most definitely full-on blushing. I blush too easily anymore. It feels weird, to always be this emotional. I was always the tough one, the calm and collected one. Sure, I was bound to have a few not-so-calm moments; I am a teenage girl, after all. But usually I kept my cool, and all this blushing is certainly not doing that.

I couldn't wait for this car ride to be over. I just want to get Fluttershy back to my house, and settle her in. I wasn't tired before, but all of this thinking and being emotional has really exhausted me. I just need some sleep.

I watched the world roll by through the window, admiring the stark silhouette the leafless trees created against the gray, cloudy sky. I love fall and winter, as they're my favorite seasons. But winter was definitely my favorite. It shouldn't be, because I get cold really easily as it is. But for some reason, I find everything about it beautiful. Especially when I have someone like the girl next to me to brighten things up.

I closed my eyes, wanting to rest them for a few minutes. After what seemed only seconds later, Vinyl was shaking my shoulder, trying to wake me. I never intended to sleep, but that's okay. We're at the airport now, so I suppose it's time to go get Fluttershy. I really hope she didn't pack too much, or else we might need a porter cart.