Soarin has never been a lucky stallion. So when the mare of his dreams seems unreachable, he has to compromise a bit. Not that he minds his compromise. But who's to say it has to stay that way? Who's to say Soarin can't get lucky once in a while.

What starts as a simple wager before Hearts and Hooves day turns into something much greater than Rainbow Dash ever expected. But everypony has a past, and that past can come back to haunt you at the worst times.

This story is dedicated to anyone who had their heart broken...and found the strength to move on anyway.

Sequel to Withered and Blooming

As the romances between the Apple Family members of Sweet Apple Acres and the Mane 6 continues, the Apple Family starts growing larger and larger. Proposals are made, weddings are planned, and new families are born. But as the romance continues, past memories of those that are gone are brought up. And those memories happen to strike at the heart of a pegasus stallion who is starting his own family, as those memories remind him of a secret that connects him with the Apple Family.