“Can I help you?” you shake your head and turn to the shops pony looking at her, Blushing deeply you try to hide how anxious you really are. You decided last week that you were going to pop the question.
Taking a deep breath, you run your hands through your hair and look her in the eyes. “I’m interested in purchasing and engagement ring.” You see her eyes light up.
“And who’s the lucky mare?” she asks almost teasing you. Noticing the blush she giggles. “Now is this going to be for a pegasi or a unicorn? I have to know so I can get you the proper one.”
You take a deep breath, trying to calm your nerves. I’m actually going through with this… why am I so nervous? I love Dash with all my heart… So why can't I help but feel scared? You shake that thought away as you look at the mare behind the counter. “It’s for a pegasus.”
The mare nods, “Follow me sir.” You nod and follow her to the other side of the small shop and look through the display case, several rings made of gold, silver, and even onyx shine bright in the lights. Noticing the prices you are sort of… shocked. These rings are actually affordable. The mare picks up on your perplexed expression. “What’s wrong, nothing here she would like?” you look up at her and shake your head, giving her a soft smile.
“It’s nothing like that,” you say “it has more to do with the affordability of these rings. I mean, back on earth, you would sink half of your savings on a diamond.” The mare nods.
“Well, Pegasi rings can’t really have any fancy gemstones on them.” you look up from the case, “since the ring goes on her right primary feather, we decided the best way to not have it agitate flight so much is to craft the ring from the stone itself.” you quirk an eyebrow.
“Is this normal around Equestria?” you ask.
“Yes it is, though styles vary from place to place.”
You nod and look back at the display case, “so… why are these so cheap then? I mean only four-hundred-fifty bits for a ruby ring? What’s the deal?”
The mare giggles and smiles, “Because the ring is only sign of your union, sure I put extra hours into crafting pegasi rings but nothing makes me happier than knowing that I have made somepony happy… Even though I’m not the one giving it to her.”
You chuckle and shake your head. “So you made these affordable because of happiness?”
The mare looks down in contemplation. “Well… I guess you could say that, but really? It’s because gemstones are so abundant here that there really isn’t a need for the price to be jacked up, you know?” You nod in agreement.
“May I take a look at the Ruby ring?” the pony nods and opens the case pulling out the ring and letting you inspect it. It’s smooth and shines brilliantly in the light, you look over at the sales pony and say “Excellent job on the polish.” She giggles and says thank you. You continue to admire the ring and smile “I’ll take it.” The mare smiles and grabs a small box and places the ring in the center.
She walks over to the register and ring up your purchase. “That will be four-hundred-fifty bits sir.” You open your pouch and hand her the bits and thank her. “You should know that comes with a lifetime warranty, I heat treated that thing and everything. Made sure it wasn’t going to break easily, if it does just bring it back and I will make her a new one free of charge.” You thank her and walk out.
It’s cold, winter in Ponyville tends to be a bit colder than you would like, how these fillys and colts can play out in this freeze you have no idea. You’d rather be at home by the fire reading a good book. “HEY!” you look behind you to see Twilight running up to you. You smile “TWILIGHT!” you shout back and wave. She trots over to you and gives you a hug.
“So what have you been up to?” she asks with a small smile.
“Oh you know, this and that.” you say with a chuckle, “How about you?”
She giggles “Oh you know the usual.”
"Paperwork.” you say bluntly.
“Yep, lots of paperwork.” she says in a agitated monotone voice.
You chuckle, “You see? Being a princess isn’t all fun and games.” she giggles and gives you a playful shove as you two begin walking.
“I saw you come out of the jewelry store,what did you get?” you immediately flush and Twilight gasps stopping dead in her tracks, her hooves go to her muzzle and her eyes shrink to pinpricks. “You didn’t.” excitement clearly in her voice.
“I, uhh… I might have.” You say.
“YES!” Twilight shouts out in glee, bouncing around you in a circle like a school filly "YES,YES,YES,YES,YES,YES!!!” she tackles you and hugs you. She eventually gets ahold of herself and blushes, “Sorry you had to see that.”
You shrug and wave it off, “It’s alright, no harm done.”
“So… how are you going to ask her?” she asks with a curious glance and smile.
You slouch your shoulders and sigh. "That’s just it Twilight… I have no idea how I should. I want to do something special, but I don’t think she wants anything fancy from me.” Twilight nods.
“You’re probably right,” she says with a smile, “ in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if all she really wants is for you to just be with her at that time.”
You look over at Twilight, “What makes you so sure?” she smirks.
“From what you’ve told me, Rainbow acts very differently around you. She lets herself be vulnerable around you because she trusts you. She doesn’t even act that way with me, Applejack or anypony else.” you nod “Listen, she loves you… there is no other way I could describe why she acts the way she does with you. So whatever way you purpose to her, will be fine.” She’s right. I really shouldn’t get worked up over this.
“Hey Twilight.”
She looks up at you “Yes?”
You take a deep breath pushing your anxiety to the back of your mind. “I’m scared… I’m scared that I am rushing things. I’m scared of what she will say, what she will do, I’m just… Scared. I want to make this commitment to her… but… I just don’t know if she feels the same.” you look over to Twilight who looks like she is about to burst out laughing. Small giggles escape her only moments later the dam breaks and she flops to the snow covered ground below laughing wholeheartedly at your fears. You on the other hand are quite offended and can’t help but watch.
She calms down and looks up at you, a soft smile on her face. “You honestly think she wouldn’t want to make a lifelong commitment with you? The one person who she trust more than me? Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds?” You blush. “And rushing things? You two have been dating for over a year now and you two share your house, so if you think you are rushing things… I’d think that over twice before making that judgement.” You look up at the cloudy sky, snow pelting your face.
You chuckle, “You’re right. I shouldn’t be this anxious, but I still am.” You take your eyes off the sky and realize you are almost home. “Hey Twilight… Thanks.”
The mare smiles, “Don’t mention it.” You stop and crouch to her level giving her a hug she returns it. You break the hug after a few moments and stand back up.
"Look, I’m almost home, so…”
Twilight nods and smiles “Go and get her.” You chuckle and wave goodbye.
You turn the corner and walk up to your house. It’s nearly evening, you have no doubt Dash is going to have questions as to where you have been. You walk up the steps to your house and open the door to which you are greeted with a swift tackle to the floor. “Good to see you too Dash.” you say with a soft chuckle.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL DAY!?” … She looks mad.
“ I was out… shopping.” her scowl becomes one of curiosity.
“Oh really?” she sounds like she doesn’t believe you.
“Yes really, I didn’t find anything particularly interesting.” Gosh you are bad at lying. Dash lets you up and sees something on the floor.
"Hey, what’s this little black box?” You feel all the anxiety rush in.
“NOTHING!” you say quickly swiping off the floor. She looks suspiciously at you.
You are in the kitchen, chopping up some romaine for Dash, the box has been with you and out of sight since Dash saw it. Crap how am I going to do this! I’m just so nervous, WHY AM I SO NERVOUS!? you let out a quiet sigh and stop working. “What am I going to do?” unbeknownst to you, your little pegasus has snuck in looking for some snacks.
"About what?” you jump at her voice. Once again the suspicious glare returns, “What’s wrong? You’ve been really jumpy since you got home.” you sigh and pinch the bridge of your nose.
“Dash, it’s nothing.” she immediately retorts.
“It’s not nothing, you're not ever this anxious dude,” she puts on those puppy dog eyes. “Tell me what’s bothering you.” she looks to your left and sees the small box that conceals her ring. You being too anxious to even notice she swipes it and backs off. You look at the box only noticing after she has moved almost to the other room.
“DASH, GIVE ME THAT BOX!!!” you run after her.
“NO!” she shouts back flying into the bedroom and locking the door.
Your body goes cold. “Don’t open the box… please…”
“Why not?” you hear her say.
“Because I… Because… Because I’m not sure what to do.” you hear her sigh from the room and she unlocks the door and lets you in.
“I want to ask you face to face… what is in this box that has you so bent out of shape?” you take the box from her and get down on one knee and open it showing her the ring within. Her wings flare up and she goes wide eyed.
“Is this… what I think it is?” you swallow the lump in your throat.
“Rainbow… Wi-”
"YES!” You are cut off with a very strong and yearning kiss. Rainbow shivers with joy and pushes you back onto the floor, pushing almost of of her weight onto you. She’s forceful, like she hasn’t felt your touch in years. All that’s in this moment is you and her. She breaks the prolonged kiss and smiles, tears in her eyes. She begins to laugh, as the tears break she buries her head into your chest and just continues to laugh as hard as she can. Eventually that laughter turns to gentle sobs. She looks up at you with a huge smile.
She sniffles and says, “I honestly was not expecting this… I… I have dreamed about this... with you… for so long… and I can’t help but feel like I’m dreaming…” You pinch her cheek and she lets outs out a barely audible “Ow.”
You chuckle “See, you aren’t dreaming you goof.” she smiles She gets up and extends her left wing to you , sitting up you take the ring out of the box and you can’t help but take notice of the sparkle in Rainbow’s eyes. She’s happy… beyond happy. You smile and gently place the ring on her primary feather. She sniffles and looks at her wing.
"It’s perfect…” She looks up at you with tears in her eyes she says, “I’m… I’m a wife now.” she says breathlessly, like she can hardly believe her silent wishes are coming true. You pull her close and let her lean into you.
"Yes… And you are my wife. My one and only.” she lightly jabs your shoulder.
“You sap.” she says. “I love you… With all of my heart.”
You smile from her words. “I love you too… My loving wife.”