It had been four months since the day Rarity had disowned Stryker Malt-House as a friend and lover, even though she succeeded in becoming pregnant with his foal, she still locked herself away. She rarely spoke of her feelings to any pony, she went out occasionally, but always surrounded by her five best friends.

Rarity had kicked Tropical Punch out of her home after Stryker reviled the truth of his forbidden one day romance. Although Tropical and Stryker both betreyd her, she secretly hoped that Tropical did not fall pregnant with Stryker's foal too, she looked down at her belly, she stroked it with a hoof as she remembered what the doctor had said on that fateful day. "Congratulations Miss Rarity! You are pregnant with a beautiful little boy."

I wonder if this is how Applejack felt when she first found out. she tried to ignore her roaming mind and shuffled in her bed. Rarity had been lying in her bed since the sunrise, she wanted to stay in bed but even her beauty sleep had its limits. She got out of her bed and headed downstairs the to kitchen. On the kitchen bench was a vase with flowers and a card decorated with hearts, Another one of Stryker failed attempts I assume? She thought to herself.

Dearest Rarity,
I know that I still love you everyday, I hope you still feel the same.
I am writing again, to let you know just how much I love you.
I love you so much my sweet, not even Celestia herself could keep me from loving you.
Please forgive me, I feel so very bad for the pain I brought upon you.
Even with our fallout, I want you to know that I will support you and our child.

Same ridiculous nonsense as always. When will Stryker learn, he is the worst poet. Rarity thought to herself after reading the card attached to the flowers. Sweetie Bell must have left for school early this morning and brought these inside. What time is it anyway? She looked to the clock and saw '10:34am'. "Well better go the the market for some groceries." She said to herself as she grabbed a scarf and headed to her front door.

"Oh, I just have Stryker on my mind again. Would you believe he had the nerve to write me another letter this morning." Rarity informed her. Applejack placed two red apples into a brown bag and handed it to Rarity, which she took hold of with her magic. "Ah' just don't get it, he loves you? Dosen't he?"

"Then why're you tryin' to ignore him, he cares for you and wants you to be happy." She paused, she noticed Rarity's sad look. "Y'know it's been four months since Tropical showed her face, Ah' heard she moved back to Manehatten."

"Y'know, for somepony who supposed to be the Element of Generosity, you sure are being picky." Rarity started back at her with her mouth agape. "It's true, all y'all do is mope around your house makin' yer' fancy dresses. You should give Stryker a chance, Ah' reckon you'll be pleasantly surprised."

"Damn striaght. Ah' was a filly when my parents passed on to Celestia's holy grove. And little Apple Bloom even younger, just a week old foal. Ah' would never want any foal to experience the loss of a parent, you need to let Stryker be there for you and your child."

"Fine. I will give Stryker one more chance for the sake of our child." Rarity surrendered.

"When you see Boxing, ask him to tell Stryker to visit my boutique. Thank you darling. Ta-ta!" Rarity walked off with her purchase.

"Was that Rarity?" Applejack heard a familiar voice behind her, "Boxin'! We were jus' talkin' about you." Boxing reached her and smiled. "Really? About what?"

"That's great! I'm so proud of you." Boxing leaned in and pecked her on the cheek. "Finally! Maybe Stryker will stop moping around the house." Boxing nuzzled into her neck gently and moved his hoof to her belly. "And how is my little girl doing." Boxing whispered into Applejacks ear.

"Leave her alone, she'll come out when she's ready." Applejack giggled as his hoof brushed up against her. "Alright, alright. Do you want me to tell Stryker to arrange a date with Rarity?"

"Very well, but I won't have to convince him, he will jump at the chance to prove himself to Rarity." Boxing leaned in a kissed Applejack on her cheek. "Alright, I'll see you later." He trotted off, heading straight for his home. Finally! Stryker will stop drinking himself drunk and singing bad love songs all the time. Then he can get back together with Rarity. Boxing thought to himself.

Before too long, Boxing found himself entering his house. "Stryker!" He called out, the sound of gentle trotting came from the other room. Stryker appeared before him, "What is it?" he asked.

"Date?" Stryker snickered. "I don't date." Stryker turned and started to walk away.

"Not even it the mare was Rarity?" Boxing said, Stryker stopped instantly and turned back to his little brother.

"Don't even joke! How did you convince her to take me back?" Stryker's constant frown turned into a ear-to-ear smile. "Hang on, I never said she would take you back. But AJ convinced her to give you a chance at being a family," Boxing paused, Is he crying? "and don't mess up this time. You still have to convince her to take you back, or you might never meet your son."

"Thank you little brother, thank you so much." Stryker wrapped his forelegs around Boxing's neck and hugged him tightly. "Ok, enough mushy stuff. Go ask Rarity on a date and sweep her off her hooves." Stryker pulled his head back, tears streamed down his cheeks. "Thank you. And Applejack too, please tell her for me."

Stryker galloped to the door and opened it, he turned back to face Boxing again. "Thank you."

Stryker slammed the door behind himself and galloped as fast as he could to Rarity's boutique. YES YES YES! This is amazing, Rarity will forgive me and we will happily ever after. Wow, it feels like a fairy tale. Stryker thought as he continued to gallop at full speed. I'll hand over some chocolates and flowers and she wil- OH NO! FLOWERS?! I can't turn up without flowers, that is unforgivable. Stryker stopped in mid-step and turned 180 degrees and continued galloping.

What in Equestria was I thinking? Turning up without flowers... "ROSE!" Stryker shouted as he skidded to a stop outside the market stall. "Hi Stryker, the usual?" Rose asked.

"No, this has to be amazing, give me the best tasting flowers you have." he said.

"Ok, sure." Rose turns around and looks to the vases behind her, after a moment searching through her vases, she turned to one made of crystal. She turns around to face Stryker again, "These were delivered this morning, rare Blue Pansies from the mountains surrounding the Crystal Empire." She placed the crystal vase in between them. "But they are expensive."

"Ninety five?!" Stryker stammered. "Fine, your lucky that my love for Rarity has no limits." Stryker's horn glowed as he produced a platinum white coin marked with '100.' and dropped it on the counter. "Keep the change." Stryker gripped the bouquet with his magic and ran off. Rose picked up the coin in a hoof a crunched it between her teeth, testing to see if it was a legitimate coin. Happily satisfied she placed it in her coin pouch.

Okay, this is it. Just knock on the door and ask her out on a date. Stryker lifted his hoof to the door and knocked loudly three times, his heart was racing. The sound of slow clopping hooves made their way closer to the door, the door opened and Stryker saw the love of his life before him.

"So I was thinking..." They said in unison. Rarity blushed and smiled, "No, please. You go first." she offered.

"Rarity, I've been thinking a lot lately, every day since Tropical went back to Manehatten. I know what I did was wrong and I know you may never forgive my past actions, but I want to take you out for diner. My last chance at proving my love to you." Stryker looked down to the ground waiting for her to answer.

"You don't have to apologize Stryker, It's equine nature. I know that events of late have been somewhat inconvenient, but I still have the same feelings for you. I'm not angry at you any more." She paused and looked into his eyes. "Now, pick me up at eight and make sure you are dressed nicely." Stryker smiled.

"I will. Here I got these for you" Stryker's horn glowed and the blue pansies floated over to Rarity, he turned and began trotting back in the direction of his home, he stopped shortly afterwards and craned his head back to Rarity. "Thank you Rarity." he winked.

"Boxing! Boxing!" Stryker called at he burst through the door to their house. "Boxing!"

"She said yes little brother! YES!" Stryker continued to shout as he ran up the staircase. "I need to get dressed! NO! I need to bathe! So much to do in such little time!"

"Oh my goodness, whatever shall I do Opalescence?" Rarity said as she paced around the room searching through her draws searching for the perfect dress to wear for her date tonight. Her cat simply answered with a low toned 'Meow.' "Ugh! You're not helping."

"I'll just have to make a new dress, a fabulous dress!" Rarity's horn glowed and several rolls of fabric floated over to her from the shelf.

Knock! Knock! Knock! After knocking on the boutiques door with his hoof, Stryker stepped away and adjusted his bow tie. "Rarity? It's Stryker! Are you ready?" Stryker heard the faint sound of hooves and smiled, a light click came from the door and it slowly opened.

Rarity stood in front of him, she shined in the moonlight. Her dress was something Stryker had never seen before, jewels decorated a silver tiara on her head. Her white gown flowed from her neck to her flank, her cutie mark was hidden by the silky fabric. "Your beautiful."

"You look positively entrancing yourself Stryker." Rarity looked Stryker over, he was wearing a suit similar to a tuxedo but with a few minor differences. The hem was much shorter, complete with shiny new buttons, and he had an electric blue bow tie that matched the colour of his mane.

"Thank you. We should get going now." Stryker turned and gestured to a horse drawn carriage behind him, two ponies were strapped in at the front ready to pull the carriage to it's destination. Stryker opened the door to the carriage and motioned for Rarity to enter, she stepped up carefully and sat down on the silk cushions inside.

"Wow, this is amazing, this must have cost a fortune." Rarity gasped, the inside of the carriage was made of the finest materials she had ever seen. "Rarity, you are worth everything to me." Stryker sat opposite her and knocked his hoof on the wall behind him. The carriage began moving.

"That's a secret my dear, however Twilight has told me that this is one of your many favourite restaurants."

"Well, there's only one in Ponyville... No, you didn't? Did you?" Rarity said as she suddenly realised. Almost as if no time had passed, the carriage pulled to a halt and Stryker stepped out and offered his hoof, Rarity took his hoof and stepped out after him. "Rarity my dear, welcome to Horsia's."

"But... How?!" She gasped as they walked through the entrance, a smartly dressed waiter lead them to a table. His horn glowed and a small sign saying 'RESERVED' floated up and out of sight. "Please have a seat, I will be back momentarily with your menu's."

The both of them sat down and stared at each other, Rarity was first to speak. "How did you get a table here on such short notice?"

"Ok, ok. I know the guy who owns this place and let's just say we made a business deal. He gives me a table, and I let him drink for free at the club." Stryker gently laughed to himself. The waiter returned with two menu's and placed them infront of the two diners. "May I interest you in our wine list?" the unicorn asked.

"NO!" Rarity shouted, a few other patrons looked at her with a strange look. "What's wrong dear?" Stryker asked. "The foal, I can't-"

"Of course! How could I forget? Hmmm, well, I'll have a beer. And you dear?" Stryker looked to Rarity.

"Excellent choice, I will be back with your drinks and ready to take down your meals." He walked away.

"I can't believe I forgot about our foal, oh I'm a terrible pony." Stryker smacked the side of his head with a hoof. "No Stryker, it's okay. I understand it's been a long time since we have seen each other."

The night went swimmingly, so incredible that it took all of Stryker's mental will not to push her onto the dining table and rut her right there in front of every pony. Both Stryker and Rarity sat side by side in the horse drawn carriage, Rarity embraced in his arms. Eventually the carriage came to a stop outside the boutique, the door opened and Stryker stepped out, once again offering a hoof to Rarity. She took it and stepped out.

They walked side by side up to the front door, Rarity's curly tail was entwined around Stryker's. "Darling, tonight was amazing, I can't remember the last time I've had such a great time." Rarity exploded with happiness.

"Would you... Uh maybe we should... I mean if you want, we can..." Rarity began babbling.

"I would want nothing more. Just one moment." Stryker turned and walked back to the carriage, the two ponies stood to attention once they saw him. "Shut down Mr. Malt-house?" the one on the left said.

"No, quite the opposite actually," his horn glowed and he produced a brown pouch of bits. "here take this, thank you lads for doing this tonight." The pouch landed beside the Earth ponies hoof and Stryker returned to a anxiously waiting Rarity. "Ok my dear. Let's go upstairs and I can really show how sorry I am." Stryker winked.

Rarity shook her head, Stryker's smile disappeared. "No monkey business tonight darling, not while I'm with child."

"I don't mind Rarity, as long as I can hold you in my hooves and wake up knowing that this ins't some weird dream. I'll be happy." Stryker walked in, suddenly Rarity pounced and pressed her muzzle against his, enjoying the deep kiss.

Keeping Secrets

by Stunt Monkey

Cessation of Anger.