Maybe it was the smell of burnt eggs or permeating smell of pancakes that woke Daydream up, or the bright sunlight that leaked in through her open window. She winced as she stirred from her slumber, slowly sitting up and cracking her eyes open just a little bit. She immediately shut them after not anticipating the bright morning light, but after a few seconds she opened them again, met with the ceiling. Sitting up, she held one hoof to her mouth as she let out a big yawn and used the other to attempt to smooth out her curly mane. Using her magic, she grabbed one of the many hair ties that rested on her nightstand, tying her mane into a messy ponytail.
She threw off the covers and, still with sleep in her eyes, started to stumble downstairs towards the source of the smell. Daydream was careful walking down the stairs, taking slow steps down so that she didn't fall on her rump this early in the morning. Entering the small dining room, Daydream yawned as she wiped the sleep from her eyes, scanning the kitchen before eventually spotting her girlfriend, up bright and early by the melody she was humming and wide smile.
''Good morning, sleepy-head!" Celestia turned to face her with a bright smile, holding a spatula and plate of fresh eggs with her magic. ''I made breakfast! Again. Pancakes, Sunny-Side eggs aaand...'' She gestured to the table. ''A wide variety of juices I picked up from the store! And Almond Milk. ...and restocked your groceries... But! Breakfast first! I need something to distract me before I spill the beans!-'' Celestia exclaimed, tapping her hooves excitedly against the tile floor.
On the kitchen table was a plate of pony shaped pancakes with a side of sunny-side eggs, Daydreams favorite. She blinked a couple of times, looking at the breakfast before looking at the smiling alicorn. She must've had something planned or something to say, normally Tia would wait to start making pancakes this early in the morning, let alone visit this early. Daydream didn't mind, seeing as how she had a key to her house, and seeing her smiling face was always an amazing way to start the day. She chuckled softly, making her way towards the Alicorn and standing up on the tips of her hooves to give her a small peck on the cheek, receiving a small blush and smile as a response.
"Breakfast at...'' A quick glance at the clock. ''...5 Am? You're not even up this early, Tia.'' Daydream said, pouring herself a glass of apple juice as she sat down at the table. Daydream took a small sip, the cold and striking flavor of apple juice causing her to shiver a little bit.
''I know, I know. But I couldn't wait any longer than I already have!" Celestia's horn lit up as she poured herself a cup of grape juice, taking a sip before setting it back down. ''You mean a lot to me, Daydream, and...I really want this to be special.'' She looked down at the table, her face having turn a soft shade of red as she glanced to the side, then looked back at Daydream. The way she said it sounded like a whisper, like she didn't want to risk anypony hear her say it.
Daydream could feel her face turn slightly red as Celestia looked at her. Although the two had been dating for a while and Celestia had just retired, there was still a certain anxiety when the two expressed affection towards each other. Perhaps it was the still lingering fear that somepony would find out about their relationship or swarm the two whenever they were out in public. It made the times they did show affection hit harder, and something as simple as that made Daydreams heart melt. She rested a hoof under her chin, staring as the Alicorn began to dig into her pancakes, hurriedly. She chuckled softly, taking her fork and knife and starting to cut into her own.
''Dear,'' She started. ''If you eat that fast, you're going to choke. I sort of need you alive to tell me what you have planned...'' Daydream cut a small bit of her pancake and ate it, looking up at Celestia.
Celestia opened her mouth to speak but paused, coughing a little bit as she held a napkin over her mouth. She winced a little bit but smiled at her nervously, taking a small swig of her juice. ''Ah, uh... right. You are going to love it! I promise. Cross my heart.'' She did a criss cross motion over her heart as she smiled.
''But...Breakfast first, right?" Daydream rose a brow as she levitated her fork, one of the eggs pierced through it.
''Oh, uh- Yes, breakfast first.'' Celestia nodded and smiled, taking another bite of pancakes.
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After breakfast and spending some time doing the dishes, Celestia had led Daydream out into the living room. She sat down on the sofa, watching the Alicorn fumble with something just out of view. Daydream cocked her head to the side as Celestia dragged something into the living room with her magic, tongue sticking out slightly. It was... a suitcase. Two of them, actually. One of them was orange and the other a sky blue, medium in size and empty from the hollow sound they made when Celestia dropped them. She turned to Daydream, a bright smile on her face as she giddily stamped her hooves.
''...Suitcases?" Daydream cocked her head to the other side. She looked at them, and then Celestia. She paused, ears perking up. She opened her mouth to speak before Celestia jumped in, smile widening.
''I know you've taken some time off of work so we could spend some more time together and...I got to thinking! What better way to get away from work then actually get away from work!?" She exclaimed, throwing her hoof up. ''So...Suprise! I am taking you, my lovely lady, to an all-expense paid trip to the- from what you've told me- greatest city in Equestria... The hustle and bustle of MANEHATTEN!'' Celestia stood up on her hind legs as she dramatically threw her hooves out. Daydream knew how excited Celestia could get and how much she loved the idea of adventure, quite surprised she didn't want to go someplace like... The Galloping Gorge or Neighagra Falls. But Mantehatten... She had told Celestia when they started dating that she always wanted to go and see one of their famous Broadway shows or take a trip to the cities large library. Plus, it was close to where her parents live. Detrot, Daydreams home city. She was never able to afford a full trip to Manehatten, but from the stories her mother and father told her, she had always wanted to go.
''Tia, you...I...Did you- Did you save up for this?" Daydream could feel herself tear up a little bit. No one had ever surprised her with something like this before.
''You betcha,'' Celestia nodded her head, trotting over and gently taking Daydreams hoof into her own. ''I booked us a nice hotel, next to some nice restaurants, next to this really awesome amusement park with this roller-coaster that has a world record-'' She paused, stopping herself from rambling before chuckling nervously. Daydream gently bumped her head against the alicorns, smiling.
''It'll be grand, I just know it.'' Daydream said, pulling her head back and smiling. ''...Now when do we start packing?'' She tilted her head, levitating the orange suitcase and getting up from the sofa. Celestia beamed, jumping up and back. She pranced over to the blue suitcase and picked it up.
''Right now!'' She exclaimed. ''We have about 30 minutes to pack and get to our train-'' Celestia said, quickly with a bead of sweat.
Daydream wheezed as her eyes widened. ''30 Minutes!? Tia!-''