//------------------------------// // Dreams Come and Dream Go // Story: How Bow met Windy // by Applefai //------------------------------// After dinner, the two lovebirds left the restaurant and walked around the campus. The moon was shining brightly as they stopped and sat on a bench. As they sat they looked up at the moon and just gazed at its beauty. "Windy, I promise I'll do what I can to raise our child, I'll find a job myself if I have to, and I'll play my hardest so I can get a well-paying job as a buckball star," Bow said as he held Windy's hand, her eyes shimmering in the night sky. "But what about me, Bow? Am I just to stay at home and take care of our child while you get to live your dream?" Windy asked concern and worry now filling her voice. "I wanted to pursue my own career, but I still haven't done a lot of things that I wanted to do, I was going to study to become a professional cheerleader, but with both of us working, we won't have time for the kid,” Windy said, anger filling her voice. Bow fell silent, not knowing what to say as he just sat with Windy. The sounds of nature filled the night as they sat in the quad. "If you want to start a career I would happily stay home with the kid," Bow said, trying to make Windy feel better.  Windy sighed as she leaned her head back, she gazed at the night sky and wondered what to do. "So your final game is coming up, are you nervous?" Windy asked as she tried to change the subject. "Yeah, I can't wait," Bow said as he kept hold of Windy's hand. "I heard scouters are going to be there, that must fill you with excitement," Windy replied, giving a cheeky smile as Bow smiled back. "Oh yes, all from different teams, I hope I impress one of them, I especially hope I impress the Cloudsdale team scooter so I can get a job closer to home," Bow replied as he started thinking about how great it would be to play on his home buckball team, the Cloudsdale Chasers.  Windy smiled seeing Bow relax as she let out a yawn, Bow saw this and smiled. "Come on, we should get back to our dorms and get some rest," Bow said as he helped pull Windy from the bench. Bow walked Windy to her dorm and kissed her on the lips, "Don't worry too much sweetie, we'll be ok," Bow said as Windy smiled. "Thanks, Bow," Windy replied as she went into her building. Bow then left, his mind deep in thought as he walked back into his dorm. "Ah, there you are buddy," Lightning Lane greeted as Bow sat on the bed with a loud sigh. "Hey what's wrong, bud?" Lightning asked as he rolled up to Bow's bed in his rolling chair. "Windy thinks she is late," Bow said as he put his hands over his face.  Lightning's jaw dropped a bit as he was at a loss for words. "So what are you gonna do if she is?" Lightning asked as Bow leaned up "Simple, I'm gonna raise my kid with her, graduation is coming up, so at least we'll graduate together, but when she does give birth, I'll stay home," Bow said as Lightning looked at him confused. "Why?" Lightning asked as he looked at Bow "Why not?" Bow asked back, a knot starting to form in his stomach, his gut telling him he wasn't going to like his answer. "Why should you give up your dreams? The way I see it, the stallion in the relationship should be working while the mare stays home to tend to the kids or the house," Lightning said as Bow looked at him with disgust. "That's not how the world works anymore, Light," Bow said, calling him by his nickname. "Mares have the same rights as us stallions, it's true I don't want to give up my dreams, but I'm not gonna force Windy to give up her's, besides how can that be your view when our ruler is a mare?" Bow asked, confused about how his friend got this misogynistic view. "That's different, she is of royal blood, all throughout history there have been women rulers, but the men still did all the work," Lightning replied as Bow shook his head. "You gotta get out of that mindset, that's not how the world works anymore," Bow recanted as he laid down on his bed. "But," Lightning started to say. "No buts, Light. I love Windy, and I can't tell her to stay home, so WE, meaning her and I will think of something," Bow snapped, putting emphasis on the "we". Light backed down as Bow laid back down and went to sleep. The days leading up to Bow's final game flew by as he studied and practiced, soon the big day was here, and the coach gave a motivational speech before Bow joined his teammates in storming the field. Bow plays with all his heart, knocking back balls heading for his team's goal and sweating up a storm. Bow looked to the stands to see Windy cheering him on, Bow quickly waved to Windy as a ball almost made it in, but Bow managed to smack it away before it got any close. As the timer ran down, the opposing team shot one more attempt to win the game, Bow managed to deflect it, but as he did, he felt a sharp pain in his right wing. The coach blew the whistle, confusing the game, Bow's team cheered him for deflecting the goal and hoisted him up carrying him off the field.  After changing Windy met Bow on the field, throwing her arms around him. "Congratulations, Bow. You played great, I'm sure you'll get scouted to play for a major league team," Windy said as Bow embraced the hug. "I'm sure I will, but if we have a kid, I might decline the offer," Bow replied. Windy smiled, "Then I got some good news for you, I'm not pregnant, I just got my period yesterday," Windy said as Bow looked at her relieved.  "Oh thank, Celestia," Bow exclaimed as he tried wrapping his wings around Windy, screaming as he moved his right wing. Windy looks at his wing and gasps. "Bow we need to get that wing looked at," Windy said as she helped Bow into her car and drove him to the nearest hospital. Windy and Bow get to the hospital and after waiting for a bit, get called back. The doctor looks over Bow and his wing thoroughly, even taking a few X-rays. "Ok, just wait here in this room and I'll get back to you," the doctor says before leaving. What feels like an eternity passes before the doctor comes back in with a grim face. "Bow, I'm sorry to tell you this, but you damaged your right wing severely with that block, you broke bones here and here," the doctor said while pointing at the x-ray. "Now this wouldn't be a problem and it will heal, but you won't be able to seek a career in buckball you'll still be able to fly, but another injury like this will permanently injure your wing to where you can't use it at all," the doctor said as Bow's heart dropped. "Oh, I understand," Bow said as he looked down, Windy holding his hand as the doctor put a cast on Bow. "I'm sorry, but I wish you a speedy recovery," the doctor said as he escorted them to the lobby.