//------------------------------// // Next to last // Story: Rainbow's Adventure on Earth // by TheRealShadowFoot //------------------------------// After almost a year in the human world, Rainbow had settled in to human life. She had found a job with Alex's sisters, and adored the trio as much as Alex himself. After a while, she learned she had an eye for style, and mused to herself Rarity would be giddy with excitement if she ever found out. As fate would have it, She and Alex had fallen in love, and were regarded as a couple by most of their friends and Alex's family. The couple enjoyed their life together, though it wasn't without its trials and tribulations. They always had forgiven one another in the end. Alex's family eventually found out about Rainbow's secret, but didn't really care as long as Alex was happy. While she still hadn't lost hope of going home, Rainbow wasn't to eager to leave her new life as Alex's love. She did miss the freedom of flight, but this was more or less remedied by the fact that she had learned how to drive the complicated vehicles the humans used to get around, and was allowed to borrow Alex's truck any time as long as he was home. **** Alex himself was happier than he had ever been. He had a beautiful girlfriend, an excellent position and salary at his company, and he was in excellent health. Healthy as a horse as Rainbow liked to put it. Add this to the fact that it was almost the year anniversary of his chance meeting with the trash heap girl he loved, and his life really couldn't get much better. The romance between the two was far from stale, and even though there had been no mention of intimate relations or marriage, the pair were fine with their lot in life. They held hands, kissed, cuddled, and everything else that goes with being young and in love, and they didn't want it any other way. They shared a room, also, but that was as far as things went. The pair enjoyed movies and music together, often going to an action movie or live show every week. If there wasn't a movie to be seen, there was dinner to be had, at home or on the town. Deep down, Alex secretly hoped that he could be with Rainbow for the rest of his life, and it would surely destroy them both if they ever had to part. He knew it was selfish and wrong, but life was so good, he never wanted it to end. And he knew Rainbow still had her hopes about going home. **** This particular afternoon, the pair were sharing their lunch hour, and had lapsed into discussion about a New movie that was due out this week. "It looks really good, Alex. Do you think we could make the midnight release this week? It's got Jason Statham in it. We both know he's one of our favorites." Rainbow dash ventured, trying to lift Alex's mood. he seemed rather out of it today. "I don't know about that one, Dash. Winter's on it's way. We both know I need as much work as possible to give us a buffer until spring. You know our living expenses as well as me. Even if we cut back on dinner and movies, we would still need a bit to keep afloat." "But you've worked so much this week, sweetie. I've barely seen 5 minutes of you. You need your rest, Mister Tough Guy." Rainbow countered, trying to get him to ease up on himself. Even though he'd been at the office all week instead of on site, he'd been surfing through tons of order forms, payroll papers, job requests, and the like. Such work came with being the vice president of the biggest contractor in the city. "I get plenty of rest when I'm sleeping or home" He chuckled. "Not enough rest. I can see it in your eyes. You're drained. You need some time off, maybe even a vacation." Rainbow prodded. This wasn't even about the movies anymore. Her man was working himself to the bone, all for her. "I can't afford to take time off now. I need whatever I can get." "We both know you make more than enough money for both of us. Did you forget that I'm working too? We'll be fine even if you took the full two weeks you're owed. So I insist you take a vacation and let me be responsible for once. Or I'll tell your boss to force you to take time off. You know he will because his kids and wife love me." Rainbow smirked. She almost had him, she could tell. "And what happens if you can't handle it, miss headstrong woman?" Alex countered. It's not that he didn't want or desperately need the time off, but he wouldn't know what to do with himself. "If I can't handle it, I'll concede that I failed us..." "Don't put it like that, Dash." For his normally confident and headstrong girlfriend to say something like that, she really must have been worried about him. "Fine, I'll ask for my two weeks tomorrow. But after that two weeks is up, it's business as usual, ok?" "Fair enough." Rainbow ended flatly, sipping at her coffee slowly. Just then, the town square's bell tower sounded its 12:45 alarm. "Oh, ponyfeathers. I gotta go, love." Rainbow told, Alex, gathering up her coat and demolishing what was left of her coffee and lunch. " I promised Irene I would help her design outfits for her school's performance next month. And her homework. She really is a smart kid for her age. Gets it from you I'll bet." "It's a shame she spends more time with boys than anywhere else, except school. I worry that she'll get ditracted and screw up everything she's got going for her." Alex grumbled. "Hush, you. You knowas well as I do every young person and pony alike goes through the same thing. You did, I did, we all did. So stop being a hypocrite" She playfully scolded her boyfriend, giving him a quick kiss. "I hate it when you're right." Alex continued grumbling. "Yet, you still love me anyway" she laughed as she jogged past him and towards the clothing store. Alex sighed, finished his coffee, and made his way to his truck after paying the bill, including tip. Slouching into the cab of his beat-up pickup, he ctanked the engine and pulled off, his mood back to it's normal level. A kiss from that girl always did that to him. She knew it and often used the tactic to offset his mind from the day's hassles. **** As his mind drifted through the endless current of paperwork, he eventually unfocused and began daydreaming about possibly proposing to Rainbow. They'd been officially together for almost 6 months now, and even though he felt it was a bit hasty, he didn't want to miss out on such an amazing event, in case Rainbow did eventually go back home. After he realized he'd been staring at the same payroll list for half an hour, Alex immediately dismissed those thought and buckled down on his paperwork. After all was said and done, he typed up his vacation request and laid it gingerly on top of the stack of papers in the CEO's "Incoming" box. It was now closing on 8pm, and Alex had to get home while dinner was still hot. Due to Alex's odd schedule and Rainbow Dash being somewhat of a cook, she often made dinner for Alex right before he arrived for work, and it was often out of the stove or oven as soon as he got home. It was one of her most endearing qualities, and with Alex being raised on genuine home cooking, he never got tired of it. Pulling the old pickup into the driveway, Alex cut the engine and waited in the truck to gather his thoughts. The idea of marriage had been an all- consuming thought, moreso than Alex would have liked, but that seemed to be the one thing he couldn't banish right away. He kept asking himself "Do I really want to do this?" "How will I plan the wedding?" "Will everyone approve?" These thoughts and more possessed him, and when Rainbow flicked on the porch light, he knew she was concerned about him. The light was more or less the signal for "come inside so we can talk about it" and served for both of them on the rare occasion that they were worried or concerned about one thing or another. Swallowing the last bit of unease in his chest, he climbed out of his old pickup and walked slowly toward the home he had lived in for almost three years, now looking strange and alien to him. He had never really looked in depth at his home. The house was medium sized, cozy, with two floors. Forest green curtains covered the windows upstairs. the outer window sills were a light, earthy brown, the house painted an off-white, almost yellow color. Though they didn't seem to mesh to the untrained eye, the colors worked well together. The living room lamp shone bright as an eye in the front window. The recently repaired door was stained a darkish red, that made it appear to be made of cherry, but in reality was a heavy mahogany door. A gunmetal grey deadbolt and doorknob rounded off the front of the house, with a bronze mail slot in the perfect center of the door. An ornate raven was painstakingly shaped and trimmed, a carving that had Taken alex hours to finish, but he was immensely proud of. As he opened the door quietly, the smell of a lovingly prepared meal greeted him, and all his worries and cares were washed away by the image of the love of his life waiting for him with open arms. It was at that moment that he made up his mind. He would propose to Rainbow Dash on her birthday, which happened to be in the middle of his vacation. But even with his mind made up, he wanted to test the topic and see if Rainbow was ready for such an important, life-changing commitment. **** "Hey honey. Are you alright?" Rainbow asked her love, worried that he had sat in his truck for so long. He'd never do that unless something was deeply troubling him. Embracing him warmly, and planting a sweet, gentle kiss on his lips, she took him by the hand and guided him to the waiting meal in the klitchen. "I'm fine, babe, just drained, like you said." Alex said, putting on his best smile. He knew better than to try and dance around whatever was bothering him. Rainbow knew him so well it was useless hiding it. "No you're not. Let's eat, and then we'll talk." She said, more than willing to forego their usual TV-bonding time for the sake of her boyfriend. The spread that greeted him was remarkable indeed. A glistening ham roast sat in the center of the table, glazed with the sweet mix of pineapples and brown sugar. To complement the meaty centerpiece, Rainbow had prepared some sweet potatoes, corn, and a small amount of some sort of sauce she had read about. Candles played and dance on each side of the table, the plates, silverware, and drinking glass laid out with utmost care. "Rainbow, this is amazing. when did you learn...?" Alex trailed off. "I learn some things here and there. From your mother, Rarity, and your sisters. I wanted to impress you." She said sheepishly, an absurdly cute blush spreading across her cheeks as she glanced up at him. "I never need to be impressed by you, but you really outdid yourself this time. This must have taken you forever." Alex pulled out a chair for her, and after she sat, pushed it in. He then seated himself directly across from her, within arm's reach. "The girls closed early in order to go set up their new booth at this week's fashion show. They didn't really need me, so they let me go early. Figured I'd could use the extra time with you. They know work's been difficult for you lately." "Regrettably, that's true. I just can't keep up with the paperwork. I'm much more useful on a roof. but enough about that. how long did this take you?" "Hmmmm..." Rainbow thought to herself, brushing her hai out of her face. "Better part of three hours. It was hard to get the cooking times and ham glaze just right, but I did!" She chirped happily, momentarily forgetting about Alex's concerns. "Sure as sugar you did." Alex said, taking a large mouthful of ham and potato. "Thanks. I'm happy you like it." She said, serving herself a plateful of her painstakingly crafted feast. They ate together, happily, forgetting about Alex's concerns for the moment. After the dishes were finished, and the leftovers put away, they got back to what was bothering him. **** "So, what's on your mind, dear?" Rainbow asked the now relaxed and content Alex, who had also forgotten his concerns. But there was no avoiding it now. "Dash, how long have we known each other?" Alex asked her, feigning ignorance. After all, ignorance was bliss, or so he'd been told. Counting on her fingers, she finished calculating, and decisively spoke up. "Close to a year now, I bet. The weather was almost the same the night I was sent here. Why?" "I was just wondering. And how long have we been...er...together?" Still trying to flesh out his thoughts into appropriate verbiage. He hoped she wouldn't catch on to his sinking feeling. "6 months and three days, today." She announced happily, clapping her hands together once. Alex was starting to open up. It was hard for him to get started, but once he did, everything would be clear and concise. "I see. And in ponyville, is it pretty common for couples to marry quickly? I never really learned too much about ponyville culture and tradition. I'd really like to know." Alex asked, trying to contain his real agenda behind a veil of innocent curiosity. "Hm.. I don't really know. I was so busy practicing for the Wonderbolts, I never really gave many thoughts to love and realtionships. I mean, I had coltfriends here and there, but who didn't. Even Miss Egghead herself, Twilight, eventually got together with somepony and married him. It probably differs from pony to pony, and is probably the same for humans, right?" "Yeah...right." Alex said, pretending to be lost in thought. That "not much thought" remark disarmed him momentarily, and he would have to tread even more carefully now that they were on the topic. She was smarter than most people gave her credit for. Just then, a spark lit up in Rainbow's magenta eyes, and she had almost caught on. "Personally, I feel, if we...I mean a pony or human felt that it was the right time, and both parties agreed, then there is no doubts. I've never doubted any of my actions. I'd get beaten, bruised, or hurt one way or another, but it never stopped me, and I feel it shouldn't stop anyone, or anypony for that matter. Life's short so live every day like you won't have the next is what my gramps always told me, and so I did. He's the one pony who convinced me to shoot for my dreams no matter how big." She finished triumphantly. At least she wasn't totally opposed to marriage. It was a start, and good enough for him. If she denied him, it would hurt, but at least he would know he was ready, and she would be ready when she wanted to be. Alex wasn't planning to press the topic any further, but then... "You know, I've never been so happy with anypony in my life, Alex. I'm sure we would be ok if we got married. Not that I want to rush it. I'm happy with the way we are now. I'm happy with you. I love you." It was the first time she openly admitted it, but there was no reason to hide from her feelings anymore. "I...I love you too, Rainbow Dash." Alex said, Not loudly, or boastfully, but as if it were a proven fact that could never change. And his tone was so soft and passionate, and gentle, he surprised them both. They then shared a long, delicate kiss, lost in each other for what seemed like an eternity. Her man, His woman, and there was nothing that would ever change that. **** The next morning dawned, bright and cheery. The couple had reached a new stepping stone in their life together. A month from now, Alex was going to make the biggest decision of his life, and never look back, no matter which way it resulted, good or bad. The couple had fallen asleep together, embracing, and Alex had even stayed in bed longer than he should have, with his bride to be, though she didn't know it yet. Life now felt somewhat more fulfilled. They were both aware of where they stood in their relationship, for they had talked at length about that also. As Alex began saving every penny possible for her egagement ring, he was also counting down the days. 30 days from now, he would either be crushed, ecstatic, or a little bit of both, depending on Rainbow's reaction.