For a year, it was pretty peaceful. We didn't have anypony trying to kill us or separate us from each other. The Doctor and Derpy were going to strange alien worlds and saving the Universe, or some other interesting adventure. Fluttershy and I dated and became even closer than before. We didn't want to lose each other. At least not like we had last time.
What's great is that all of our friends knew about us dating and didn't judge us for it. I'm honestly surprised that Rarity was okay with it. I would have thought that she would be the one to shun it, even the slightest, due to her high society like demeanor. But she accepted whole heartedly. In fact, she was the first before Twilight to say anything about it.
It was hard to say it to them, I mean, sure they knew we liked each other, but I don't think they knew the extent of how we liked each other. I mainly did it to prove to Fluttershy that ponies didn't care, but I don't think I even expected them to take it so easily. I mean, Pinkie Pie even threw a party for us to celebrate our sixth month anniversary. I told her to keep the party to just the six of us to keep Fluttershy comfortable.
But today was a special day. Not only was today our year and a half anniversary, but it was also her birthday. I decided to treat her to something special. She had always wanted a hummingbird. I was able to pull more shifts and do more with the Weather Team that I saved enough money to get her exactly what I wanted.
I flew to her house, excited about what the day would bring. She was standing outside, waiting for me so we could go on our date and birthday surprise. "Hey Fluttershy. Are you ready to go?" I asked.
"Oh yes." she replied happily. "So where are we going?"
"You'll see." I said with a light laugh. We walked into town, talking about how the newest songs from our favorite bands, the newest addition to the Wonderbolts, Misty Fly, and how she was able to outfly one of the fastest on the team, and even how the Doctor got trapped on an alien world with bog monsters.
"I'm just glad he's alright." Fluttershy said as we walked into the restaurant. It wasn't anything too fancy, on Fluttershy's request. It was a simple place with fish in pools and a small feeding area. It was one of Fluttershy's favorite places. After we ordered our food, we started talking about our experiences during the Grand Galloping Gala.
"I saw his pie go flying into the air and thought, 'This is my chance to make an impression!' and I flew over and caught it in seconds." I bragged.
"Oh wow. You must have been flying really fast." Fluttershy said.
"I know. They let me into the area and said I could hang out with them."
"Were you able to impress them at all?" she asked.
"Well, not exactly. They were talking to the other high class ponies. I recognized some of them as sponsors from big corporations in Canterlot." I explained.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"It's whatever. I'm sure I'll have another chance to show them my stuff." I said as we got our food. The waiter gave me the signal that they were ready for Fluttershy's surprise and I nodded my head slightly.
"Do you think that she's still gone?" I heard her ask.
"Who?"
"My mom. I mean, I remember her, but I only remember the times you were there to help me with her. And she hasn't done anything to us in a long time." she said looking at her hooves. "Is it possible for me to remember some things and have her still be lost forever?"
I don't know where this came from. It was completely out of the blue. "I guess. I'm not the Doctor so I don't know all the technicalities. But let's not think about her. It's your birthday, and I have a surprise for you." I said as I began to signal the waiters.
"There's one more thing though." she said. "Every night I keep having nightmares. It's the same each time and it never changes. I see my mom's face and she's laughing at me. I see a dead body and can make out a blonde mane and a brown tail." she explained.
"What? You think she's planning something against the Doctor and Derpy?" I asked. "It's just a dream. Don't worry about it."
"But she stares into my eyes, Dashie. I wake up scared for my life and for yours. I know it sounds strange, but I think she's back and and she's planning something dangerous." she said as I saw a tear start to form in her eyes.
"Fluttershy, don't worry. They're just dreams. They aren't real." I said, trying to convince her.
"Are you sure?" she asked. "I just don't want her to hurt you."
I gave a light laugh. "After all we've been through, it's going to take a lot for her to hurt me."
"If you say so." she said quietly. I gave the signal to the waiters and they brought out a plate with a cover along with a cage with a blanket over it.
"I want you to know that I've got your back no matter what." I told her. "So, as a way for me to prove that to you, I got you a little gift for your birthday." I lifted the cover off of the plate, revealing a piece of paper.
"Oh? What's this?" she asked as she looked at it. Her eyes grew wide. "Oh, my gosh, Rainbow! How did you get this?" she asked.
"One of the ponies at the shelter owed me a favor." I said.
"But they never do this." she said, taking a look over the note again. "I mean, they have plenty of helpers anyways, and even they don't get this opportunity."
"True. But they don't have somepony as awesome as me to help them." I boasted.
"But...a free animal? And a job?" she asked, surprised.
"Yeah, I know right? They were real happy to offer you a job. They know just how good you are with animals and figured you'd be a great addition to their team. They really need you. They've been overwhelmed with animals that need somepony to love and care for them." I explained. "And I know you could use some extra money. The business you run now is great, but you barely get by now with taking care of all your other animals."
"I know. But I can't leave the animals I have at home to go to this place." she said.
"And you won't have to. This is why I'm the best marefriend in the world. They agreed to have you stay at home and work there. All you have to do is take a few more animals into your house and they'll cover the cost of everything else, food, water, toys, even medicine."
"Really? They'd do that?" she asked, even more surprised than before.
"For you, yes." I said. She stared down at the note and blushed. "Now, who's awesome?" I asked, sarcastically.
She giggled. "You are. And you're more than awesome. You're..." she stammered. "You're the most beautiful, caring and loving pony I could ever know." she said.
"Wait, there's one more thing." I said as I pulled the cover off of the cage. Fluttershy gasped as she saw the hummingbird sitting perched on the stand.
"Rainbow Dash..." she said quietly.
"No need to thank me. I know how much you've been wanting one." I said as she walked up to the cage.
"Hey there little guy. How are you?" she asked the bird. It chirped happily at the sound of her voice. "Well aren't you a precious thing." she said.
"You like him?" I asked.
"Of course! He's wonderful." she said happily, turning to me. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash... Thank you so much. I don't know what to say."
I smiled and walked up to her. I put a hoof on her shoulder. "As long as you remember how I feel, you don't need to say anything."
"I won't forget. Not again." she said quickly.
"I know." I said. "I love you, Fluttershy."
She blushed. "I love you too." She pulled me into a tight hug and whispered in my ear.
I grinned at what she said. "Since when did you start to be like that?" I asked.
"When I realized how much I need you." she said with a wink.
I couldn't help but smile. She was the one pony who I loved more than myself. I looked at her and saw how happy she was. I had never seen her as happy as she was now. If you don't count when I asked her to be my marefriend.
"Oi!" I heard a voice shout behind me.
You've got to be kidding me... I thought. Why does he choose the best times of my life to tell me something that usually ends badly for me?