//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: A Heartwarming Eve. // by Dsanders17 //------------------------------// ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was now well into the afternoon, and the ponies all across Equestria were still as vivacious as ever; most of ponies were rejoicing and celebrating the holiday and its joyous season with their families. Fillies and colts were playing in the snow out on the streets; they had their typical snowball fights; they made their usual snow angels and snowponies; the children were wild as they always were around this time of year. There was a clear ambiance of energy, life, and jovial spirit. Hearth's Warming Eve was almost halfway over. However, for some, it had only just begun. Orion was sound asleep right beside Pink Mist within the warm comfort of the cabin. Even though the fire in the hearth of the fireplace had long since died out, the warmth it provided still lingered. Another thing that permeated the room was a special scent. It was a unique smell, and Orion was the first to notice as he slowly awoke. Within the first few seconds of opening up his eyes, he could only see a blurred perception of the surrounding room. He noticed some interesting dots of colors, primarily green and red, and uniquely shaped blobs sitting nearby. As he tried to focus his eyes a bit more, his lethargic vision began to become much more clear and lucid. And to his eventual surprise, he began to realize that the room around him, was the interior of his cabin. He looked to his side, to his utmost and unimaginably great relief, he saw Pink Mist nearby, still deep in her slumber. Orion blushed and smiled, admiring the immense adorableness of his sleeping beauty. He couldn't believe it. He made it back in time. He was excited and more than ready to show her just how much he loved her and just how much she meant to him. He then noticed the unique scent once again, as he looked more extensively at his surroundings, he was met with another utter surprise. The whole room was decorated. There was a large Hearth's Warming tree nearby, ornamented from top to bottom. On the mantelpiece of the fireplace, were various lights, and three beautiful candles arranged along the top. The whole once austere interior of the cabin now had a beautiful decor. It was almost like a dream come true. "H-How is this possible!?" Orion exclaimed to himself in great confusion and elation. The best conclusion he could think of was that he fell asleep on the hot air balloon on the way here, and while he was deeply asleep the two mares carried him over to the cabin and redid everything. He wanted to thank them more than ever now, but before he could do anything, Pink Mist finally awoke from her seemingly endless slumber. Her beautiful emerald eyes slowly opened as she began to regain her awareness. Eventually, she too was met with utter surprise by the reality of all that was around her. She couldn't believe it. Immediately a surge of happiness, joy, and wonder began to fill her heart. It was like waking up in a whole other world for her. She stood up on her hooves, with her excitement energizing her more than anything, and then turned to face Orion, who was still greatly bemused and in a state of awe himself. "I-Is this... all for me?" The pink mare asked, giving a huge and eager smile. She was just about ready to burst into joyful tears. Orion very well knew the answer he needed to give her. "Yes Misty Pie! Everything here is for you. I wanted to make our first Hearth's Warming Eve special somehow." "Oh Sky-Sky. You didn't have to do all this for me... I-I don't know what to say." Pink Mist replied, feeling almost at a loss for words. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was just about ready to explode in utter happiness. "Don't say anything then. Not yet. I have something special to give you." Pink Mist tried her best in holding back her elation and uttermost bliss as Orion looked around the cabin for that gift he got for her. "Ah ha!" Orion exclaimed with utter eagerness as he found the red Hearth's Warming scarf lying near the hearth of the fireplace. He saw that there was no more fire burning so he quickly got another of his matches hidden underneath the rug as he reignited the flame. The whole exterior of the cabin was further brought to life with extra light, warmth, both coming from the fireplace and the three brightly burning candles on its top mantelpiece. "Now close your eyes Misty Pie and relax." Orion told the anxious and excited pink mare. Despite how hard it was for her, she did as she was told. She trusted and loved the stallion so much and from all the surprises he had given her in the past, she knew that this one would be just as, if not more amazing and genuine than the rest. Orion retrieved the scarf from by the hearth of the brilliantly glowing fireplace, and slowly made his way to where Pink Mist was now sitting. He sat down closely in front of her, and gently gave her a little kiss on the nose, to which she responded with a happy giggle, before finally wrapping the delicate Christmas scarf around her neck. "Now you can open your eyes" Orion said, anticipating the inevitable. The first thing Pink Mist saw was Orion's wondrous bright green eyes. She then felt something soft and cozy around her neck. She looked down and carefully picked up the ends of the beautiful scarlet scarf; she gave a deep heartfelt smile as she then noticed a little Hearth's Warming tree embedded onto one of its ends. "So, what do you think?" Orion eagerly asked. She then gradually lifted her head and looked deeply into the stallion's eyes; she was so close to him that their noses just barely touched. Tears of happiness began to profusely fall down her cheeks. She was struggling to find the right words to say, the right words to describe just how happy Orion was making her feel. She stared into his eyes, barely even able to see him well through her own teary eyes, and gave the most sweetest and most heartwarming smile she possibly could. It was a moment that felt like an eternity to both the mare and the stallion. Their souls felt as though they were in complete ecstasy and it was as if all their worries and all their worst fears had left them completely. Orion was the first to break the tranquil and romantic silence. He did so in the most gentle, simple, and sweetest way he possibly could. "I love you Misty Pie, and your happiness is worth more than all of Equestria to me. Happy Hearth's Warming Eve." He said in a soothing tone, which made it almost sound like a calm whisper. Pink Mist blushed deeply and still at a loss of words to describe her happiness, she decided to just show him. With their muzzles already in close contact, she quickly locked lips with the stallion. Orion was greatly surprised, and almost pulled back but immediately relaxed and cherished the moment. The scene felt magical for the both of them. Words could not describe the happiness they were both feeling in this moment. It was almost ethereal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From the day they first met, they had never once expected to have formed such a genuine bond. Looking back then, and looking at it now, seven months later; from being the closest of friends, to now also being lovers, it was almost like an adventure for them. They had the best kind of adventure. The adventure that never seemed to end: helping each other face the struggles, the hardships, and all the great obstacles in life, to the very end. It was an adventure that they could share. It was an adventure that they never had to go on alone, for they had the support, comfort, and most of all, the neverending love for each other. And love, is the cheapest gift of all. It's priceless. It's completely free, but it will do so much more that no amount of wealth or bits in the world can or will ever suffice... ~~~~~~~~~~The End~~~~~~~~~