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// Camping (aka Sea Bear) 
// Story: Big News 
// by not the real VAV 
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	Big Macintosh flipped through the photo album with a smile, adoring their memories together. It showcased when they began dating, including a picture of Big Mac in a fancy get up. 
Some were of Fluttershy posing on a picnic blanket, near a river, in a park, or a few secret pictures of her sleeping on the couch. 
Some were of Mac in a stoic pose, in nice clothes, hugging her tightly, or him working on the farm. 
But they all shared one thing in common: all of them were fond memories. 
To think, in a few years, a photo album would be filled with foals. 
Mac smiled as he closed the photo album. They’d have such a wonderful time as a completed family. Sure the first week would be tough with them constantly crying. But they’d overcome that. One little mishap was nothing compared to playing outside, eating together, movie nights, and celebrating holidays like Hearths Warming and Nightmare Night together. 



“Are you sure about this Mac?” asked a nervous Fluttershy. 
“Of course, it’ll be fine. Ya sure ya don’t want to come?” Big Mac insisted. He even tried his own puppy eyes but they didn’t compare to his wife’s. 
"I’m sure sweetie. I’ve made my decision. Besides, and no offense to you or the twins, a few days alone is what I need.” Fluttershy said. Dark rings circled below her eyes and her natural beauty was shadowed by temporary wrinkles. 
And how come the stallions don’t seem to age until twenty years AFTER the mare? She thought, slightly annoyed.
“None taken, Shy.” 
Macintosh loaded the carriage. He turned to the door and looked at it, expecting the twins to be standing there. 
They weren’t. 
“Ah’m grateful, not to offend Mrs. Rarity, that Autumn ain’t too fussy about mud.” Big Mac said. 
Fluttershy giggled. 
“I love Rarity too but glad our daughter’s more like you-,” she gave him a peck on the cheek. “-and Applejack.” 
“Ya plan on doing much while we’re gone?” Mac asked curiously. 
“Hmm…let’s see…maybe throw a few parties, take some shots, have the time of my life-,” Fluttershy stopped when she saw the hurt in Mac’s eyes. 
The Pegasus patted his shoulders and kissed his nose. 
“I’m joking sweetheart. I couldn’t have fun without the twins…” she teased. 
Mac pouted. 
Fluttershy laughed and added, “And of course you.” 
“Very funny Shy. Well Ah better gather them. Should be headin’ off soon. Don’t want to be late.” 
“Have a good time.” She kissed below his left eye and pushed him gently towards the house. 
Sun Crest dashed out, Autumn Harvest tumbling after him. 
“We’re ready, Daddy!” Sun Crest raised a hoof to his forehead and saluted his father. 
Big Mac chuckled and rubbed Sun Crest’s head. His mane became a mangled tuff. 
“Good to know. Are you ready to battle the wilderness, cadets?” Macintosh asked with his best Drill Sargent tone. 
“Yes sir!” 
“Alright! Hut to! Hut to! Hut-,” as the twins marched off Big Mac ordered them to stop. “A good soldier always says his or hers goodbyes.”
Sun Crest and Autumn nodded. They trotted up to their mom and gave Fluttershy a big, warm hug. 
“Bye mom!” Autumn said. 
“See you soon!” Sun Crest added. 
The twins giggled as their mom gave their foreheads a peck. 
“I’ll be right here, waiting for you to get back.” She sent them on their ways. 
“Please be safe.” Fluttershy added before giving her husband a deep kiss. 
Big Mac licked his lips with a goofy grin. “Ah’m gonna miss those.” 
The cream colored mare blushed and said, “Well, you can have lots of them and more when you get back.” She made sure to sound seductive as she battered her eyelashes playfully. 
Mac blushed as his mouth opened up. He was under her spell. It always worked when she put herself in that mode. She could make him run a ten mile track twenty times. Or worse, go shopping to every store in existence. 
“Well, one for the road. I won’t keep you any longer.” 
Before Mac could shake out of his daze, Fluttershy gave him another passionate kiss on the lips. She ended it with a gentle but alluring tug of his lower lip. 
Mac gave a throaty growl of frustration. “Aww…why ya gotta’ tease me? Ya better be fired up when Ah get home.” Fluttershy giggled. 
“You’ll be gone only three days. I think we can both survive that sweetie.”