Mist Paladin and her husband Blue Blazes were enjoying a quiet afternoon, playing with their foal, Tempest. Vinny was covering for Blue at the bar, leaving him to spend some quality time with his wife and son.
"Who's the cutest little foal ever? You are!" Mist blew a raspberry on Tempest's stomach.
"Eeeee!" Tempest squealed.
Tempest's wings started fluttering, and he took off into the air. Like all Pegasus foals, he liked to put his wings through their paces.
"There he goes again." Mist smiled.
"That's my boy." Blue grinned. "Some pure flying pedigree right there!"
"We might want to rein him in." Mist declared. "Don't want him flying right out the window..."
"I got him." Blue flew up and caught him. "Nuh-uh, little guy. You're grounded."
"Nuh!" Tempest pouted.
"Now, now, don't be like that." Blue told him. "You'll get to fly all you like soon enough. But now it's time for lunch. You like that, don't you?"
"Come on, Tempest." Mist held up a fresh bottle. "Time for milkies."
"Mmmm!" Tempest reached for the milk.
"Not so fast, big fella." Blue held on to his son's squirming form. "Just let me pass you over to mommy."
Blue gave Tempest to Mist. Mist held Tempest in one hoof, the other holding the bottle.
"Here we go." She gently eased the bottle into Tempest's waiting mouth. Gripping the bottle with his hooves, Tempest gleefully imbibed the white liquid. "Yeah, you like that, don't you? Drink it all up, there's a good boy..."
Blue looked on in familial content as he watched his wife and son.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"I got it." Blue smiled.
Blue walked over to the door and opened it, finding Luxury behind it.
"Hey, Lux." He smiled.
"Hi." Luxury declared. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Nah, we're just giving Tempest his afternoon feed." Blue declared.
"You mean I'm giving Tempest his afternoon feed." Mist corrected him.
"Hey, I got the door, didn't I?" Blue said playfully.
"I know." Mist smiled.
"So, what brings you here, Lux?" Blue asked. "Come to see our adorable son, right?"
"Nopony can resist this cutie." Mist chuckled.
"He is charming little fellow." Luxury admitted. "But I'm afraid I didn't come here for him."
"Then what's up?" Blue asked.
"Well, see... the thing is..." Luxury said awkwardly.
"Come on, Lux." Mist urged. "You can tell us."
"Well... I've decided to propose to Constell." Luxury confessed.
"Really?" Blue bopped him on the shoulder. "You go, Casaneighva."
"Finally." Mist joked. "So, when are you going to pop the question?"
"Actually, that's why I'm here." Luxury admitted. "I want to make it as special as possible, and I need your help to do it."
"Us?" Blue asked.
"Of course." Luxury nodded. "Mist, you've lived with Constell for years. You know what she likes more than I do. And Blue, out of the two of us, you're the only one who's actually proposed to a mare."
"True." Blue smirked. "And I did nail it, didn't I?"
"You sure did, honey." Mist nodded.
By that point, Tempest had finished his milk. Mist took a moment to burp him.
"I was hoping I could, let's say 'rent out' Blazin' Blues." Luxury declared. "You know, put together a special surprise proposal. Blue could help me put it together, and Mist could keep Constell busy until the time comes."
"Sounds like a plan." Blue declared.
"We're in." Mist nodded.
"You sure it's not too much to ask?" Luxury inquired. "I know you guys have a lot on your plate right now, being new parents and everything. I don't want to put you out..."
"Relax, pal." Blue smiled. "We're happy to do it."
"And besides, Tempest could be really helpful in keeping Constell occupied." Mist added. "She just loves this little guy." She held up Tempest. "And you love your auntie Constell, don't you? Yes, you do!"
"Yuh!" Tempest smiled.
"Thank you all so much." Luxury smiled. "Even you, Tempest. I know you'll play your part perfectly..."
Luxury playfully ruffled Tempest's mane, causing the foal to giggle.
"I've got to go get some supplies." Luxury declared. "I'll swing by tomorrow with the full details."
"Good luck, Lux." Blue beamed.
"Thanks." Luxury grinned. "And thanks again for agreeing to help."
"Don't even mention it." Blue shrugged. "That's just what friends do for each other."
"And we'd love for you and Constell to feel the same wedded bliss we feel." Mist added.
"If all goes well, we will." Luxury declared. "And if she says 'yes'..."
"Why wouldn't she?" Blue asked. "You're a real catch!"
"And already crazy about you." Mist smirked. "Face it, her saying 'yes' is pretty much a foregone conclusion."
"Maybe, but it wouldn't hurt to hedge my bets by giving her the most romantic proposal I can think of." Luxury smiled. "And we'll get right on that tomorrow. Until then, my friends..."
Luxury slipped out of the front door.
"Well, how about that?" Blue grinned. "Lux is finally going to pop the question to Constell. Who'd have thought it?"
"Boy, things have changed since I first met the two of you." Mist declared. "Remember back when you and Luxury were competing for my affections?"
"Boy, do I?" Blue smirked. "I never had a romantic rival before. Especially not one who was loaded. For a while there, I started worrying that you'd choose him."
"Because of his money?" Mist frowned. "You really didn't give me much credit back then."
"What can I say?" Blue defended himself. "The guy had a lot of things going for him. Rich, handsome, sensitive... Sometimes, I was worried you wouldn't choose me."
"Of course I chose you." Mist chuckled.
"Yeah, after that Char guy came after you." Blue noted. "I really thought I was gonna lose you..."
"I thought I was going to be lost myself for a while there." Mist admitted. "Those were a crazy few weeks, weren't they?"
Those were indeed turbulent times. Before that fateful night when she met Blue and Luxury, Mist had been utterly dedicated to her studies as Princess Twilight Sparkle's personal student. She had become completely engrossed in her work, not having time for most other things, let alone romance.
Then came the Grand Galloping Gala, with Mist practically forced to attend by her brother and sister-in-law. At first, Mist was resentful at losing valuable study time. Then she bumped first into Luxury, then Blue. Her up-until-then dormant teenage hormones had suddenly kicked into overdrive, and she found herself besotted with both of them. For quite a while, she was torn between them, each one connecting with them in different, yet meaningful ways.
Mist might not have been able to choose between them, if not for the then-rogue Changeling Char attacking a royal gathering and holding her hostage. Both colts sprang to her rescue. In the end, when Char launched one final attack, Mist was given a choice of who to go to for safety, Luxury or Blue. And she chose Blue, subconsciously making her choice at last. Luxury respected her decision, and stepped aside. Not long after, Luxury started a relationship with Constell, which lasted right up to the present.
"Gotta admit, I didn't think Lux would hook up with a new mare so fast." Blue declared. "Let alone Constell."
"But he did." Mist smiled. "And now he's about to ask Constell to take their relationship to the next level. They'll finally feel the way we feel."
"And what a feeling it is." Blue chuckled.
"So you're not the least bit... sick of me, after all these years?" Mist smiled coquettishly.
"Only lovesick, babe." Blue grinned. "And there's no cure for that."
"Luckily." Mist beamed.
As they leaned in to kiss, Tempest suddenly took off again.
"Whee!" He cooed.
"Kids..." Blue rolled his eyes.
"We'd better put him down for a nap soon." Mist declared. "Otherwise, he'll be cranky tomorrow."
"And we wouldn't want that." Blue caught Tempest. "Would we, my little daredevil?"
"Nuhh!" Tempest squeaked.
The next morning, Luxury arrived as promised, and they started planning things out.
"I'm thinking I could have the proposal on Saturday." Luxury declared. "Constell said she has this summit to go to with her mother this week, and it's best she gets that out of the way first."
"Good thinking." Blue nodded.
"Mist, will you and Tempest be ready to keep Constell busy until late afternoon?" Luxury asked.
"Ready and able." Mist nodded. "Right, Tempy!"
Tempest blew a raspberry, then giggled gleefully.
"I'll take that as a yes." Mist grinned.
As the big day came, Mist took Tempest to the castle. They found Constell in the garden, sitting in the gazebo.
"Hi, Connie." Mist smiled.
"Hey, Mist." Constell grinned. "And hello, Tempest. Did you miss me?"
"Geh!" Tempest held out his hooves, wanting Constell to hold him.
"Looks like it." Mist chuckled.
"Come here." Constell picked up Tempest. "Ooh, you're getting big, aren't you? Yes, you are!" She tickled his tummy.
"Eeee!" Tempest giggled.
"Look at you." Mist chuckled. "Aunt Constell. The transformation is complete."
"Boy, I tell you." Constell sighed. "After the week I've had, I really needed this. That summit seemed to go on forever. Glad to be home, though."
"Of course you are." Mist smiled. "It's where all your loved ones are. Your parents, me, and Luxury. How are you two doing, by the way?"
"I'm not so sure, to be honest." Constell suddenly frowned.
"How do you mean?" Mist asked, worried.
"After I got back from the summit, he's been acting a little strange." Constell declared. "He's been all quiet, and secretive..."
"I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation for that." Mist assured her.
"Maybe he's starting to get bored with me." Constell fretted. "We've barely spent any time together since I got back. Maybe he's decided to call time on our whole relationship."
"As Big Red might say: 'Darlin', that's a whole lotta kooky talk." Mist snorted. "Luxury adores you, Constell. I can see it."
"But he only started dating me after you." Constell pointed out. "Deep down, I've always worried that I was just the rebound mare..."
"Rebound nothing." Mist frowned. "Luxury loves you, Connie. Truly loves you. Whatever connection he and I may have had once was nothing compared to what you two of you have now. Trust me, you're no rebound mare. You're the mare Luxury loves more than anything else. You two are just perfect together."
"Then why has he been so distant lately?" Constell asked.
"Well, um..." Mist frowned, trying to come up with a plausible reason that wouldn't give away the plan. "Maybe he's just having trouble with the whole 'lawyer' thing. I hear that line of work can be pretty tricky."
"He'd tell me, though." Constell pointed out. "He's talked to me about tough cases before."
"Maybe it's just a sensitive subject." Mist shrugged. "Maybe it's something he feels he can't tell you, no matter how much he may want to."
"I guess that might make sense..." Constell admitted.
"Of course it does." Mist smiled, relieved that her idea had succeeded. "Now, let's knock off all the worry and just enjoy the day. I'm sure Tempest would love a ponyback ride from his favourite aunt. Right, honey?"
"Yuh!" Tempest cheered.
"Well, if that's the way you want it." Constell smiled, placing Tempest on her back. "Hold on tight, little colt!"
Constell gently trotted around the garden, Tempest cheering gleefully. Mist smiled, glad that her ploy had worked. But she also knew for sure that Constell's doubts would be disproven before the day was over.
'Just you wait, Connie.' She thought. 'You're going to find out just how much Luxury loves you...'
Meanwhile, over at Blazin' Blues, Vinny and Blue were putting together the surprise, under Luxury's directions. Luxury planned to decorate the bar with several of Constell's favorite things.
"Okay, put the night blossoms over there." Luxury instructed. "Those are Constell's favorites..."
"You got it." Blue nodded.
"And those black diamonds should go over there..." Luxury continued. "...Or maybe over here. I don't know. They don't seem to catch the light so well. And these ribbons are supposed to be black, not very, very, very, very dark gray!"
"Kid, relax." Vinny snorted. "You're gonna have a conniption fit if this keeps up."
"Sorry." Luxury said breathlessly. He pulled out a small velvet box. Inside was a gold horn ring with a small black gem embedded in it. "I just... want this to be perfect."
"I'm going to let you in on a little secret, pal." Blue smiled. "Your proposal doesn't have to be perfect."
"It doesn't?" Luxury frowned.
"'Course not." Blue nodded. "Don't forget, my proposal was a little spurred on by Mist telling me she was pregnant. I wanted to do right by her, make her an honest mare. Of course, her dad nearly killed me before I could pop the question..."
"I suppose it mustn't have been the most conventional proposal ever..." Luxury noted.
"Far from it." Blue frowned. "The point is, the circumstances behind the proposal don't matter. You just gotta say what's in your heart. Stick with that. and you'll be just fine."
"I hope so." Luxury frowned. "If Constell doesn't say 'yes', I think I'll just shrivel up and die..."
"Don't even think that." Blue admonished him. "Of course she's gonna say 'yes'. You guys are a match made in heaven."
"I know..." Luxury sighed. "And it will only get more heavenly after tonight..."
"So let's get back to work." Blue smiled.
"My thoughts exactly." Luxury grinned.
"I really should be charging for this sort of work." Vinny declared. "Lucky for you, I got a soft spot for romance. That, and I don't have any dirt on your parents..."
Back at the castle, Mist was keeping an eye on the sundial. Before long, the time for Luxury's surprise neared.
"Hey, Constell." Mist called. "What do you say we head down to Blazin' Blues, get a couple of drinks?"
"Okay." Constell nodded. "Havin' fun with this little rugrat is thirsty work."
"Bleh!" Tempest waved his rattle.
"Don't worry, sweetie." Mist picked up her foal. "Daddy's bar's got some nice juice he stocked up on, just for you..."
"Mmm!" Tempest licked his lips.
As they walked down the streets, Constell started to frown again.
"What's up, Connie?" Mist asked.
"I haven't seen Luxury all day." She declared. "Even the way he is at the moment,he drops by the castle at least. Guess he must still be busy with that work of his."
'Oh, you have no idea...' Mist thought.
Blue spied the mares and foal approaching the bar.
"Here they come!" Blue told Luxury. "It's now or never!"
"And I pick 'now'." Luxury said firmly.
"Good luck, kid." Vinny smiled.
As they neared the door, Mist stepped aside.
"After you." She told Constell.
"But you're the one carrying a foal." Constell pointed out.
"Please, I insist." Mist urged.
"Okay..." Constell shrugged.
Constell walked into the bar, and was surprised to see all the night blossoms, black diamonds, and ribbons.
"What's going on?" She frowned. "What is all this?"
Luxury stepped forward, the velvet box hidden behind his back.
"Hello, Constell." He declared.
"Luxury?" Constell gaped. "What are you doing here?"
"Constell, there's something I want to say to you." Luxury stated. "You are the most wonderful mare I've ever met. You light up even the darkest parts of my life. Being with you has been the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"Oh, um... thanks." Constell blushed. "But what's with all the grandeur?"
"I wanted to surprise you." Luxury answered. "That's why I've been a little... distant lately."
"But what kind of surprise is this, anyway?" Constell frowned. "It's not my birthday, not our anniversary..."
"No." Luxury shook his head. "It's something far more meaningful. At least, I hope it will be."
Luxury knelt down, and brought out the box, opening it to reveal the ring inside.
"Oh..." Constell gasped.
"Constell, my shining star, will you do me the honor of consenting to be my wife?" Luxury asked.
Constell stood there, stunned. Seconds passed without her so much as blinking. Everypony in the bar (except for Tempest, who didn't know what was going on) worried that Constell would refuse.
"I... I will." Constell whispered, as she started to cry. "I will marry you, Luxury!"
"Oh, what a relief!" Luxury smiled, as he slid the ring onto her horn. "For a second there, I thought you were going to say 'no'."
"Never." Constell embraced him. "I was just a little surprised. Because of how you were acting lately, I was worried you were going to break up with me."
"Never." Luxury echoed. "I hate that I made you feel that way, but I wanted to make this perfect."
"And I'm guessing Mist and Blue were in on it?" Constell smirked. "Way to play me like a violin, Mist."
"Congratulations, you two." Mist grinned.
"Yeah." Blue nodded. "Soon, you'll be part of the newlywed club, just like us."
"Indeed we will." Luxury nuzzled his fiancee.
"It can't be soon enough." Constell beamed, as she and Luxury shared a kiss.
"Ah, geez..." Vinny sniffed. "Soft spot for romance, alright..."
"This calls for a celebration." Blue declared. "Drinks all round!"
"Yuh!" Tempest squealed.
"Better make his a double grape juice." Mist chuckled.
"Comin' right up, little colt." Blue beamed.
After spending the early evening celebrating, Mist and Blue departed for home, planning on putting down the drowsy Tempest for the night. Once that deed was accomplished, they climbed into their own bed, themselves exhausted from the day's efforts.
"So, it's finally happening." Blue grinned. "Luxury and Constell are finally tying the knot."
"Yeah..." Mist smiled. "Let's hope they're as happy together as we are."
"Who knows, there just might be a foal in their future too." Blue declared.
"How wonderful would that be?" Mist sighed. "Tempest would have his own little playmate."
"And then those two would really know what it feels like to be as happy as us." Blue nodded. "Speaking of which... still glad you chose me?"
"Always." Mist nuzzled against him. "And while Constell didn't exactly choose Luxury, I know she's glad they're together, too."
"Me too." Blue kissed his bride. "Night, babe."
"Good night, handsome." Mist kissed him back.
The couple fell asleep in each others' hooves, thoughts of their friends sharing the same wonderful feeling they did as they drifted off into slumberland... only to awaken minutes later, when Tempest cried.
"I got it..." Blue climbed out of bed.
"Thanks..." Mist yawned.
Blue trotted over to Tempest's crib, and rocked his son back to sleep. He climbed back into bed beside his wife.
"Let's just hope any foal Luxury and Constell have isn't a light sleeper." He declared.
"That's one aspect of our lives I hope they don't have to deal with." Mist said wryly.
The two fell asleep once more. Thankfully, Tempest would not wake again until morning, granting them a near-full night's sleep. Blue and Mist's life together had its trials, but ultimately, they wouldn't want it any other way...