It is now mere minutes before their anniversary. Hyperventilating into a paper bag Shining tries his best to calm himself down. With one last powerful exhale he pops the paper bag. Nearly having a heart attack from the loud noise breaking the silence within the room. Turning around Shining sees that the butler from before was standing at the entrance of the room. A tall box wrapped in pink paper with a slight darker pink ribbon was in his hooves. He was also carrying a bouquet of really pretty flowers.
"Oh good you're here," screams Shining as his face goes all crazy looking.
"Yes I am. Here are the gifts for princess Cadance. Now where are the chocolates that you were supposed to buy?"
"Oh, ah right over there," Shining points to a large bag of chocolates. Some empty wrappers were strewn about the counter top.
Cedric face hooves as he looks at what Shining had bought. " Shining those are the...for crying ou...here I figured you might do something like this. Here take these and don't eat them!" Cedric pulls out a small heart shaped box filled with gourmet chocolates.
"Thanks um...,"
"You already forgot my name didn't you?" Cedric gives a deadpan expression.
"Ah...no," Shining's eyes dart to the left.
"...its Cedric,"
"Right Cedric! Thank you Cedric for the assistance. Your help is most appreciated...Cedric," Shining gives a nervous smile at Cedric who just continues to look at him with a deadpan expression.
"Whatever just don't disappoint princess Cadance," Cedric walks away returning to his other duties.
Taking one last deep breath Shining grabs his gifts; and heads to where Cadance would be waiting for him. After a few fleeting moments Shining gets to where they have their anniversary every year. A steep hill stands before Shining Armor where his beloved wife is waiting for him. As Shining gasps for air finally making it to the top of the hill he casts his eyes over the view before him. There sitting on a blanket under a tree was Cadance in a stunningly beautiful white; and gold dress. His jaw drops as he looks at his wife. She has always been beautiful; but this was something else entirely! With both hair; and dress accentuating her already beautiful form she was now truly a goddess!
"See something you like?" Cadance asks giggling at her husband's goofy face.
" You look amazing Cadance!" Shining trots up to his wife.
Cadance plants a loving kiss on Shining's lips. Glancing down Cadance sees the bouquet of flowers in Shining's hooves.
"Are those for me?"
"Wha..oh yeah! Here I got these for you," Shining presents the flowers; and box of chocolates to his wife blushing like a dork.
Pressing her muzzle into the bouquet Cadance takes a whiff. They smell lovely! Her eyes flutter as she enjoys the scent. Using her magic Cadance summons a vase. Laying back down under the tree she places the flowers into the vase. Shining takes his place next to her snuggling up against her. He wished that he had worn something special like her, but no. He was too distracted to think of something like that. All he had done was brush his coat, and mane really well so that they shined.
Unbeknownst to the royal couple another pair was not too far away from them. A dutiful pink maid; and annoyed butler watch them from a distance. Making sure that the date would be a success. Even if it meant that they would have to take matter into their own hooves.
As the last rays of the sun kiss the evening sky Shining, and Cadance give their gifts to one another. Taking hold of the tiny little box Shining smiles at Cadance. Knowing all too well that she would have put a lot of effort into whatever this present is. Shining's heart begins to race. Part of him questions whether or not if he should have checked what Cedric had got for him. With a nervous smile Shining begins to delicately pull on the ribbon.
One final pull; and the ribbon falls to the wayside. Opening the top of the box Shining uses his magic to gently pull out the gift. What he pulls out astonishes him. There in front of him was a slate of amethyst; and carved into it was his cutie mark with hers inside his shield. An inscription on the back reads:
"Even should the world itself tear us apart you will always have my heart. Now; and forever,"
Shining wipes away a tear as he caresses the beautiful gift.
Now it was Cadance's turn. With her magic she opens the long package. The sound of paper against paper fills the air. As a long roll of paper comes spilling out of the box. Unsure exactly what Cedric had gotten for Shining's gift he closes his eyes. At first there was just silence uncomfortable awkward silence. Then a soft surprised gasp. Curious as to what it was Shining opens his eyes.
There rolled out in front of them was a perfect painting of them; and Flurry Heart snuggling close to each other. Their eyes shone with unquestionable love; and affection. As the two of them look down at a smiling Flurry Heart in swaddling clothes.
Cadance's eyes glisten as she looks deep into Shining's. Creeping ever so close they lock lips in a passionate kiss. A bolt of energy is sent from Cadance's horn up into the sky. As the bolt reaches its peak a crackling noise erupts in the distance as a red spark is shot up into the air in response.
*Boom*
A red firework explodes in the sky. Followed by another then another. Fireworks paint the sky with vibrant hues. They dance in the sky as the fireworks take various shapes. From hearts to shields to smiling faces the fireworks tell the tale of how they first met. Below the hill a myriad of crystal ponies congregate to watch the spectacle. Snuggling even closer to one another they break their kiss. Cadance nuzzles Shining's neck as she is filled with so much love.
After a few moments of watching the fireworks nestled up against each other Shining speaks up.
"Hey Cadance! Do you feel like we are forgetting something? Something important,"
"Hmmm!? Now that you mention it I do, but I can't quite put my hoof on it,"
*Tick* *Tick* *Tick*
"We forgot the baby!" The scream in unison.
A certain maid; and butler face hoof at that remark. Soon followed by the rest of the empire face hoofing as well.
Fin