Chapter 1
The clock at Waterwheel Savings and Loan rang with a twelfth gong across Ponvville sounding midnight and fell silent. With the last of the candles lit, Cloudkicker set the one she was holding down on it's peg on the coffee table back in the living room. The pie was settling in the fridge, the lasagna would be finished in very soon, and her favorite lemonade was sitting in an iced pitcher on the counter-top. Swatting her tail against her thigh, she sighed and took a deep breath. She had been anxious all day, and with the do-or-die moment approaching, she was starting to noticeably sweat, so much for her bath earlier. He wouldn't , but still...
Lighting the wall mounted candles in the hallway and living room killed time, but her thoughts did not leave the small box, decorated with a bow, she lay on the counter-top yesterday morning. It'll be fine. He cares for me, even if he says No, he'll understand why I asked. He won't think any less of me. I trusted him with more before, he won't hurt me. She had spent a single bronze bit on his present, and put more thought than worry on it, a fact she was proud of until now. Second thoughts of the heart were always fickle.
Four clicks from her front door sounded louder than gunshots to the anxious mare. Leaping to the door she threw on her red denim coat trimmed with white wool, clipped a large bow into her mane and a silly rod with mistletoe hanging in front of her head. A sweep of her hoof across her bangs and she was ready. The door opened revealing an orange pegasis under an electric blue crop of mane. A bolt crossed the blue shield on his flank, and his blue eyes sang of youth and energy. "Oh, dreadfully sorry. My name's Flash Sentry, I was looking for an old hag who promised me candy. Tell me little girl, is your grandmother around?"
Stifling her giggle, "No, I'm all alone. Just me and a dinner for two. What a terrible coincidence to have such a strong gentlestallion show up." Stepping back, he leaned forward and kissed her full on the lips before strolling in and making himself at home. Whisking the holiday garment off she dashed through the hall into the living room to see him crouching down and try to stare into the oven. "I don't like that look. I see that look too often when cookies go missing. You sit your butt in your chair and leave it to me. Pour yourself some lemonade if you like."
After measuring out a glass for both of them, he did sit down and watched as Cloud bit her folded towel and pulled their Hearthswarming dinner from the oven. He portioned out a serving for both of them while she shut the oven off and buttered them each two halves of a sweet roll. Maize noodles, chunky tomato sauce, blended spinach and ricotta cheese, slices of squash rolled in garlic butter and mozzarella cheese all came together in his Flash's mouth for an experience to remember. He thought wine would compliment everything, but he was the last pony who wanted to see Cloud fall off the wagon. Thirteen months sober was no laughing matter. "How was your day hun?" He through his first bite of lasagna.
"Quiet. Most of my morning was finishing payroll I couldn't do earlier. Which reminds me, I need more ink for the calculator. What about you?" Her voice reflecting the monotony of most of Cloudkicker's days, except for her genuine interest in his life.
"Nothing new. One of the royal families wanted to toast the guards, the one that wants to open a brothel outside our barracks and demand we work for free. Yeah, THEM. So Shining Armor decided a toast to the Night Guard instead, that ticked the Stones off and we all cheered for that. Chrysalis even made me down a cup of ale, so it wasn't too bad. And Blueblood has something to discuss with me before I start tomorrow."
Cloudkicker let him talk, trying to work up her courage. She let him know how she admired him often. Nine years younger than her and she was amazed by how well he turned his life around. Five years in the guard and he was watching Celestia herself, unless he was 'on assignment' elsewhere. Most ponies on the Guard longer than he'd been alive did not escalate that high. He was something else. As focused as she was on his words, she nearly missed when they finished the main course and sides. Banana pudding with banana chunks laying in the bottom for desert was the best way to end today, but being today, they each had presents to exchange after they cleaned everything.
"This is for the loveliest mare in the world." He pulled an envelope tucked under his wing and set it between them on the couch. Slowly pulling the flap open, a trial of tickets and receipts fell onto her lap.
Smiling broadly, she shuffled through the pile. "Let's see; a Full Treatment at a spa, scheduled in April, huh? What else do we have here? A reservation for two at the Baja Grill. Never heard of it, also for April, and...a pair of train tickets from Ponyville to Oatslando, leaving on April sixteenth? Is...are you serious Flash?"
"I certainly am."
Taking a deep breath, she placed everything back in the envelope. "I can't! It's a very nice gesture, and after tax day I'll have plenty of time, but I can't!"
"Why not?"
"It's too expensive! How much will this set you back?" She sniffled, holding back tears.
"I know that. You should know you're not getting anything special until next year, but I've been saving for this for months. I know you've wanted to go to Oatslando for years. and now, you can. I just want you to take me with you. Is that too much to ask?" She threw herself at him, squeezing him with her front legs and stroking his mane with her wings.
She finally untangled herself fro him. "It's...Yeah. Come with me Flash. I can't wait to see. But first, I have two for you." He unwrapped a history book about the Goblin Nation she spent days looking for, he had no clue one had been written so recently. Then Cloud started sweating bullets when she set the small box in his hoof. "It's yours. All you have to do is say Yes."
"A set of keys?"
"The keys to the front and back doors, and the storm cellar. Flash, I am asking you to move in with me. Now look! I don't want to scare you, but...I just feel like we spend so much time together as it is. We might as well. And..." She could not look him in the eye. "I like it when we fall asleep on the couch. I feel safe. You saved me from the bottle, you can keep me safe from anything. I love you Flash. Please, come home to me."
She shot her eyes to the ground and waited for his response. He took his turn to embrace her and hold her tight. They fell asleep on the couch again that night, content. Even if an Urser Minor stomped out of the forest and started swatting ponies around like silly flies, they had each other to hold, what more could a they want?