-The Next Morning-

Octavia gave a small yawn and opened her eyes. Sunlight was streaming in through the window of Mac's room. Octavia turned her head to look at said pony. He was still asleep, and his mouth was upturned in the smallest smile. Octavia smiled and planted a small kiss on him. Looking down, she saw that he had his arm wrapped around her. Smiling happily, she settled back down and closed her eyes, turned towards her love.
"Hey Mac? Ya awake? Cuz I got somethin' for ya ta do for me." Apple Bloom called from the hallway. Octavia let out a small gasp and pretended to be asleep. She heard the door open and Apple Bloom say "Mac, ya ther-... oh..." The door closed and Octavia let out a mental sigh of relief. Snuggling into Mac, she rested her head against his neck and made a noise of contentment.

"Ah'm tellin' ya, he is!" Apple Bloom cried at her sister.
Applejack sighed. "Ah bet thay are sleepin' in tha same bed. That dun't mean ah thing Apple Bloom." Getting up, she headed upstairs to her bedroom. As she walked by Mac's room, her curiousity got the best of her. Edging his door open gently, she saw Octavia snuggled up to Mac with hus arm around her. Applejack's heart nearly exploded. The site was absolutely adorable. Smiling, Applejack left and went to her room.

A while later, Mac woke up. He yawned and blinked a few times. Looking down, he saw Octavia. She was nestled gently into him and he smiled. "Octavia looks so peaceful when asleep..." Mac thought. Nuzzling her gently, she gave a small gasp and woke up.
"Oh... Good morning Mac!"
Mac smiled. "Mornin'." Taking his arm from around her, he stretched gently. Octavia hopped off his bed and giggled. "What's funny?"
"You."
Mac stared at her a moment, then grinned. Getting off his bed, the two headed downstairs for some breakfast. As they sat down, Vinyl said "Mac, I have to go back to tell Vinyl where I was and hopefully salvage some stuff."
Mac nodded. "We'll head down raght after some breakfast."

Later, the two were headed for Ponyville. Already, they could see Rainbow Dash and some other weatherponies pushing clouds around. Rainbow turned and saw them. Waving, she flew down. "Just a heads-up, we're supposed to get rain today, so I wouldn't stay outside for too long."
"Thank ya kindly for tha warnin' Miss Rainbow." Rainbow nodded and flew back up to the clouds. Mac looked at Octavia and smiled. "We'll be fine."
Octavia smiled back and they kept on their way into Ponyville. Finding Vinyl's house, Octavia listened as she heard some of Vinyl's favorite music eminating from within. Knocking on the front door hard enough to be heard, Octavia heard the music screech to stop. "Be with ya in a sec!" Vinyl yelled out. Sounds of crashing could be heard and soon the door opened. "Alright, whaddya wan-" Vinyl's face softened. "Oh! Octavia! WHere were ya last night? Ya missed a really cool track I made."
Octavia giggled. "Well... I was at Mac's house. I stayed there the night and I might from now on."
Vinyl frowned. "Why would you stay there? You two aren..." Realization dawned on her. She let out a happy giggle. "Oooh! I told ya you two were cute together."
Mac blushed as well as Octavia. "Well, I just came to tell you that i'm staying there from now on, and not to worry." She nuzzled Mac gently. "Mac can take care of me."
Mac smiled and nuzzled her back. "Eeyup."
Vinyl watched the two of them and said "Would you two like to join me for a drink then?"
Octavia squealed. "I'd love to!" Looking at Mac, she asked "You too?"
Mac shrugged. 'Ah ain't much of ah drinker..."
"Oh... just this once?"
"Uh... Ah guess ah could."

Turned out be near noon when they finally left Vinyl's house. Octavia was giggling uncontrollably and Mac had to support her. He himself was feeling a little tipsy, but he was managing to control himself better than Octavia. Vinyl waved at them drunkenly from her door. "Ya besht come back shoon ya hear?" she called, returning into her house and slamming the door shut twice, then reopening it and shutting it gently. Octavia laughed and turned to Mac. 'That was most fun, wasn't it?"
Mac nodded. "Ah still can't believe ah could bend that way..."
Octavia giggled. "Well... It was most adorable."
As they neared the Apple home, Octavia looked skyward. "Wasn't it supposed to rain?"
Right on cue, a thunderclap sounded off. Mac jumped and started to run. Remembering octavia, he turned and moved quickly towards her. Hoisting her up onto his back and ignoring the pain he felt, he dashed for the house. Octavia laughed the whole way. When they finally reached the door, Mac shook himself off, as well as Octavia (except she got dizzy and rammed into the wall). Mac leaned against her gently and supported her into the house.
"Well, what ya wanna do now?" Mac asked Octavia. 'Sence it's rainin' out."
Octavia giggled. "Oh... I can think of something..."

-A few minutes later-

Octavia frowned at what she was holding. "Okay... now what?"
Mac frowned. "You mean you ain't done this before?"
Octavia shook her head. "No one ever bothered to show me."
Mac sighed. "So, that's why you wanted ta do this? For me to show ya?"
Octavia nodded. "Yes."
Mac smiled. Leaning over, he took the cookie cutter from Octavia. "Now, ya press into the dough. Tha cuttah makes ah shape and ya cook it like that."
Octavia nodded. "Oooh. Okay." She watched as Mac cut out a few shapes. She wasn't at all surprised the shapes were of an apple. However, she giggled anyways and took the cutter back. Getting the hang of cutting the dough, she soon had a full sheet of cookies ready to be made. As they were placed into the oven, Octavia looked at Mac. "Well, any ideas now?"

Octavia frowned. "Hmm..." Her eyes lit up and she smiled. "Ha! Got you this time!" And she drew an X. Mac let out a small chuckle. Octavia looked up. "What? Did I do something wrong?"
Mac didn't answer. Instead, he drew an O, then drew a line through two more. Octavia scowled. "That's twenty five for you, one for me now..."
A timer sounded off in the kitchen and both Mac and Octavia jumped up. They rushed to the kitchen and quickly took out the cookies. Mac smiled. "Jus' right." Placing them on the table, he sat for a moment and watched them.
Octavia watched with him. "Cooling down?"
"Eeyup."
A few minutes passed, then Mac said. "Should be good." Taking off a cookie and popping it into his mouth, he sat still for a moment. "Eeyup."
Octavia giggled and took one as well.

-Hours later-

Night had finally fallen, and it was still raining. Applejack had come home from wherever she had been, and had played a few games with Octavia, Mac and Apple Bloom. Before they knew it, they were all tired. Apple Bloom had been the first to go, then Applejack. As Octavia and Mac sat in the main room, Mac yawned. "Well Tavi, Ah think ah'm off ta bed."
octavia nodded her agreement. "Me too." They both stood up and headed upstairs. Pausing in front of Mac's room, Octavia gently pulled Mac toward her for a kiss. Mac accepted and the two remained there for a few moments in a close embrace. Finally, they both broke off and Octavia blushed. "Well... good night, my love." and she turned towards her room. Looking back, she said "I love you."
Mac smiled. "G'night Tavi. And ah love ya too." Then he disappeared into his room. Octavia collapsed onto her bed and sighed happily. These were easily the best moments of her life.

-The Next Morning-

Octavia woke up, feeling unusually happy. For a moment, she thought it was because of where she was and who she was staying with. A moment later, she jumped up and down on her bed squealing happily. "It's my birthday!" she announced to the room. Jumping off her bed, she literally bounced towards the door. Bouncing down the hallway, she knocked excitedly on Mac's door. "Come in." she heard Mac say. Pushing his door open, she Mac sitting at the window. As he turned, he smiled when he saw Octavia.
"Mornin' beautiful. Y'all seem mighty happy this mornin'."
Octavia nodded excitedly. "Guess why!" she said, nuzzling Mac's shoulder.
Mac thought for a moment. "Hm... Ah dun't know. Why ya happy?"
"It's my birthday!" Octavia nearly screamed.
Mac smiled widely and kissed octavia's cheek. 'Well then, ah guess today's all 'bout you." Getting up, he moved towards the door with Octavia following happily behind him. "Would ya mind stayin' here for ah bit? I got some thin's ah need to take care of in town."
Octavia shrugged. "Applejack and I shall hang out for a bit!" she exclaimed and set off to search the pony out. Mac smiled, put on his saddlebag and walked outside.

A while later, Mac was walking through Ponyville. He was in search of two things: A music shop and a certain pink pony. He'd go to whichever he found first. However, he soon saw what he was doing first. Pinkie Pie was out jumping in the street and chatting with anypony she could catch. Mac walked up to her and Pinkie bounced towards him.
"Morning Maccie! It's a terrific day and i'm set to partay!"
Mac nodded. "good ta hear it. Listen, ah need ya ta set up a parteh for mah fillyfriend."
Pinkie stopped bouncing and looked directly at Mac. "I didn't know you had a fillyfriend. No one told me." she said, her mane sagging a little. Mac gave her an alarmed look and said "Well, now ya know. ANyways, it's her birthday taday, and ah was wonderin if ya could throw her a partay at Sugahcube Cornah?"
Pinkie's mane assumed its regular shape and she bounced in the air. "COnsider it done! Have her here in an hour! I'll invite EVERYBODY!" and she promptly took off before Mac could say another word. "How is she going to invite alot of ponies and have the party ready in an hour...?"
Shaking his head, he turned and headed down the street again. Soon, a sign caught his eye. Looking at it, he read "Custom string instruments! New and used on sale! For a little extra, have your name imprinted!"
Mac checked how many bits he had. Seeing he had enough for the price listed on the sign, he walked in.
"Good morning and welcome!" the pony behind the counter called. Mac nodded towards him and browsed the cellos. "Octavia's was brown with a golden handle..." he thought. However, all these were brown with plain ywllow handles.
"S'cuse me, d'ya have any with golden handles?"
The counter pony nodded. Disappearing into a back room, he soon emerged with a cello. Mac gasped. It was exactly like the one Octavia had! "Ah'll take it!"
"Oh good. I've been trying to sell this for a while, but nopony ever inquired for it sepcifically."
"Ah'd also like ah name put on it."
"Alright."
The two ponies spoke for a few moments, then Mac put his bits on the counter. The pony counted them, nodded that they were the correct amount and disappeared again into the back room. "Come again in about half an hour and it'll be ready!"
Mac nodded and trotted out of the store.

Octavia giggled as she watched Apple Bloom and her friends. Applejack had been playing a game of cards with Octavia, but a pink pony had run up to the house, whispered something into Applejack's ear, then taken off again, so Applejack had suggested that the fillies play with Octavia to keep her company. Right now, the one named Scootaloo was attempting to do a trick with her scooter over a small pond.
"Ya all ready? I'm gonna make it this time!" Scootaloo yelled. "Ah bet ya can't!" Apple Bloom yelled.
"Oh really? Watch me!" And Scootaloo kicked off. Gaining speed, she flew off the ramp that was set up and flew over the pond. Octavia watched with wide eyes as the filly did a flip on her scooter, then landed neatly on the other side. As she and the other fillies clopped their hooves off the ground in applause. Scootaloo did a mock bow, then looked up as Applejack ran towards them.
"Hey y'all. Listen, Apple Bloom, ya and yar friends gotta come with me. Ah need... ya help.. with somethin'."
Octavia got up. "I can help."
"NO!" Applejack cried and Octavia shrank back slightly. 'Um... I just need the fillies to help me with something. They'll be back."
Octavia sighed and sat down. "Okay..." She watched as Applejack and the fillies left. "It's my birthday... why is everyone leaving?"
Minutes passed and Octavia watched the pond sadly. She let out a sigh and gazed up at the sky. Hoofsteps behind her made her turn. Vinyl Scratch was standing there watching Octavia. "Hey Tavi? You alright?"
Octavia let out a sniffle. "Yeah... i'm fine..."
Vinyl came up and sat down next to her. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Octavia gave another sniff. "Everyone keeps leaving to do stuff. Today's my birthday so I was hoping I could have someone to be around for the day. But Mac left, then so did the fillies i was playing with."
Vinyl nuzzled Octavia gently. "Hey. Let's go to Sugarcube Corner and i'll treat you to a cupcake."
Octavia smiled. "Okay... let's go."

As the two walked through the streets of Ponyville, Octavia noticed something. "Hey... where is everypony?" While they had been walking, Octavia had seen only about 5 or 6 ponies out and about. Normally, there was loads more than that. Vinyl glanced around and shrugged. "Probably busy." As they neared Sugarcube Corner, Octavia saw that all the lights were out.
"Vinyl... I don't think it's open."
"Pffft. It's always open. They're probably doing something to scare Twilight. You heard Pinkie the other day. Hey, let's get in on it!"
Octavia smiled. Nothing like scaring a pony. Nodding in agreement, she rushed up to the door of Sugarcube Corner. Vinyl opened the door and pushed Octavia inside. Octavia trotted in a few steps, then stopped. "Wait, Vinyl, it's silent in here. I'm sure they're closed." The door slamming shut made Octavia jump.
"Vinyl?"
Suddenly, the lights flew on and Octavia was blinded for a few seconds. As her eyes adjusted, she heard "SURPRISE!" being yelled at her from all angles. Blinking a few times, she became aware of every pony she knew, including Mac, Appljack, Rainbow, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, plus some she didn't waving at her and some calling her name and cheering. Octavia sank to the ground and stared around. "A surprise party? For me?" she thought. A smile grew onto her face and she started to laugh. Mac came trotting up to her and nuzzled her.
"Hey you."
Octavia giggled and kissed him gently. A few whistles came from the crowd. Octavia stood up and hugged Mac. "Did you do this?"
"Sure did."
octavia let out a squeal of delight. Trotting over to the cake, she saw "Happy Birthday Octavia!" on it in huge golden letters. She smiled, then cut into the cake. Soon, everypony had a slice and was eating happily. As Octavia ate her piece, she noticed Mac keeping on looking at something. "Mac? Everything alright?"
Mac looked over at Octavia and smiled. Getting up, the room quietened down. Mac disappeared into another room and Octavia waited for him to return. Soon, Mac came back with two boxes: 1 very large and the other very small. Mac looked at octavia for a moment, then said "Now, ah know ya lost some thin's in that fiah. Alot ah know meant much ta ya. That's why ah got these for ya." and he pushed the boxes forward. Octavia looked at the boxes, then gently took the smaller one. Opening it, she let out a gasp as she saw a small pink bowtie much like the one she had before the fire. Smiling at Mac, she put it on and giggled. Turning to the bigger box, she noticed the room had gone totally silent once again. Gently opening the box, octavia let out a gasp and her eyes welled up. Inside was a cello exactly like the one she had. Taking it gently out of the box, she started to cry as she saw her name set in gold lettering up both sides of it. Mac came over and asked 'Do ya like it?"
Octavia's only response was to get up, grab Mac and kiss him passionately right there in front of everyone. The other ponies in the room definitely felt the love between the two and they clopped their hooves on the ground happily.
As Mac and Octavia finally broke apart, Mac smiled. "Now... how about that tune that made me fall in love with you?"
Octavia kissed his cheek gently, then said "Anything for you, my love." Picking up the cello, she took the bow that came with it and ran it across the strings. Smiling happily at the familiar sound, she closed her eyes and began to play...

Author's Note: This was the final chapter. I had fun writing this. Please remember to review and all that fun stuff.