For two weeks, Big Macintosh gave Fluttershy and her parents space catch up on events.

But, there was something Big Macintosh had to discuss with Fluttershy's father, now that he was here.

"Mr. Cotton Cloud?"

"Big Macintosh! Oh, my boy, how can I ever thank you enough?"

"Ain' nothin'. Ah'm happy that Fluttershy's happy."

"Oh, you are as much a gentlecolt as my daughter describes and more so! Anyway, did you come here on business, or were you here just for a chat?"

"Actually, Ah do need to talk with you about something."

"Oh, of course! I am all ears, my boy!"

"Well, Ah know Fluttershy's already got a lot on her mind right now…"

"Okay, go on?"

"Ah was thinkin' bout waiting a good month or two before proposing, seeing how ya'll have twelve years to catch up on."

"Oh, of course! Take your time!"

"Mind if Ah ask you a favor?"

"Not at all! What is it?"

"Would you mind holding on to the ring, just until the time comes?"

"Why sure, but I don't see why a responsible colt like you couldn't hold onto it either!"

"Well, a barn ain' exactly a place to keep something like a ring…"

"Ah. I see. Do you still look forward to the day?"

"Ah always have. Always will. Nothin's changed except now she's got you two."

"I couldn't wish for a better colt to marry my daughter."

"Much appreciated, Mr. Cotton."

"Please, call me Cotton."

This young colt truly is everything I had hoped for in a man for my daughter… Honest, kind, and strong, someone who I know will stay loyal to her…

So, Big Macintosh and Fluttershy had their own personal time, to spend with their families. Big Macintosh was finally able to teach Applebloom how to buck properly, and Fluttershy and her parents shared everything that had happened.

But, Big Macintosh still had proposing on his mind. He wasn't going to rush right in there, no way. He knew that rushing into anything, especially marriage, was one of the biggest mistakes you could ever make.

"Miss Rarity? Ya'll here?"

"Oh, Big Macintosh! Am I ever glad to see you! I was actually hoping to ask you a favor this time!"

"What was it?"

"Well, I'm tailoring a suit for a muscle builder, and I don't have any manikins in his size. Would you be willing to step in for me?"

"Sure, Ah don' see why not. But…"

"But you have another favor of your own to ask?"

"Eeyup."

"Well, after the last favor you asked, I'm going to assume this one is also involving Fluttershy?"

"Eeyup."

"Oh, I can't wait to see what it is this time! What is it?"

"Well, you know anyplace that's one of them fancy restaurants?"

"Why of course! But, uh… if you don't mind me asking, why are you looking for a fancy restaurant?"

"Ah'd rather not tell any more people than who already knows, but… Ah guess Ah owe you an answer. Ah'm plannin' on proposing."

"Oh! That is absolutely wonderful!"

"Yeah, but Ah want to make sure she thinks so…"

"Oh? You don't think she won't say yes? You did re-unite her with her parents that she hadn't seen for over 12 years…"

"Yeah, but any ol' pony coulda done that… Ah just want ta-"

"Big Macintosh, you are almost as bad as her sometimes! You two are always wanting to make sure the other is happy, you run yourselves ragged! You both worry me sick!"

"Ah… Ah'm sorry, Miss Rarity, Ah-"

"Big Macintosh, the restaurant I can help you with. But Fluttershy is her own person, and instead of asking me about everything, you should go with your heart."

"But Ah'm-"

"But you're what? Too worried she won't like whatever you do?"

"Eeyup." Okay. Now that last comment bit at Big Macintosh's pride. His patience somewhat, too.

"Listen. I know you worry about it, but I'm certain that she will understand your intent… in whatever you choose."

"Ah… thank ya, Miss Rarity."

"You're welcome. Now then, did you have any restaurants in mind?"

Big Macintosh cocked his eyebrow, giving her a look that reminded her: she was talking to a pony who's idea of "fancy" was having to wash up before going to the restaurant.

"Er… right… let me just write you a list…"

Okay, so yeah, I finished this chapter a little bit back… I was looking through the reviews and saw someone say they wanted me to make it easier to identify who was speaking… I'll do that more often, but for these two conversations I'm somewhat reluctant to put speech tags on because I would hope people could tell between Big Macintosh and Rarity and Cotton Cloud. (Granted, If Rarity + Cotton Cloud were in the same room, then I'd have to.)