Sorry for the long wait everyone! I had so much schoolwork to do, it was hard to find time to write this Rarity and Big Macintosh meeting chapter. Thanks for being Patient and I hope you enjoy!

It was still morning as Big Macintosh trotted through the streets of Ponyville towards the Carousel Boutique. The big red stallion couldn't stop thinking about what Pinkie Pie said.

"Don't doubt yourself!"

"Be confident!"

"Tell her how you feel!"

Those three things kept going through Big Macintosh's head like a broken record. Big Macintosh turned around a corner, and then he could see the boutique and the end of the long street. As he walked down the street, he passed a group of mares, who all smiled and waved at the stallion and giggled at the same time. It was obvious that they were all attracted to him.

"Maybe Pinkie Pie was right 'bout that too, maybe Ah am handsome, those mares over their seem to take a liking to me, maybe Rarity will feel the same way 'bout me."

Big Macintosh finally made his over to the carousel boutique. He stopped right in front of the purple front door of the large purple building. Big Mac thought about turning back, thinking he would mess this all up in a fit of nervousness, make Rarity reject him for good.

"No, Ah've come too far. This is my only chance to talk to her alone."

The Big Red Stallion unhooked himself from the wagon, walked over to the back to retrieve Applejack's ripped hat, and walked up to the door. He placed his right hoof on the door, and tapped on it three times. For about 15 seconds there was no response, and Big Macintosh started to believe no one was home.

"I reckon she's out somewhere with her friends…"

Then the door was thrust open, and standing in doorway was a filly that looked similar to Rarity in many ways, but much smaller, with green eyes, and hair with a lighter shade of purple. Big Macintosh remembered seeing her with Apple Bloom and that other orange pegasus filly, but couldn't quite remember their names. But he did remember she was partially responsible for the destruction of Applejack's hat.

"Hi Big Macintosh, what brings you to Carousel Boutique? You don't seem like the kind of pony who would want a makeover!"

"Ah came here to get mah sister's hat repaired, that Ah believe you and all y'alls friends helped destroy in the first place."

Big Macintosh showed her the ripped hat.

"Oh sorry…" Said the little filly with a sheepish grin

"Sweetie Belle, who are you talking…. Oh hello Big Macintosh! What a pleasant surprise, what brings you here on this fine morning darling?"

Rarity came out from another room into the front chamber of the boutique, and trotted over where Big Mac and Sweetie Belle were standing. Just hearing Rarity talk nearly made Big Macintosh's knees buckle, her sweet voice was like most beautiful country song he had ever heard.

"Howdy Rarity, y'all really look lovely as ever today, A… Ah'm here to get Applejack's hat repaired, I reckon you more than anypony in this town would be fit for the job."

Big Macintosh showed Rarity the ripped Stetson hat.

"Why thank you for the compliment Big Macintosh, that means a lot to me to hear that from a nice stallion like yourself. And of course I'll be able to repair it, but may I ask, how did something like this happen? As I'm sure you know, Applejack is very protective of her hat, I never thought something like this would ever happen."

"Ah reckon Sweetie Belle here can tell you what happened."

Both Big Macintosh and Rarity shifted their attention to Sweetie Belle, who was still standing next to both of them listening.

"Umm… I kind of… may have… fought over it with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom when Applejack let us try it on. I didn't mean to rip it! I promise Rarity! Please don't punish me!" Said a suddenly frightened Sweetie Belle.

"Ah reckon that won't be necessary, it was an accident, y'alls just all really wanted to get your cutie mark, Ah understand how y'all must feel, Ah was the last to get my cutie mark in my class when Ah was around your age, and it was really frustratin' seeing all the other fillies and colts with theirs, and Ah got made fun of and bullied plenty, being called names like "blank flank" which really hurt inside, but Ah was patient and eventually it came when Ah realized workin' on the apple farm was what Ah was meant to do, and Ah was as happy as any colt could be! y'all and your friends really should learn to share more and be patient. Ah promise y'alls will all get your cutie marks soon enough, and when it does, y'all will understand it was worth the wait to truly find out what your special talent really is."

Both Sweetie Belle and Rarity were taken aback by Big Macintosh's statement. Neither of them had ever heard Big Macintosh speak like that, and neither had ever thought the stallion had that kind of insight on cutie marks.

"Th… Thanks Big Mac! I never knew you went through the same things Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and I went through. That really makes me feel better about the whole situation! I wish I could have a big brother like you Big Mac! Apple bloom is really lucky to have you around!"

With that statement, Sweetie Belle walked up and hugged one of Big Macintosh's forelegs, then trotted into another room, leaving Rarity and Big Macintosh alone together by the front door. When Sweetie Belle hugged him, he felt a tingling feeling in his stomach that he had never felt before, it felt amazing.

"Big Macintosh, I… I never knew you had to go through what Sweetie Belle and her friends have to go through, I guess I wouldn't understand because I was one of the first in my class to get my cutie mark, I knew from the start fashion designing was my special talent. Sweetie Belle complains all the time to me about not having her cutie mark, and I never seem to be able to really get through to her like you just did. That was very sweet of you Big Mac…"

With that, Rarity leaned over and gave Big Macintosh a small peck on the cheek.

If Sweetie Belle's hug had felt amazing, words couldn't describe the euphoria that Big Macintosh felt when Rarity kissed him. This was not the way he planned to do it, but he knew deep inside that he had gained Rarity's affection.

"Ah… just thought it was my duty to let her know there's someone else who went through what she's going through, and that she just needs to persevere, I don't want her or mah sister or that pegasus filly Scootaloo to feel all alone, that's all." Said Big Macintosh with a big grin, still euphoric from Rarity's kiss on cheek.

For a moment there was silence, and Big Macintosh couldn't help but just stare into Rarity's beautiful dark azure eyes. Rarity also couldn't help but stare deep into Big Macintosh's green eyes.

"So… I guess I should start working on Applejack's hat then."

"Yeeup ah reckon you should, here's your bits for it."

"Oh that won't be necessary, for a good friend it is on the house."

"Why that's mighty kind of ya, Rarity, I really appreciate that since money is always tight down on the farm."

"Any time Big Macintosh"

"Say Rarity, would y'all like to have dinner sometime with me?"

"I would love to darling! That sounds truly marvelous! How bout tomorrow night at 7?

"That sounds great, so Ah'll come by and pick ya up then tomorrow at 7"

"Marvelous darling I'll see you then!"

With that, Big Macintosh walked out the door, hitched himself back up to the wagon, and started trotting back towards Sweet Apple Acres with the same ecstasy he felt when Rarity kissed him.

"Ah did it!" The big red stallion thought to himself "A'hm going on a date with the most beautiful mare in Ponyville!"

…

As Rarity trotted over to her sewing machine to work on Applejack's hat, she too felt a similar euphoria as Big Macintosh. She really hard started to take a liking to the big red stallion.

"He may not be prince charming, but his heart sure is in the right place" Rarity thought to herself.

Sweetie Belle walked back into the room, with a big smile across her face. She secretly watched the whole event unfold, and loved the idea of Rarity and Big Macintosh going on a date.

"You and Big Macintosh would make such a cute couple, don't you think Rarity?" giggled Sweetie Belle.

"Were you spying on us Sweetie Belle?" Said Rarity in a serious manner.

"Umm yes sister I'm sorry, I just wanted to see what you and Big Macintosh were talking about."

Rarity's serious face then turned into a smile.

"I guess I did not ever tell you to leave us, as well as you should know if your own sister is going on a date with one of your friends' brothers."

Both Sweetie Belle and Rarity giggled after she said that.