Night after night the two ponies curled up in bed, blankets wrapping them tight in a warm embrace. They slept well, especially Cloudfire now that this proposing business was finally over with. He was like a giant teddy bear to Derpy, who usually ended up falling asleep on his muscular chest, listening to his strong heart beat. She had few thoughts cross her mind as they drifted off into the warm haze:

He's my Fiancée... And I'm his!

She'd giggled to herself while thinking this. It was true -- they were no longer Special Someponies, and even after a few days she couldn't entirely wrap her head around the idea... but she still liked it. Her Fiancée couldn't be happier, since he was worried she might get anxious. They didn't talk much about it, and Derpy didn't act like she wanted to... so Cloudfire left well enough alone.

She wanted to show him her affections now even more, and he knew it... at night she'd gaze up at him as he turned the light off, waiting for him to make some advances with his hooves in the darkness. He didn't, even though he felt her warmth, hugs, and occasional prolonged twilight kisses. The truth was, Cloudfire knew Derpy well... and while making love now would feel nice, it wouldn't feel right. He wanted to give Derpy... and himself... a bit of time to digest the idea of being Engaged. Though it was hard, they didn't make love for 3 whole days, and that was only after Derpy asked for it directly:

"Please...?" She asked on the 3rd night. "Before we go back to work... it would make me happy."

He replied gently, giving her a kiss:

"It would make me happy, too."

Both felt content by the end of the night... so relaxed and peaceful. The next day could wait.

The familiar trek to work. It was their first day back after an unusually long 4 day break. They'd welcomed that break, staying in most of the time, only venturing to the shops or to a meal at the Sugar Cube Corner. It was romantic. Now it was cold.

The two ponies proudly displayed the rings around their necks, Derpy's in place of the usual locket. They were ignored, of course, by their Pegasus co-workers at first, who'd even tired of making jokes about them... ignored until the sun peeked over the horizon and gleamed off one of Cloudfire's darker gems, catching the eye of their stocky Pegasus co-worker (who always smelled of cider):

"Hey! That's an engagement ring!" He exclaimed.

"Well I'll be," said the thinner Pegasus, who was known to instigate problems between the two groups. "Are you two really getting hitched?"

"Yeah!" Derpy exclaimed, with Cloudfire by her side.

"Indeed we are."

"Alright..." He looked at Cloudfire, biting his lip. "Congratulations, I guess. You want to get a drink or something after work?"

"No thanks," Cloudfire replied, briefly making eye-contact with the Pegasus who shifted uncomfortably. "But... thanks anyways."

"Yeah, no problem." He turned back to the group.

They stood silently in the cold, all waiting for Mister Everstorm. Derpy and Cloudfire huddled together away from the group, like always.

There had been tiny changes going on over the past few weeks involving how things were done at the Litter pick-up service. Cloudfire didn't give it much notice... maybe his inattention was due to his being focused on his plans, or maybe the changes were so minuscule he didn't care. He wasn't sure, but now was at least less focused on himself and present in the moment. As if the 4 day break wasn't enough of a change, every week or so the bus would take them to a place that was technically out of their jurisdiction. Sometimes to multiple places in one day. They'd still end up with approximately the same amount of Bits by the end of their shift... sometimes a little bit more if they'd go to two places... and that's all their co-workers cared about. An occasional hour or two more meant nothing to them, and Cloudfire really didn't care. In fact, neither pony gave it much thought, and their little break had them feeling rested and ready for work.

The bus sped in early that day with Everstorm literally sticking his head out of the side:

"We have multiple projects for today!" He hollered, jumping off as the bus came to a halt. "Get on board and I'll explain as we go!"

As always, the Air Team got on first, with team Fire Hooves right behind them. Mister Everstorm stopped the two as they were getting on and smiled:

"Alright you two, I see 'em. Congratulations on getting ringed, though can't say I didn't see it comin'. Now, I'm your boss first so that's all you're gunna get out of me on this joyous event. I trust you'll behave no differently now... dun tell me I'm wrong?"

Derpy nodded as Cloudfire saluted his boss, who chuckled as they got on. The bus sped off once Mr. Everstorm entered... the two ponies nearly bonked heads as Cloudfire helped Derpy into the nearest seat.

The staff was taken to two parks and a garden that day. It wasn't the Grand Canterlot Gardens, but it was still an impressive place and a chore to clean all the same:

"Let's just do our best, Derpy," the Earth Pony said as he cantered along, picking up the garbage. "We can make it as long as we don't stop to talk."

"I am doing my best!" Wheezed the Pegasus. "I don't feel too good..."

The amount of Bits that Team Firehooves made was roughly one half more than they would have if they had just gone to a single park. Cloudfire made substantially more than Derpy, but shrugged when it came time for them to be paid on site:

"At this point, I'd say it's all going to the same place," he ruffled her frizzy mane. "You did your best, right?"

Derpy didn't answer.

"Right?"

"Yeah..."

Cloudfire always tried to put a positive spin on things... especially now, since his mate was rather tired and dehydrated-looking.

After 8 and a half hours of work, the two were to be dropped off at Head Quarters to enjoy the nice, quiet trek home. Derpy slept most of the ride, shaking periodically while leaning on Cloudfire's shoulder. Once they got off she was so tired that she could hardly walk straight, but made it home all the same. She shook some more that night as they drifted off to sleep. Cloudfire tried to sooth her by gently caressing her back, reminding her that he'll always be there for her...

That was the worst day they'd ever had at the Litter pick-up service. It seemed as though things were only going to get worse. Each day following they found themselves doing more and more under increasingly compressed time constraints. Derpy always slept on the ride home and still shook bit, but fortunately not each time they slept. Occasionally they had a day like they used to, where they could joke and move around at a relaxed but decisive pace. Those days were becoming fewer and further between. At least their co-workers still left them alone...