//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: The World Is Watching // Story: Wonderful // by Closer-To-The-Sun //------------------------------// Chapter 11: The World Is Watching 2 ½ MONTHS UNTIL DUE DATE Big Mac was pacing nervously. It was a big day for not only him but also for quite a number of ponies. He was breathing heavily, trying to calm himself with each breath, but with no luck. His orange-coated sister approached him, wearing a white gown. “Look at yerself, Big Mac, ya look a pig got ya dressed fer yer big day,” Applejack spoke as she reached over and straighten the black suit that was on the red stallion. “Ah thought it looked fine,” Big Mac replied, holding still so Applejack could fix his clothing. Moving up to his bowtie, Applejack straightened it out before talking a step back to look at her brother from head to hoof, “There ya go, now yer lookin’ sharp fer yer big day!” Again, Big Mac started to take deep breaths in an effort to calm himself down. Applejack easily took notice. “Yer scared aren’t ya?” “Eeyup….wouldn’t ya be scared?” the stallion replied. “If ah were gettin’ married ta Rainbow Dash, ah’m sure ah would be,” the mare joked as she patted her brother on the back, “Yer not gettin’ cold hooves are ya?” Big Mac shook his head, “Ain’t no way.” Applejack smirked, “Glad ta hear that. Good luck out there, Big Mac.” “Ah feel ah’m gonna need it.” ----------------------------------------------- The ceremony was about to begin. In their outdoor venue, with Celestia’s sun shining, the attendees included a number of ponies from all over Ponyville, including Bon Bon, Lyra, Cheerilee, Big Mac’s littlest sister Applebloom and her friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, the Cakes from Sugarcube Corner, Zecora, and so many more others. One stand out attendee was Discord who was accompanied by Twilight Sparkle. She seemed to be keeping a sharp eye on him as to make sure he was to not ruin the ceremony. The traditional music began to play and signified the start of the wedding. First to trot down the aisle was Big Mac with Granny Smith. As they trotted down the aisle, Granny Smith jokingly whispered to her grandson, “Last chance ta get out of this, Big Mac.” With some surprise in his hushed reply, Big Mac retorted, “Ah have no intention of leavin’.” The elderly pony smiled, “Spoken like a true Apple.” Big Mac led Granny Smith to her seat before taking his place up in the front of the audience. He watched as the groomscolt and bridesmaids trotted down the aisle as well. First was his best stallion, Caramel, trotting down with Applejack. While the mare seemed perfectly calm and relaxed during the trot, Caramel seemed to be nervous as he accompanied his best pal’s sister. It was enough to make Big Mac smile and softly chuckle to himself. Next down the aisle was Big Mac’s good friend Pokey Pierce trotting along with Pinkie Pie. It was obvious that Pinkie was trying her absolute best to behave while trotting down the aisle, however it seemed almost painful for her to contain her excitement. Her joy was apparent with her the wide smile she had on her face. Finally, the last of the bridesmaids was Rarity, accompanied by Big Mac’s cousin Braeburn. He seemed almost unrecognizable without his hat or vest on. Rarity, on the other hoof, seemed natural in her bridesmaid’s gown and trotting down the aisle, even if it wasn’t her big day. With the groomscolts and bridesmaids all standing up in front of the audience, the traditional music faded out. It was now for the big moment, which everypony was waiting for. The sound of an acoustic guitar rung out as the music resumed. Big Mac looked to the side and saw the performers, Spike and Fluttershy. The day before, Rainbow Dash had told him that she arranged for a special song to be played for when she trots down the aisle. “Everypony is here except for me,” Spike started to sing. “And I can feel the world is watching,” Fluttershy took the next line. “Who is on their own, I wonder,” the dragon sang out. “And who has cast this spell I’m under,” the yellow mare continued. In perfect harmony, the two sang the simple but sweet chorus. “I want you with me. I want you with me.” Everypony’s attention turned back to the aisle, where the bride started to make her way down the aisle. Next to her was her father. His coat was a more of a bolder blue than his daughter’s, but the rainbow colored mane gave away that they were related. As they trotted down, Spike and Fluttershy continued to sing, alternating the lines in their duet: “Look into your heart, are you happy?” “You could be the one to set me free.” “And with your hoof in mine we will run.” “To a place that knows no one,” the last line of the stanza was sung together before they continued to the simple chorus. As they sang, Big Mac stared at Rainbow Dash. She wore what seemed to be a traditional bridal dress, nothing extravagant or with frills, but it held it’s own beauty in simplicity. It was apparent that it was also made by hoof, possibly by Rarity. The size of her belly stuck out quite a bit, but it was as if Rainbow didn’t care if was obvious she was pregnant, in fact, it was as if she was flaunting it. The rainbow mane that would normally be tossed in any which way the wind wished was neatly braided. Rainbow’s face was hidden behind a white veil, but despite such, her bashful yet big smile was noticeable as she mouthed the words to the song. “I won’t forget the things you said, that’s dancing and singing inside my head,” Fluttershy sang out. Spike followed up with his line, “You’ve always known you’re not alone.” Finally, the two singers sang the last chorus of the song. It was at this time, Rainbow Dash had arrived up to the front with her father. The two trotted up and stopped just to the left of Big Mac. With the silence finally sitting in, the ceremony continued on. The presider of the wedding, Mayor Mare, took her place in front of Big Mac and Rainbow Dash and started speaking, “Dearly beloved, thank you for coming. We are gathered here today on this wonderful spring day in the sight of Celestia and Luna to join together this stallion and mare in matrimony.” As she spoke, Big Mac and Rainbow exchanged glances at each other, nervously and bashfully smiling at one another. “I ask who gives this mare to be married to this stallion?” Mayor Mare asked, following the lines that presiders follow. “That would be me,” Rainbow Dash’s father raised his hoof up, giving a proud smile. The mayor nodded, “Thank you. Now, the bride and groom will read to each other their vows, which they have written. Rainbow Dash, would you like to start?” “Actually, can Big Mac go first?” she asked. A little surprised, Mayor Mare nodded, “Sure. A little odd to do so, but there’s no problem with that. Big Macintosh?” Turning to face Rainbow Dash, Big Mac started to speak, “Miss Rainbow Dash, what can ah really say? Ah’ve always cared so much ‘bout ya. Ah’ve loved ya fer the longest time an’….heh….an’ here ah thought ah could recite the vows without the needin’ the cards.” With a little bit of laughter from the audience at his comment, Big Mac reached into his jacket and pulled out two small cards and started to read from them, “Ah have always cared so much fer ya, Miss Rainbow Dash, from the first time we just spent time together. Ah’ve always loved ya, an’ jus’ every moment we spend together seems better than the last. An’ ah promise ta make every day together the best it can be. Ah look forward ta makin’ new memories with ya an’ ah’ll do whatever it takes fer us.” Pausing and switching the front card out for the other, Big Mac continued, “Ah’ll be the best husband ah can be fer ya, ah’ll be the best father ah can be fer our child, an’ ah’ll be the best provider ah can be fer all of us. Ah know things might become challengin’, but ah know we can get through anythin’ together.” Finishing his vows, Big Mac looked up at Rainbow Dash. Her face had a very joyful smile as she was touched by the stallion’s words. Mayor Mare spoke, “That was beautiful, Big Macintosh. Rainbow Dash, if you may.” The pegasus looked at Big Mac for a moment before starting, “Well, I’ll admit that the reason why I wanted you to go first was that I didn’t really write out my vows beforehoof. It’s not that I didn’t want to write them out, it’s more of that I couldn’t find the right words every single time I tried to write them out. Even now, I can’t seem to find the right words at all.” Rainbow was silent for a moment before trying to continue, “You’re really the nicest pony I’ve ever met. After all of the stuff I put you through, from pushing you away to even fighting with ya, you’re still here by my side. Like….when I cried, you were there to wipe my tears dry. When I was just frustrated and confused, you helped clear my mind. You gave me strength to stand up again to face the world again. I never could understand it, but when I needed you, you were there. And I know I never made anything really easy for you, Big Mac, but….I do love you, more than anything else. We’ve had times that I wouldn’t trade for all of Equestria itself. So….thank you. And I just have one thing for you to add to your vow: just be the best friend you can be for me, just like you already have.” Trying her best, Rainbow Dash was fighting tears as she finished. Big Mac was unable to say anything either, completely captivated by Rainbow Dash’s words. Mayor Mare smiled as she continued, “That was very touching, Rainbow Dash. Now then, I say that if any individual here can show cause or any reason why these two shall not be joined together in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.” With no reply from the audience, the mayor continued, “Very well. Do you, Big Macintosh, take Rainbow Dash to be your lawfully wedded wife and live together forever in the estate of matrimony? Do you promise love, comfort, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse for as long as you both shall live?” “Ah do,” Big Mac nodded. “And do you, Rainbow Dash,” the mayor switched her attention to the pegasus, “take Big Macintosh, to be your lawfully wedded husband and to live together forever in the estate of matrimony? Do you promise to love, comfort, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse as long as you both shall live?” “You better believe it,” Rainbow spoke before rephrasing her response, “I mean, I do.” Mayor Mare smiled as she finished, “Then with the power vested in me by Princesses Celestia and Luna and by the town of Ponyville, I now pronounce you stallion and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” Big Mac lifted up the veil that masked Rainbow Dash. Once it was lifted, he saw that Rainbow looked as if she was about to burst into tears of joy. The two closed the gap and shared their first kiss as a wedded couple. The audience began to clap their hooves together for the newly weds. In the back row, Discord whispered to the purple unicorn seated next to him. “There, the ceremony is done, Twilight. Now can I make it rain mud on them?” he was annoyed that he had to behave himself. Twilight replied in a whisper as she continued to clap, “You do that, Discord, and I will banish you to the void between dimensions.”