Above the small conversations and hushed murmurs of awe at the beauty of the newly wed couple, the distinctive ding of a utensil against a wine glass could be heard. Almost, immediately, a sweet voice rang out across the room. “I would like to make a toast,” the lavender mare said, all eyes turning toward her, “To my big brother and best friend forever, Shining Armor.” All those close to the unicorn and the young couple gave respectful smiles as Twilight cleared her throat and continued, “And also to the mare who has been a big sister to me since even before today: Cadence.”
At the middle of a long table covered in white and gold, a pink alicorn laid her head lovingly on the shoulder of a white unicorn. Her eyes sparkled at Twilight who gave her a quick smile before beginning her address,
“I have to admit I wasn’t entirely sure how to take the news that Shining Armor was getting married when I first heard about it. I suppose the fact that I found out when Princess Celestia sent me an invitation to the wedding didn’t help.” Some shocked laughter interrupted her for a few seconds. She graciously continued after sending a wink to her brother who had facehoofed himself but was still smiling through a slight blush.
“However, once I realized that he was somewhat preoccupied with the possibility of attack, I was a little more willing to consider his excuse.” Another small wave of laughter. She smiled again and turned to address her brother directly.
“But, all that aside, I honestly did feel a little sad to hear you were getting married. Not because of Cadence!” she hastily explained, “I was excited to have her as a sister-in law once we were able to get rid of Chrysalis.” Twilight stopped to suppress a snicker as her brother groaned with the memory of the Changeling Queen, “But, I knew your life was only about to get busier. You would have a wife and soon, hopefully, a family. I remembered how hard it was for you when I left to stay in Ponyville and I realized you wouldn’t stay the same pony I left behind. Your life would have to be divided to included whomever this Mi Amore Cadenza was that you were marrying.” Cadence gave a small snigger into her hoof. Twilight smiled but then bit her lip.
“I felt guilty because I realized how I had forgotten to keep in touch with you and became worried you had forgotten me just as easily. I went over so many happy memories that we had together. You teaching me to fly a kite, always splitting the last apple on picnics instead of fighting over it, you encouraging me to practice and improve my magic, and how we would so often sit, watching the changing of the Royal Guard... memories I treasured and still treasure. I didn’t want to give that up unless it was to the right pony.” Twilight turned her attention to Cadence who had been giving her husband a fond look filled with warmth and entrancement that came from no spell she could conjure. Her purple and lavender eyes turned to look at her new sister when she felt the unicorn’s address had moved to her.
“Cadence, I have just as many memories of my childhood with you as my foalsitter as I do with Shining Armor as my brother. We had so much fun together and you really were an unofficial part of our family. No matter how many times I asked you to read me stories from “The Tales of Starswirl the Bearded” or no matter where we were when I would start our little cheer we would do it. Even that one time we were in the throne room and bored out of our minds during the middle of somepony’s being knighted and we were about 10 feet from the throne.” Twilight stopped to look at Princess Celestia who had muffled a snort in her hoof. She took her hoof away from her face and regained composure without losing any warmth in her smile.
“I am sorry about that.” she said with a suppressed laugh, “Thank you for being... gracious with us.” Luna turned to her sister, who was having increasing difficulty suppressing her laughter, and whispered almost accusingly ‘You never told me about that.’
Twilight swallowed, looked back to Cadence and spoke again over the sound of suppressed chuckles from many ponies in the room, “But, in all honesty, you were the closest thing I had to a sister and I was overjoyed when I realized you were the one marrying my brother. But, your attachment to me, while it might have started your attachment to Shining Armor, doesn’t even begin to explain what you and my brother have.” Twilight took a deep breath and addressed the crowd,
“Only a handful of you know this: but while the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis, was here in Cadence’s form, planning to trick my brother into marrying her, Cadence was imprisoned underground. Later, I too was imprisoned when I confronted her during the rehearsal. Throughout the entire time we were down there, trying to find an escape, Cadence mourned for a wedding she was supposed to be at but couldn’t go to. But it wasn’t the wedding she was grieving about missing... it was her marriage that might never happen. All of her thoughts, hopes, desires were set on the stallion sitting next to her now. Her goal was only to be reunited with him. Seeing her passion and love for my brother... let me know that perhaps... perhaps losing Shining Armor to Cadence wouldn’t be so bad after all. Because, she was not only a good mare for him... but the best mare. And because no matter what our future held as siblings... he would have the best foalsitter in all of Equestria as his bride... and to me he would always be my Big Brother Best Friend Forever.” Twilight stopped and all around her saw her pause to control her breathing while she levitated a glass before herself.
“So, to my brother, and my new sister: I hope your futures will be as full and lasting as your love and commitment to each other. To Shining Armor and Cadence.” she finished with a slight lift of her glass before she took a sip.
“NOW KISS!” Pinkie Pie squeaked.