//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: The Wedding // Story: Second Chances // by Nailah //------------------------------// Applejack trotted on towards the kitchen to see how the prepartions for the wedding were coming along, typically she would have offered her own hooves to help, but well...she was a part of the wedding. She was Fluttershy's mare of honor and as such wasn't allowed to be involved with the setting up of things. Though,that didn't mean she couldn't see how things were coming along, but knowing that Twilight was helping with organizing the event she didn't figure they would really need her own asisstance that much. She walked in, pushing the kichen door forward and immediately saw Mr and Mrs cake, working on the many sweets and such for the reception. “Hey Applejack, can we help you in any way?” questioned Mrs.Cake it was very clear she was focused on the task at hoof, but on the other hoof, she wasn't one to ignore any pony, espicially not a pony who was often used to the hardwork of getting things done in a timely manner. “Nah. I'm good Mrs. Cake, how are things going in here?” questioned Applejack as she glanced around to the many items being made, and Mr. Cake taking each one once they were finished, and putting them into the oven to bake. “Thank you honey.” smiled Mrs. Cake towards her husband as he was constantly going back and forth between where Mrs.Cake was making sweets, to the oven, then to the fridge to cool down, and perserve for the wedding, even though this was the reharshal, they still had to get the wedding stuff ready for the morning, after all it would be much longer until Flim and Fluttershy were married officially and planning their honeymoon. It was such a lovely thing, to see two ponies slowly falling in love, without really knowing it at first. Mrs. Cake remembered how she had met Mr.Cake, and how she and him had dated for quite some time before it finally hit her that she had found the stallion she wanted to spend the rest of her days with. “Oh, things are going well so far, love is such a beautiful thing isn't it?” she smiled softly, as she rolled her rolling pin over some batter, getting it nice and smooth for getting ready to go over her pies, and putting just a little bit of cream overtop the top part of the pie, before putting it over to the side, for Mr.Cake to then put into the fridge for the following morning. Luckily, they had quite a few fridges and ice fridges to work with being in the canterlot kitchen. “Indeed, it truly is a wonderous thing.” replied Applejack with a simple nod. It was very clear to see that Mrs.Cake had things handled in the kitchen, and that made Applejack feel a bit relieved to know it was going well. Though, knowing Twilight she had picked the perfect ponies for the task at hand. She knew that the reception planning was most likely Pinkie Pie whom would be in charge of that. After all there was no one better when it came to parties then Pinkie. Applejack hadn't really been that worried about it, but it was always a relief to know the ponies in charge of each task, would be the best pony for the job. She then decided to leave the kitchen, after saying goodbye to the cakes, and heading back to where Fluttershy was trying on her dress. She wouldn't actually be wearing it for the reharshal, but Rarity wanted to make sure every little tiny detail was just right for the upcoming big day, that would soon be upon them. “Oh, Fluttershy you look so gorgeous.” smiled Rarity softly as she fiddled with the many pins in the dress, using her measuring tape to measure around her in the dress, as she joted down a few notes on a notepad she was levitating with her horn, for any last second alernations she might have to make, so that the dress would fit Fluttershy like it was almost a part of her. “Thank you, Rarity.” smiled Fluttershy with a soft shade of pink crossing her cheeks. She noticed Applejack come into the room, and her smile grew even wider. “Applejack.” “Hey there, Sugarcube, how are you feeling?” questioned Applejack, not wanting to get in Rarity's way, she sat down in front of Fluttershy, as Rarity was fooling around to the sides, and backs of the dress by this point. Once she was sasified, she simply leaned over towards Fluttershy kissing her on the cheek softly, and whispering her something in her ears, which had her soft shade of pink, turn into bright shade of red, almost as red as a tomato. With that, with Rarity walked off to assist Fluttershy's braidmaids with their own dresses. Of course Fluttershy had asked Rainbow Dash to be one of her braidsmaids as she and her had been good friends over the years, but Rainbow Dash wasn't one to wear frilly dresses, but for Fluttershy's sake, she had allowed Rarity to sugget something a bit more fitting for the wedding, but yet continued to groan insside about not being able to fly right in a dress. Her other braidmaid was one that not all might have expected, it was Treehugger, as she and Fluttershy had become close friends when she had left to go see the breezies. Her dress had to be more nature like, but yet fit the others and tie into the theme of the overall wedding, and there was no one better to make it all flow together and yet keep every mare happy with what they would be wearing then Rarity hereself. She had an eye for every little detail, that might be a crucial thing for everything to go smoothly, and Rarity would not fail, espicially not when it came to Fluttershy's wedding. There would be no errors, everything must be perfect! Twilight Sparkle walked into the dressing room, and looked to all of them. “It's time everyone, when you are called, come to the two double doors, and then once they open each couple will walk up to the altar, then we pause for the bride, as everyone will stand, then the crusaders will go down with their flowers, and lastly Fluttershy that is when you walk down the aisle to meet up with Flim at the altar. Your father will then stop you before the altar, at the threshold where he will then give you over to Flim, then you and Flim will practice your vows, be married and walk back down the walkway to the double doors, then you will then go up to where the reception will be held. Now, remember this is just practice so it's natural to be nervous.” spoke Twilight calmly. She knew how easily scared Fluttershy used to be, but any mare would be nervous about their own wedding, with not wanting to worry about anything going wrong. Twilight had already talked to Discord about not messing this up for Fluttershy, and of course just like Discord, he had much more fun pranking Twilight then he would ever do to his dear Fluttershy. He had been more than happy to “behave” himself until the reception, but he didn't exactly make any Pinkie Promises, so Twilight would be keeping an eye on him, just in case, because with Discord, you never knew. “Wow...time really does go by fast with these things doesn't it?” questioned Fluttershy, her bangs hanging in front of her one eye, as Twilight approach her and pushed it back behind her ears. “There...that's better.” smiled Twilight towards her, she bumped her own nose against Fluttershy's. “You'll do just fine, just take a deep breath, alright?” “Okay...” replied Fluttershy softly. She couldn't help be a bit nervous, this was a big step for her, and there was so many that would be out there for the actual wedding, she knew only the important people of the wedding would be there for the reharshal, but she knew that the real wedding there would be a crowded room, that she would be the center of attention in, and it was a bit overwhelming for her to take in. She took a deep and steady breath in and out, trying to take Twilight's advice to heart, but yet her heart was still thumping as loud as a drum. Thump...Thump...Thump. She hadn't really calmed down, but she felt maybe a tiny bit better that all her friends would be here right with her on this big step, and this big day for not just her, but for her future husband too. She could only imagine what he must be going through as well. Though she knew his own fears were different from hers, but she knew he still had those fears, and she understood completely, and she hoped to reassure him that no matter what others thought of him, the ones that were truly important knew he wasn't the same pony he had used to be. Twilight would then hug Fluttershy closely before heading out the door to give her privacy. Applejack would stay with Fluttershy until it was her turn to go towards the altar, she'd be the last one to go before it would be Fluttershy's turn to head to the two large double doors. Fluttershy would then carefully, with Applejack's help getting out of her wedding dress, as Rarity would then take it, to make any last minute alterations, and be gone in a flash. After that Fluttershy let out a soft sigh of relief. “I'm ready.” she spoke in a soft gentle voice. She was excited to see Flim, ready to start the rest of her life, helping him understand that there was more to him, then even he realized. Applejack smiled softly towards Fluttershy, as she heard her name being called to head to the two double doors. She leaned in to give Fluttershy one last embrace, before heading out. She never would have thought this was possible, she never would have even believed in it, but here they were about to celebrate a union between Fluttershy and Flim, and she was surprisingly not upset by it. It had taken a lot for her to forgive Flim, but she saw that he was willing to change, willing to be a better pony for Fluttershy's sake, and not just that for himself too. He wasn't the same con-artist she had grown to hate, she was more than happy to call him a friend. Applejack heard the doors open and that was her quene to walk down the aisle with Big Mac, since he was Flim's best man since well...he hadn't had a chance to make that many friends as of yet. Some ponies were still unsure about him, but others were willing to see the new Flim. Soon, it would be Fluttershy's turn to walk down the aisle, once the crusaders tumbled down with their flower baskets. It was exciting, but also nervewrecking, but this was just the reharshal so it was best to get out any jitters now, rather than later. It was very hard for her to not be nervous, but she found she felt rather calm and even composed as she took a deep breath, before heading out from the dressing room, to where she was to stand. She waited for her signal, the here comes the bride music being played loud and bold, as the two doors would open, all the mares and stallions in their seats would rise to greet the bride to be. Fluttershy would normally hide behind her mane, or even run away, but not today, not when she knew her love was waiting for her. She wanted him to know how brave he was. She took her first steps towards a new future, a brighter path for both of them, she wanted others to see there was more to Flim then met the eye, he was a good stallion, who had just been driven down the wrong path, but he had managed to turn himself around for the better of not only her, but himself as well. She knew he would've liked for his brother to have been here as well...but sadly not everyone was a good pony. Some ponies had good hearts, and others couldn't see past their own faults. For the longest time, she had just let herself be pushed around by everyone, and everything, but now she was a better pony because of the lesson she had learned, there was a thing such as too much kindness, and sometimes the best thing you could do for another, was let them go. She could see Flim up waiting for her, the way he looked at her, she knew to him, she was the most important pony in the room, and it warmed her heart, and made her cheeks flush at the thought of being the center of the attention. It was certainly a lot more dramatic when she was the bride, rather than simply one of the many braidsmaids from Cadence's wedding. She stopped right at the threshold, where her father would give her over to Flim, and bless their future together. Flim would then take Fluttershy's hand, and lead her up to where the altar was, and it was there and then they would practice their vows, to prepare for a future together. “Fluttershy, do you take Flim to be your special somepony, to love, and to hold, and to cherish for the rest of your days, through sickness and through health to death due you part?” “I do.” replied Fluttershy, her lovely smile looking right into Flim's eyes, and never letting go of his hoof in hers. “Flim, do you take Fluttershy to be your special somepony, to love, and to hold, and to cherish for the rest of your days, through sickness and through health to death due you part?” “I do.” replied Flim, he loved Fluttershy, and there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for her, no matter what he'd always be right there with her, despite what some thought of him, what mattered the most was above all, her happiness. “Is there anyone here today among us, that would have any objections to these two being wed?” Silence filled the room, Derpy ended up sneezing, but no one seemed to oject to the union of the two. The stallion marrying them smiled softly. “I prounce you husband and wife.” with that he added, “You may kiss the bride.” Flim stepped a bit closer to Fluttershy, to lift up her beautiful veil out of the way of her lovely hues of green, seeing her meek cheeks of red, as lovely as a rose just coming into bloom. He leaned in delicately, not wanting to ruin the moment, even if it was just practice and his lips met hers in a deep and passionate kiss. Fluttershy would be a bit surprised at the deep kiss, but after the intial shock, she kissed him right back, her wingspan spreading as she leaned further into the kiss, as the two truly became one in that very moment. Fluttershy let go of the kiss first, her face only getting more and more red, when Flim, lifted her up off the ground, and carried her across the threshold. She couldn't believe it....they were married. She could spend the rest of her days knowing he would always be there by her side, and it was a comforting thought. She knew the real wedding was in the morning, but it already felt like they were a married couple, and they could begin planning the rest of their lives together. Though once they were out of the gaze of other's eyes, Flim turned to Fluttershy, putting his hoof under her chin, and looking into her eyes longingly. “Fluttershy...” he began. “Yes Flim?” questioned Fluttershy, as she gazed back up towards him, wondering what exactlhy might be on his mind. “You saved me...I was a mess, really I was. I feel often about the way I treated ponies just for coin. I just wanted to say thank you for giving me a chance, when no pony else would even glance at me, you saw beyond that.” smiled Flim. “Oh...it's nothing. I mean every pony deserves a second chance. Every one actually.” giggled Fluttershy thinking of Discord. No one had thought he could be redeemed either, and look at how well he was doing. Of course Fluttershy was glad he wasn't jealous that she was married now, because Discord and her were always good friends and that's something that would never change. Hoof in hoof, Fluttershy and Flim, made their way up to the reception area, and were told what time the carriage driver would be there to pick them up and take them back to Fluttershy's cottage, though she imagined it wouldn't be very quiet, she knew Angel probably had something special planned in store. She just hoped it wasn't glue like the one time. That had given her last colt friend the wrong impression, but ultimately he hadn't been the right one anyways, so in the end it didn't matter. Flim couldn't be happier, the only thing that still nagged at him was his brother's fate. Prison...for how long no pony knew. He had mare napped Fluttershy, that certainly was warrant for him to be locked up for some time. Flim wanted to go see him, to clear things up, but truthfully he wasn't sure his brother would ever see it the way he did, his brother didn't have anyone like Fluttershy that believed in him. Flim wanted to believe his brother could turn things around, but he was his brother, any kin would want the best for their own. Perhaps, it just wasn't possible, but he refused to give up. He was quite surprsed when he heard a female farmer's voice behind him, as she put a hoof to his shoulder. “Don't give up, Flim. That's probably what he's expecting. I don't like that rascal any more than I did you at first, but everyone deserves a second chance, even Flam...” spoke Applejack softly. Flim couldn't help but have a few tears run down his cheeks, to hear Applejack tell him not to give up, and to keep fighting was more encouragement then she might realized. She truly had forgiven him, and without even asking or thinking, he hugged her. “Thank you Applejack, truly....Thank you.” “There, there Sugarcube...it'll be alright.” she smiled trying to get Flim to stop crying, even if the tears were happy ones. There was hope, and Flim wasn't going to give up on his brother, Fluttershy hadn't given up on him. Why couldn't he do the same for Flam? Right now, he had a wedding to attend too, he could go visit his brother afterwards, much afterwards, as he could not wait to spend a night with his new wife, the thought was almost intoxicating.