It's been 2 years since that fateful, rainy day.
Despite not being ready to see Twilight and the rest of his friends in Ponyville, Spike moved back into the town with Rarity. The two of them needed a lot of work in their relationship, but he knew that he and Rarity don't ever want to be apart from each other ever again. When Fluttershy was at the Ponyville train station with Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie, they were all shocked to see Spike emerging from the train with Rarity. After a very long explanation, Twilight was skeptical of Spike’s reason for coming back to Equestria without telling her but ultimately understood and agreed to help him further on his book after he moved back into her castle.
Rarity moved back into Carousel Boutique and she started running operations between the boutique and her store, Rarity For You, back at Manhattan with Sweetie Belle's help. She began to write Sassy Saddles often and occasionally the new owner of Canterlot Carousel would visit Ponyville to catch up and gossip with Rarity for old time’s sake. Canterlot Carousel has been prospering modestly sincere Rarity left which hurts her a little, but at the same time, she's happy knowing that Sassy Saddles has been taking great care of it after what happened.
After a little over a year, Spike finished his book and published it all over Equestria with Twilight's help. The book has made a modest reception which wasn't what he was hoping for, but he’s content knowing that some ponies are listening to what he had to say. Eventually, word of his book reached the Dragonlands and while many dragons including Garble are still bitter towards the idea of becoming friends with ponies, others including Ember have been very appreciative of what Spike has done. Deep down, Spike is a little disappointed that this isn't quite the reception he would have liked, but he continues to hope that this will help strengthen relationships between dragons and other sentient creatures over time.
It was about a year and a half after Rarity and Spike moved when Golden Charm and Minaudiere where eventually found out. According to Sassy Saddles, Minaudiere tried to make a similar move on another competitor in the fashion market but was ultimately found out when the competitor was able to prove that she deliberately copied their design. Before long, both she and Golden Charm we're outcast from Canterlot society and several former friends and clients of Rarity’s from the city begin sending their deepest apologies to her. Rarity forgave them but refused to renew any business with them, determined to never have anything to do with Canterlot again, and yet deep down she was satisfied to know that her opponent and her ex-boyfriend were eventually brought to justice.
As the days past, Spike and Rarity grew closer and closer until they were able to be together blissfully. All of their friends in Ponyville were quick to accept their relationship. Fluttershy was particularly happy to see her best friend find real love after desiring it for so many years while Twilight was confounded but ultimately happy that Spike got together with his crush. Everyday Spike would visit Rarity at Canterlot Boutique after a day of helping Twilight or working on his book and the two of them would go on picnics, eat out, watch plays or otherwise just stay at Carousel Boutique where they can talk or sit quietly in each other’s arms. Each day, Spike slowly learned to let go of his skepticism over his loving girlfriend the more she displayed her sincerity and devotion to him. Spike and Rarity would still fight or have other troubles as any couple will, but in the end, nopony or any other creature would deny that they have become happy.
It is the night before Hearth's Warming Eve and Spike and Rarity are napping on the couch in front of the fireplace in Carousel Boutique. Rarity is lying down on her back while Spike is lying down on top of her, resting his head on Rarity's chest while she tightly hugs his head in her sleep. Eventually, Spike slowly wakes up and recollects his surroundings before turning to Rarity. He smiles warmly as he sees her sleeping it a soft smile on her face. He decides to lightly kiss her cheek and Rarity groans quietly before she opens her eyes and turns to look at her scaly boyfriend with a smile.
“Hello,” she greets.
“Hey,” Spike replies. “What were you dreaming about?”
Rarity frowns slightly and turns her head to look at the small fire in the fireplace.
“I was dreaming we were still in Canterlot,” she says. “I was still an outcast and everything, but…”
“But?” Spike asks.
Rarity turns her head to give Spike a loving look.
“But this time we are together,” she finishes. “Every time it rained I would wake up, make myself look my best and race to the garden where you would be waiting for me. We would kiss passionately as if we hadn't seen each other in weeks and we would spend the day in each other’s arms. I would be working on some sketches for some new dresses and you were writing your book. We would take a break halfway through the day for lunch where we would talk almost nonstop. It was very nice.”
Spike smiles warmly and asks, “Would you ever want to go back to live there again or open another shop there?”
Rarity frowns and says, “No. I'm happy for the time that I had a successful shop in the city like I always wanted even if it was just for a decade or so, but I can't stand to be in Canterlot for any reason apart from a festival with the princesses or visiting Sassy Saddles or Saffron Masala and her father, Moondancer, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, and Minuette. Apart from those exceptions, and my business in Manehattan, I belong in Ponyville and with you.”
Spike’s smile grows and he says, “I will stay with you no matter where you go.”
“I know, my darling,” Rarity says before leaning in for a soft kiss.
When they part, the two of them sigh happily as Spike lays his head on Rarity's chest and she hugs his head again. The two of them remain silent for a few minutes before Spike’s eyes snap open. He smiles as he secretly reaches for his backpack which is lying next to him and Rarity on the floor and takes something out.
“You know, speaking of which, I've been thinking,” he starts which catches Rarity’s attention. “At the rate that I've been making money with my book, I should have enough to buy my own house pretty soon.”
This immediately captures Rarity’s interest as Spike lifts his head up to face her again.
“There's a two-story house that's available on the market in March,” Spike continues. “It’s a few minutes on foot from Carousel Boutique and not that far from the castle or Fluttershy’s cottage. I could buy it and then…”
“And then…?” Rarity asks curiously.
Spike gives his girlfriend a loving look and simply says, “We get married and move in together.”
Rarity gasps softly as she gets up into a sitting position, staring at her dragon. Spike merely smiles as he shows that he’s holding a small, blue box. He gently opens it to show a ring with a large diamond on it. Rarity covers her mouth with her hooves while Spike gives her a hopeful look.
“Rarity, will you marry me?”
Spike feels goosebumps emerging from all over his body and his heart skipping a beat after saying those very words. Rarity’s eyes begin to water as they stare at the ring. It takes a second before she begins laughing happily through her tears.
“Yes!” she screeches while pouncing on Spike and pulling him into a hug. “Yes! Yes! A million times, yes!”
Spike chuckles at Rarity’s demeanor before she finally lets go of him and allows him to put the ring on her horn. Rarity giggles excitedly before she starts kissing Spike all over his face. Spike just grins in happiness as she kisses until her eyes meet his and the two of them stare at each other lovingly.
“I love you,” Spike says softly.
“I love you too,” Rarity replies before they lean in for a passionate kiss.
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Word spread throughout Ponyville and some special parts of Equestria that Spike and Rarity are engaged. Pinkie Pie was happy to plan the wedding with Rarity while Mr. and Mrs. Cake are the caterers. Twilight agreed to have the ceremony and the reception at her castle and to be Spike’s Mare of Honor. Fluttershy was chosen to be Rarity’s Mare of Honor while Sassy Saddles, Coco Pommel, and Saffron Masala are her bridesmaids. Rarity and Spike requested Princess Celestia via mail to officiate the ceremony and she decided to fly all the way from Canterlot just to say yes.
When spring came, Spike successfully bought the house that he had an eye on much to his and Rarity’s delight. The two of them agreed to move in together once they came back from their honeymoon in Manehattan. Two months later, their wedding day arrived and Spike is getting ready in his bedroom with Twilight’s help. Spike shakes nervously while Twilight helps him put on the suit that Rarity made for him the week before.
“Spike, will you hold still?” Twilight rebukes.
“I can't help it, Twilight. I'm losing my mind,” Spike whimpers. “When I asked her to marry me, I didn't think it would take this long for it to hit me this hard. It’s actually happening, Twilight. I'm really marrying her.”
Twilight rolls her eyes and gives her former assistant a supportive smile.
“I know, Spike. I can't believe it is happening either,” she says. “It’s such an amazing miracle that this is happening to you and Rarity.”
“Easy for you to say,” Spike says with a boastful smirk. “You didn't think I had a chance with her. You just rolled your eyes or smiled in amusement whenever I was going gaga over her.”
Twilight sighs and says, “You’re right, Spike. I doubted you and yet you found a way to get together with her and I'm happy for the both of you.”
Just then, there is a light knock on the door and it opens to reveal Princess Luna.
“I have been instructed to inform you that it is showtime in fifteen minutes,” she says before turning to Twilight. “Also, your presence is needed in the grand hall, Twilight. Starlight Glimmer and Trixie are having trouble ushering guests to their seats in the way you organized them.”
Twilight makes a long groan and grumbles, “I thought I cleared everything after explaining it to them two months in advance!”
Spike chuckles lightly in amusement as his Mare of Honor leaves the room, grumbling as she walks. He turns around to look at himself in the mirror before he notices through the glass that Luna is still standing behind him.
“Was there anything else?” he asks.
Princess Luna merely smiles and says, “I just want to say I'm very happy for you and Rarity, She says. “It warms my heart to see you reached this moment in your life with the one you love the most.”
Spike gives her a thankful look before he suddenly frowns and turns to face Luna.
“Speaking of which, that reminds me,” he says. “When you approached me the day I returned from the Dragonlands, you were the one who suggested that I go to the gazebo in the private garden.”
Luna gives Spike a serious look and raises her eyebrow.
“Was I?” she asks.
Spike frowns and says, “Aw come on. You know you were. The only thing that’s bugging me is did you know that I would find Rarity there? Did you know that was going to lead to our relationship?”
Luna chuckles lightly in amusement as she turns around, getting ready to leave.
“I didn't know anything, dear Spike,” she says plainly. “Sometimes when an opportunity presents itself it’s best to just make a decision and hope for the best. The world as we know it is changing, so it is only logical to influence good change as best as one can as the Princess of the Night.”
Spike looks at her confused as she walks away and closes the door. He shrugs and turns back to looking at himself in the mirror. As he sees himself in the mirror he imagines Rarity standing next to her in her wedding dress. She has been giving it all she has to make sure Spike has not seen it yet during the last couple of months as she has been working on it almost nonstop. All he knows without having the slightest idea how it will look is that it will look as beautiful as she is because he knows she has put her heart into the project for this day.
With a deep breath, he stands tall for a moment before he exits the room and heads to the grand hall.
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Spike smiles brightly as he stands by the altar with Princess Celestia. Virtually every inch of the grand hall has been covered with wedding decorations. The seats at the center are filled with ponies and other creatures from Equestria and beyond including the Yaks, the Hippogriffs, the griffins, Crystal ponies, the changelings and finally even a few dragons decided to come with Ember and Smolder. Some ponies from Canterlot we're even invited to take part in spikes happiness including Doughnut Joe, Blazing Star, Trailbreaker, Moondancer, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, and Minuette.
After a few minutes of creatures politely waiting, the wedding music starts led by Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch. The doors on the other side open to reveal Sassy Saddles, Coco Pommel, Saffron Masala and finally Fluttershy walking down the aisle with Spike's groomsman, Big Mac, Thorax, Discord, and Twilight as his Mare of Honor. Spike feels goosebumps spreading all obey his body as he knows what is going to follow after the bridesmaids, groomsman and Mares of Honor have taken their places.
The wedding music becomes softer and the doors open again to reveal Rarity in her wedding dress and walking down the aisle while holding hooves with her father, Hondo Flanks. Spike stares at her and awe as her dress is very extraordinary in every way possible. But the most significant thing about it is she is wearing the necklace that contains the fire ruby. Eventually, Twilight waves her hoof in front of Spike to snap him out of it and he smiles sheepishly. Rarity and Hondo make it to the altar and Hondo lifts Rarity's veil and plants a light kiss on her cheek. Hondo then sits down next his wife, Cookie Crumbles as Rarity takes Spike’s hand and they turn to face Celestia. The Princess clears her throat and begins her opening speech while Spike secretly leans on his side to whisper to his bride.
“You look phenomenal,” he says quietly.
“And you look very distinguished, dear,” Rarity whispers back before Spike stands up straight again just in time for Celestia to turn to the bride and groom.
“Spike, do you take this mare to be your lawfully wedded wife?” she asks.
“You betcha!” Spike says proudly before he realizes what he did and rubs the back of his head calmly saying, “Um...I mean, I do.”
Laughter is heard all over the room much to Spikes embarrassment. Even Celestia chuckles in amusement before turning to Rarity.
“And do you, Rarity take Spike to be your lawful wedded husband?” she asks.
“I most certainly do,” Rarity says proudly.
Spike turns to his bride and smiles, feeling better.
“May we have the rings?” Celestia requests.
Twilight nods and takes out two golden bands with her magic. Spike takes one and puts it on Rarity’s horn while Rarity takes the other with her magic and places it on Spike’s finger.
“By the power vested in me, it gives me great pleasure to pronounce you drake and wife,” Celestia declares. “You may kiss your bride.”
Spike feels his heart leap after being declared married to his bride. He blushes as he turns to Rarity who gets up on her back hooves and wraps her arms around him. Spike wraps his arms around her back just in time for the two of them to lean their heads toward each other at the same time and kiss passionately. The audience cheers loudly as Spike and Rarity press their lips together firmly. When they finally part, they walk down the aisle hoof and hand followed by their Mares of Honor, groomsmen, and bridesmaids.
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After about 10 minutes, all of the guests come together to the dancing hall wear Spike and Rarity cut their cake, and everyone eats and drinks and dances happily. When Spike and Rarity have their first dance, Rarity had her arms wrapped around her husband and her head was snuggled against his chest and she dance with her eyes closed and a bright smile on her face. Spike blushed furiously but is happy that he is still dancing with Rarity as his wife. After a couple hours of celebration, everyone finally disperses and goes home and Twilight turns in for the night. Spike and Rarity decide to go up on the roof of the castle and sit down wrapped in each other's arms watching the view of all Equestria. As they do so, Spike sees Canterlot far in the distance.
“Rarity?” he asks.
“Yes, my husband?” Rarity responds.
Spike blushes at his new title before he continues.
“I've been thinking,” he begins. “When we move into our new house, maybe I could learn how to build things so that I could make a private gazebo in the back of our house just for us. Maybe we can make a garden around it and when it rains we can go there and just enjoy each other's company just like in the royal garden. It would be like that dream you had the night I purposed. What do you think?”
Rarity turns to her husband and smiles sweetly.
“A private garden of our own sounds wonderful, darling,” she says. “Though it will take a lot of work to have that all done.”
“Yeah, I know,” Spike says. “But it would be worth it once it’s all done.”
“Perhaps, but by the time it’s done, we might be more focused on other things,” Rarity points out.
“Like what?” Spike asks curiously.
Rarity gives him a sly smirk and answers, “Why starring a family, of course.”
Spike's eyes widen and he stares at his wife in shock much to Rarity’s amusement.
“You… You think about that?” he asks.
“Oh, sometimes,” Rarity says teasingly. “I know there's no telling whether or not we can actually conceive, but I like to believe that somewhere further down the line we might have some little pony-dragon hybrids to happily raise in such a peaceful and friendly town like Ponyville. Wouldn't that be nice, Spikey?”
Spike blinks for a moment before he gives Rarity a small smile.
“It would be wonderful,” he says. “A wonderful new dream to top the first one.”
“Oh? What dream is that?”
At that, Spike just smiles sweetly at Rarity before he leans in to give her a passionate kiss. She moans softly at his affection and caresses his cheek with her hoof before he finally parts and sums up his answer in one clear, sincere word.
“You.”
The end