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// 60 - I Now Pronounce You... 
// Story: Lost Muse 
// by David Silver 
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Day was wearing a new suit. So was Color, and Libel, and Bottom. They were all dressed in proper suits and dresses that fit their surroundings, attending the marriage of Day and Bottom.

Unlike humans, Bottom was not hidden away. She stood at the front beside Day, both smiling with nervous joy. Celestia was there, over them being so tall, but looking upon them with nothing but kindness.

Spreading out to either end were the best mares and best stallions. Color was the best stallion, as surprised no one, but a few other ponies were also with him. On the other side, Libel was the best mare, with a few other mares from their former work making up the wing.

Past them, cushions were arranged in neat rows and columns, allowing friends and families to attend, and many had arrived. Bottom and Day's family had the first seats. Sunny Log was weeping with joy, flopped against Bump Log who was watching with a soft nodding and mostly closed eyes.

On the other side of the dividing aisle were Bottom's family, all unicorns, watching with proper decorum. It was her father that was being more emotional of the group, sniffling softly as tears ran down his face. "My little filly..."

Succinct was there. She didn't have to be. It wasn't her daughter, but she did not turn down the invitation and was dressed to a razor's sharpness, sitting upright as she paid witness to the event

Bottom and Libel's former boss was there with some of the other office-mates, some even that had been shipped out to Baltimare. The boss looked serious, but was smiling a little. It was the best he normally did.

With a great yawn, Luna entered from the left, on the side Day was. "I will not permit this pony in particular to be wed without my attendance." She idly thumped herself down next to Celestia. "I will handle his lines, you can do the mare."

Celestia lifted an ear. "Dearest sister, you could have brought this up at any time before now."

"Too bad, I'm here." She yawned thunderously. "Let's get on with it."

Celestia cleared her throat. "Yes, well..." Her eyes cast out over the crowd, then down at the two soon-to-be-wed ponies. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of two lovely ponies who have found that missing half. It is a special thing, to find that special somepony in such a vast world. Perhaps we could blame destiny, but I have seen ponies through the years, walk right past the pony that could have completed them."

She raised a hoof to her chest, over her heavy jeweled band. "It takes determination, an open mind, and an open heart. You must look, see, and be ready to hold that precious pony close, and pray they are in the right place to do the same... It can never be forced, at least without ill ends, but when it happens, it is truly a magical thing."

Luna inclined an ear at her sister. "Or you can have trust in those who know better. Just think of how many sad ponies you could have spared that fate."

Succinct softly snorted. If only certain foals listened to the dating advice of their mothers...

Celestia frowned faintly, but it faded quickly. "These two found one another over the vast lands of Equestria." She gestured to Day Dreamer. "He lives so very far away." She had to pause as Sunny Log burst into a fresh wave of wails despite smiling, overwhelmed with emotion. "But he found her." She switched hooves to gesture at Bottom Line. "Their social circles had nothing in common, their lives should never have touched, and yet... here we are."

Luna leaned forward. "Before we get to vows, do either of you have something you'd like to say?"

Bottom raised a hoof and turned to the crowd. "When I first saw him, I thought he was a filthy and lazy earth pony." Soft gasps echoed through the crowd. "I learned quickly that he was something special... And the dirt that may get on him all glows with that special touch. Day, I love you, from the bottom of my heart to the tip of my horn. The day you gave me this ring--" She pointed up at the engagement ring that still adorned her horn. "--I thought I might just pass out from too much bliss at once. You've shone light on my life, allowing me to see it as I never had before. I never realized I was even missing that light, until you came."

Day turned to the crowd as well, his cheeks burning fiercely. "When I first saw you... I kinda thought you were a pretty unicorn, but kinda snobbish. You'd never like me, I thought... I threw the thought away, just like that... When I heard you thought about me... I had to come. I had to!" He thumped the ground with a hoof. "I'm so glad I did... You bring order, you know, to my life, and being around you makes me so... complete. Bottom, I love you. I love you in a way that only this wedding can be for."

Celestia smiled gently, a single tear escaping her, easily missed in her fur. True unions were such precious things... "If you two would turn to face me... there we are. Now, do you, Bottom Line, swear to hold your partner close and cherish them, even when they cause trouble, to stand by them in sickness and in health, through good and bad times, that you two will face the challenges of the world together?"

"I do," she sharply replied, standing up tall..

Luna nodded softly. "Do you, Day Dreamer, agree to protect your wife from all that would harm her. To shield her mind and body with your own and--"

Celestia nudged her with a sudden elbow.

"What? Oh, right..." Vows had shifted over the years. She cleared her throat. "Do you swear to do everything she just agreed to, but back to her?"

"Gladly," agreed Bottom with a broad smile.

"Then we," they both spoke together. "--pronounce you both mare and stallion, wed and united."

Celestia gestured at Bottom. "You may present your ring."

Bottom's horn glowed as a felt box lifted into view. She cracked it open towards the crowd, revealing a large bracelet. "With this gift, I do not chain you. This is my chain, for I am attached to you, always loving. Look on it and know that my love is there, supporting you. Let it never hold you back, instead it should help you step forward."

He offered a shaking hoof and she floated the bracelet past it onto his foreleg. The crowd erupted in cheers and stomps of hooves on the ground.

Luna extended a wing towards Day. "Your turn. Present your ring."

"Right... right." He wiped his face with a fetlock before reaching to pull out his own box, much smaller, for it held a proper ring. "I, uh..." He popped it open so all could see the fine ring. "I got it made so  it fits perfectly with the engagement one, because it's the next step,  but only one step. Um... I hope we have many steps together, you know? We'll walk, side-by-side, supporting each other, and being cool. We'll have so many steps."

Luna nudged him gently. "Put it on her."

"Right!" He lipped up the ring and held it in his mouth. Bottom had already lowered her head and he kissed that horn as he had once before, sealing the second ring right onto the first one where it clicked so subtly, becoming one larger thing. The crowd applauded cheerfully as the two turned to them, each adorned with the gift of the other, both smiling and both a little teary.

It was quite official, they were one unit made of two ponies, and they couldn't have looked much happier about it.

Things moved on to a reception right there in the garden. It smelled grand, between the flowers and the food. Celestia had provided the catering, with a fine spread for all those attending. Families met and talked, getting to know who had just become part of their own.

Luna softly nudged Day from behind. "You opted to not change either of your names?"

Day shook his head up at her. "She didn't like either option, and we're both, you know... happy... I know she's mine, even if we don't share a name."

"You are ever a confident pony." She nodded softly. "I would have insisted, but neither of you are me. I--" She paused to yawn widely. "--I wish you both the best. When she becomes heavy, visit me with the news. Then I will let you borrow the armor for one day's time."

Day bounced in place. "Really?! Wait..." His mind caught up with the trigger for that event. "I don't... know when that'll be."

"Nor I. It will be a surprise for both of us. Now... sleep." She turned and walked away without further hesitation, the call of her bed far too loud to ignore.





"So you are the lovely mare that made this angel!" Sunny Log was facing a unicorn, Bottom's mother. "She is perfect, and I have you to thank."

Bottom's mother tilted her head at Sunny. "Her father did have some small part to play."

The still sniffling stallion smiled at Sunny. "Happy to... oblige. She's made me so proud today!"

Sunny reached out to pat his shoulder. "They all grow up eventually, but they've grown so well! To think, my lovely little Day Dreamer, having moved up so far, it's almost impossible to dream. I couldn't be prouder."

Bump shrugged softly, not really adding the conversation.





"How does it look?" He was waving his arm at Color.

"Perfect." He threw an arm around Day and hugged him a moment. "You two are a great pair. I hope it lasts forever."

"Forever... I mean... as forever as ponies get." He shrugged his shoulders. "Forever enough. So, uh, when are you and Libel gonna do this?"

"An excellent question." Succinct emerged from the crowd, eyes set on Color. "You know she'd say yes, if you simply asked her."

Color perked an ear at his potential mother-in-law. "But the courting period?"

"You two knew each other before then, and you're obviously compatible now." She huffed softly. "Get it over with. You'd change her little diapers if she asked you to,  I think you're ready."

He colored dark at that. "M-maybe, uh, today is Day's day." He pointed to his friend. "Let's be here, for him, and Bottom."

"You are correct." She turned to Bottom. "I am told you will be joining the fine ranks of the Word workforce. Welcome. You'll be tending to the lawn at the Canterlot manor, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am." He bobbed his head at Succinct.

"Good, good... See to it the oak on the west side gets a trim... Here." She reached back with a wing, drawing out a small box. "Consider it a wedding gift."

He blinked at the box. It was barely an inch in any direction. "What...?" He pried it open, inside was a key. "What does this go to?"

"There's a shed that's been locked for years, even Libelous lacks this key, but now you have it... I sealed it when the last landscaper passed... but I think you can take it up again and do her proud. She had a great many special tools, hoof-crafted for her profession. Use them proudly."

"I will!" He tucked the box and key away. "Thank you, that's... really nice."





Celestia got to speak to the ponies. There weren't so many of them that she had to form a line and only speak to each only for a moment before hurrying to the next. She was a guest at a small wedding, and she could just exist.

If only all weddings could be that way.