//------------------------------// // Love and Family - Epilogue // Story: Two Lives Becoming One // by manuccia //------------------------------// Soarin’ silently sat in a local restaurant slowly sipping a mug of apple cider. The room filled with the idle chatter from fellow patrons. It was the night before his wedding. Soarin’s couldn’t stop thinking about his fast approaching nuptials. Twilight went out to with her friends and Spitfire thought it would be a good idea to go out. Spitfire invited Crescent, Shining, and Spike, and they were carrying on a conversation. Soarin’ really wasn’t interested; he just wanted to keep to himself. “Soarin’, are you ok?” Spitfire asked noticing her friend’s aloofness. “Yeah… just thinking I guess,” Soarin’ answered fiddling with his mug. “Just some little pre-wedding jitters,” Shining stated taking a swig of cider. “It happens to the best of us,” Crescent chimed in. Soarin’ sighed. “I am a little nervous…” Soarin’ admitted. “The great Soarin’ had finally met his match… marriage,” Spitfire chuckled. Soarin’ rolled his eyes. “Very funny Spitfire,” Soarin’ said sarcastically. It wasn’t that Soarin’ didn’t want to spend the rest of his life with Twilight. He loved Twilight and he wanted to be with her, but one question has plagued him. ‘Will I be a good husband?’ Soarin’ sighed before finishing his mug of cider. This was great cider; it was tart with a hint of cinnamon. “I worried that I’m not going be good enough of a husband,” Soarin’ stated. “Crescent… Shining… do you have any tips?” “I was worried before my wedding,” Shining stated. “Yeah, but I seem to remember a certain Changeling invasion,” Spike said. Shining rolled his eyes. He didn’t like thinking about that part of his wedding day. “Don’t worry Soarin’,” Crescent stated. “I felt the same thing before I married Star. Just make sure to always love her and be there for her,” he explained. “If you do that you will be a good husband.” “Thanks Crescent…” Soarin’ was glad he has gotten close to Crescent. Soarin’ looked up to him and for the past month Crescent was becoming a father figure to him. “Where is Star and Cadence?” “They went out with Twilight and her friends,” Shining responded. Shining and Spitfire were in charge of planning the wedding and Shining remembered something. “Soarin’ you don’t have any family attending, aside from Spitfire. Aren’t your parents going to be there?” the white unicorn asked. Spitfire knew where this was going and she didn’t Spike really needed to hear it. “Hey Spike, let’s go get another round of ciders…” she said pulling from the table. Soarin’ didn’t want to talk about it, but he couldn’t get out of this. “My… My parents died… when I was young…” Shining silently cursed to himself, he didn’t want to bring something like that up right before his wedding. He noticed that Soarin’ seemed to be upset. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to bring it up,” Shining apologized. “But, did you have any parent?” “Yeah… a wonderful mare took care of me… her name was Rising Sun and she was a great mother,” Soarin’ said sadly. “She couldn’t come…” Spike and Spitfire soon returned the groups of ponies and dragon enjoyed the rest of the evening. Soarin’ reminisced about growing up with Spitfire in Cloudsdale and Shining told stories about Twilight. After a few hours of partying; the group left to head to Twilight’s tree house. Soarin’ held back from the group; enjoyed the comfort of the cool autumn breeze. He couldn’t help, but think about his parents. He just wanted to forget about them. Crescent noticed Soarin’s slow pace and held up for him. He slowly trotted next to him. “Soarin’, what’s up?” “Thinking…” “About your parents?” Crescent asked. Soarin’ couldn’t lie. “Yes…” “I’m sorry about what they did to you,” Crescent said. Soarin’ stopped dead in his tracks. “What!?!” he exclaimed. “I don’t know what you’re taking about.” “Star told me,” the unicorn explained. “She also told me more about the mare that took care of you, and she told me that you never really had a father… So if you ever need anything you can come to me.” “Why are you doing this?” Soarin’ asked. He knew that Crescent liked him, but he didn’t know why. “When I met you I didn’t like you… That was until I got to know you and my wife was right,” Crescent said. “You remind me of myself when I was younger, and I want you to be happy.” The two ponies continued to trot through the empty streets of Ponyville. Then soon reached Soarin’s home and Crescent was preparing to meet his wife at the hotel. “Well you should get some rest; you need to be awake to when I give my daughter away.” “You’re not giving her away…” “I’m not?” Crescent asked. “No, I'm not taking Twilight from you, but I’m joining your family…” Crescent smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow… Tell Twi that I said goodnight.” “I will.” ** Soarin’ stood at the altar. He looked down the aisle; crowded with ponies to watch his marriage to Twilight. All the Wonderbolt’s were in attendance and so was half of Ponyville. Princess Celestia was officiating the ceremony He was wearing a black tux, it was tailored made by Rarity and on his lapel rested a small pin; a pin in the shape of his soon-to-be wife’s cutie mark. A he could hear was his heavy inhaling and exhaling. ‘This is it… Soon Twilight will be my wife…’ Soarin’ turned his head and saw Spitfire smiling at him. She was wearing her dress uniform. “Hey Spitfire, how has Rainbow been doing?” Ever since Soarin’ left the Wonderbolts they needed to find a replacement. Lightning Streak took his position as Weather Officer and they recruited Rainbow Dash shortly after. He still remembers her face; he thought she was going to do a double Rainboom. “She’s been doing great... a real natural with the flight routines,” Spitfire answered. “I didn’t mean that,” Soarin’ said. “I know she is a great Wonderbolt; I meant how your relationship is going.” “I’m not…” “Spitfire, while I was getting fitted earlier I saw you making out with her in the dressing room,” Soarin’ said slyly. A blush rapidly spread across Spitfire’s face. “Oh, sorry about that.” “It’s fine…” Soarin’ was interrupted by the sound of the music starting. “We’ll talk later.” Soarin’ looked down the aisle and saw Twilight. She was wearing a simple gown. It was white and fades to a light purple near the bottom. ‘She looks so beautiful. ‘I’m ready Twilight… I’m ready to be your husband…’ ** The ceremony went all according to plan and the visitors filled out to head towards the reception. In the back of the rows of seats sat a couple. Their head were hung low out of shame and the fact that they didn’t want anypony to identify them. The Pegasus mare had a brilliant white coat and the unicorn stallion had a brown coat. The mare turned towards her husband. “That was a nice ceremony.” “Did you want to go to the reception and maybe talk to our…” The mare quickly silenced him. “No, we have no right to call him son… we have no right to go to his reception and we shouldn’t have come here.” His wife was right; they mistreated him and they weren’t parents; parents don't do that to their foal “Then why did we come?” “I wanted to make sure he was happy… Come on let’s go. We have a long trip back to Canterlot.” After the crowd left the couple stood up and made their way to Ponyville station. ** In a small stone dance area stood Soarin’ and Twilight, they were ready for their first dance. Soarin’ stared at his mare… no his wife. Her dress was beautiful and so was her mane; on her left ear rested a simple earring. It was in the shape of Soarin’s cutie mark. Pegasi and unicorns had their own wedding traditions, so they made their own. Soarin’ wore Twilight's mark so everypony will that he belongs to Twilight, and Twilight wore his to show that she was Soarin’s. Soarin’ gracefully bowed her head to Twilight. He looked up and saw tears growing in her eyes. “Twi, why are you crying?” “I-I’m just so happy… I never thought I would be getting married, let alone to an amazing stallion like you.” Twilight closed her eyes; trying to stop her tears. She felt a gentle hoof run across her cheek. She opened her eyes and saw Soarin’ wiping her tears. “Do you want to dance with me?” It reminded Twilight of her first date. The gala; when Soarin’ asked her to dance. “Yes Soarin’… Yes I want to dance with you,” Twilight said letting Soarin’ wrap her hooves around her. Against the beautiful night sky they danced. “I love you Soarin’…” “I love you too…” They were soon joined by other ponies on the dance floor: Shining and Cadence; Crescent and Star; and Spitfire and Rainbow among others. It was a night to celebrate love and the marriage of a new couple. Soarin’ and Twilight were ready to start a new life… a life together.