//------------------------------// // The Big Day // Story: Rainbow's Wedding // by DanishDash //------------------------------// The day was here, it started early in the morning with Sweet Apple Acres getting ready for the wedding. Other than a nice breakfast, Rarity spent a lot of time with Rainbow Dash to get her ready, there was only a few hours to do so after all. Rainbow's parents arrived early, her mother of course started to help out, getting Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and of course Apple Bloom in their tiny dresses which had been made by Rarity too. The hours passed one by one, the guest arrived little by little and the closer to the ceremony Rainbow Dash got, the more she just wanted to scream in both excitement and terror. The wedding itself would be held in the barn, which had been cleaned and prepared for the ceremony. Bow Hothoof, Rainbow's father, would walk her down the aisle, something every dad dreamed of, and dreaded. More guests were arriving at the barn, only minutes left, each second felt like it was either going too fast, or too slow. Standing in Apple family house, Rainbow trotted back and forth several times trying to calm herself down. "Alright Rainbow, you can do this.. You can do this.." She took deep breaths, but her heart felt like it was about to explode. "You are an awesome mare who has faced everything from impossible stunts to the baddest villains of Equestria. You can do this!" She stood proud, proclaiming her confidence, only to lose it all a few seconds later when she deflated. "Oooooh, I can't do this, I'm going to die.." "You're not going to die silly," a gentle voice said. Looking up, Rainbow spotted her mother trotting towards her, wearing a beautiful dress. "Mom?" Rainbow tilted her head. "What are you doing in here?" "I came to check in on you of course, I know you must be scared." She smiled. "Me? Scared?! Phah! I'm fine mom, I'm the element of loyalty, a Wonderbolt! I'm.. I'm.." She deflated again. "I've never been so scared in my entire life." she finally admitted, letting out a long sigh. Smiling gently Windy Whistles trotted closer and put a hoof under her daughter's chin, lifting gently to make her look at her. Her smile was enough to bring one of Rainbow's own out. "It’s perfectly normal sweetheart." Windy noted, moving to her daughter's side and pushed her gently towards the mirror. "Just look at yourself." Rainbow did so, and it was like for the first time, she really saw just how grown up she looked. Normally her mane was messy, now it was neat and smooth. She wore a white dress, which fit perfectly, her veil attached to an elegant golden tiara which matched her golden shoes for her hind legs. She was stunned, hardly recognizing herself, she had no idea she could look so beautiful, so mature. Was this how Pax saw her? Given how they first met and how their relationship developed, she could hardly see what made him fall in love with her. It wasn't hard for her to think of reasons she loved him, Pax was kind, smart, funny. He was loyal, a hard worker, followed his heart and wanted to do right by the ponies around him. It was something she had seen when he spent time with Scootaloo, a filly who preferred the streets instead of the orphanage, a filly who needed a break from things, a break that Pax gave her. Pax wasn't perfect of course, nopony was, he was stubborn, but so was she, so who was Rainbow to judge? He was a bit of a stickler for rules, and was reckless more often than not, something she knew a thing or two about as well, except for the part about rules. Whatever the reason, Rainbow was happy he wanted to spend his life with her, happy they had found one another, that fate had brought them together. Windy chuckled. "Feeling better?" Rainbow took a deep breath and smiled at her mother. "Yeah, I think I do." "Some reflection is always good before one's big day. I almost jumped out the window on my day.” The two shared a laugh, then embraced one another. "I love you mom.." Windy gave her daughter a squeeze. "I love you too Rainbow. I love you so much and I am proud of you." The two stayed like that for a little while before they let go, her mother smiled, beaming with pride. "I should get out there, your dad should be here soon. Good luck!" "Thanks.." Rainbow was left alone to get mentally ready for a final time, taking a few deep breaths she let herself relax. She was still excited of course, not to mention nervous, but she wasn't scared, not anymore. She knew full well, no matter what happened, she would have her family, her friends, and in a few minutes, a husband and a daughter. A small knock caught her attention, and it was her dad, looking nervous, but was beaming with as much pride as her mother had just a few moments ago. "Wow, you look beautiful.." She took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears of joy. "My little girl, all grown up.." Rainbow chuckled, trotting up to her dad and hugging him. "Aww, dad, come on." The two of them shared an embrace, just like Rainbow and her mother had just moments ago. Bow took another deep breath, stepped away, and took a moment to look over his daughter. "You are really all grown up, mature, and ready to take on the greatest adventure of all.." Quickly he wiped away some tears. "How are you feeling?" "Nervous, but excited," Rainbow replied, taking another deep breath to calm her heart as she knew it was almost time. Bow chuckled. "Just like me, I almost jumped out of the window." Smirking, Rainbow stepped forward and hugged her dad one final time. "I love you dad." "Sob." Bow smiled and embraced his daughter. "I love you too shooting star.." Another moment passed before Bow and Rainbow let go. "It's time, come on." Both of them took one last breath, and walked out. "Okay, okay.. Things are fine.. Things are great.." Pax mumbled to himself, feeling as nervous as he had ever been. He stood at the altar they had put up, Big Mac behind him, giving him support when needed. "Eeyup." Or as much as he could give. The barn was filled up with ponies from town, friends, family, and even some Pax didn't know, or hadn't met, like the princesses, which made all of this even more insane to him. He wasn't only marrying the element of loyalty, which pretty much secured his marriage, but the rest of the element bearers were here, along with the princess of the sun, the moon, and of course the princess of love. The princess of friendship herself, Twilight Sparkle, a friend of both of them, were the one holding the service, something she had taken weeks to prepare herself for. Spike had let Pax know that he was not sure who was more nervous about the wedding, them, or Twilight. "Not sure what I am most scared about Mac, getting married or being shot." Pax admitted, making Big Mac chuckle. "As I recall you've already been shot, I reckon that's more dangerous than marriage. So this should be a piece of cake fer ya." He noted, making Pax shrug. "Not sure if that's true or not," he admitted. "You love her, right?" Mac asked suddenly, catching Pax off guard. He looked back at the red stallion, not hesitating in his answer one bit. "Of course I do, I love her more than anything." "Now, ah haven't ever been married, but ah imagine you feel exactly what all grooms have been feelin' throughout time. It's a big step, marrying, starting a family, ya already have Scootaloo. It's a big responsibility, so you should feel nervous." Mac explained, making Pax look back at him with a raised eyebrow. "What are you saying?" Mac smiled. "It's right to be nervous, because those who are know what a big decision this is, and yet you're going through with it, because you really do love her." Pax smiled a bit. "Thanks Mac, I feel better. Thanks for being here." "Eeyup." It was at that moment the music started, everyone in the barn hushed and Pax stood a bit up straighter, trying to make himself look more confident and handsome. Every pony looked to the back, and first came the cutie mark crusaders, led by Scootaloo, the three fillies dropped flowers on the way towards the altar. They looked adorable, and Scootaloo looked up to her soon to be dad, and seemed to hardly be able to contain herself. The three fillies were followed by the main event, Rainbow Dash walking down the aisle, escorted by her father who stood tall and proud. She looked to her friends, who all stood at the left side of the altar, while Pax and Big Mac stood to the right, Twilight waited for them in the middle, looking happy for Rainbow Dash. Of course, her eyes quickly landed on her soon to be husband, Pax Light, the stallion who had almost arrested her, the stallion she had almost punched, the stallion she had given her heart to. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, stood tall, admiring her as much as she did him. It made her blush, but she did not avert her gaze from him. She took the final steps, then stopped as her father looked to Pax. "Take care of her for me son." Pax smiled, nodding, but did not speak. The two locked eyes, and even if they didn't speak, so much was said between them. All the fears that had plagued them for hours and hours on end suddenly, in one moment, vanished like a river had washed all their fears away. As they stood there before one another, the final moments before they were husband and wife, they fully knew what they wanted, and none of them had been more sure about anything than they were now. "Ahem." Twilight cleared her throat, gaining their attention, as well as the entire barn's. She looked to them both and whispered. "Ready?" Both nodded, and Twilight suppressed a squeal, this was her first time leading a wedding. "Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to celebrate the long awaited union between Pax Light and Rainbow Dash." There were a few chuckled in the crowd, and some even started to sob, like Shining Armor and Rarity. "The road they have traveled on has been long, and it has not always been easy, but like always you have shown love is stronger than any force in the world, and you have endured whatever trial that has come your way." Twilight wiped a tear away with her wing, clearly happy for her friend. "Pax, you have asked to say a few words to Rainbow Dash, so if you please." Pax nodded, looking to Rainbow who looked surprised. Looking into her eyes, he smiled and took a deep breath. "Rainbow, ever since I met you, I knew you were a special mare. Not just because of what you represented, but because of who you were. You are kind, loyal, strong, way stronger than me I think." Rainbow smiled, wanting to kiss him. "You make me want to be a better pony each day, you light up any dark days I have, make me laugh when I'm sad, and you will have my heart now and forever. You give my life color, and I love you." More ponies started to sniffle, and Rarity had to pull out a handkerchief. Pax didn't expect Rainbow to have a few words of her own, but he was pleased when she smirked and winked at Twilight, signaling she had something to say as well. "I'm, I'm not good with words," she started. "I'm not stylish, not always the best mannered or the most humble mare in the room.. You're stickler for rules, you like order, I'm not sure I will ever understand how I got so lucky in you." That earned a few 'aww's' here and there. "You make me feel safe, happy. With you, I always know everything is going to be okay, I guess what I am trying to say is.." She wiped some tears away. "I love you, so much, and you bring my life color too, and you will always have my heart!" She smiled, but tears of joy were in her eyes, making more ponies cry at the beautiful display. "Well said, both of you." Twilight said, turning to Big Mac. "The rings please." "Eeyup." Mac stepped forward, holding a red silk pillow with two golden rings. Twilight used her magic, making them both levitate to their hooves, which they held out. "I now pronounce you mare and colt." Nothing more needed to be said before Rainbow leaped forward, wrapping her hooves around Pax's neck and kissed him passionately, making the entire crowd cheer. Rarity started to cry while Applejack threw her hat in the air. Every pony gathered were ecstatic, and as soon as their lips left one another, Scootaloo leaped into their hooves. Both laughed and the three shared a hug. Pax then looked at Rainbow. "I love you.." Rainbow laughed, giving him a peck on the lips. "I love you too.." Another hug and another kiss, Rainbow looked at her beaming friends, her proud parents, her happy soon to be daughter, and lastly, but certainly not least, her husband. " "Best wedding ever.."