It was common for an engaged couple and their parents to go to the city hall together the day before the wedding to get all the paperwork done. So, mid-morning, Quicksilver, Misty, and their parents went to do just that. As the six of them walked out, they noticed a dark gray pegasus standing by the road.
“That’s Cloudy,” Misty whispered to Quicksilver. They both stopped mid-stride.
“What’s he doing here?” Misty’s dad asked with a snort, stomping a hoof on the ground. “Shouldn’t he be in jail?”
Quicksilver’s dad muttered, “Not today.” He took a couple steps forward, his horn starting to glow. Quicksilver quickly trotted out and turned to face everypony.
“Hold on, it’s okay. Misty and I will go talk to him.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Misty’s mom asked. Her dad snorted in agreement.
“Just wait here. Misty…” he said, giving her a little nod.
Misty looked at her parents, “It’ll be okay.” She walked forward to where Quicksilver was waiting. As she approached, he turned and they headed towards Cloudy, who lowered his head, ears down. When they were close enough to talk, Quicksilver nodded to Misty to stop. He took one more step forward and angled himself slightly in a protective stance in front of Misty. The sunlight masked the soft glow coming from his horn.
They all just stood there for a few moments. Cloudy, still looking at the ground spoke, “I know you don’t want to see me, and I don’t blame you. But please, just let me say something.” He paused. Quicksilver and Misty didn’t move or say anything, so he continued, “I’m sorry. What I did was horrible. There’s no excuse, and nothing I can say could possibly explain or justify it. Looking back, I can’t believe I tried to hurt anypony. What’s worse is I drove away my two dearest friends in Equestria. I regret that every day.”
Quicksilver didn’t move or blink. He stared at Cloudy and in a tone devoid of emotion asked, “Is that it?”
Cloudy sighed. “I… I just wanted… I’m so sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me.” With his head still down, he turned to walk away.
“Wait,” Quicksilver said, “look at me.”
Cloudy stopped mid-stride. Slowly, he turned around to face Quicksilver again. Finally, after a pause, he lifted his head. Their eyes remained locked. Cloudy’s eyes glistened with tears he was holding back. Finally, Quicksilver broke the silence.
“A lesson my parents taught me at a young age was to not hold onto bitterness or anger. If somepony wronged you, it wasn’t okay, but you shouldn’t carry that hurt with you. You’d only be hurting yourself. If a pony honestly asks for forgiveness, you should grant it so you can move forward free from that weight.” He took a few steps forward to stand directly in front of Cloudy. “I don’t know if we can ever be friends again after what you did, but I forgive you.”
Quicksilver lifted a hoof, offering it to Cloudy. Cloudy was visibly trembling. He mouthed, “Thank you,” although the words didn’t come out. He raised a hoof and softly returned the bump.
Misty stepped forward and said, “I forgive you too.” Rather than give Cloudy a hug, she just touched her cheek to his, and then stepped back a couple of steps next to Quicksilver. She was close enough that their sides were touching.
Cloudy took a deep breath and let it out slowly. His muscles relaxed, and a hint of a smile crossed his face. “Thank you both,” speaking just loud enough to be heard.
“So, why did you make the effort to find us today?” Quicksilver asked.
“Once I was released from prison, they put me on a very strict probation, which I’m probably breaking by talking to you today. They’re also making me repay the school for all the damage I caused.”
Cloudy’s eyes drifted up to the perfect blue sky punctuated with scattered clouds. Just barely above a whisper, he added, “You don’t appreciate how beautiful the sky is, or how wondrous it is to fly through it, until it’s been taken away for a while.” Misty looked up too with a soft smile. Her wings fluttered ever so slightly. “Since my release, I try to get up into it every day, just for the pleasure of it...”
“Anyway, I heard from one of our old school mates about your wedding and figured you would be here the day before.” He paused and grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. “So, if anyone were to ask, it’s just a coincidence that I am here today.” He gave them a quick wink.
“No one ever said you weren’t clever,” Quicksilver noted with a slight grin.
“Do you have a job?” Misty asked.
“Yes. I got a job at the weather factory. When my probation is done, they’ll let me try out for weather management. I’m living with my parents until I’ve paid off my debt and saved enough to get my own place.”
“I remember you wanted to do weather,” Quicksilver said with a more earnest smile, “you called it a ‘cloud wrangler’ back in the day.”
“That’s it,” Cloudy continued. “I’ve also met somepony. A cute pegasus who works in the factory.” His eyes drifted towards the sky again. “She knows absolutely everything about what I’ve done, but seems to be interested in me anyway.” He looked down and scuffed the ground with a hoof. “I can’t believe how lucky I am. She’s the one who pushed me to come and talk to you today. She said I had to ask for forgiveness to move forward. I wasn’t sure if you would respond, but I’m so glad you did.”
“I’m honestly glad that you seem to be getting your life in order,” Misty said. “Despite everything, you were a friend for a long time, and I still want to see you happy.”
“I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time,” he replied with a grin. “Thank you. Thank you both for being so kind. And congratulations on your upcoming wedding.” He grew serious. “I wasn’t able to accept it for a long time, but it was obvious, even to me, that you two belong together. I’m happy for you both.” His smile returned, and he took a step backwards. “But I need to get going now. As I said, I really shouldn’t be here at all. But you know, total coincidence…” He turned and trotted away with his head held just a little higher than before.
Quicksilver watched him leave as their parents walked down to join them. They’d been close enough to hear most of the exchange.
“Everything okay, son?” Quicksilver’s father asked.
“Yeah. I followed what you’ve told me about forgiveness, and I do feel better.”
His dad gave him a knowing nod beaming with pride at his son.
“How about you, Misty?” her mother asked.
She looked at Quicksilver, then back at her mom. “I’m good, mom. I’m actually, really good. Let’s go get something to eat.”
The wedding was the next morning in the garden behind Misty’s parents’ house. The area was decorated with flowers from their greenhouse. Family and friends sat quietly on a few rows of chairs, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Quicksilver and Misty walked up the aisle between the chairs and stood before a family friend who was officiating the ceremony. The officiant raised her hoof to silence everypony.
“Mares and gentlecolts, we are here today to witness the joining of these two ponies. Marriage in Equestria is always a joyous occasion as we see two ponies come together to start a new life. Much like two ponies harnessed together to pull a cart, these two will be stronger as a team than they ever were separately. It’s a strength that will see them through all their lives.” She glanced at the couple and smiled.”
“I could go on, but Quicksilver asked me to be brief today.”
The crowd chuckled at this.
“Quicksilver, Misty, please face each other. By the way, Quicksilver wrote the vows they are about to share.” She took a step closer to them.
“Do you, Quicksilver, take Mist Skimmer as your wedded mare, through the wonders of spring, and the hardship of winter, facing life together through whatever may come, until separated by death?”
He held out a hoof, and Misty took it. “I do.”
“Do you, Mist Skimmer, take Quicksilver as your wedded stallion, through the wonders of spring, and the hardship of winter, facing life together through whatever may come, until separated by death?”
Looking deep into his eyes, she nodded and said, “I do.”
“Then by the authority granted me by the office of Princess Celestia, I now pronounce you stallion and mare. All those present, please bear witness to the new couple, Quicksilver and Misty.” And in a whisper just to them, she added, “Congratulations, you two.”
The pair then shared a traditional kiss. As they walked back up the aisle to the sound of cheers and hoof stomping, Misty leaned into Quicksilver and whispered, “You know I love you, right?”
“Almost as much as I love you,” he responded.
After the reception was over, Quicksilver and Misty were sitting in chairs off to the side. They leaned together, her head on his shoulder, his foreleg around her. They softly chatted. Misty’s parents walked over to where they were sitting.
Looking up, Misty said, “Mom, dad, thanks so much for all this. It was wonderful.” Quicksilver nodded in agreement.
“You’re very welcome. Misty, your father and I wanted to give you this.” She hoofed her a deposit book for one of the Canterlot banks.
“What is it?” Misty asked.
Her mom replied, “You remember the nightshade variety you developed that earned you your cutie mark?”
“Of course I do.”
“The following year that nightshade became our best-selling flower. Since absolutely no one else in Equestria had one for sale, it was very rare, which means exclusive and expensive to the Canterlot elite. They sold well for several years, and we still sell a few each season even though there are other suppliers now.”
“I was always proud of how well it sold,” Misty added.
“Your father and I decided that since it was your nightshade variety, half the net profits were yours too. We opened an account in your name and deposited your share each season. It’s turned into a nice nest egg. Now that you’re married and starting your own life, it’s time for you to have it.”
Misty opened the book and let out a small gasp when she saw the total bits. Quicksilver’s eyes went a little wide.
“Thank you!” they both said simultaneously.
Quicksilver continued after a moment, “I know just what you can use the first part of this for.”
“What?” Misty asked.
“We’ll build you a greenhouse attached to the back of the house. It’ll be big enough and equipped so you can do any botanical research you want.”
“Oh, that sounds perfect,” she said.
Quicksilver stood up, extending a hoof to his new bride. She took it as he helped her up. “So, how about we get started on that Neighagra Falls honeymoon?”
Smiling, she leaned in close until they were cheek to cheek. “Let the adventure begin.”
-- The End --