As I lay in bed with Rainbow, listening to her tiny snores, my ear came to life and Spike's voice caught my attention quickly.
"Shadow, we've got a problem with Rarity. She made that dress that you had drawn in that picture but now she's wearing it and won't take it off. She says she's waiting for her handsome groom."
I grumbled softly, as I scooted away from the warmth of Rainbow Dash and slipped from the house and down to the earth below.
"Spike, get everyone out of the house. Tell Rarity to wait on her bed and that her groom will be along shortly."
"But Shadow, how're you going to do that if no one can know..."
"Just do it, Spike. This will work."
I wrapped my cloak tighter against the cold of the night, praying this would go quickly so I could return to my warm bed with Rainbow Dash.
I approached the library and found Twilight working on something magically inclined ponies work on. The complexities of which are over my head.
"Twilight, if you used that spell to boost my power, how long would it last?"
"Umm.. You'd have maybe an hour to use the extra energy before is dissipated."
"Great. Do you think you could teleport us to Rarity's house and then cast it on me?"
"I suppose." Her skeptical look didn't surprise me at all.
"I'm trying to help Rarity through the aftermath of my fake death. She's going through the normal stages seemingly backwards, though.
"Alright, then I'll definitely help." Without delay, Twilight transported us to Rarity's living room and began charging the power boost.
After she had cast it, I asked her to wait in the living room for a moment while I went into Rarity's workshop and retrieved my wardrobe for this scene. I returned wearing the tuxedo Rarity had made for me on the day this whole mess had started.
I walked up to Twilight and whispered, "Well, how do I look?"
Twilight leaned forward and adjusted my tie a little bit. "Perfect."
"Thanks."
I left Twilight in the living room and made my way up to Rarity's bedroom, where I found Spike waiting at the door.
"She said she's tired of waiting but I assured her that her groom was coming."
"Okay. Go in there and start the music player."
Spike did as instructed and I strolled in to like orchestral music. I watched Rarity's face light up as she stood and rushed to me.
I stopped her at arms distance and said, "Rarity. This is only for tonight. I cashed in a lot of afterlife favors for this."
She smiled awkwardly. "Same old Shadow."
I held my hoof out to her, "Would you like to dance?"
She took my hoof and we danced for a while. She seemed elated to have just one more night with an old friend of sorts.
When finally we stopped dancing, she brought up my drawing and how much it had meant to her. I conceded that I hadn't wished to stand her up that day but that way the day after the news of my parents' deaths and I lost track of everything else. She understood and was not mad at me for it.
"Shadow, I have one request of this evening."
"I'll do what I can to see it fulfilled."
She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip, before saying, "I know you were in a relationship with Rainbow Dash when you... And I understand you'd want to remain faithful to her, but I was wondering if I could kiss you."
Needless to say, this thought had not occurred to me. I sat hesitant for a moment and Rarity continued on.
"It's just that, on that Hearts and Hooves Day. The day we never had together. If you had shown up, I was going to make you my first kiss. Even despite all your bullying I found you rather," she paused, searching for the word, "desirable."
With my mind on Rainbow Dash, I nodded Rarity the confirmation and she kissed me gently on the lips for a few seconds. When we parted I looked into her eyes and knew, in the moment, she would be alright.
"Alright, Rarity. My time is up. Please, live your life without me. The last thing I want to see you do is wither in bed. You're a very talented mare, Rarity. Use your dresses to make the world a brighter place." I stepped away from her and charged my horn, trying my best to make my invisibility spell, fade over me as if I was fading out, like a real ghost would.
When I was finally invisible, I could see the tears on Rarity's face, but she smiled despite them.
"Thank you, Shadow."
I backed slowly from the room, making sure to remain quiet as I sneaked back downstairs and replaced the tuxedo in it's proper place.
Twilight was kind enough to teleport me home and I sneaked back into Rainbow's home and crawled gently in behind her, regaining the warmth I had lost to the night.
Rainbow Dash rolled over to face me as I settled in.
"So, is Rarity, okay?"
"How'd you know I was there?"
"A spell I asked Twilight to cast on us. Let's me know every time you think of me and what you're doing when it happens. So, is she a good kisser?"
I smiled and scooted closer to Rainbow, kissing her on the nose. "Not as good as you. Good night."