Chapter 17
The Wedding
Scootaloo fidgeted in her fancy dress, eyeing the growing crowd of ponies. Near as she could tell, all of Ponyville had shown up at the park that autumn evening, slowly filling the available seating and spilling out into the grass on either side of the path leading up to the gazebo. Princess Celestia stood tall and dignified in the center of the structure, smiling warmly at the ever-expanding group of guests.
Rainbow and most of the wedding party flanked the diarch to either side, from Applejack in Rainbow’s Best Mare position and looking stunning in her dress, followed by Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, to Cadence as Twilight’s Mare of Honor, followed by Shining Armor and Rarity, with Spike just in front of the alicorn, glaring petulantly at the flower basket he carried. Scootaloo, standing just in front of Rainbow, looked up at the streamers lining the pathway leading from the gazebo and over the two seating areas that swarmed with guests. They rustled in the breeze, suspended from trees and posts, and held aloft by birds. The clear blue sky, slowly darkening as day turned to dusk, held the odor of the season, rich and thick.
Scootaloo scanned the crowd and caught a familiar set of eyes in the third row. Sweetie Belle grinned warmly at her and she smiled back, sharing a small wink. Her fillyfriend giggled and she was forced to look away before she started laughing, too. She told herself there would be time for that later. Apple Bloom grinned and waved from her seat between Big Macintosh and Granny Smith. Luna sat deep in conversation with Cranky Doodle and Scootaloo had a wild desire to know what those two were talking about.
Everywhere she looked, Scootaloo caught familiar faces, from as close to home as friends and neighbors, to as far away as Appleloosa. On a second pass, she noticed Babs Seed on the other side of Big Mac, snickering with good natured derision at her dress. Scootaloo glared at her with a smirk.
Sighing and twitching her wings against the restrictive fabric of her outfit, Scootaloo pressed at the small box hidden away in her dress, reaffirming its presence. She glanced obliquely at Spike, still silently grumbling about the flower basket. That was a fight she was glad she won, but would be careful to not gloat too smugly about at her older brother. Scootaloo looked to Rainbow, who was in a sleek and flashy white gown. Scootaloo had to admit that Rarity knew her mother well and designed the perfect dress to highlight Rainbow’s looks without being too girly. She also had to admit, rather reluctantly, that the fashionista had done a similarly spectacular job on her own dress. As good as Rainbow looked, Scootaloo could tell the mare was just as uncomfortable in the dress as she was in hers. Rainbow caught her eye and they shared a thin smile.
“Mom and her fancy dresses,” Scootaloo murmured.
“You said it, kiddo.” Rainbow’s grin widened. “We’ll go flyin’ after dinner, you an’ me.”
Scootaloo nodded and turned back to the crowd, visibly relaxing in her stance. Rainbow did as well, before tensing her back as the birds began to sing in tandem. She held her breath. This was it.
From the path leading out of the park, Twilight’s father came into view, the barest hints of flowing white fabric poking out around his frame. He stepped slowly and regally, beaming with pride. Rainbow caught Shining Armor’s goofy grin out of the corner of her eye, a combination of affection and adoration that reminded her of Scootaloo, and stifled a snort. Night Light turned with the path and Twilight, hoof in hoof with her father, came into view.
Rainbow’s breath caught in her throat.
Shimmering and white, smooth without frills, glowing almost gold in the evening light, Twilight Sparkle’s dress moved with her as if it was part of her body. The flower tiara, holding the veil over her face, was studded with lilacs and violets, setting off her eyes and coat. Her mane, styled to gentle swirls across her neck, shone shocking blue from the single feather woven permanently into place. Her smile lit up her whole face.
‘Dear Celestia.’ Rainbow’s face burned with the strength of her grin. ‘She’s still the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.’
At the end of the aisle, they paused and Night Light lifted Twilight’s veil. The feather in her mane shone even brighter, dazzling Rainbow. She felt like a school filly, not sure what to do with her hooves, wondering why her belly was fluttering so much. Night Light kissed his daughter on the cheek and turned to Rainbow Dash, extending his hoof. Rainbow took it in her own and shook firmly. Night Light joined his currently crying wife in the first row, leaving Rainbow to stare into the eyes of Twilight. Her Twilight.
“My little ponies,” Celestia began, her calm and rich voice carrying a warm formality across the park, “We are gathered here today to join two mares very dear to my heart, and to all of Equestria. Ms. Twilight Sparkle.” She touched her student fondly on the chin with a hoof, drawing her gaze briefly. Twilight’s eyes resettled on her wife to be. “And Ms. Rainbow Dash.” She touched her leg to Rainbow’s shoulder, the contact widening the mare’s grin. “We shall begin with the reading of a passage.”
Celestia cleared her throat. “She was a lovely lady, with a romantic mind and such a sweet mocking mouth. Her romantic mind was like the tiny boxes, one within the other, that come from the puzzling East, however many you discover there is always one more; and her sweet mocking mouth had one kiss on it that Wendy could never get, though there it was, perfectly conspicuous in the right-hoof corner.
“He took Mrs. Darling’s kiss with him. The kiss that had been for no one else Peter took quite easily. Funny. But she seemed satisfied.”
The princess lowered her head, smiling at the two mares with glowing happiness. “When I first met Twilight I noticed she, too, had a kiss much like Mrs. Darling, waiting for the right pony to come along and claim it. And just as curious, so did Rainbow Dash.” She winked playfully at the couple. “It seems both kisses have gone missing. It is a rare romance where two ponies can claim each other’s hearts so completely; a unique gem that’s a blessing to all of Equestria. It is my great honor to join these two as partners, as confidants, as friends, and as lovers, for as long as they will grace us with their shining example.”
Rainbow and Twilight beamed at Princess Celestia, a silent conversation of warmth passing between their gazes. The diarch nodded gently and said, “The brides have prepared their own vows.”
Rainbow cleared her throat, shuffling on her hooves and looking at the wooden floorboards of the gazebo. She took a tremulous breath and raised her head. As her eyes met with Twilight’s, all nervousness fled her body and she raised a hoof, taking Twilight’s in her own. Her voice came out strong, even, and heartfelt. “I, Rainbow Dash, take you, Twilight Sparkle, to be my wife. I promise that for as long as I live and breathe, there’s nothing in Equestria that will make me stop loving you. You’ve given me a home where I belong and a life I want to live. You’re everything I want, everything I need in a partner, a friend, and a wife. I promise to be by your side, every minute of every day, as we grow old together.
“And I promise I’ll always slow down for you.”
Twilight wiped at her eyes and squeezed Rainbow’s hoof. “And I, Twilight Sparkle, take you, Rainbow Dash, to be my wife. I promise to be by your side every step of the way. Through the hard times and the happy times, through sunshine and through rainstorms. I promise to always remember the things that draw us together, that make us the same, that highlight our differences and prove to me over and over again how lucky I am. I promise to always be the home you not only need, but the home you deserve. You’re everything I could have asked for in a wife and more. I promise to cherish that always.
“And I promise I’ll always keep up.”
Scootaloo reached into her dress on cue and pulled out the small box, presenting it to Rainbow. Her mom grinned at her and opened the lid, removing the simple gold band. She turned to her bride to be and gently, reverently slid the ring into place around Twilight’s horn. She stepped back and smiled brightly, watching the ring glint in the setting sun like shop lanterns off a racing medal.
A hushed lull fell over the crowd as the couple shone resplendently in the evening light, broken only by quiet sniffles. Princess Celestia closed her eyes and nodded, warmly saying, “It is my honor and my privilege to pronounce these ponies forever bonded. May their love never dim and their happiness only grow. You may now kiss the bride.”
Rainbow stepped forward, raising a hoof to cup her wife’s cheek. They leaned together, their pulses slowing, their minds buzzing, a raw and tiny bit of contact, an action repeated endless times over countless days, just two ponies together. And they both knew in their hearts that it was neither a beginning nor an end, but a simple declaration, a pledge to each other and themselves, that they would hold close and precious forever. They parted, blushing like fillies and never wanting to stop grinning.
To sensitive ears, the distant rumbling of hooves in applause could be heard almost as far as Canterlot.
Princess Celestia failed to stifle a yawn, a small hint of pink rising to her cheeks. Twilight hid her smile, watching the sun complete its descent over the horizon. Celestia blinked rapidly and cleared her throat, quickly resuming her façade of regal poise. Twilight leaned across the table and said, “It’s getting late for you.”
Celestia slowly looked around the table, from Applejack and Pinkie Pie on her right, around to Spike, Twilight, and Rainbow, then to Rarity, Fluttershy, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. She cleared her throat again. “That it is, Twilight.”
The princess smiled and rose from her seat at the table, turning heads from the guests seated across the park enjoying a Sweet Apple Acres catered dinner. She smiled benevolently at the crowd, raising her voice. “Good night, my little ponies. I wish you all a wonderful evening.” She turned back to Twilight and dropped her voice. “And congratulations again, my faithful student. You’ve come such a long, long way. From the day we first met, I’ve watched you, to see how you’d grow and what you’d do. And now that you’ve grown up and begun a new life, one with a pony who cares as deeply for you as you do for her, I know that everything I saw in that excited filly was as grand and wonderful as I thought it would be. The destiny you’ve chosen for yourself has made me so proud, Twilight.”
Twilight swallowed thickly and stood, hugging the alicorn around her neck. “Thank you, Celestia,” she whispered.
Celestia hugged Twilight back, turning her tired, but kind eyes on Rainbow Dash. “And you, Rainbow. I could not have asked for a better partner for my student. I have no need to ask you to look after her, because I know you will do more for her than I could ever put into words. You are a remarkable pony, Rainbow Dash.” She pulled the slightly startled mare into the hug. “You have made this very old mare very happy. Be kind to each other. I hope to see you both very soon.”
Letting go of the couple, Celestia nodded once and lifted into the air on her large wings. Above the park, a flash of pure sunlight lit up the sky and she was gone.
Rainbow and Twilight resettled in their seats, but didn’t pull the hooves they had around each other’s necks back. Instead they pressed in close, grinning.
Applejack chuckled at the pair, ribbing Pinkie Pie. “Y’all two are just the cutest things I ever did see.” Rainbow rolled her eyes, but didn’t pull away from her wife. “Now don’t be givin’ me that look none, RD. I’ve never seen a pair a’ ponies so darn happy together.” She dropped her voice, her tone a heartfelt and quiet note. “I’m so happy for you two. Today went off without a hitch an’ there wasn’t a dry eye in town.”
As Rainbow grinned at Applejack, nuzzling in close to her wife, Scootaloo looked obliquely at Sweetie Belle. Her fillyfriend was listening to the conversation intently. Scootaloo inched closer on her chair.
Pinkie Pie giggled and nodded. “It was such a super success! Nopony was a changeling or anything! And Fluttershy’s birdies were so perfect at holding up the streamers and their song was so pretty, and the decorations were perfect, and everypony’s dresses looked awesometastic, and the food is super-duper delicious, and—”
As Pinkie rambled, Scootaloo scooted and nonchalantly slid her hoof around Sweetie’s back. Sweetie started and glanced at the little pegasus. Dots of pink colored her cheeks and she grinned, leaning into Scootaloo’s shoulder.
“—and everything was just exactly right!” The table chuckled as Pinkie heaved in a gulp of air to replace her lost breath.
Fluttershy smiled at the party pony. “Your decorations really were wonderful, Pinkie.”
“And this food really is yummy-riffic, AJ,” Pinkie enthused.
Grinning, Applejack turned to Rarity. “An’ everypony looks mighty sharp in these duds, Rares.”
“And your birds were simply splendid, Fluttershy dear.”
“And we never would have gotten everything done without Spike helping on the planning.”
“And it’s a good thing Rainbow Dash had Cloud Kicker on sky duty. The weather was perfect!”
As the group babbled on about the ceremony, complimenting the couple on their vows and discussing who they had seen getting teary-eyed, Rainbow extended her wing around Twilight’s shoulders. Scootaloo spread hers across Sweetie Belle.
As the conversation lulled, a reminiscent smile lit up Fluttershy’s face. “That’s funny. Everypony had close to the same job as when we all met. It’s like we set up the Summer Sun Celebration again.”
Rainbow chuckled low. “It’s not funny if it’s on purpose.” She grinned indulgently and kissed her wife’s brow. “Twi’s all mushy like that.”
Scootaloo tried as nonchalantly as possible to kiss Sweetie Belle on the brow. The filly giggled and poked Scootaloo in the ribs. “You’re copying your mom, aren’t you?” she whispered.
Coughing in embarrassment, Scootaloo looked away quickly. Her gaze settled on the gazebo, trailing forgotten streamers and surrounded by chairs, some upturned in the rush to the reception seating. She followed the path back and from her vantage point caught sight of a familiar bench, one she had spent months sitting on and chugging water. She glanced back at the gazebo and then at Rainbow Dash, nuzzling affectionately into Twilight.
“Hey, mom?”
Rainbow turned with Twilight’s face still in her neck. “Yeah, Scoots?”
Glaring in scrutiny across the park, Scootaloo mumbled, “…That bench, where mom always sits when we train…” She raised her eyebrow. “Is it the same one from when you got together? When it started raining and you ran under the gazebo?”
Twilight giggled, nuzzling up the side of Rainbow’s jaw and nodding at the filly.
Scootaloo sighed, her expression one of beleaguered amusement. “You really are mushy, mom.”
Apple Bloom knit her brow in sudden confusion. “Wait a minute...Scoots calls both y’all ‘mom’ and I seen her do it for months now, but y’all always know which one she’s talkin’ about. How’re y’all doin’ that?”
The couple sat up straight and pursed their lips looking at each other. The table grew quiet, everypony there contemplating the question with growing curiosity. Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Is...isn’t it obvious which one she’s talking to?”
Twilight tapped her chin. “I guess it is sort of odd.”
Shrugging, Scootaloo said, “I dunno. Hey, mom.” Rainbow turned to her. “Wow, that is kinda spooky.”
A call sounded from a further table and interrupted them, a slowly growing chant of “Cake! Cake! Cake!” filling the air. Twilight and Rainbow stood from the table and cantered to the buffet line, headed for the multi-tiered cake. Twilight floated a knife to the colossal confection and sliced out two pieces.
They lifted a slice a piece in their hooves and brought them to their partner’s face. Twilight bit into her slice delicately with a glint of mischief in her eyes. As Rainbow leaned forward to bite, she smeared her wife’s muzzle with a long streak of crumbs and icing.
Rainbow laughed, bright and carefree, licking her lips. She squished the remains of the slice she held across Twilight’s face.
In a flurry of magic, Twilight carved the cake up onto plates as the crowd chuckled. A line formed as ponies stepped up to get a piece as Twilight carried back plates for the table. As Scootaloo lifted a bite to her mouth, Sweetie Belle grinned wickedly and lit her horn, pulling the fork forward and dotting her fillyfriend’s snout with icing.
As they finished their cake, Princess Luna approached the table, warmly saying, “Good evening, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash. It was a lovely wedding; it’s been a long time since I’ve seen my sister quite so happy. I offer you my congratulations and well-wishes.”
Twilight grinned. “Thank you, Luna. We both appreciate you attending.”
Luna’s smile turned playful. “Oh, I wouldn’t dare to miss it. Even if it meant being awake at such an unpleasant hour.” She shuddered theatrically. “And don’t tell me the party is over just yet. I dare say I saw some barrels underneath the catering tables.” She turned her mischievious glance on Applejack. “Have I correctly surmised that they contain Sweet Apple Acres’ famous hard cider?”
“That ya have, Princess.” Applejack stood and stretched out her back, turning to Twilight. “What’cha think, Twi’? Time to crack open some barrels and get the party goin’?”
“Sounds good to me.” Twilight turned to Rainbow. “You going to drink?”
“In a little bit.” She eyed their daughter. “I promised Scoots some flying, and somethin’ tells me I should do that now instead of after a few.”
Twilight giggled and looked at Rainbow’s dress. “You’re going to ruin that…”
Scoffing indulgently, Rarity said, “Of course she would, Twilight. That’s why I designed her dress to do this.” A light glow of magic lit up a zipper on Rainbow’s dress, hidden expertly within a seam. It slid down Rainbow’s back and the pegasus stepped lightly out of the garment, shaking out her wings. “Scootaloo’s dress as well. Come here, dear, I’ll get that off for you.”
While Rarity helped Scootaloo out of her dress, Rainbow ran a hoof through her mane, mussing it back to its normal perfection. “This alright?” she asked Twilight quietly.
“Of course, Rainbow.” She leaned forward and nuzzled her wife’s cheek, dropping her voice to a sultry whisper. “Tire her out plenty; this is our wedding night.” A goofy grin spread over Rainbow’s face and she nodded in confirmation with a wink. As soon as Scootaloo had ‘fixed’ her mane, Rainbow jumped into the air.
Rarity cantered over, asking, “Twilight, would you like out of your dress now, too?”
“No thanks, Rarity.” Her grin widened. “I think I’ll wear it as long as possible.”
Rarity batted her eyelashes, crooning, “Oh, how positively romantic!” Sighing wistfully, she muttered, “And here I caught that bouquet…” as she wandered towards the keg Applejack had started tapping.
Twilight turned to follow the others when spiky bangs lowered into her vision. Rainbow smiled at her upside down and pulled her into a kiss. Twilight could taste the cake still smeared on her wife’s muzzle and felt Rainbow’s chin against her snout. Kissing Rainbow while inverted was one of the oddest sensations she had experienced; everything seemed to be off about it. Rainbow’s tongue wasn’t quite in the right place, her lips didn’t match up with what she expected, and when she automatically raised a hoof to stroke the mare’s neck, she batted at a fuzzy ear instead.
It was absolutely delightful.
Rainbow pulled back and murmured, “This is the best day of my life. Thank you, Mrs. Twilight Sparkle.”
Twilight grinned affectionately and stroked Rainbow’s mane. “This is the best day of my life, too, Mrs. Rainbow Dash.” She pecked her wife on the lips. “Now go fly. Have fun.”
Rainbow licked Twilight’s snout and darted away, catching up with Scootaloo in the air above the gazebo. Twilight’s eyes followed Sweetie Belle as she ran after the pair, back towards the seating for the ceremony to sit and watch them fly. Her gaze drifted up and she watched them, too.
Scootaloo was amazing in the air.
She had been amazing on her first flight, and as she trained with Rainbow Dash she grew more sure of herself, faster, and more precise week after week. Eventually when the two of them flew together they looked less like a student with a teacher and more like a team. Watching them again, rocket around in circles, blending their flight trails to fiery rainbows in swirls and knots, Twilight felt the same awe as the first time she saw Rainbow clear the sky. Slowly, she sunk to her haunches, caught up in the show.
Applejack held a mug under her snout. She blinked and grasped it in her magic. “Thanks, Applejack.”
“Not a problem, Twilight.” Applejack sat down next to the mare. “It really was a beautiful weddin’. I’m glad y’all asked me to be a part of it.”
Twilight took a sip, letting the bite of alcohol tingle her snout. “Thanks for being a part of it, Applejack. It wouldn’t have been the same without you all there.”
Applejack nodded resolutely, taking a swig of her own mug. They sat in silence for a while, watching mother and daughter loop and spin through the air. “It’s been a crazy couple’a years, Twi’. Ever since ya moved here, I’ve watched this whole town change, an’ I can’t help but think it’s all been you. Ponies ‘round these parts are happier’n I’ve ever seen ‘em. An’ don’t get me started on us six.” She smiled obliquely at Twilight. “I’ll tell ya, I ain’t never seen a pony change so much as RD. Once upon a time I didn’t think that mare could ever make a real friend.”
Twilight frowned thoughtfully. “Really?”
“Eeyup. First time I met her was a couple’a weeks after she moved here an’ I caught her catchin’ forty winks in one of my trees. She seemed nice enough, but she was always…” Applejack took another swig, her brow furrowing. “...She was cold, Twi’. Real cold. Friendly and polite enough when she weren’t showin’ off, but there was hardness there, just under her skin. Know what I mean? Always an acquaintance, never a friend, that sorta pony.”
Twilight nodded slowly. “Rainbow’s said as much, talking about her past.”
“Y’all changed all that, though. Within days she was different. Warmer. You really brought out somethin’ special in her, Twi’.” Applejack smiled brighter. “In all of us, really. Whole dang town.”
Twilight chuckled low. “I’m just a pony, Applejack.”
“Not to that one, you ain’t,” Applejack murmured, nodding at Rainbow as she danced through the dark sky with Scootaloo. “Not to any of us, neither.” She hugged Twilight around the neck with one leg. “I seen you change just as much, though, Sugarcube. Y’all used to be so wrapped up in your books, even after ya came here. Can’t imagine what’cha must’ve been like back in Canterlot. Rainbow’s changed you as much as you’ve changed her. It’s like ya were made for each other.”
A comfortable lull fell over the two, the only sound the murmurs and cheers from the party behind them and the distant laughter of the two pegasi in flight. After a while, Twilight mumbled, “It feels like that for me, too.”
“Ya certainly showed it. Havin’ this all here. I tell ya, I’m reminded of that Runnin’ of the Leaves, and it’s not half as special to me. I bet’cha Rainbow appreciates the heck out of it, even if she thinks it’s mushy.”
Twilight grinned conspiratorially. “Applejack, Pinkie Promise this stays quiet?”
“Eh?” Applejack raised an eyebrow and then shrugged, miming through the promise. “Now what’d I promise about?”
Twilight dropped her voice to just above a whisper. “Having it here was Rainbow’s idea. I’m taking the fall for it, though.”
Applejack snorted and shook her head. “Well don’t that beat all.” She took a long draught, watching Rainbow fly. “She’s so different now,” she marveled. “I still can’t rightly believe she gave up joinin’ them Wonderbolts. Even back before I knew her at all, she’d never stop yammerin’ on about ‘em.” Her gaze shifted to the filly soaring alongside Rainbow. “How’d Scootaloo take that, anyway?”
“Hmm?” Twilight finished her sip, frowning up at the pair. “She was...well, she was surprised. She blamed herself, too; thought it was her fault and she was keeping Rainbow from doing something. She came around after a while...Rainbow told her that sometimes dreams change, and as important as something is to somepony when they’re younger, life happens around them.” Twilight turned to Applejack, her smile thin. “Rainbow said, ‘Why would I want to fly on a team when I could spend every day flying with the greatest filly in Equestria?’ Scootaloo calmed down after that.”
Applejack shook her head slowly. “Lan’ sakes, how that mare’s changed...” She turned her attention skywards and they sat in silence while they finished their mugs. Applejack’s gaze drifted down and she began to watch Sweetie Belle watching the flying. “…What’cha think’s gonna happen between Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?”
“Hm?” Twilight glanced at the filly, caught up in the flying show. “I don’t know. They’re awfully young still. Barely out of fillyhood, if you can even say that.”
“My li’l sis had a thing with one of the colts for a few months a while back. Sorta fell apart after a while, like most of them foal crushes tend ta do. I know I had my share as a filly. Still, though. My momma and my daddy started out right about their age, did’ja know that?” Twilight shook her head. “Eeyup. Barely had their cutie marks when they started goin’ steady. They lasted through the rest of their days, too.”
Smiling, Twilight murmured, “I just want them both to be happy.”
Applejack’s gaze drifted back to Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash, their flight slowing to a lazier circling and weaving, a warm sense of familial affection radiating from them across the whole park. Applejack’s smile grew reminiscent and her eyes went out of focus. “Back when my momma was still here, she used to tell me all these stories. Lotta ol’ earth pony legends and different sayin’s, you know. Well, one of the things she used to tell me about were these different names earth ponies had for relationships between ponies from different tribes.”
Twilight nodded appreciatively. “That’s interesting, I haven’t read about that cultural tradition.”
Applejack shrugged. “To be honest, a lot of ‘em were kinda nasty. We’re talkin’ some old stuff from back before the first Hearth’s Warmin’ and folks weren’t quite so keen on each other. Momma told ‘em to show me how silly hatin’ others for bein’ different could be, an’ they were supposed to make me laugh. Most of the time they did. But…” Her eyes refocused on the two in the air and her smile grew. “One of ‘em I always kinda liked. I didn’t think it was silly at all; I thought it was pretty an’ romantic soundin’. The name they had for a pegasus that had fallen for a unicorn. I guess it makes sense, since it was an earth pony sayin’ and it didn’t have any earth ponies in it, might as well make it pretty.”
Twilight looked up at the two pegasi in the air; the two most important ponies in her life. “…What did they call them, Applejack?”
“They called ‘em ‘spellbound fireflies.’”
Another lull fell over the two mares as they sat and watched the flight, mother and daughter slowing further, their night dance gradually coming to an end.
“…Thank you for telling me that, Applejack. It is very pretty.”
Applejack nodded and stood up. “Looks like they’re about done. I’m gonna go fetch RD a mug, you want a second?”
“Sure. Thank you.”
“You’re quite welcome, Twilight.” She leaned in close. “Looks like ya got yourself a pair of them lightnin’ bugs.”
Twilight smiled. “I guess I have.”
Applejack cantered away, leaving Twilight to watch her family. She and her wife planned to sign the papers to officially adopt Scootaloo in the morning, but as far as she was concerned, they had been two mothers and a daughter for months. Watching her family fly, reading with them, spending time together, making meals, laughing and talking, it all blended together into a fuzzy whirlwind of days. Days following weeks of major changes as Scootaloo settled into their lives, weeks following months of intense training getting the filly up in the air, months following years of dating that grew with a misleading slowness from casual to something so much more without either pony noticing how it happened.
In a little over three years, Twilight’s life had changed irrevocably. The lives that had changed her had been changed as well. Three ponies, so different yet so similar, thrown together by fate to forge a new one together. And as she lived that new life, she watched with cautious optimism as her adopted daughter started to tentatively seek one with somepony else. She had seen her family brought low by pain and high by triumph. Happiness, sadness, boredom, intrigue, laughter, tears, suffering, joy, and everything in between. Twilight had been in the center of a storm with two little fireflies lighting up her world, bright and mesmerizing.
Twilight knew the day was neither the beginning nor the end of anything. Just a marker they had placed in their lives in commemoration.
It was still the best day of her life.