Lyra couldn't keep a smile off her face as she looked around at the room. Pinkie Pie had really outdone herself this time. She had stacked cakes of contrasting colors at least a pony's height on each of the tables, placed more streamers than she had ever seen before, provided more colors of punch than Rainbow's mane, set up tables specific to the various desserts, and she had even made personalized cupcakes with their colors and cutie marks. It was all rather glorious to behold.
She was refiling her cup for at least the fourth time when she felt a pony come up next to her.
“Lyra?” Bon Bon asked.
“What?”
“Is that your mother?”
Lyra turned and laughed... until she recognized the light blue unicorn mare approaching. Her breath caught in her throat and she dropped her cup, not even noticing or caring that she spilled some blue onto her dress.
Rarity did, though, and she fainted. But that's not too important right now.
“Breathe, Lyra,” Bon Bon said, bringing a hoof up and placing it on her back.
“I didn't think she would actually come,” Lyra said, beginning to hyperventilate and backpedal. “She's here to mock me, I just know it!”
“At least she's not in costume,” Bon Bon muttered.
That brought an image to mind that made Lyra almost die right then and there of horror.
But dying would have to wait. Lyra's mother walked right in front of her and stopped.
“Hello, Lyra,” she said. “Aren't you going to give me a hug on your special day?”
Never one to turn down a hug, Lyra leaned forward and wrapped her forelegs around her mother. Bon Bon quickly noticed that her mother didn't reciprocate.
“I'm so glad you're here," Lyra said. "I didn't know you supported me,” Lyra said breathlessly.
“Oh, I don't.”
Bon Bon winced. Lyra flinched and pulled back.
“I still think you're making a mistake. When I got the invitation, yes, I was repulsed that my daughter would do something so unnatural. Sitting with another mare in front of a sunset, looking like you're trying to have a normal relationship, I was half tempted to hang it on the wall and use it as target practice."
Bon Bon blinked. What a strange choice of words.
"But looking closer at it, I could see just how happy you were.” She sighed. “And, even if I still think you're a freak, at least you are happy and enjoying yourself, and I guess that will have to do.” She turned to Bon Bon. “Take care of her, all right?” And with that, she turned back to Lyra, gave her a very brief hug for real this time, and left.
Bon Bon turned to Lyra. “That was... pleasant.”
Lyra still tried to catch her breath. “Are you kidding me? Coming from my mom, she might as well have kissed you!” Lyra paused. “No, I'm the only one that can kiss you. Uh... That means she approves of you! Of us!”
Bon Bon rolled her eyes. “She shows it funny.”
“She hugged me again!" Lyra squealed. "Of her own free will!”
"Yeah," Bon Bon smiled. "Guess this whole invitation thing worked out pretty well."
"Yeah," Lyra agreed, celebrating by grabbing herself another cup of punch. "I guess it did."
"That being said, let's not take any more of those pictures."
Lyra gave an exaggerated groan. "But Bonsy, you look so good in that saddle."
A devious grin spread across Bon Bon's face. “You're going to settle for me in that saddle? You need to think bigger, filly! I've got big plans for tonight. Stuff that will blow your mind.”
“What happens tonight?” Lyra asked innocently.
Bon Bon gave Lyra a quick tap upside her head. “Wedding night, Lyra. Use your brain.”
Lyra thought... and then a smile spread across her face.
Life was good.