CHAPTER TEN
The Finest Thing
The air was still as I solemnly addressed the group of townsponies assembled in front of me. Several of them were dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs while the others were sniffling. Beside me was a coffin, containing the body of the stallion who gave his life to defend those of Cheerilee and myself. The mare in question stood by my side, her own face a mask of despair and sorrow.
"... and although Time Turner may have been against our relationship, he eventually saw past his hatred and redeemed himself in the eyes of his peers, albeit at a terrible cost." I reached out and laid a hand on the coffin. "Thank you, Time Turner. Thank you for saving our lives. You will always hold a place in our hearts for your selfless act of bravery and kindness."
I stood back from the podium and allowed Cheerilee to take my place. She looked at the floor for a moment before forcing herself to look at the other mourners.
"When Time Turner first confessed his feelings for me, I was flattered." She said. "When he tried to come between Geo and I, I was outraged. When he set up our date, I was astonished. And when he died to save our lives... I was distraught." She turned to the coffin and laid her head on it, running a forehoof slowly along the smooth surface. "Thank you, Turner. I hope you find everlasting peace and love in the afterlife."
She walked away from the podium and stood next to me. Mayor Mare, presiding over the ceremony, gave the order to lower the coffin into the grave. Once this was done I helped Big Macintosh and Caramel, who had been Turner's two best friends, to fill the grave with earth. After all, it was the least I could do.
When all was done, the mourners departed for Sugarcube Corner, where the wake was being held. Cheerilee and I couldn't face going, so we returned to the house and sat in silence on the couch for a few minutes, before Cheerilee suddenly burst into tears. I quickly brought her in for a hug.
"It's all my fault!" She wailed. "If I hadn't have turned him down when he asked me out, he might still be here!"
I responded by stroking her mane and kissing the top of her head, while she cried into my chest and stained my shirt with her tears.
"Don't blame yourself." I replied. "As much as I hate to say it, it might have happened if you had accepted anyway." Cheerilee gasped and glared at me. "If you had accepted, who's to say he wouldn't have taken you on the same date he set up for us?"
"I... I..." Cheerilee blinked at me a couple of times before sighing. "I never thought of it like that. You're right, Geo, I can't say that we wouldn't have ended up there regardless. So... he would have died no matter what?"
"Don't get me wrong – what happened to Turner was horrible." I said. "But it has to be said that Fate works in mysterious ways. Nopony can say what will happen, or indeed when it will happen. That is why we must live our lives to their fullest potential, as I'm sure he would have wanted." I wiped Cheerilee's eyes free of tears and held her close. "We must look to the future, but we must always remember the past."
"I forgot you had a way with words." Cheerilee let out a small giggle. That reminds me of the town meeting you called, where you answered everypony's questions." She paused for a moment. "But you're right, again, we must look to the future."
She kissed me on the cheek and slid off the couch before turning to face me, her soft green eyes locking with my blue.
"This whole ordeal has left me emotionally and physically drained." She said quietly. "But at least with you here, it doesn't seem all that bad. I will never forget what Time Turner has done for us so – should I ever become pregnant in the future – I want to name our child after him, as a testament to his memory."
"What kind of heartless bastard would I be if I turned down that request?" I replied. "I would be honoured to have a child with you, Cheerilee... especially if they were named after our heroic stallion."
"I'm glad to hear it." She smiled. "Now, since it has been a hard day for both of us, I suggest that we turn in for the night."
I got up from the couch and walked over to her, scooping her into my arms and kissing her on the lips.
"Agreed." I said. "As tomorrow we will begin the rest of our lives together... for even though Time Turner isn't here, he has given us all the time in the world. And that, my dear, is the finest thing anypony could ever ask for."
With one final nod from Cheerilee I carried her into the bedroom, closing the door behind us with a soft click.
*** THE END ***