//------------------------------// // Beachfront Wedding // Story: Summer Love // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// After an engagement lasting a little over four months, the big day finally came: The wedding of prince Anthem and Winter Beach. It was going to take place at the beach in Mihaymi, where Anthem and Winter first met. As such, it held the distinction of being the first ever location wedding for royalty. Both Anthem and Winter were making their final preparations. Winter was in her house, with Crashing helping her with her dress. "I can't believe this day has finally come." Crashing sniffed. "The engagement seemed to fly by so fast..." "Not fast enough, if you ask me." Winter declared. "My baby's getting married." Crashing started crying. "You're finally leaving the nest!" Crashing, on the verge of hysteria, hugged her daughter. "Easy there, mom." Winter told her. "If you keep this up, my wedding dress'll be soaked." "I'm sorry, dear." Crashing wiped her eyes. "But this is the day everything changes for us. You'll be leaving home, going off to live with your prince, and your father and I will miss you so much. It's what I've always been afraid of..." "Aw, mom..." Winter smiled. "I can still come and visit, you know." "I know, I know." Crashing nodded. "It's just... hard to let go, after all these years." "I know how you feel, mom." Winter declared. "It's a big step I'm taking today. A whole new chapter of my life. And I can't wait to get started." "I'm sorry, honey." Crashing apologized. "What must you think of me, marring this happy occasion with my self-absorbed sobbing?" "I think you're a good mom." Winter told her. "Always have been. I'm going to miss you so much." "I'll miss you too, my darling." Crashing hugged her. Meanwhile, Anthem was pacing around his hotel room. His father was with him, along with Dusk Glow, who had agreed to be Anthem's best stallion. "You might want to ease off on the walking, cuz." Dusk declared. "You're going to wear a hole right into the carpet at this rate." "Can't help it." Anthem shrugged. "Feeling a little anxious, are we?" Shining asked knowingly. "Kinda." Anthem admitted. "Part of me's excited because, y'know, today's the day! The day I've been dreaming about for so long. I just can't wait until Winter and I are husband and wife." "And the other part?" Dusk urged. "That part's a little worried." Anthem frowned. "It keeps asking 'Am I making the right choice?' 'Can I be a good husband?' 'Can I really support Winter for the rest of our lives?'" "That's a perfectly normal concern." Shining smiled. "I felt stuff like that on the day I married your mother." "So did I." Dusk nodded. "Classic wedding day jitters. If you're anything like we were, that'll pass once you get to the altar." "I sure hope so..." Anthem sighed. "I love Winter so much. She deserves the best. But what if I can't be the best?" "It's okay, son." Shining comforted. "The fact is, there's no manual to this. You have to learn on the job. As you listen to and care for Winter, you'll do just fine. Trust me." "Thanks, dad." Anthem smiled. "Now that that's been settled, what do you say we finished getting ready?" Dusk asked. "It's almost time." Less then an hour later, Anthem, Shining and Dusk made their way down to the beach, where a makeshift arch had been erected, and several deckchairs were placed in hours, most of them filled. Cadance (Twyla sitting on her lap), Dazzle, Sparkling Night (fidgeting in his uncomfortable suit), Anthem's royal cousins, and his friends from Ponyville were all seated on the groom's side, while friends of Winter and her parents were seated on the bride's side. Twilight Sparkle stood beneath the arch, taking on the job of officiating the ceremony (Cadance had offered, but Anthem felt it would be "too embarrassing" for his mom to conduct the ceremony, and politely declined). Anthem took his place at the arch, flanked by Dusk. One of Winter's friends from Mihaymi, an Earth Pony mare called Coral Cove, stood opposite them, as the mare of honor. A trio of Winter's other friends served as bridesmaids. Anthem's nerves were nearing critical mass. He felt certain he would jump right out of his skin at any moment, and that his skinless body would run away as fast as it could. From his seat, Shining acknowledged the look on Anthem's face, and gave him a supportive smile. A few minutes later, Winter arrived with her parents. The string orchestra started playing the wedding march. Anthem smiled broadly as he looked upon his soon-to-be wife. She was looking resplendent in her pure white dress, a garland of native Mihaymi flowers ringing her forehead. All his worries evaporated on the spot, replaced by the glorious knowledge that they were going to be together forever. Summer led Winter up the aisle, ready to give her away. Starlight Twinkle followed behind, acting as the flower filly. "You look beautiful, sweetheart." He sniffed. "My little girl's all grown up." "Oh, dad." Winter giggled. "Don't you start too…" "Sorry." Summer apologized, trying his best to reign in his feelings. "It's just... a very emotional moment. I'll try to control myself..." Summer stepped aside as Winter reached the arch. As he made to join his wife, his resolve crumbled, and he dissolved into loud, joyful weeping. Winter and Anthem gazed into each others' eyes. "Hey, handsome." Winter whispered. "Hey yourself, gorgeous." Anthem grinned. Twilight stepped forward, beginning the ceremony. "Fillies and gentlecolts." She declared. "We are gathered here today to join this stallion and this mare in the bounds of holy matrimony." Anthem stepped forward. "Winter, from the very first moment I saw you, I knew you were the one for me." He took her hoof in his. "The day you agreed to marry me was the happiest of my life. Thank you for giving me your heart. I promise I will always be there for you. And I will always love you." Winter's eyes watered with happiness. With some effort, she started her own vows. "Anthem, you helped me see the world beyond this town." She declared. "My eyes have been opened to the wonders of Equestria, and I can't thank you enough for it. You're the kindest, sweetest stallion I've ever met, and I can't think of anything more wonderful than being your wife." Most of the crowd were in tears at this point, especially Summer Breeze, who was bawling unashamedly. "Do you, prince Anthem, take Winter Beach to be your lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?" Twilight turned to Anthem. "I do." Anthem nodded. Twilight then turned to Winter. "And do you, Winter Beach, take prince Anthem to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?" "You bet I do." Winter grinned, causing some of her friends to giggle. "Then, by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife." Twilight announced. "And now, the rings, if you please." Dusk gave Anthem a hoof ring, while Coral Cove gave Winter a horn ring. "Way to go, Wint." Coral whispered. "Thanks, Cor." Winter beamed. Anthem slid his ring up Winter's hoof, while Winter placed hers on his horn. "You may now kiss the bride." Twilight smiled. "You don't have to tell me twice." Anthem grinned as he embraced Winter. The newlyweds kissed long and hard, as the crowd cheered. "Welcome to the club, cuz." Dusk grinned. Moments later, they breathlessly broke apart. Winter smiled at her new husband, until her attention was distracted by something else. Something little and white floated down around them. Winter held out her hoof, letting the little, white stuff land in it. "Is this... snow?" She looked around to see snow wasn't just falling around her and Anthem, but falling everywhere. "I might have arranged with the local weather team to give the beach a special bit of snow." Anthem grinned slightly. "Consider it a wedding present from me to you." "Oh, Ant..." Winter smiled. "You're the best!" "You're the best, too." Anthem smiled. "That's why we're perfect for each other." "Less talking, more kissing." Winter purred, as she pulled Anthem in for more. The native Mihaymians loved the snow too. The light flurry continued to descend as the reception went underway. After stuffing cake into each others' faces, Anthem and Winter took to the dancefloor, waltzing closely together as the orchestra played a slow, romantic number. "So how's it feel to be Mr. Beach?" Dusk asked, as he and Dazzle danced nearby. "Very funny." Anthem rolled his eyes. "I've never felt happier, actually." "Good answer." Winter smirked. Shining and Cadance approached them next. "Congratulations, you two." Cadance smiled. "I had a feeling your relationship would eventually come to this. When you're the princess of love, you just know when two ponies are right for each other." "Thanks, Cadance." Winter beamed. "My son." Shining grinned. "All grown up and married. You've made your old stallion proud." "Aw, dad..." Anthem smiled. "Shine and Celestia sent their best." Cadance declared. "They wanted to come, but they were too busy." "That's okay." Winter shrugged. "Running a country is pretty hard work. Besides, I expect I'll be seeing them soon enough, now I'm actually part of the royal family." "That you will." Shining nodded. "Celestia always likes to meet new members of the family. Chances are, she'll come to you." Summer and Crashing joined them. "There's my new son-in-law!" Summer gave Anthem a one-legged hug. "Welcome to the family, Anthem." Crashing declared. "I know you'll take good care of Winter." "Thanks, Mrs Waves." Anthem nodded. "None of that." Crashing tutted. "We're family now. Call me 'Crashing'." "You got it... Crashing." Anthem beamed. "And thanks for the vote of confidence. I won't let you down." "Of course you won't." Summer grinned. "There's no better stallion in the world for our daughter." "You're not going to start crying again, are you, dad?" Winter asked. "Maybe a little..." Summer started tearing up again. "Come on, dear." Crashing led him away. "Let's show these young ones some classic dance moves." "You got it, honey." Summer nodded, brightening up. Summer and Crashing started. Shining and Cadance followed, sharing smiles with Anthem and Winter. "Isn't it great?" Anthem smiled. "We're all one big, happy family now." "Oh, yeah." Winter nodded, before pulling Anthem in close. "Now, where were we?" "We were right... here." Anthem wrapped his hooves around her, and they continued their waltz. After a little more dancing, Winter flung her bouquet into the air. The bridesmaids scrambled over each other, fighting to catch it, but it was ultimately Coral Cove who caught the bouquet, leaving the bridesmaids in a bemused heap on the ground. Twyla and Sparkling laughed at the scene from the kids' table, their faces smeared with wedding cake. "Funny!" Twyla giggled. "Makes puttin' on this itchy suit all worth it!" Sparkling chortled. Once the reception was over, Anthem and Winter made to depart for their honeymoon in Manehattan. A carriage was already waiting for them. "Don't be strangers, you two." Summer declared. "Feel free to drop by anytime!" "Now, Summer, be reasonable." Crashing rolled her eyes. "They haven't even left." "Oh, you'll be seeing me again soon." Winter hugged both her parents. "You can't get rid of me that easily..." "Good luck, Anthem." Cadance smiled. "Have a good honeymoon, son. I know I had a good time at mine." Shining winked at his son. "Considering how fun Winter is, I think I will." Anthem declared, glancing at his new bride. Twyla, in her favorite side pouch on Shining's side, reached out to give Anthem a hug. "And I'll miss you, sis. See you when we get back." Anthem picked her up and returned her hug before he put her back in the side pouch. "Bye, Ant!" Twyla smiled. "Oh, and dad, when First Class comes around with the mail, you and mom might want to keep Twyla in her side pouch." Anthem added. "Why?" Shining asked, puzzled. "Just a thought." Anthem said with a knowing smile, getting into the carriage with Winter. "You know, if your parents hadn't decided to take a vacation in Mihaymi, none of this wouldn't have happened." Winter noted. "And what a tragedy that would have been." Anthem smiled. "Then I would have missed out on the best thing that's ever happened to me." "Ever the sweet talker." Winter nuzzled against him. "I love you, Anthem." "I love you too, Winter." Anthem sighed happily. "Here's to the rest of our lives together. I wouldn't want to share it with anypony else." "Neither would I." Winter grinned. The two newlyweds kissed deeply as their carriage departed, ready to begin their new life together. The End.