A huff. A sigh. Not one of stress, but of relaxation. With all the wedding preparations taken care of Doctor Hooves sent me to the spa to unwind before the big shebang. One would think it would be hard to chill out knowing that I was getting married in just a few hours, but it came surprisingly easy.
Things had been falling into place ever so nicely since the day I returned from seeing Shooting Star. Accepting the truth was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, but just like most unpleasant things we put off it feels infinitely better once it’s done. That photograph, the last memento of our time together, was gone, ripped into pieces then burned into mush and chucked in the trash. With that the last of my feelings for him faded. Of course there would always be a tiny degree of affection remaining. I couldn’t get away from the fact that Dinky was made from half of his DNA and that she shared some of his characteristics. There would always be times she reminded me of him.
However, going to visit Shooting had truly opened my eyes. Two chances to fix what he did was enough. I was done. In the future I would know that I had given it my best shot to make peace with him, and he had thrown it back in my face, tricking me once again. So I wouldn’t mourn over things. I wouldn’t ever have to wonder “What if?” because I’d know that he was still the same as he was in the past, and I didn’t think that would ever change.
It was a bit sad. Even knowing to be on my guard he got me again. He had seemed so genuine with his story. Ah, well. I’ve got the most important thing from him: the child we beared together. I’ve also got his money.
I did cash that check he gave me. I had a strong expectation that it wouldn’t go through, but it cleared without a problem. Stubborn and angry at him as I am I wouldn’t be so blind as to spite him by tearing it up if it meant that I couldn’t help Dinky out when she needed me the most. I deposited over ninety percent of it into Dinky’s bank account, wanting her to have a good starting point for her future. The rest I put into my savings account, as a backup in case of an emergency.
I ABSOLUTELY REFUSED to use any of the money he gave me towards my wedding expenses. THAT was something I was adamant about. I didn’t care what I had to do. I’d work another job, or take out a loan, but I wasn’t going to use that jerk’s hateful money to furnish the love bond between me and Doctor Hooves.
Thankfully, our problems were solved by his parents. Up until our engagement I hadn’t met his family. I guess it was just short sightedness on my part. Not having any blood relatives left (well, ones that I knew anyway) it just never occurred to me to ask him about his.
His mother was Ocean Breeze, an earth pony with a deep blue coat and a light blue mane, while his father was Celery Stalk, also an earth pony with a green coat and a brown mane.
They were really nice ponies. When they heard their son was getting married and that we didn’t have the funds they offered to pony up the dough. They thought it was about time their kid got married. I have to say I quite enjoyed the embarrassment on his face when they began talking about wanting grandbabies. I can’t say I wasn’t blushing a bit myself. That was a big next step, after all.
Of course I didn’t begrudge Doctor Hooves that his parents were still alive, but hearing them talk about aunt this and cousin this that they wanted to invite to the wedding filled me with a sense of sadness. I could only imagine how the wedding would play out. His side of the family would be all over one side, while my side would be completely empty. It never occurred to me just how alone I really was. Dinky really was all I had left.
I have to say I really underestimated the ponies of this town. Heh heh heh. Silly me. With our resident Princess of Friendship how could I have also forgotten that family is more than just blood ties? It took me a little while to see it, but the whole town was getting stirred up by our impending wedding. Doctor Hooves' very public proposal had left a big impression on the patrons, and by word of mouth the news had spread quickly. A wedding was considered the ultimate union between two ponies, so it only stood to reason that it was a big deal.
I had to open my eyes and stop focusing so much on myself and my feelings to see it, but everywhere I went around town when I was doing my mail job I had ponies congratulating me on having such a dedicated fiancé. The more I paid attention the more I could see the ponies smiling and waving or giving me compliments.
It went a step further when it came to the wedding preparations. I was, frankly, overwhelmed by the amount of support I got. I went to Sugarcube Corner for the catering and reception reservations. Of course I expected no less than an ecstatic reaction from Pinkie Pie, Ponyville’s self-proclaimed Super Duper Party Pony, but it felt like the mood of the other ponies I ran into seemed almost as elevated as hers.
Countless ponies offered me assistance and aid in preparing for the upcoming wedding. Lyra, Octavia, and Fluttershy with her bird choir all offered to perform music during the wedding, while Vinyl Scratch offered to play for the reception. Rainbow Dash, always one to show off, offered to kick off the conclusion of our vows with a sonic rainboom. Applejack offered to bring apple-based treats as appetizers. Cheerilee, knowing that kids get bored easily, offered to help keep the children occupied. Roseluck, Daisy, and Lily offered to help with the flower arrangements. I was reluctant to ask Twilight for anything, given she was a princess and all, but she said she’d be delighted to come. She said something enigmatic about how she wasn’t going to be the only one of her friends who didn’t do something special for my wedding, but as far as I saw she didn’t do anything at all.
Rarity was the most difficult. I would have been happy with just some modifications to my bridesmaid dress but she insisted that I needed to look my best and practically begged for me to let her make me a brand new dress. When I gave in I asked her to just make me something plain, but she wouldn’t let that pass either. She just had to make something with flourishes and flowers and bubbles.
When I tried to protest, talking about how I didn’t have the money for something really elaborate she said something that shook me to my core, and it made me realize I was STILL holding back.
“Is it actually about the money, Miss Derpy? After all, this IS the biggest event of your life, so I would be more than happy to offer payment plans or even discount the price if that’s not good enough for you. I can see it in your eyes that this isn’t about money at all. You’re protesting so much because you don’t believe you’re WORTHY of a fancier dress, right?” She slammed her hoof onto the table. “Well, that’s just plain wrong! I’m going to create a dress worthy of you, and you’re not going to stop me! I wasn’t there for it, but I’ve heard enough about it. Doctor Hooves poured out his heart and soul, craving you and only you as his life partner. He gave his all, doing it all for you and your happiness.
“When you go into that wedding hall you should present yourself at your best, not looking like you just came off the street. A lady is not her apparel, but I am going to create a dress worthy of his love. After all, if he is going to give it his all then why shouldn’t you?
“No more arguing now. This is a dress for a dear friend, so I’m not going to hold back either.”
She was right, of course. I guess I was still feeling a little guilty over my near kiss with Shooting Star. I had discarded the picture and put him behind me, but I know that Doctor Hooves had never laid eyes on another mare, so I was feeling a little inferior. Even though, in the end, I had gone to visit Shooting so I could let things go.
She was right. As I’ve been told countless times by Dinky and the Doctor I was still keeping a grip on the past and my past mistakes, letting them weigh on my conscience and my self-esteem long after the debt had been paid.
I had to remind myself that the Doctor had chosen me out of every mare in the world. He could have anyone in Equestria, but he picked me specifically, and he had never strayed from that. He loved me with all his heart and he wanted everyone to know it. And now everyone would.
I sighed contentedly as Aloe and Lotus gave me my treatment. Chilling out in the sauna, giving me a mud bath, giving me a hooficure. It was certainly a new experience. I had never been to a spa before. I really enjoyed it. Rarity was there as well, to help finish me up when I was done with the spa. She sat me in front of a mirror, styling my mane and making me presentable. A little bit of blush here, some makeup there, some accessories to add to the mix.
As I sat there in front of the mirror I looked at my reflection, and I hardly recognized myself. As I stared at the me in the mirror the only word that came to mind was… beautiful. It was a word I, well… never associated with someone like myself. After all the time I spent being bullied and picked on and put down by the students at school I finally felt real acceptance when I first met Shooting Star, up until he revealed he was the cruelest one of all. My opinion of myself since then took a huge dip, and I’ve always felt I was just barely hanging on, working tirelessly to make a future for Dinky where she wouldn’t repeat my mistakes. All the time I was living for her. Living for her and her alone, dismissing myself as just someone who was there because I needed to be.
It wasn’t until I began to air out the past and told Dinky the truth that I began the process of letting it go. Doctor Hooves' unceasing support and Dinky’s love has helped to change me. As I look at myself today I see a calm smile. I see a joyful mare. I see someone who is anxious and excited about what’s to come. I see someone who is happy and content with who she is, and that is what is most important to me. As Rarity said I am worth all this. I deserve this joy and happiness. I deserve a stallion who wants to be there for me always.
I closed my eyes, letting her do her work, joyful anticipation searing my spirit and making me feel as alive as I’ve ever felt. I know I should feel afraid. That would be so me. Something could happen to the Doctor on the way to the church. I could have an allergic reaction to the makeup. I could catch my dress on something and rip it or fall flat on my face walking up to the altar. So many things could go wrong, but… I wasn’t afraid of it at all. I know that no matter what happens, whether I make myself look like a fool or I don’t look my absolute best, that Doctor Hooves will always be right my side to lift me up when I’m feeling down. I believe that with all of my heart, and so I also believe that today will go perfectly. Nothing will disturb my happiness today, no matter what may go wrong.
Time passed, and Rarity finished up with me. I took another good look at myself, feeling a sense of euphoria and wonder, loving who I saw in the mirror. I saw reflected back at me the kind of gentle, tender looks Dinky and the Doctor have given me.
Walking up to the mirror I wiped away a tear that had formed and put my hoof on it. “You look gorgeous, Derpy. You’re gonna knock ‘em dead. The stallions will all regret I’m unavailable after today.”
I saw Rarity approaching, putting a hoof on my shoulder. “That’s right, Derpy. Now THAT’S the attitude you should have all the time. You’re a strong, empowered mare. Now let the whole world see it!”
I bowed my head a little bit and said, “Thank you, Rarity, for everything. I needed to hear that, both now and when I first asked for you to make me a dress.”
“Oh, you’re welcome, darling.
“Now come on. You have to go to the library.”
“The library?” I asked, tilting my head a little. “Why there? I have to go to the wedding hall.”
“I don’t know, darling, but Twilight said that when you were all done over here she wanted you to go to see her before you headed over. She didn’t tell me why, but she said it was of vital importance.”
I shrugged. I couldn’t refuse an order from a princess. I remember her telling me a while ago she had something special planned for my wedding. I guess now she was ready to surprise me with it. The library was only a few minute walk from Rarity’s boutique. I could certainly spare the time.
On the walk there I tried to picture what she had planned for me. Knowing Twilight it was probably a book or something. Maybe about married life and how to be a good wife, or how to resolve disputes. While I could certainly appreciate the gesture I couldn’t understand why it was so important it couldn’t wait until after the wedding. I mean, I wouldn’t be able to hold onto the book while I was getting married or dancing at the reception.
When I arrived I knocked on the door a few times. “Hello? It’s me, Derpy!”
A few seconds later the door opened, revealing Twilight standing there, a big smile on her face. “Hello, Derpy! It’s nice to see you.”
“Same here, princess.” I gave a small bow. “Rarity said you wanted to see me?”
“Yes, indeedy. Come in. I have in here something to ensure you have a wedding you’ll never forget.”
I hesitated a moment before walking in, closing the door behind me. My eyes scanned the room, but all I saw were books and bookshelves. I didn’t see any sign of a present or that something was different than what it usually was.
She directed me to a chair by a desk, telling me to sit down. When I did she turned her head toward the overhang where her bed was and said, “SPIKE! You can send it now.”
Spike poked his head out. “Gotcha.” Holding up a piece of parchment he blew green fire over it, and it disappeared in a burst of magic.
After a few seconds I asked, “What was that?”
“You’ll see.” Twilight gave a mischievous giggle. There was a knock at the door after another few seconds, and now Twilight had this superior grin on her face as she said, “Come in!”
The door opened, and a pony walked in. “Hello there, Derpy,” came the kind voice.
“Hello, Princess Celestia,” I responded distractedly. I suddenly realized what I just said, and my head whipped back over. “PRINCESS CELESTIA?” I jumped out of my chair, hastening to bow.
“Please rise, my little pony.”
I looked up into her calm face, feeling my heart racing. “W-what brings you here, Princess?”
“Twilight called me here.” She smiled down at me, and it was such a kind and benevolent smile that I found myself relaxing. “So I heard you’re having a wedding today.”
“Y-yes.”
She walked over to me, putting a hoof on my shoulder. “That’s wonderful to hear. Would you mind if I attended?”
Just like when Doctor Hooves proposed to me I just felt all the strength in my legs fail me, and my back half hit the ground. “W-wha-wha-” I muttered out. “Y-you w-wa-want to co-come to MY wedding?”
“She’s not the only one,” came another voice.
Turning to look I could feel myself freezing up as Princess Luna and Princess Cadence walked in as well. I sputtered incoherently for a few seconds, unable to process that I was in the presence of all four alicorn princesses.
“I told you I had something big planned for your wedding, didn’t I?” I heard Twilight say.
In a fit of panic I ran to Twilight, shaking her and feeling myself start to cry. “TWILIGHT! WHAT DID YOU DO?”
Twilight laughed. “Oh, I have a few connections with my fellow princesses.”
I rapidly glanced at the other three princesses, feeling like I was going to faint. “T-T-Twilight,” I said fervently in a whisper. “I can’t have a bunch of alicorns at my wedding. I mean, they’re so important and big and powerful, and I’m… I’m just… I’m… not.”
Twilight put a comforting hoof on my shoulder. “Relax, Derpy. I didn’t do this just to show off, you know? I’ve only been in Ponyville for a year, but I’ve grown to know all my fellow townsponies. Not as well as Pinkie Pie, of course, but I’ve heard about the kind of heartaches and hardships you’ve gone through, so I just wanted to make sure that your special day was as amazing as I could possibly make it, and what better way could it be to make it unforgettable than to have royalty attending?”
Princess Luna walked up next to Twilight. “If it makes you feel better you can view this as being more than about you. Twilight may have asked this request of us, but all three of us came because we can appreciate what today signifies, and it means something special to each of us.
“When I first returned from my banishment I couldn’t fit in. I was so used to my old ways that it was difficult to account for the way things had changed in my absence. So I know the pain of feeling like an outcast, and how wonderful and beautiful it felt when I earned the acceptance of Ponyville and other ponies stopped fearing me.”
Twilight spoke up again. “It was my lessons on friendship that helped mold me into the mare I am now. I would never have come as far as I did without them by my side, so I want to help ensure a long and peaceful union between you two.”
Princess Cadence was up next. “Marriage is the ultimate form of friendship, forming a lifelong bond between two ponies. As the Princess of Love I can certainly appreciate that. And I have to say I’m a little curious to see what kind of pony you are. Twilight told me about how the stallion you chose as your mate publicly declared his love and proposed to you for all to see, vowing to give his all for you. Given that it was the great love that Shining Armor had for me that gave Queen Chrysalis so much strength as well as how it allowed us to overcome her in the end I certainly wouldn’t want to miss seeing the love between you two.”
Finally Princess Celestia walked up, all four of them side by side now. “It was the power of the Elements of Harmony that has allowed us to defeat the most powerful of foes. As you are aware, the Elements are powered by the love and harmony between ponies who ponify their virtues. The more love and harmony and togetherness that is felt between all the ponies around the more powerful ALL of us become, so it only makes sense that we be there to ensure everything runs smoothly. After the havoc of the last wedding it will be nice to attend a wedding where we’re not expected to be attacked by an army.
“This is about you, but it is also about so much more. A wedding is a most joyous occasion, and that love is power. Bringing others together in happiness and harmony molds our hearts into one, reminding us that we always have someone nearby to help us even when we feel alone. You have a daughter, so I’m sure you understand that feeling well.”
I thought of Dinky, of how she was always there for me when I needed her. But more than that I began to think again of how the whole town seemed to be as excited for my wedding as I was. The countless ponies who had offered their help and special talents in some way. Tears began to come down my eyes. I could see what she meant. My blood ties were thin, but I had a bunch of family in this town. I only had to open my eyes to it.
“If this is too much for you then please speak up. I wouldn’t be offended if you’d rather us leave.”
I shook my head. “I could never insult you by refusing to have you at my wedding. It’s a great honor.”
“In that case I would like to be the officiator of your wedding. Nobody will forget this day when you’re being joined by one of the rulers of Equestria.”
My body tensed as the tears flowed. My fear left me, and I felt overwhelmed as I ran into her hooves, hugging her. “Thank you! Thank you!”
She put a comforting hoof around me, her head over my neck. “You’re very welcome, my little pony.”
I just kept crying in her coat as she held me close, my mind whirling with this unexpected development.