(Once again, it is best that you read Home On The Range before this chapter.)
As Mist entered her tenth month of pregnancy, tensions were beginning to mount. Knowing that her own birth had been a premature one, Mist was worried that her foal would be coming early. She and her Blue were on tetherhooks most of the time, worried that the slightest growl or twinge in her stomach would herald the foal's arrival. They tried to focus their thoughts on the final preparations of their wedding, but it turned out to be almost as bad; Even with Big Red providing the venue, there was still a lot of work to be done. There was the cake to order, invites to hand out, and all kinds of minor tasks to go through. They were painfully aware that even the slightest misstep could ruin their big day. All that anxiety was starting to slowly have an effect on them, making them tired and jumpy.
"Ohhh, I cannot wait for all this to be said and done." Mist sighed one evening, rubbing her belly and looking over the wedding plans at the same time.
"Me too." Blue groaned. "Who knew weddings were such hard work?"
"Let's just try and get some rest." Mist yawned.
"Sounds like a plan." Blue said drowsily.
The couple got into bed together.
"You know what?" Blue asked.
"What?" Mist retorted.
"As rough as all this is, it'll be worth it just to be able to call you my wife, and raise that foal with you." Blue smiled.
"Thanks, Blue." Mist beamed. "I feel the same way."
The happy couple shared a kiss before cuddling each other to sleep.
The following morning, while she was in the castle study, Mist was joined in the room by Celestia.
"Sorry to interrupt your reading, Mist." Celestia apologized. "But could you join us in the lounge? There is an urgent matter that requires all us to attend to."
"Okay." Mist said grudgingly, having just gotten comfortable.
Mist struggled to her hooves, and followed Celestia to the lounge.
"After you." Celestia urged.
"If you say so..." Mist shrugged.
As Mist entered the room, she realized it was pitch black. The curtains had been drawn over the windows for some reason.
"Why is it so dark in-?" She started.
The curtains were suddenly drawn back, flooding the room with light.
"SURPRISE!!"
"What the-?" Mist gasped. As her eyes adjusted the light, she saw that not only her fellow Princesses, but Twilight, Cherry, Spitfire, and Fleetfoot, were all gathered around her, each carrying a present (Miracle and Hurricane had gone to the beach with Vito and Pureblood). "What's going on?"
"It's a foal shower, silly!" Constell grinned.
"It just occurred to me that we never had one for you." Twilight smiled. "Still, better late than never, right?"
"Right." Mist smiled.
"Forgive the deceit, dear sister-in-law." Celestia chuckled. "We didn't want to spoil the surprise."
"You're forgiven." Mist chuckled, looking around the room, before stopping at Fleetfoot. "Fleetfoot, why are you here?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Fleetfoot smiled. "Blue's practically my nephew. Which makes you honorary family."
"Aw, thanks." Mist grinned. "I'm certainly feeling honored."
"Now, let's get down to business." Luna smiled. "Presents, everypony!"
Meanwhile, Blue was coming back to Blazin' Blue's after having gone on a run to the bank to deposit some profits. Vinny had offered to watch the place until he came back. The moment he walked through the door, he was greeted the yelling of "SURPRISE!!"
"Whoa!" He yelped.
Vinny, along with Caboose (who had taken the day off), Soarin', Luxury, Blueblood, Big Red, Shine, Sleight, Gothic, and even the Changelings Sazh and Char were all there, big smiles on their faces... well except for Char, who had a stone-like expression.
"What's this?" Blue frowned.
"It's a foal shower!" Caboose cheered.
"Aren't those just for mares?" Blue asked.
"Yeah." Vinny shrugged. "But think of this as an early bachelor party instead. Every guy is about to get hitched deserves one, don't they?"
"...Fair enough." Blue smiled. "Let's party!"
"Hear, hear!" Soarin' cheered.
"Break out the finest drinks you have!" Blueblood declared.
"Comin' right up." Vinny nodded.
"It's almost time, pal." Luxury grinned, as Vinny passed out some drinks. "In less than two months, you'll be married, and raising a foal. A little nervous?"
"Yeah." Blue admitted. "But I'm also excited. Raising a foal of my own... it'll be a heck of an experience."
"No joke." Soarin' smiled. "Raising you was the best time of my life, kiddo."
"Thanks, dad." Blue grinned.
"I hope you won't forget about Mist." Shine declared. "She'll be needing a lot of support, and I wouldn't like to hear that you've been neglecting her."
"Of course not." Blue smiled. "I'll always have time for her."
"Now that's what I like to hear." Shine nodded in approval.
"Um... quick question." Blue said suddenly, pointing to Sleight and Sazh. "Why are they here? Don't get me wrong, I don't mind them being here, but it's not like we had much interactions..."
"I invited them." Shine confessed. "I figured since Sleight was there the night you and Mist finally got together, it'd be fitting to have him and his pals here for this celebration of your relationship."
"You know, you ponies continue to astound me." Sazh admitted, "I always knew that a pony's reproductive system was very different from a Changeling, but to only be able to have up to two foals? I gotta say, it is odd next to our queen laying hundreds eggs every breeding season."
"Whaddaya mean?" Big Red frowned. "Don't Changelings breed on their own too?"
"Yeah, but even then, it's rare." Sazh shrugged. "Especially given how almost every other changeling you meet is like your sister or cousin..." Then he smiled at Blue, "Either way, I wish you and Princess Mist nothing but the best."
"Well, thank you, Sazh." Blue nodded. "Even though you and Sleight coming here is a surprise, you are all welcome to enjoy the-" He glanced at Char. "...And just what are you doing here?!"
"Would you believe me if I told you I wazzz invited?" Char frowned.
"Invited?!" Blue gaped. "Who the buck would invite you of all ponies to my party?!"
"Your 'aunt' Fleetfoot." Char admitted.
"What?!" Blue spluttered. "How could she?!"
"Because they're dating." Soarin' announced. "Char even came to watch at one of our shows. Caused quite a stir, it did."
"That doesn't explain why you had to come here!" Blue frowned.
"Thezzze two practically coerced me into going." Char glared at Sazh and Sleight.
"We figured it would help his rehabilitation if he got out a little more." Sleight declared. "See a little of the pony world."
"And you thought you'd start by bringing to the bar of the guy whose fiancée he once tried to kidnap?!" Blue spluttered.
"Ah gotta second that emotion." Big Red agreed, glaring at Char.
"As somepony who's seen that guy on a bad day, I'm with you guys." Luxury added.
"I'm not over the moon about this myself." Shine admitted. "But Char did help us against Black Knight, and from what Sleight has told me, he seems genuinely willing to put his past behind him."
"Whatever." Blue growled at Char. "Just don't try anything, bug boy."
"Azzz if you could stop me." Char snorted. "If you may recall, the trickzzzt- I mean, hizzz majezzzty wazzz the one that zzzaved you and the zzzpoiled brat from my wrath. I practically had you both whipped!"
"You got lucky then." Blue growled. "I could probably take you by myself right now!"
"If you ever care to put that to the tezzzt, I'd be happy to help prove otherwise." Char sneered.
"Some other time, maybe." Blue snorted. "When I'm in the mood."
"Anything you zzzay..." Char snickered.
"Ooookay..." Vinny cringed. "Who's up for more drinks?"
Back at the castle, Mist was unwrapping some of the gifts. Twilight had gotten her a foal's picture book.
"Thanks, Twilight." Mist smiled. "I'm sure the foal will love it."
"If it's anything like you, I'll bet it will." Twilight chuckled.
Luna and Constell had worked together to create a stunning stellar-themed mobile for the crib.
"Wow." Mist gasped. "That's incredible!"
"Only the best for your little bundle of joy." Constell grinned.
Celestia had gotten the foal a beautiful sun-shaped rattle.
"Thank you so much." Mist smiled.
"You're welcome, Mist." Celestia beamed.
Dusty had gotten a top of the line foal walker.
"For when the foal starts getting... active." She explained. "If Vito and Pureblood are anything to go by, this'll really come in useful."
"Thanks, Dusty." Mist grinned.
Spitfire's present came next. It was foal-sized Wonderbolts uniform.
"Oh, that is so adorable!" Mist squeaked. "The foal will look absolutely darling in it!"
"Of course it will." Fleetfoot chuckled. "I can't wait to see the little cutie wear it. It'll be such a cute sight..."
"Considering its bloodline, there's no doubt there." Spitfire chuckled. "And he or she will do just great in Cloudsdale..."
"No argument there, Spits." Fleetfoot smirked.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Cherry asked.
"Well, the foal's obviously going to grow up to become a Wonderbolt, isn't it?" Spitfire smirked, "It would be in his or her blood."
"Not necessarily." Cherry said tersely. "I mean, sure, the foal might pick up on his father's acrobatic prowess, but that doesn't mean he or she is destined to become one."
"Of course not." Spitfire nodded, "He will have to work hard for it like everypony else had to. But with somepony like his or her 'grandma' helping him or her out, the foal will surely become one."
"But what if the foal doesn't want to become a Wonderbolt?" Cherry challenged, "What if it want to become something else, like say, cherry farming, or flower growing."
"Why would it want to waste it's time with jobs like that when it could become something more?" Spitfire frowned, "It would not only be a waste of potential, but of the wings that were meant to fly."
"Um, Spitfire, if I may..." Celestia interjected, "But isn't your son, a pegasus, currently running a bar down in Canterlot?"
"That was... a special case." Spitfire said indignantly.
"Okay, you two, it's nothing to get hostile over." Mist tries to defuse the situation, "The foal will have plenty of time-"
"Mist is a 'special case too." Cherry declared. "She's always preferred the ground over the sky, and I wouldn't be surprised if the foal feels the same way."
"No grandfoal of mine will be choosing the land over the sky." Spitfire growled. "Not if I can help it..."
"So that how it is? You weren't happy that your son chose to not be a Wonderbolt, so you are going to try to groom your son's child to be a Wonderbolt to make up for your son not wanting to follow in your hoofsteps?" Cherry growled.
"Buck no." Spitfire seethed. "I realized I was wrong in discouraging my son from trying to leave the family's tradition, but I know I am not wrong for wanting to teach my grandchild it's family's legacy."
"Uh-huh, and what if the foal is not a Pegasus?" Cherry challenged, "Mist's mother was a Earth Pony. Chances are that the foal might be a Earth Pony too."
"Um, actually, by rule of the Punnett Square..." Twilight chimed in. "Mist has a recessive Earth Pony gene. But since Blue is all pegasus, the foal is practically guaranteed a pegasus, but might be a carrier for the Earth Pony gene as well."
"...Meaning?" Fleetfoot asked.
"That my grandbaby is going to be a flier no matter what." Spitfire smirked.
"Even so, what if it was a Earth Pony?" Cherry asked, "Would you even give the foal the time of day, especially if it can't become a Wonderbolt?"
That immediately wiped the smirk off Spitfire's face.
"You would assume that I would not love the foal if it wasn't a pegasus?" Spitfire glared, "I don't know what I did to ever give you such an impression, but I am not that kind of pony!"
"Well, I don't want my grandchild to be raised being pressured by somepony to become something it might not even want to be." Cherry seethed.
"And I don't want my grandchild to live some lackadaisal life, knowing it could be doing more!" Spitfire snarled.
"Come on, girls." Dusty urged. "Let's not argue."
"Dusty's right." Luna agreed. "This is supposed to be a happy occasion..."
"Then tell the bumpkin here to back off!" Spitfire yelled.
"How dare you, you... airheaded thrillseeker!" Cherry shot back.
"Dirt fancier!" Spitfire yelled.
"Cloud lover!" Cherry spat.
"Okay, that's enough!" Mist suddenly yelled, "Seriously, the foal is not even born yet and you two are fighting over it's future?"
"Well, I am trying to be a grandmother who teaches her grandchild to aim to be the best it can be!" Spitfire defended.
"And I am trying to be the grandmother who would love her grandbaby no matter what it does in life." Cherry retorted.
"Look, I understand your intentions, you two, but seriously..." Mist sighed in frustration. "My foal will be whatever it wants to be. I am not going to pressure it to become somepony. If my foal wants to be something, it's up to it to decide what that thing is. I want nopony to decide for it."
"Yes, but still..." Spitfire stammered.
"Spitfire." Mist turned to her. "I want the foal to live up to it's potential, make no mistake about that. And I know you won't love it any less if it's not what she expected. I've come to appreciate you for being willing to be a grandmother, but you don't want to make the same mistakes you made with Blue. You need to accept the foal for what he or she wants to do, and support its choice. Surely you can wing that, can't you?"
"Yes, Mist." Spitfire nodded, head bowed in shame.
"And Cherry..." Mist faced Cherry, "After my parents passed, I came to see you as a mother figure. You've always helped when I needed it, and never steered me wrong. But the foal might want more in its life than a career as a flower or botanist. You don't want it to settle for something if it feels it can't achieve those things, now do you?"
"I guess you're right." Cherry sighed. "I'm sorry, dear. I didn't mean to get carried away."
"Same here." Spitfire agreed.
"I know you didn't." Mist smiled. "And I'm touched you care so much about the foal's future. But it will be his or her future, and nopony else's. None of us have the right to decide that."
"Well put, Mist." Celestia smiled.
"Destiny's a funny thing, you know." Twilight declared. "You never know where it'll take you. And I'm sure this foal's destiny will be something quite wonderful."
"So do I." Mist grinned. "And no matter what that destiny, I'll be proud of it."
"Me too." Cherry nodded.
"And me." Spitfire admitted. "Though if it just happens to want to become a Wonderbolt, I won't stop it..."
Over at the bar, the stallions were continuing their own celebration, downing several drinks each.
"Like Ah wuz saying, the weddin's gonna be you an' Mist's chance ta finally meet Eclipse, Huck and Globe." Big Red told Shine. "They're a great bunch a' kids, ya mark mah words."
"I'm sure they are." Shine grinned. "And I can't wait to meet them."
"So this is 'alcohol'?" Sazh frowned.
"Yep." Sleight slugged back a shot, "While increased intake does affect your mental faculties, and can really set off the old temper..." he paused for a moment, bitterly recalling his father's own drunken rages. "...It does help take the edge off a hard day. Trust me, I know."
Sazh took a sip.
"Hmm, not bad." Sazh grinned. "Not exactly the sweetest feelings of love, but enjoyable, nonetheless."
"No kidding." Sleight drank more.
"I 'member when Daring was about to have Hurricane." Caboose slurred to Blue, already wasted. "I wash sho shcared, I thought I'd poop myshelf! Sho by thoshe standards, you're doin' pretty well."
"Thanks..." Blue cringed.
"Are you okay, Caboose?" Vinny frowned, "You look like you had one too many already."
"I am fine." Caboose mumbled, before glancing to his right. "Right, magic cactus pony?"
"Maybe I shouldn't had let him have that entire bottle of super-strength vodkolt." Vinny whispered.
"It's a magical moment, Blue." Shine declared. "You never forget it. The moment that foal comes out of the mare you love, you just want to keep it close to your heart and protect it forever. It's easily the greatest moment you will ever experience in your life."
"Yeah, that's how it was for me." Gothic agreed.
"And me." Blueblood nodded.
"Ah felt the same way when Shine and Mist were born." Big Red admitted. "Even though Ah wuzn't even their father figger at the time..."
"And I wanted to be a great dad!" Caboose announced. "Better than Bing Crosbuck and Martin Shawn combined!"
"What utter nonsense." Char snarled. "You ponies positively coddle your offspring."
"Char..." Sleight said warningly.
"It'zzz true." Char sneered. "You care for them over clozzze to two decades. I was barely two yearzzz old when I was cut loozzze from the nurzzzery, placed into the warrior caste, and made to fend for myself!"
"That's not true." Sazh pointed out, "You had Wizel."
"Even then, I was forced to do thingzzz no 'foal' would have to do. I was never bottlefed, or had a diaper change. Instead, I was learning how to cripple and maim opponantzzz. But in zzzzpite of all that, I was made zzztronger for it!" Char said proudly. "I carry the honor of the Changelingzzzz with pride and look at how am I today!"
"You mean like going crazy and holding an innocent mare hostage?" Blue snarled.
"Oh, you juzzzt won't let that go, will you?" Char snarled back as he chugged down a bottle of chery wine. He had been drinking a lot since he arrived, hoping to make the time go by faster. Though Changelings had a higher tolerance for the inebriating effects of alcohol than ponies did, he was starting to succumb. "I make one mizzztake, and you hold it againzzzt me forever!"
"Technically, it was a whole bunch of mistakes..." Sazh declared. "There was the whole 'violent' towards ponies schtick, you berating Sleight at every turn during the whole 'Red Eclipse' thing, you going batcrud crazy when Chrysalis told us he was going to be our king, you swearing vengeance, and the whole Mist kidnapping thing..." Char glared at him. "What? You really were a stinker back then."
"Whatever!" Char yelled. "I don't have to take thizzz from him!"
"What are ya gonna do, buzz breath?" Blue sneered. "Kidnap some other defenceless mare?"
"You had better watch your tone, boy." Char spat. "I am a changed fellow, but not that changed!"
"And suddenly, this party is becoming a major downer..." Blueblood frowned.
"Char, don't go doing something you might regret..." Sleight warned him.
"Why not?" Char asked. "No matter what happenzzz, the poniezzz will alwayzzz hold my pazzzt againzzzt me! The reazzzon I didn't want to come to thizzz party was becauzzze zzzo many here dezzzpizzze me!" He pointed at Blue. "And not juzzzt this one!" He points at Luxury, "The rich kid also hatezzz me, azzz he too had dezzzignzzz on the girl!" He pointed to Big Red. "And thizzz one is the girl'zzz father!" He points to Shine, "Then there'zzz the brother! Now can you zzzee why I didn't want to come?!"
"Easy, Char." Sazh tried to comfort him. "I'm sure they don't hate you."
"Says who?" Blue frowned, drunkenness affecting his mind too. "You can say you've changed as much as you want, Char. But you'll always be that mad Changeling who tried to kidnap my fiancé. You'll always be that poor angry bug who hate all ponies...I don't see what Fleetfoot sees or even bothers with you."
"That'zzz it!" Char yelled.
Char charged at Blue, throwing him to the ground.
"I'll kill you! I will buckin' murderizzze you!" Char spat.
"Bring it on, ya overgrown dung beetle!" Blue mocked him.
The others moved in to separate them.
"That's enough!" Soarin' yelled.
"But dad-" Blue started.
"No buts." Soarin' declared. "I know you two have had your differences in the past, but there's no call for that kind of behaviour."
"That goes for you too, Char." Sleight growled, "Seriously, what would Wizel and Chrysalis think?"
"If he zzzayzzz I'm zzztill an angry bug pony who hate all ponies, who am I to argue?" Char said petulantly.
"It doesn't matter what you were before." Sleight told Char. "It's what you are now that counts."
"Sleight has a point." Gothic admitted. "Char helped us against Black Knight. He fought alongside those he once hated. Shouldn't that be enough for us to give him the benefit of the doubt?"
"Yeah, maybe..." Luxury frowned.
"Maybe?" Big Red snarled. "He tried tah hurt mah little girl."
"And I apologizzze for that." Char declared, his eyes showing..... sadness. "I will not lie, I alwayzzz had it out for the poniezzz. But can you really blame me? Our kind had spent forever zzzuffering becauzzze of the poniezzz' hate for uzzz, and ever zzzince that treaty, it's like when zzzlavery wazzz abolizzzhed and all the zebrazzz and other zzzpeciezzz just forget all the Tartaruzzz that their opprezzzors had put them through. I didn't want to forgive the poniezzz just because they zzzuddenly felt bad for all the pain they cauzzzed uzzz and act like that it made everything alright." He glanced at the others. "To me, it didn't. Not one bit."
"I think I see where you're getting at Gothic admitted.
"Even zzzo, it got worzzze when..." Char glanced at Sleight. "The 'wizzard' came into our life and took the queen'zzz hoof in marriage. I felt it zzzpat in the face of everything I zzztood for and... I lazzzhed out. I am not proud of what I did after that, but I know it wazzz wrong. Can any of you honezzztly zzzay you have never felt the thrall of blind fury?"
"...Well, Ah've blown mah stack pretty bad once or twice." Big Red admitted. "An' Ah guess an apology's a good start..."
"Now I'm actually starting to feel sorry for the guy..." Vinny admitted.
"Maybe we've been a little too hard on the Beaver..." Caboose muttered.
"Guess we can give him the benefit of the doubt." Gothic shrugged. "After he helped us against Black Knight, it's the least we can do..."
"Forgive and forget, that's what I say." Shine declared.
"You too, Shine?" Blue groaned. "I don't believe this..."
"Look Blue, I'm not asking for you guys to magically become best friends." Sleight declared. "Just try and put aside your differences for the day. This is supposed to be a party, right?"
"Foal shower!" Caboose whooped.
"...I guess so." Blue sighed, before turning to Char. "I'm up for a truce if you are."
"Agreed." Char nodded. "Juzzzt for today. I zzztill can't bear to be around poniezzz for too long."
"Really? Because you seem to not mind being around Fleetfoot for hours on end." Sazh smirked.
"Quiet!" Char hissed
"Faust, I still remember that episode of Stable Date." Blueblood chuckled. "I don't think I ever enjoyed that show so much as I did in that episode."
"Tell me about it." Sleight smiled. "I still remember Wizel threatening the two to do this or buck it out so they get along."
"Boy, was that wild." Vinny chuckled. "Char really chewed the scenery."
"Well, I wazzzn't exactly pleazzzed at the decor..." Char muttered.
"And how about Sazh?" Blue smiled, "It was funny how you tried to get a rise out of that one girl who was stoic as a rock."
"Trust me, it was no fun for me." Sazh shook his head, but still smiling. "It was like talking to a board."
"You wanna know about boards?" Caboose piped up, still drunk off his rocks. "My ex was like one when I made love to her. I was suprised I didn't get splinters on my ding-dong."
"And yeah, in spite of all this craziness, Char and you managed to get with those two." Sleight smiled. "Especially Char..."
"What can I zzzay?" Char shrugged, though a bit bashful. "That mare got some zzzpirit to her. I admire that in a mate."
"Well, guess we learned something about you today, huh, lovebug?" Luxury chuckled.
"And now that drama is over with, how about a few more drinks?" Vinny offered.
"With pleazzzure." Char smiled. "All that yelling hazzz left me quite parched."
"On that, we agree." Blue nodded. "Another round!"
Back at the castle, the mares were chatting over tea and biscuits.
"Oh, I can't wait for the wedding." Twilight smiled.
"It'll be wonderful, I just know it." Spitfire grinned.
"And you and Shine will finally get to meet those three darling boys Red and I took in." Cherry declared. "They're going to love you."
"And I'm sure I'll love them." Mist smiled.
"Taking in kids, huh?" Dusty asked. "You guys really doing the adopting thing, don't you?"
"We surely do." Cherry nodded. "There's nothing we like more than giving poor, downtrodded kids a chance to lead a better life."
"Admirable sentiments, dear Cherry." Celestia declared.
"Thank you kindly, Celestia." Cherry smiled.
"So, Fleetfoot, are the rumors I've heard true?" Spitfire asked. "Have you really hooked up with a Changeling?"
"Yep." Fleetfoot nodded.
"Whoa, seriously?" Constell gaped. "You go, girl!"
"We met on a dating show." Fleetfoot explained. "His name's Char."
"That guy?" Mist asked. She had gotten over his attempt to kidnap her, but still found it strange that he would be with a pony.
"I know it sounds weird." Fleetfoot admitted. "I was a little creeped out at first, but he's not such a bad guy once you get past the hard shell. And he's a great kisser. The things he can do with those mancibles..."
"Ugh, too much information..." Constell gagged.
"Oh, don't be such a prude." Fleetfoot smirked.
"Well, I for one, congratulate you, Fleetfoot." Celestia smiled. "Love is always beautiful, no matter the pairing."
"Thank you, Princess." Fleetfoot smiled.
"Yeah, to each her own." Mist admitted.
Over at the bar, the group had drank ever more, and in a full-on state of inebriation.
"Don't ya jest love cherry pies...?" Big Red slurred.
"I love all kinds of pie." Soarin' hiccupped. "But cherry pie is the best. It's like... dozens of cherries, all at once."
"It is, isn't it?" Big Red gasped. "Lots a' cherries, in a big, round, crusty container!"
"And under that brown cover... lots an' lots of red!" Soarin' cheered.
"Like me!" Big Red chuckled. "Ah'm red like a cherry!"
"Yeah..." Soarin' grinned. "If you were a cherry, I'd eat you..."
"Thank ya kindly..." Big Red sniggered.
"I love this alcohol..." Sazh said drunkenly. "It's like... liquid happiness."
"Easy, Sazh." Sleight declared, just as drunk as he was. "Don't wanna overdone it! ...Overdown... Over-under.... You know what I mean!"
"I haven't gotten this smashed since that benefit my parents held to save the Breezies..." Luxury admitted.
"I remember that." Blueblood gurgled. "For a charity event, it had some decent booze..."
"I'd like to make a toast to all of you." Blue smiled. "Yeah, even Char..."
"This oughta be good." Char swayed.
"Thanks for coming, everypony." Blue smiled. "This party was just what I needed after how stressed things have been lately."
"No problem, Blue." Shine smiled, still semi-lucid. "Most of us have been where you are, and we knew just how to help."
"And I can't think you enough." Blue smiled, raising a glass. "This drink's for all of you!"
Blue slugged back the drink... then collapsed, unconscious.
"Anypony got an okra sandwich?" Caboose muttered. "I'll trade you my armor for an okra sandwich!"
"Trading isn't exactly your strong suit, bro." Vinny chuckled.
Back at the castle, the shower was ending. Twilight and Cherry were heading back home.
"See you at the wedding." Twilight smiled.
"Take care until then, Mist." Cherry beamed.
"I will." Mist smiled.
As Twilight and Cherry left, Mist turned to Celestia.
"Boy, that was fun." She declared. "I hope Blue's day wasn't too boring in comparison."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Celestia smiled, knowing of the boy's surprise.
Over at the bar, the stallions awake to a raging mutual hangover.
"Oh, my head..." Sazh cringed. "Is this what alcohol does to you?"
"Pretty much." Sleight shrugged.
"I'll never touch a drop again." Sazh pledged.
"I think this our cue to leave." Soarin' sighed.
"Darn tootin' Big Red groaned. "See y'all at the weddin'."
"Can't wait." Shine nodded.
"Me neither." Sleight smiled.
The stallions mumbled their goodbyes, Blue, Luxury and Vinny (and a near-comatose Caboose) remaining.
"Some party, huh?" Luxury asked.
"Not so loud, kid..." Vinny winced.
"Times like these make me wish I was Mist." Blue groaned. "She'll have had a nice, quiet day, at the castle..."
"Caboose?" Vinny nudged his brother, who was still asleep. "Wake up!"
"I don't wanna pet the bunny!" Caboose snorted. "Its twitchy nose is freaking me out!"
That night, Blue and Mist shared their stories of the day. They were both surprised at the realization that they had both had parties thrown for them.
"Boy, what are the odds?" Blue smiled.
"And now we have all this stuff for the foal." Mist grinned. "And all that pre-wedding stress has gone down a little."
"Speaking of which, it won't be long now." Blue grinned. "Soon, you'll be Mrs. Blue Blazes Windsong."
"And you'll be Mr. Mist Paladin." Mist teased.
"We'll see." Blue chuckled.
In a week's time, Blue and Mist took a carriage down to Dodge Junction, where Big Red was waiting to greet them.
"Howdy!" Big Red ran out to Mist, who was the first to disembark.
"Hi, Big Red!" Mist hugged him. "It's so good to see you!"
"Right back atchya, kiddo." Big Red chuckled. "It's been way too long, Mist!"
A lanky tan, brown-maned teenage Earth Pony with green eyes and a hat-and-wheat-stalk Cutie Mark with a green bandana suddenly burst out of the front door.
"Did somepony say 'Mist'?" He smirked. "Better let her know today's her lucky da-"
The colt stopped cold as he laid eyes on the heavily pregnant mare right in front of him. His jaw dropped in disbelief.
'This must be one of those kids Cherry was talking about.' Mist thought.
"Looks like my reputation precedes me." She joked. "Hi there."
The colt pulled a small white square (which looked to Mist like a picture), rapidly glancing between it and her.
"You, er, look a little different than I've been told." He admitted.
"Well, that's what happens when you're pregnant." Mist shrugged.
"P-p-p-pregnant?!" The colt wheezed.
'Okay, that's a little weird...' Mist thought.
At that point, Blue emerged from the carriage, carrying all the luggage.
"Everything's accounted for, babe." He told Mist, giving her a small nuzzle on the cheek.
"Babe?" Huckleberry deflated further.
"Yeah, didn't Ah mention?" Big Red smirked. "Mist an' Blue here are the ones gettin' married."
"That would've been some good information to have... about five minutes ago!" The colt yelled.
'Oh, I get it...' Mist thought. 'He had a crush on me. That's kind of cute. Nice to know I've still got it...'
"Hello, sir." Blue smiled.
"What are ya doin' over there? Get in here!" Big Red pulled him into the hug.
"Nice to see you too." Blue choked, his air supply cut off by Big Red's hoof around his neck.
At that point, Cherry exited the house, accompanied by Eclipse and Globe.
"Welcome back, Mist!" Cherry smiled. "Oh, look at you! You're practically glowing!"
"Thanks, Cherry." Mist beamed.
Not long after that, Mist, Blue and the others had been formally introduced to Eclipse, Huckleberry and Globe. Mist thought Globe was sweet, Huckleberry chivalrous, and Eclipse quiet, but noble. At one point, she had overheard Huckleberry talking to Blue about her, confirming her suspicions. She couldn't help but feel flattered at Huckleberry calling her a "jackpot," and touched that he felt the need to congratulate Blue. After that, she went to change into her wedding dress.
Just before the ceremony, Big Red stood beside Mist, ready to lead her up the aisle.
"Mah li'l girl's big day." He sniffed. "Ah'm so proud..."
"Easy, Big Red." Mist chuckled. "There'll be plenty of time for crying once the ceremony's actually begun."
"Shoot, ya prob'ly think Ah'm makin' a fool a' myself." Big Red wiped his eyes.
"Never." Mist hugged Big Red.
"Ah jest can't believe this is really happenin'." Big Red sobbed. "That sweet li'l filly Ah took in is about ta become a married mare. Mah job is done."
"That may be, but I'll always need you." Mist declared. "You're the best dad I ever knew."
"And yer the best daughter." Big Red smiled. Suddenly, the wedding march started to play. "Aw, boy. This is it..."
"Hang in there, Red." Mist smiled.
Big Red led Mist up the aisle to the waiting Blue. For a split-second, he held on to her, but let go in the end, knowing that she was about to have a new top stallion in her life.
In the crowd, Char was seated beside Fleetfoot. As he glanced to the side, he noticed another Changeling.
"What are you here for?" He asked.
"The food, of courzzze." The Changeling smiled. "Pony weddings are always so filling. I even went to a donkey wedding once, that was especially delicious..."
Celestia took her position, having volunteered to officiate.
"Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to join these two ponies in holy matrimony." She announced. "Their love is pure, strong and true. That much cannot be denied."
Blue and Mist smiled lovingly at each other.
"The rings, please." Celestia urged.
Soarin' provided the ring for Mist, while Cherry, as best mare, gave Mist the ring for Blue. The two slipped the rings upon each other.
"Do you, Blue Blazes, take Mist to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, 'til death do you part?" Celestia inquired.
"I do." Blue grinned.
"Do you, Mist, take Blue Blazes to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, 'til death do you part?" Celestia asked.
"I do." Mist nodded.
"Then, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you stallion and wife." Celestia smiled. "You may kiss the bride."
The guests cheered as the newlyweds did just that. Not just Big Red was weeping, but Blue's parents, Constell and Luxury... even the stoic Eclipse let a tear roll down his cheek, Mist catching the light glancing off it.
"Finally." Blue whispered. "We're Mr and Mrs Blazes."
"Or Paladin." Mist joked.
"Either way, I couldn't be happier." Blue grinned.
"Me neither." Mist sighed.
During the receptionist, Blue and Mist were greeted by Spitfire and Soarin'.
"It's official now." Spitfire grinned. "Welcome to the family, Mist."
"Thanks... mom." Mist chuckled.
"My boy's all married off." Soarin' wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm so proud..."
"Be strong, dad." Blue smiled.
"Geez, if you're like this now, I hate to think what'll happen when the foal's born." Fleetfoot joked. "You'll probably flood the whole maternity wing..."
"Very funny." Soarin' pouted.
"Hey, there's no harm in being sensitive." Spitfire hugged him. "I love it when you show your emotions..."
"I know." Soarin' beamed.
Char approached Blue and Mist.
"I... congratulate you on thizzz zzzpecial day." He said awkwardly. "The love between izzz quite palpable. I'm practically drowning in it..."
"Um... thanks, I guess." Blue shrugged.
"You know, we really should be thanking you." Mist smiled.
"You zzzhould/We should?" Char and Blue said together.
"Yeah." Mist nodded. "If it weren't for Char trying to kidnap me, I might not have realised that Blue was the one for me, and this day would have never come."
"I guess you're right." Blue shrugged.
"I hadn't thought of it like that..." Char admitted. "It would zzzeem zzzome good came out of my mizzzguided actionzzz after all."
"They sure did." Mist suddenly hugged Char. "Thank you."
"You're... welcome." Char blushed lightly.
"That's enough mushy stuff." Fleetfoot grabbed Char. "Let's see how well Changelings can dance."
"Yezzz, let'zzz." Char grinned.
Blue and Mist watched as Char and Fleetfoot hit the dancefloor.
"Call me crazy, but I think that guy's starting to grow on me." Blue admitted.
"You're crazy." Mist teased. "Anyway, I'm happy they found each other. Today is a day for love, after all."
"You got that right." Blue embraced his wife.
After a fun and exciting reception, which also involved a photo of their extended family, Blue and Mist took the carriage back to Canterlot for their "honeymoon." Since Mist wasn't in much of state to travel, the newlyweds settled for a night at the Canterlot Hillton.
"I know this isn't exactly an exotic getaway..." Blue apologised, as they looked around their room. It was the fanciest suite the hotel had (paid for by Luxury's wedding present), but the locale was hardly exciting. The view from the window was similar to the view from the castle.
"I don't care." Mist nuzzled him. "As long as I'm with you."
"Still, I owe you a real honeymoon." Blue declared. "And once the foal's here, I intend to give you just that."
"You're the best, Blue." Mist chuckled. "I feel so lucky to be Mrs. Windsong."
"Or Paladin." Blue joked.
"Whatever." Mist chuckled. "Now, how about we celebrate our first night as husband and wife."
"You read my mind." Blue chuckled. "I ordered some dandelion sandwiches and ice-cold OJ from room service. And that's just the start of my surprises..."
"Ooh, I can't wait to get started." Mist giggled.
"We already have started, babe." Blue pointed out. "This is the beginning of our new life together, and I see to it we hit the ground running."
"C'mere, you." Mist purred.
The two newlyweds kissed passionately. They had finally tied the knot, but there was one last experience waiting to happen. Parenthood was almost upon them, and they were ready to take it head-on, together...