//------------------------------// // Life, Uncertain // Story: Life Could Be A Dream // by TheAmazingMe //------------------------------// I hadn’t expected to be nervous the day before the wedding. Open had everything worked out, even when a few places chose not to serve us. The rehearsal had gone well. It wasn’t an elaborate or frilly ceremony. Even the reception looked to be in order. So why was I so nervous? “Bru, for the last time you can wear the hat.” Div reassured him. “I don’t care if it clashes with your suit. I don’t care if I fall in a bucket of pink paint before the ceremony! Everything will be fine.” “But Granny Story said…” Bru argued. “Don’t let Lovely hear you call her ‘granny.’” Div reminded him. Bruiser growled in frustration. “It’s too hard keeping all these names straight. Nonna Pro, Gran Amore, Nana Lovely, Pappa Story. I’m this close to just calling all of them by first name.” “Like you do with me?” Div asked, raising an eyebrow. “Unless you’d rather be called Mamma Sogni.” Bruiser shot back. “How about Papa Div?” Div suggested. “How about Mother diVolare?” Bru said stubbornly. Div sighed. “Whatever, just don’t call me late for dinner.” I groaned from my place on the couch. Thankfully, I had a book to cover my outburst of frustration at how these two were getting along. Unfortunately, it was one of mom's books. Mom had insisted on giving me a copy of her newest Barleyquin Romance novel. It was more readable than others she’d forced into my hooves. Well, either that or my tolerance had grown since my teen years. Even then, I still skipped the…more direct pages. I didn't need pointers from mom about sex. “Your mom write another sappy scene?” Div asked. “Can I read Gran Gran Story’s book next?” Bruiser asked. Div snorted. “You're too young. Also, say ‘Gran Gran’ around Lovely and you’ll be young for the rest of your life.” Bruiser looked confused for a moment, until Div mimed a hoof across his throat. “I’m trying to unwind over here. But SOMEponies would rather argue like foals.” I called from behind my book. “Sorry, Ly.” “Sorry, dad.” “Would it be so hard to call us both that?” Div asked plainly. Bruiser snorted and pointed at me. “He earned it.” I snapped the book shut and glared at both of them. Bruiser wouldn’t make eye contact and Div looked about ready to make any excuse to get away. “I love you both. It’s very important to me that you guys bond. Got that?” “Yes, Life.” Div answered quietly. “Yes sir.” Bruiser said. I put a hoof to my temple. Some habits were hard to break, but I’d tried to get Bru to call me anything but ‘sir.’ Not only had that phrase been one I hated as a foal, but I knew Bru hated it too. “Get out, both of you.” I said finally. “What did I do?” Div whined. “Where am I supposed to go by myself?” Bruiser asked incredulously. I stood and pointed a hoof at Div. “You need to form a positive relationship with our son.” I turned to Bru and pointed. “And you need to cool it with names before you hurt somepony’s feelings.” Regarding them together, I wrapped them both in a hug. “Go out and find something both of you will enjoy. I love you.” “I love you too, Ly.” Div said, patting my back with a hoof. “I love you too, dad.” Bruiser whispered, patting my side. With that source of irritation gone, the room was suddenly too quiet. I sighed, setting aside mom's book for a moment to take stock of what we had to eat. Leaving for food seemed unappealing, so I hoped we had some of the samples from the catering company or even the bakery. Levitating the pile to sort through it, two plain black suit boxes caught my eye. Gently, I began to lower the pile while bringing the boxes to me. Before it settled back onto the table, I managed to snag a plate of muffins. With my haul firmly in my magical grasp, I trotted back to the couch. Lifting the lid on the first box, I found a royal guard dress uniform. I quickly replaced the lid, intent on not getting crumbs on my fiancé’s uniform. It hadn’t occurred to me that Div wouldn’t wear a suit. I’d practically forgotten Div was a royal guard, as Div had mostly left the armor in our room. It was going to be odd, sharing my spouse with Princess Luna. I set the box aside, steeling myself against the uncertain future. The second box held what I’d been expecting, albeit of a quality higher than I’d imagined. A knock on my door later, and the pony responsible for my current state of shock stood before me. “Ah, Div finally remembered to show you the tuxedo I made.” Progetta called as she walked in. Unlike her wife Progetta managed to speak without the Bitalian accent, though it came up if she was emotional. “Actually, I found it while looking for something to eat.” Mamma Pro rolled her eyes. “Mamma, I have to say, between the three outfits for Bruiser and the suit you gave me for the interview all those months ago, I owe you quite a bit. This? This is too much!” I said, indicating the white tuxedo. “How did you ever have time to do all of this?” She rolled her eyes and waved a hoof. “Don’t wound my pride, Life! It’s my honor to make sure my family looks their best.” Progetta covered her mouth with a hoof. “Although, I actually had your suits made a while ago. I’ve just been holding onto them.” I had to shake my head. “Was I the only one who didn’t know how much he loved me?” She smiled broadly. “It took him a while to see it too. Even with Amore's very unsubtle hints.” I laughed at the thought of Ma Amore trying to clue in Div. Progetta scooted the tux box at me. “Better make sure that fits before tomorrow. I can fix it if it doesn’t. Besides, I want to see how it looks on you.” I hurried off into the bedroom part of the suite and closed the door on Mamma Pro's sigh. It might seem silly, but changing clothes in front of somepony made me feel awkward. I walked back out, tugging things into place. The tie tying spell I learned ages ago wasn’t working, but otherwise I looked good. Mamma Pro picked up on the tie immediately. “I thought Unicorns had a spell for that.” She teased, pointing at the tie slung over my shoulder. “We do. I’ve forgotten it.” I answered plainly. “You might want to look it up before tomorrow.” She chided as she unfurled her wings. With amazing dexterity, she flipped the tie around and knotted it perfectly. I took a look into the vanity mirror. “Mamma, I might need to steal you everyday if you can make me look this good.” She came up behind me and to the side, so I could see her through the mirror. “I’ll be trying to get that hideous royal guard dress uniform to look nice. I’m in a losing battle, I think.” She laughed. “What was it like to see him go off and become a royal guard?” I asked, trying to play it cool. Progetta looked away. Her green mane covered the eye closest to me. “Please do not take this the wrong way.” I turned around to look at her. “I'm sorry, if it’s personal…” “It's not that, mio cavallino. It’s just…it was better to see him go become a guard than to have him looking lost.” She answered unhappily. I looked down. “Oh.” “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…” Progetta began. I cut her off. “No, you’re right. I shoved him away to save my own pride. It was shameful and it hurt him more than I could have imagined.” “Ly, I…” She looked down, then back at me. “He threw himself into becoming a guard because he thought he had no future in delivery. He didn’t think he’d be worthy to have you.” “What do you mean? I shoved him away, I was going off and leaving him. I didn’t even let him tell me he loved me. There’s no way he became a guard for me!” I didn’t know why I was arguing with her, but I couldn’t stop myself. She brushed her mane out of her eye and looked at me with both eyes. Her gaze transfixed me, as if she could see inside me and weigh the contents of my mind. She took a long blink and the moment passed. “I hope you aren’t marrying him because of how much you blame yourself for hurting him.” My stomach wrenched. That wasn’t it. Well, not entirely. But, if it was even a little true, would it matter? “Life, you need to forgive yourself. I know Div forgave you as soon as he told me he still wanted you in his future. He doesn’t hold your bad moments against you. That’s not who he is.” She smoothed a hoof down my tie. “But, I…” “No, Life. You can’t hold him and your guilt at the same time. Put the guilt down and move forward. Understand?” She pushed her hoof into my shoulder gently. I looked up, smiling but with tears in my eyes. “Mamma, thank you.” I said, my heart full. She embraced me. As we separated, she held me at a foreleg's length. “Div is a good pony. He’s also intelligent. Never for a second doubt how highly he thinks of you. You’re of great value to him and to our family.” My tears ran freely; my throat suddenly too tight for speech. I settled for nodding. She handed me a sample napkin from the linen company in town. I brushed my eyes clear. “Now, where is my little dreamer?” She asked, using an old nickname for Div. I sighed. “He took Bruiser someplace. They were getting at each other again, so I sent them out to bond.” “They don’t get along?” She asked, surprised. “Bruiser’s a tough one. His old family made it hard for him to open his heart. He really is a good colt, otherwise. I…I don’t understand it.” I confessed. Progetta’s mouth became a thin line as she thought. She turned to the table and pulled out a chair. I followed suit. “Life, raising an older adopted child is difficult. With a foal like Bruiser, the challenges will seem insurmountable.” “I knew that when I agreed to it. It’s just…” I hesitated. Mamma Pro caught my gaze. “Life Story, you are about to become my son in law. You can tell me anything and I will keep your confidence.” After a thought she added. “Even if it’s about my Sogni.” I shook my head. “It’s not like that. It’s…Well Bruiser acts up around Div a lot more than either of us expected. I don’t know if it’s because Div is a royal guard. Maybe Bruiser has a problem with authority? He doesn’t seem to have a problem when I tell him to do something.” I threw my hooves up. “Both of you will need to give him some time. Let him come to you. I’m sure…” Whatever she was going to say was cut off by a familiar voice crying out. Progetta ran to the window. I started towards her when she turned around. “It's Bruiser. Outside. Now.” Seconds later, I was on the street. Mamma Pro had a lead on me; she’d flown out the window. I headed after her. I caught sight of Bru and Div a second later, with a larger paint pony standing opposite Div. I couldn’t make out his words, but I could hear his angry tone. It was Bitter Tannin once again! I redoubled my gallop, running flat out. I was surprised how far Bru's voice carried. In spite of my efforts, I was still too far away when Bitter threw a hoof at Div's face. The blow didn’t land. In a blur, Bitter was on the ground, forelimb twisted behind his back and Div's rear hoof planted firmly in the back of Bitter's neck. As I neared the scene, Sheriff Silverstar and his deputies arrived. One deputy held a hoof up to keep Progetta and I back. The other moved Bru away from Div and towards us. Sheriff Silverstar spoke calmly. “Guardspony DiVolare, I saw the whole thing. As sheriff, I’d like to thank you for using only necessary force. Now, please stand down.” Div muttered something I couldn’t hear. Bruiser tucked himself into Mamma Pro’s side, she covered him with a wing. The sheriff reacted with a frown. “And, as sheriff, I’d like to remind you that I outrank you, Royal Guard or not. Your sergeant is my equal, but would still defer to me in local matters. Now, please stand down. I’m on your side.” With only a moment's hesitation more, Div released Bitter. Sheriff Silverstar hurried to Bitter’s side. “Bitter, didn’t I tell you and your’n to stay outta town for a few days? These folk've been kind enough to not press charges twice now.” Bitter spat out dust in response. The sheriff shook his head. “Mr. Tannin, you are under arrest for attempted assault on a member of the Royal Guard.” Div went to Mamma Pro’s side and ducked his head to look at Bru. “You okay, Bru?” Bruiser jumped out from Pro's wing and wrapped his forelimbs around Div's neck. Div reacted with surprise, but hesitantly patted Bruiser on the back. Mamma Pro looked back at me with a smile. She continued her sentence from earlier. “I’m sure things will work themselves out in the end.”