'So the Prancington's just keeps on going. Depite the meds, I'm starting to get worse. I tend to zone out without warning at least twice a day, sometimes right in the middle of a conversation. And if I miss out on even five minutes of sleep, I wake up with a major headache. And the old temper just keeps on flaring... As you can imagine, it's getting harder and harder to hide my condition from Zecora and the others. There have been some really close calls, but I've managed to keep things under wraps. I can only guess at how long I can keep it up... But that's enough about my problems. Let's move on to a slightly more uplifting topic.'
'Though my brothers and I (save for Caboose, obviously) all found our current mares at around the same time (well one mare, in Slot's case), it took a while for each of us to marry them, with lengthy gaps inbetween. For some reason, Vinny was the last to propose. To be honest, we were all getting impatient with him. It was a pretty classy proposal, though...'
Vinny and Berry were having a picnic just outside of Canterlot. Vinny had brought the own vintage wine he owned, the Tambelon '33. He and Berry were saving that for last, and were currently enjoying their food. Though Vinny was slightly nervous over what he was about to do.
"What do you think of the pansy paninis?" He asked Berry.
"Mmm, they're great." Berry smiled.
"Yeah, they're Sonny's own recipe." Vinny chuckled. "Only the best for my gal, y'know?"
"Thanks, Vinny." Berry nuzzled him. "You're so sweet."
"Aw, shucks." Vinny grinned. "What say we get into that wine?"
"You know I've been waiting for it." Berry grinned.
As Berry finished up her food, Vinny poured the wine into two glasses. He then secretly added the earring he was going to propose with to Berry's glass (hoof rings were the norm for Earth Ponies, but some preferred earrings. Berry was one of those ponies, something Vinny had learned months before).
"Here we go." He gave Berry her glass. "Cheers."
"Cheers." Berry echoed, as they tapped glasses.
As Berry downed the wine, she spotted the ring.
"Wait, is that..." She gaped.
"Surprise." Vinny smiled awkwardly.
"Vinny, are you...?" Berry whispered.
"Proposing?" Vinny finished. "Yeah, guess I am."
Berry tipped the glass, dropping the ring onto her hoof.
"...Well?" Vinny urged. "Say something!"
"...Yes." Berry beamed. "I will marry you."
"Alright!" Vinny embraced her. "You're the best, babe!"
"Well, I couldn't exactly say 'no' to such a thoughtful proposal." Berry beamed.
"Took me a while to think it through, to be honest." Vinny admitted. "I must have gone through like, a dozen different ways in my head. But none of them felt right, y'know? Then I figured, why not use the thing that brought us together in the first place?"
"Speaking of which..." Berry held up her glass. "How about another round?"
"Sure, why not?" Vinny chuckled, pouring more wine into their glasses. "We're celebratin', aren't we?"
"We sure are." Berry grinned.
"To us." Vinny held up his glass.
"To us." Berry nodded, as they tapped glasses again.
'It was a beautiful proposal, that's for sure. When the rest of us heard, we couldn't believe Vinny had put it together all by himself...'
"Way to go, bro." Murray smiled.
"Way to rein in that filly!" Salt added.
"I must admit, I'm impressed." Lars declared.
"Me too." Sonny agreed.
"I didn't think you were smart enough to come up with a classy proposal all by yourself." Slot smirked.
"Watch it, Slot." Vinny scowled. "Just because this is the greatest achievement of my life don't mean I won't pound you."
"Come on, guys." Grimoire frowned. "Let's not fight. This is a happy occasion."
"Yeah." Caboose nodded. "Vinny's finally gonna join the married Napoleon brothers club!"
"Yeah, I didn't think I'd see the day." Sonny grinned. "You'll be a taken stallion, just like the rest of us."
"That's the plan." Vinny nodded. "Me and Berry, together forever. Just the two of us..."
"Boy, who'da thought it?" Murray chuckled. "The Napoleons brothers, all settled down with wives. We sure used to play the field, didn't we?"
"Aw, yeah." Salt nodded. "We got all kinds of mares."
"Some of us even got stallions..." Slot smirked at Sonny.
"Oh, knock it off!" Sonny pouted.
"The chances of us all ending up with lovely, beautiful, down-to-Earth mares was astronomical." Lars declared. "And yet, we did it."
"We sure did." Caboose nodded "I can't imagine life without Daring anymore."
"And I can't imagine life without May." Murray admitted.
"That'll be you, soon enough, Vinny." Grimoire declared. "You and Berry, husband and wife. Together for as long as you both shall live."
"Yep." Vinny nodded. "That'll be us, alright... Grim, do you wanna be my best stallion?"
"You bet I do." Grimoire chuckled.
"That figures." Murray chuckled.
'That was a few weeks ago. I'm writing about it now because just the proposal on its own wouldn't have been much of a chapter. No, better to wait until the wedding itself happens before putting quill to paper. And let me tell you, there was more than a little drama to be had, in a tale I call...'
Chapter Thirty: Cold Hooves
'The engagement didn't last too long. In a matter of weeks, everything was set up for the big day. Our wives were with Berry on her bachelorette party...'
The mares were gathered at Bon-Bon and Sonny's home, each holding a drink in their hoof (May, Bon-Bon, and Zecora's being non-alcoholic).
"Isn't this wonderful?" May sighed. "This time tomorrow, you'll be a married mare, just like the rest of us."
"I know." Berry sighed, her engagement earring glinting in the light. "And I can't wait."
"It sure took Vinny long enough to pop the question." Daring snorted. "I was starting to think he'd never ask."
"Come on, Daring." Bon-Bon rolled her eyes. "Des it really matter how long it took, as long as he actually did it?"
"Not in my book." Lyra agreed.
"That is indeed true." Zecora told Berry. "What matters is that he loves you."
"Exactly." Redheart smiled. "Tomorrow, you'll be husband and wife."
"How do you feel?" Vinyl asked.
"Excited." Berry grinned. "And a little nervous, too."
From off in the distance, what sounded like a mare yelling "Nervoucited!" rang out.
"What was that?" Octavia frowned. "Sounded so familiar."
"Yeah, it did..." May frowned. "Oh well, probably just the wind..."
"Let's not let the wind ruin this special occasion." Redheart chuckled.
"Hear, hear." Lyra nodded. "How about some more wine?"
"I'll drink to that!" Vinyl joked.
"Another ice tea, please." Bon-Bon smiled.
"Another wheatgrass shake for me." May declared.
"And I'll have another papaya smoothie." Zecora smiled. "This drink really agrees with me."
"You got it." Berry smiled.
As more drinks were passed around, Berry thoughts shifted to her groom-to-be.
'Oh, Vinny.' She thought. 'I hope you're having as much fun as I am...'
'Meanwhile, the brothers and I were at Vinny's bachelor party, held at none other than Blazin' Blue's...'
"Well, this is it." Salt declared. "Big day tomorrow, huh, Vin?"
"Yep..." Vinny nodded tensely. "The big, big day..."
"Little nervous, partner?" Blue asked, as he handed out more drinks. "Boy, I know that feeling. The night before I married Mist, I was a wreck. I was so worried, I almost threw up."
"Gee, thanks for putting that thought in my head." Vinny cringed. "Had to wait until I was swallowing before you said it, huh?"
"Sorry." Blue chuckled. "But seriously, everything'll be okay. Trust me, all those feelings will vanish once you start walking down the aisle."
"Here's hopin'." Vinny nodded. "I know I'm the one who proposed and everything, but it's all starting to get so serious..."
"'Course it's getting serious." Sonny nodded. "It's the big plunge. Married life. You can't get more serious than that."
"But the rewards are plentiful". Lars smiled. "Take it from us, there's nothing better than having a devoted wife to come home to at the end of the day."
"And to bear your kids." Caboose added.
"Yeah, one day..." Vinny shrugged, still a little nervous.
"Hey, less about the future, and more about the now." Slot smirked. "And right now, I need another drink!"
"Comin' right up." Blue nodded.
"Just try and relax, Vinny." Grimoire urged. "Those pre-wedding day jitters will go away once you start having fun."
"I guess you're right." Vinny nodded. "I just gotta relax, and enjoy the party."
"That's the spirit, bro." Salt chuckled. "It's your party, after all. And the guest of honor should be having the most fun!"
"Can't argue with logic like that." Vinny raised his glass. "Let's kick gear!"
"Yeah!" Caboose slammed on some music. "Partyyyy!"
With that, the Napoleon brothers really started to live it up, dancing and going wild.
"Oh, yeah!" Slot yelled. "This is how you rock!"
"And this how I rock!" Murray danced madly.
"Is that what you call it?" Lars smirked. "I thought you were having an epileptic fit."
"Laugh it up." Murray snorted. "You've always been jealous of my moves."
"Since when?" Sonny teased.
"If anypony's got moves to be jealous of, it's me!" Caboose performed a frenzied, bandy-legged dance.
"In your dreams, bro." Salt chuckled.
"Let's just say we all have our own unique style." Grimoire chuckled, pulling his own moves. "And just enjoy ourselves!"
"Go, Grim! Go, Grim! Go, Grim!" The brothers chanted.
After a while, things cooled down, and Grimoire decided it was time for Vinny to get a surprise.
"Okay, guys." He smirked. "Time for the main event."
"What main event?" Vinny asked. "What's going on?"
At Grimoire's command, a large cake was wheeled in.
"We got a little surprise for you, bro." Murray chuckled. "One last bit of fun before you're a married stiff, same as the rest of us."
"Oh guys, you didn't..." Vinny frowned, catching on.
"That's not coconut, is it?" Caboose asked, holding up a knife. "If not, I get the first piece!"
"Easy there, bro." Salt stopped Caboose. "We don't want a repeat of what happened last time..."
"Oh, right." Caboose chuckled awkwardly.
"Everypony quiet down." Slot declared. "The show's about to begin."
"Really, guys." Vinny shook his head. "I didn't want-"
From out of the cake burst a blonde maned, tan coated Unicorn mare with luminous blue eyes, high heel Cutie Mark, and the perfect figure of a super model, a glittery sliver dress practically painted on her.
Vinny's jaw dropped and his eyes practically popped out of their sockets.
"Whoa-ho-ho." Sonny sniggered. "You really sprang for a top of the line cake mare, huh, Grim?"
"It was the least I could do." Grimoire nodded. "Vinny deserves to have his single live go out with a bang."
"No kidding." Lars smirked. "Look at his face..."
Off to the side, Blue put on some cabaret music.
"Hi, there." The mare purred in an silky smooth voice as she climbed out of the cake. "I'm Honey Glaze."
Salt and Slot wolf-whistled as she approached Vinny.
"You must be the handsome stallion who's getting married tomorrow." Honey smiled. "Vinny, right?"
"Yeah..." Vinny squeaked.
"Ooh, just look at you." Honey sat on Vinny's lap and wrapped her hooves around him. "So handsome. That wife-to-be is one lucky mare..."
"Sh-she is..." Vinny blushed.
"Well, you're not married yet." Honey toyed with Vinny's tie. "How about a little fun before you go into the old ball-and-chain routine?"
"Okay..." Vinny chuckled lightly.
"Great." Honey ruffled Vinny's mane. "Get ready for the night of your life."
Honey stood up, and started dancing provocatively. She flicked her long mane, ran her hooves down her slender curves, and winked at Vinny, who felt as if he was going to melt into a puddle of mush at any second.
"Yeah, baby!" Slot whooped.
"Shake that money-maker!" Murray added.
Reaching out a slender hoof, Honey pulled Vinny out of his chair, beckoning him to dance with her. Vinny complied, moving in close as they swayed to the music.
"Go, Vinny!" Salt cheered.
"You da the stallion!" Caboose added.
"Live it up, partner!" Blue cheered.
It had been a long time since Vinny had danced with a mare who wasn't Berry. Before he met her, he'd partied with all kinds of mares. Those were wild times, times he hadn't thought of for a while. But at that moment, it all came flooding back. The fun, the freedom... he was about to say goodbye to all that for good.
As the party went on, the brothers got up to all sorts of shenanigans, such as a blind drink-tasting contest, and a small hoof-wrestling tournament. At one point, Caboose wandered around with a lampshade on his head.
"What are you doing, Caboose?" Lars asked. "Why are you wearing that thing on your head?"
"Duh! Because it's a party!" Caboose smirked. "And every good party has some guy run around with a lampshade on his head."
"He's got a point there." Sonny smiled.
"I suppose..." Lars huffed.
As the party wound down, the brothers pepared to depart and turn in for the night. After receiving her payment from Grimoire, Honey made to leave also.
"Enjoy married life." She told Vinny. "With your lucky, lucky wife..."
Vinny fidgeted awkwardly as Honey left.
"You okay, bro?" Caboose asked. "Didn't pull something dancing, did you?"
"No, I'm fine." Vinny declared. "It's just... been a big night."
"It sure has." Grimoire nodded. "In fact, we'd better turn in. Don't want to be too exhausted for the big day, right?"
"Yeah, right..." Vinny muttered.
The brothers and Blue exited the bar, Blue locking up behind them.
"You guys rest up." Blue smiled. "As for me, I'm heading home to be with my own true love..."
"Say 'hi' to Mist for me!" Caboose waved.
"Now, let's some rest of our own." Lars declared.
"Yeah." Vinny sighed. "Big day tomorrow, and all that..."
The brothers crashed over at Vinny's place, wanting to stick with Vinny all the way until the ceremony. Several sleeping bags had already been set up in the bedroom. After changing out their ruffled clothes, the brothers bunkered down for the night.
"Goodnight, everypony." Grimoire smiled.
"And tomorrow will surely be a good day." Murray grinned. "Right, Vin?"
"Oh, yeah." Vinny put on a fake smile. "No doubt." He yawned theatrically. "Well, night."
Vinny rolled over on his side, so the brothers wouldn't see his smile morph into a worried frown.
"Night." Salt yawned.
"See you guys in the morning." Sonny added.
"Not too early, I hope." Lars declared.
"No kiddin'." Slot agreed. "I like to sleep in."
"All these sleeping bags make me feel like we're camping... but indoors! Caboose chuckled.
One by one, the brothers fell asleep, except for Vinny, who lay awake, overwhelmed with doubts.
The next morning, the alarm clock on the nightstand went. Grimoire, the first to awake, reached over and switched it off.
"Come on, boys!" He told the others. "Up and at 'em! Today's the big day!"
"Five more minutes, mom..." Caboose groaned. "...And what happened to your voice?"
"It's me, Caboose." Grimoire growled.
"Oh hey, Grim." Caboose smiled. "What happened to mom?"
"Morning already?" Murray groaned. "Boy, time sure flies when you're sleeping up an awesome bachelor party..."
"No joke." Salt stretched.
"Enough talk." Lars declared. "There's a wedding today, and we're on the clock."
"Meaning we have to get moving." Sonny smiled.
"Yeah, yeah..." Slot groaned. He turned to Vinny's bed, where his brother appeared to be lying under the covers. "That means you too, Mr groom!"
The shape in the bed did not stir.
"Vinny?" Grimoire frowned. "Come on, get up. It's your big day, remember?"
"Wakey, wakey!" Caboose shook the shape. "Huh, Vinny feels... softer than usual. All puffy and fluffy, like a cloud."
"What in Equestria are you talking about?" Lars snorted.
"Come on, bro." Sonny declared. "Up and at 'em."
The shape still did not move.
"Oh, so that's the way you want it, huh?" Salt growled. "Fine. You leave us no choice!"
Salt threw off the covers... revealing a bunch of pillows, formed into a shape vaguely resembling a stallion.
"What the- He's gone!" Slot gasped.
"We can see that, Slot." Lars declared.
"Oh no." Sonny frowned. "He must've gotten cold hooves."
"No way." Caboose shook his head. "He's crazy about Berry! There must be some other reason... Hey, maybe he was kidnapped by a band of rogue Diamond Dogs who want him to make wine for them!"
"Yeah, because that makes so much more sense." Murray snorted.
"Hold on." Grimoire spotted a piece of paper on one of the pillows. He picked it up and opened it, finding some writing on it. "It's a note..."
'Dear everypony,
I'm sorry, but I can't go through with the wedding. I thought it was what I wanted, but now I'm not so sure. I just need some time on my own to figure things. Don't come looking for me, and please tell Berry that I'm sorry.
Regards, Vinny.'
"Aw, geez..." Slot cringed.
"I knew it." Sonny fretted. "I just knew it."
"What are we going to do?" Lars asked. "The wedding's in two hours. If we can't find Vinny and convince him to come back, Berry will be heartbroken!"
"Not to mention the reception will go to waste." Caboose added.
"Find him?" Salt frowned. "Where do we begin to look?"
"I think I might have an idea." Grimoire declared.
"You're sure, Grim?" Murray asked.
"If I know Vinny as well as I think I do, there's no question about it." Grimoire nodded. "The rest of you get suited up and head down to the chapel. If we don't get here in time, stall for as long as you can."
"Stall?" Slot asked. "How?"
"I don't know!" Grimoire yelled, his temper flaring again. "Think of something!"
"...Okay." Slot gulped.
"Sorry." Grimoire sighed. "I didn't mean to yell."
"That's okay." Sonny said fairly. "It's a stressful situation. We'll do everything we can to buy you time. Promise."
"Good." Grimoire picked up Vinny's spotless wedding tuxedo. "Wish me luck, fellas."
Words of good fortune following him, Grimoire rushed out of the house, making a bee-line for Blazin' Blues. The door was locked, but that was a mere speed bump to the wily old don. Pulling out a paperclip, he worked the lock open. Following his hunch, he headed down to the bar's wine cellar, finding Vinny huddled down there.
"Gotcha." He smirked.
"Grim?" Vinny turned. "How'd you-"
"I'm your big brother, Vinny." Grimoire declared. "I know how you think. I knew you'd want to hide out somewhere that feels... familiar, inviting, wonderful."
"Well, hooray for you." Vinny scowled. "Now please leave. I wanna be alone right now. Or didn't you read my note?"
"Vinny, what's going on?" Grimoire asked. "Why are you suddenly ready to abandon Berry?" Grimoire asked. "Why are you hiding out down here when you should be getting married to the love of your life? As your best stallion, I think I have a right to know!"
"Well, it's..." Vinny mumbled. "You see..."
"Go on." Grimoire urged.
"After what went down last night, I'm not sure if I'm really ready for this." Vinny sighed. "Last night reminded me of how much I used to love playing the field. I won't be able to do that if I'm tied down to a single mare for the rest of my life."
"Seriously?" Grimoire asked skeptically. "That's what this is all about? You just wanting to play the field?"
"...Okay, fine." Vinny sighed. "That's not what this is all about. The truth is... I'm not good enough for Berry."
"...Excuse me?" Grimoire frowned.
"Well, I'm not!" Vinny yelled. "She's this amazing, sweet-hearted gal, and I'm just this criminal lush. It'll never work between us. Not in a 'long as we both live' way. She's better off without me."
"Don't talk like that, Vinny." Grimoire admonished him. "Of course you're good enough for Berry."
"No, I'm not." Vinny sighed. "I'm a dirty, lowdown crook. A mare like Berry shouldn't be consorting with the likes of me, let alone getting married."
"That didn't stop the rest of us from marrying our mares." Grimoire pointed. "And clearly, none of them minded marrying criminals, now did they?"
"That's... not the same." Vinny said feebly. "You guys are all awesome stallions. Murray's bold, Salt's honourable, Lars is smart, Sonny's caring, Slot's got this weird charm going for him, and Caboose is the nicest guy ever. But me? Compared to you guys, I'm nothing. Just a no-account drunky. I'm lewd, crude, and I hate Jews."
"This is the first I'm hearing of that last one." Grimoire declared. "Anyways, that's all a load of horseapples. You may think you're not good enough, but that's a load of swill. You and Berry are made for each other. I've never seen a pair of ponies so perfectly matched."
"But... what if being perfectly matched isn't enough?" Vinny asked. "What if something goes wrong sometime in the future, and it all falls apart?"
"You're just going to have to take that risk." Grimoire declared. "Marriage is about staying together, through thick and thin. I know how strong the bond betweeen you and Berry is. You two can survive anything together..."
"But..." Vinny struggled to respond.
"And speaking of which, how do you think Berry will feel when you fail to show up?" Grimoire continued. "She'll be broken-hearted. Is that what you want?"
"No, it's not..." Vinny started.
"So, don't do it." Grimoire told him, holding up the tuxedo. "Get over there. Marry the mare you love. Make her happy. I know that's what you want, Vinny. Don't let all those fears and worries stop you from being happy."
"You... you're right, Grim." Vinny nodded. "I've been an idiot. I can't do this. I can't throw away my best shot for happiness. And I can't break Berry's heart doing it."
"Of course you can't." Grimoire smiled.
"I'm gonna do it." Vinny nodded. "I'm gonna get married!"
"Yes, you are." Grimoire handed him his tuxedo. "And we'd better hurry. The ceremony starts soon."
In a matter of seconds, Vinny had changed into his tux. Wiping out a comb, his fixed his mane.
"All set." He grinned.
"Good, because we have less than half an hour to get to the chapel before the ceremony begins." Grimoire pointed out.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Vinny asked. "Let's get going!"
The two stallions rushed over to the chapel, arriving at the altar with seconds to spare.
"Guys, you made it!" Caboose grinned.
"Finally!" Murray chuckled.
"Thank Faust." Salt frowned. "Another minute, and we were going to start singing 'that' song again..."
"You know you guys love it." Caboose chuckled. "Remember when we sang it at my wedding?"
"I'd rather forget..." Lars scowled.
"Thanks a lot for the drama, Vinny." Slot scowled. "Didn't totally freak us out or anything."
"I guess I deserved that." Vinny sighed. "Sorry, guys. I needed to get my head on straight. Luckily, Grim was on hoof to help with that."
"As long as you came, I suppose it doesn't matter." Lars shrugged.
"Quick, take your places!" Sonny urged. "They're coming!"
Vinny and Grimoire stood in place as Berry and the mares came into the room. May served as the mare of honor, while the others acted as bridesmaids. The attendants (mostly family members and close friends) turned and gazed in wonder. Berry was wearing a glorious ivory dress, fresh from Canterlot Boutique (Sassy Saddles had given her quite a deal), with the other mares wearing pale pink.
"Wow..." Vinny gasped, as her impending wife came closer. Her beauty, he thought, put Honey's to shame. He knew without a doubt that this was the mare he was meant to be with.
"Hi." Berry smiled, as she took her place beside him.
"Hi..." Vinny sighed.
As a favor to Caboose, Fletcher had agreed to officiate the ceremony, his rank as Captain of the Royal Guard granting him the power to make it official. The chapel's resident preacher fallen ill days before, so Caboose had suggested Fletcher at the last minute. Murray was understandably confused about how it is that a Royal Guard Captain can officiate a wedding.
"All Captains can do that!" Caboose had answered. "Boat captains, airship captains, Guard Captains... even captains of the local hoofball team! Don't you know anything about weddings?"
Murray has chosen to leave it at that. Fletcher's own fiancée, Dove, smiled at him from the pews.
"We are gathered here today to join these two ponies in the bonds of matrimony." Fletcher announced. "The couple have written their own vows, which takes a little of the pressure off me..."
"Berry, you are the most amazing mare I've ever met." Vinny smiled. "Sometimes, I feel like I'm not good enough for you. You gave me your heart, and the least I can do in return is give you my eternal devotion."
"Vinny, you changed my life in so many ways." Berry announced. "Before I met you, I was just a regular Ponyville gal. You introduced to a whole new world. You brought me to Canterlot, opened my eyes to so many new and exciting things. Sometimes, I feel like I'm the one who isn't good enough for you. I guess we're even more alike than we thought. The day you proposed was like a wonderful dream. But this is reality, and I'm loving every minute."
"Do you, Vandal Napoleon, take Berry Punch to be your lawful wedded wife?" Fletcher asked.
"I do." Vinny nodded.
"And do you, Berry Punch, take Vandal Napoleon to be your lawful wedded husband?" Fletcher continued.
"I do." Berry grinned.
"Then, by the power invested in me by Princess Celestia, I now pronounce you stallion and wife." Fletcher smiled, as the couple exchanged rings. "You may kiss the bride."
Vinny and Berry kissed each other passionately.
"Atta boy, partner!" Blue called.
"Woo, yeah!" Murray cheered.
"That's it, Berry!" May grinned.
"You go, Vin!" Salt beamed.
"So beautiful!" Redheart declared.
"Congratulations!" Lars added.
"Hooray!" Lyra whooped
"Such a beautiful couple!" Sonny wept.
"Easy there, sweetie." Bon-Bon passed him a tissue.
"'Bout time, you guys!" Slot joked.
"Knock it off, Slot." Vinyl chuckled.
"Just kiddin'." Slot snorted.
"Yeah, we know." Octavia smirked.
"Mazel tov!" Caboose called.
"I... what he said!" Daring applauded.
"They are indeed a lovely pair." Zecora admitted. "A handsome stallion, and his wife so fair."
"Well done, Vinny." Grimoire smiled. "Well done..."
Vinny and Berry walked down the aisle, side by side. All Vinny's worries had vanished, replaced by joy, and hope for the future he and Berry would share together.
'And so, the last of my brothers settled down with his true love. I won't mind admitting that I was worried for a while, but deep down, I knew Vinny would follow his heart. After a wild and rowdy reception, he and Berry had their honeymoon over in Haywaii. And according to Berry, Vinny didn't so much as glance at another mare. And every night, he made sure to make her feel extra special. Now there's commitment for you.'
Back at the mansion, Grimoire finished reading out the final draft to Vinny (omitting the parts at the beginning about the Prancington's).
"So, what do you think?" Grimoire smiled.
"Awesome stuff, Grim." Vinny grinned. "You really got a gift for this sort of stuff."
"Thanks, Vin." Grimoire smiled.
"I should be thanking you." Vinny told him. "The chapter wouldn't have such a happy ending if you didn't talk some sense into me."
"No problem." Grimoire nodded. "That's what brothers are for."
"Anyway, this book of yours is really coming along." Vinny declared. "A regular masterpiece."
"Well, I wouldn't put it quite like that." Grimoire said humbly.
"Oh, right." Grimoire grinned.
Just then, the phone rang.
"Hang on." Grimoire told Vinny. "I'll be right back."
Grimoire went into the next room and picked up the phone.
"Hello?" He asked. "Napoleon residence."
"Ah, Mr Napoleon." A familiar voice declared. "This is Dr Stable. Just checking in to see how everything's going."
Meanwhile, Vinny, giving in to curiosity, slipped into another room and picked up a second phone, listening in on the conversation.
"Things aren't going as well as you may think, to be honest." Grimoire declared. "I'm starting to really lose it. Don't think you can up the dosage on the meds, can you?"
'Meds?' Vinny thought. 'What's wrong with Grim?'
"I'm sorry, Mr Napoleon, but you are already on the maximum safe dosage." Dr Stable replied. "To give you any more could do even more damage than the Prancington's."
'Prancington's?' Vinny went numb with shock. 'No. This can't be happening. Not like it did with dad...'
"Okay, fine." Grimoire barely reined in his temper. "I'll be in on Monday to collect my refill."
"Until then, Mr Napoleon." Dr Stable declared, before hanging up.
Vinny put down his own receiver and rushed back into the study, just before Grimoire came back.
"Who was on the phone?" He asked.
"Just some lousy salespony." Grimoire lied. "Asked if I wanted to buy some quills that can work underwater. As if, right?"
"Yeah, right..." Vinny fake-chuckled. 'Oh, Grim. I'm so sorry...' He thought. 'Why didn't you tell us? Why?'
Vinny's question went unasked, as he and Grimoire talked a little more about the book. When Vinny left, the horrible truth still raced through his head.
'Poor Grim.' He mused. 'Why did you decide to suffer through this alone? We're brothers, remember? And brothers look out for each other...'