//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: Happily Ever After 
// Story: Crystal's Wishes 
// by Crystal Wishes 
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Crystal dug her hooves into the sand to feel the warm grains while she gazed at the sparkling blue ocean before them.  The gentle breeze carried the smell of the salty seawater as it wafted through her mane and coat.

The island was a utopian getaway.  There were no tall buildings.  No loud noises of the city.  No ponies rushing about.  Everything was slow, calm, and peaceful.  That sentiment touched her very soul and she released a contented sigh.

"I can't believe it's so warm here this time of year," she said, looking over at Silent with a smile.

He nodded.  "It's beautiful.  I think Colton Head Island was a perfect choice for our honeymoon."

She flicked her tail at him as she strode forward, heading for the waves that lapped at the beach.  "I think anywhere we're together is a perfect choice."

His brow raised as he just watched her, a light grin on his face.  His gaze was locked onto her form as she dipped her hooves in the water, chuckling when she squeaked in surprise.  The grin grew wider as he teased, "Oh, is it cold?"

"No!"  She stuck her tongue out at him, then sucked in a breath of courage and trotted until the water was at her knees.  With a small huff, she turned to face the shore and called, "Come on, it's perfectly fine.  Don't be a scaredy filly of a little water!"

Silent's wings flared.

Crystal's ears drooped.

He grinned.

She gulped.

A mighty flap of his wings launched him into the air.  When he dove toward her, she squealed and lunged into a gallop, laughing as the sound of his beating wings followed close behind.  Her legs gave a cramping cry of dismay at first, given they were more accustomed to lounging on a pillow than running through water, but a surge of adrenaline quieted their complaints.

"Hey!" she yelled over her shoulder, kicking her hindlegs to splash water at him.  "Don't cheat!"

With expert precision, he angled himself up, caught a gust of wind to push him forward, and swooped down to grab her around the middle.  "Who's cheating?"

Crystal gasped and giggled as he lifted her off the ground.  She kicked as if to grab hold of the water, but it eluded her grasp as he flew them higher and higher.  "You are!  You are most certainly cheating!"  She squirmed against him.  "Put me down!"

He grinned.  "As you wish."

She squeaked when he teasingly loosened his grip and she glanced down to see the ocean beneath them.  "On the ground, Siley!"

He held her over the water a moment longer, silent and unyielding, before he chuckled.  His grip on her tightened to hold her close to him as he whispered in her ear, "Now who's the scaredy filly?"

A high-pitched whine escaped her until she relented, "I am!  I'm the scaredy filly and you're the big strong stallion who's going to take me back to shore!"

"That sounds about right."  He glided over to the shore and set her down, landing beside her.  "Now, what did you learn?"

Crystal huffed and tossed her mane to look away from him.  "That I've made a terrible mistake marrying a brute like you."

"Look at that."  His wing stretched over her back and tucked in to pull her close.  "Your mother did teach you something after all."

She held her pout as long as she could before giggling.  "Oh, you."  She inclined her head, nuzzling his cheek.  In a softer voice, once her amusement had lulled, she added, "Can we stay here forever?  Away from Canterlot and stress and responsibility..."

"Sounds nice."  He looked out into the endless horizon of the sea.  "But I think it would get boring once we do everything on the island."

The smile on her face curled into a light grin as she set a hoof on his chest and gave a light push.  "I'm not so sure about that.  Maybe the dolphin tours and the restaurants, but there's at least one thing I'd never get tired of doing."

"What's that?" he asked with endearing sincerity, his gaze falling to hers.

She tried to push him again, but to no avail.  Her point would have been better made if he weren't so big and strong!  Of course, that was one of his best physical features, so she wasn't complaining too much.

Instead, she opted for wrapping the hoof around his neck and pulling him down to her level.  Their lips met in a soft kiss, and a pleased rumble of a moan in his throat indicated he caught her meaning.

Silent pulled back and looked over at their bungalow, a coltish grin on his face.  "Well, if you insist, Mrs. Wishes."

Crystal started trotting up the beach, flicking him with her tail as she passed him and snubbing her nose in the air.  "I most certainly do, Mr. Knight."

Making their way back to the bungalow at a brisk pace, Silent's gaze was fixed firmly forward while Crystal's wandered to admire their surroundings.  Colton Head Island was a truly beautiful place.  Everywhere she looked there were flowers, birds, trees, and other natural sights that often got lost in other tourist-friendly locations.

Life on the island was like a foal's tale: idyllic and carefree, inspiring a song in her heart that went on and on.  Every good story had to end eventually, but for three weeks, she was going to enjoy every moment of her happily ever after.