//------------------------------// // Chapter 21: I Love You // Story: Happiness and Tears // by flaminkomage //------------------------------// Happiness and Tears RDcrystalheart Chapter 21: I Love You "I've got it!" Spectrum Skies exclaimed suddenly, flipping through a magazine while he sat next to his wife in the living room of the cloud mansion. Cloudy looked up to give him a weird look. "You've got what, Dear?" she asked nonchalantly, going back to her work. Spectrum snaked a hoof around the mare's shoulders, before showing her an image in the book he was holding. "Look at this! Isn't it perfect?!" he asked happily. Cloudy shot him a look. "It's a wedding cake. And a really big one too," she said. Spectrum nodded, his eyes thick with excitement. "Well, only the best for my son!" he said. Cloudy raised her eyebrow. "Oh? I didn't know Speedy was getting married. Who's the lucky lady?" she teased. Spectrum's eyes narrowed playfully at her, his hooves crossing accusingly over his chest. "Oh please, you know who I'm talking about," he said. Cloudy's eyes darkened; she let out a heavy sigh. "So I'm taking Soarin went through with what you asked him?" she asked softly, her eyes shutting close. Spectrum gave her a curious look, but nodded. "Yep, he set off to Ponyville this morning to let that... village mare, know of his decision," he said absentmindedly. "He did the right thing, I'm proud of him." "Right... are you sure Soarin was happy about the situation?" Cloudy asked, knowing full well the correct answer. Spectrum nodded again. "Of course! Why wouldn't he be?" "Never mind." "Anyway, I called the wedding planner a few hours ago, he should be arriving any min-" Spectrum was cut off by the house doorbell ringing wildly throughout the house. He shot the mare by his side a grin, before pushing himself off the couch and towards the front door. "And there he is now!" he resumed. Cloudy shrugged, leaning back in her seat as she watched a middle-aged stallion enter the house. His glasses hung low on his muzzle as he inspected the room. "Hello, you must be Spectrum Skies and Cloudy Quartz, I understand your son will be wed soon?" he asked. Spectrum nodded, as Cloudy remained silent. "You got that right!" he said, jumping slightly in his place. The stallion nodded, sticking out his hoof. "I'm Jellion. You're in quite the mood today, Mr. Skies," he noticed. Spectrum winked. "Of course! Which father wouldn't be when his son is getting married?" he asked. Jellion shrugged. "Fair enough," he said. "Now follow me, we must pick out the right decorations for the house." The citizens of Ponyville didn't expect a funeral for such a heartwarming stallion. Nor did they expect such a kind mare to leave everything for nothing. But they definitely weren't expecting Soarin Skies, a famous Wonderbolt to propose to Rainbow Dash, a simple, crazy mare at her father's funeral. Meh. Worst things had happened in the small town. It was a quiet wedding. But still a wedding no less. The pony who had taken care of the funeral quickly agreed to preside over the ceremony, and within five minutes of the proposal, ponies were lining up to see the bride walk down the aisle. Or rather, Rainbow Dash in sticky funeral attire walking down a path made of mud, grass, and sharp bits of cobblestone. Soarin stood at the end, looking at her in pity. There was no doubt that Rainbow Dash wanted this... but at what price? What would she have to face once Soarin took her home? Lilian Fly looked upon the scene. She definitely wasn't expecting this. Being a close family friend of the Dash household, she would have expected to know about the romantic relationship between her best friend's daughter and one of the most prestigious stallions on the face of Equestria. Rainbow Dash gulped, standing opposite Soarin, who gave her a small smile. Tears began forming in her eyes, as she quickly looked away. "Listen," Soarin whispered to her. "Let me know if you don't want to do this, okay? I don't want to push you into something like this without having your absolute approval." Rainbow Dash sniffed. Was it even possible for a stallion to be that sweet? Was it possible that this stallion loved her so much, that he risked his entire future just to be with her? "I... I'm going to be okay, Soar," she started. Soarin smiled at the familiar nickname. "Alright, Princess. Whenever you're ready," he said. Rainbow Dash bit her lip, allowing the priest to continue on with the ceremony. "So... I'm thinking a more simple theme for the wedding," Jellion said to Cloudy and Spectrum as they inspected a catalog of his company. "We'll have a nice, big cake and loads of colorful streamers surrounding the room." "Sounds good," Cloudy said quietly, speaking for the first time throughout Jellion's visit. Spectrum nodded. "I agree, a simple wedding sounds fun!" he said. Jellion nodded, before flipping to the next page of the magazine. "Alrighty... now for a dress," he started. "Spitfire would look ultimately best in a long gown with gold trimming to match her coat and mane. She'd look good in a small headpiece. Possibly a crown." "Well, we also need Spitfire's input on the dress, so why don't we save that for later?" Cloudy snapped. Spectrum's eyes widened as he looked down at his wife. "Uh... everything okay, Clouds?" he asked. Cloudy sighed, putting a hoof to her forehead. "Agh, sorry about that... I just can't shake the feeling that something bad is about to happen," she muttered. Spectrum gave her an amused smile. "Oh don't be silly," he said, turning back to Jellion. "Now, carry on." "Do you, Soarin Spectrum Skies, take this mare, Rainbow Firefly Dash, to be your lawfully wedded wife, in sickness and health, till death do you part?" Soarin looked at Rainbow Dash's limp form; he nodded. "I do." "And do you, Rainbow Firefly Dash, take this stallion, Soarin Spectrum Skies, to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and health, till death do you part?" Rainbow Dash gulped, closing her eyes and nodding silently. "I... I do." "May I have the rings?" Scootaloo inched closer to the event, holding out two chains with the rings attached to the ends. She held them up, the priest taking them and handing one to both Rainbow Dash and Soarin. Soarin took a deep breath, the rain dampening his mane every second. He took the ring, and draped it over Dash's neck. Rainbow Dash sniffled, knowing what was coming next. Slowly, she took her own chain, fighting back the tears from escaping. She pulled it over Soarin's form quickly, letting it dangle on his neck. "Then I now pronounce you mare and colt." Rainbow Dash suddenly pounced on Soarin, surprising them both with a tight hug. She embraced him closely, her tears now falling freely out of her eyes. "Th-Thank y-you..." she muttered, only audible to him. Soarin smiled softly, enclosing his hooves around her as he pulled her towards him. "Th-Th-Thank you... s-s-so much..." "Dashie..." Soarin mumbled, letting her latch onto him. "Y-You... y-you're..." Rainbow Dash started, trying to form words. "Shh..." Soarin comforted, pulling away slightly as the two leaned in simultaneously, pressing their lips together in a soft, sweet kiss. "And... they'll declare their love for one another right here! In the middle of the stage so every single audience member has the chance to see them unite together!" Jellion exclaimed, finishing his little tour with a flourish. Spectrum immediately began to clap widely, Cloudy deciding to opt out. "That was... brilliant! This wedding's going to be amazing!" he said happily. Jellion gave them both a mock bow, a smile playing on his lips. "I'm sure Soarin and Spitfire will be very happy together," he said. Spectrum nodded. "Oh yes they will." Rainbow Dash and Soarin embraced once more, the ponies around them applauding quietly. It really was quite the turn of events. A funeral to a wedding. Soarin clamped his hoof around her, looking into her worried, magenta eyes. "But Soar... your father..." she mumbled. "What are we going to do?" Soarin sighed, tightening his hold on her. "We're going there right after this."