A golden bay leaf was gracefully placed over Rainbow Dash's ear.
Her hair, usually combed without a precise shape, had been styled in a soft braid, able to give the Wonderbolt a feminine and ancient look, thanks also to the white linen peplum that Rarity had sewn for her, decorated on the front with a brooch in the shape of her Cutie Mark, held on the back by another bay leaf and streaked, on the train, with soft rainbow colors.
The pony's tail had been combed into soft waves and tied with two long braids.
A delicate veil was placed on the head of the pegasus, and her hooves wore sandals similar to those of the winged god, Hermes.
That classic look on the impulsive Rainbow Dash was great, and Rarity was incredibly pleased with the result.
"You are a charm, do you know?" she told her, almost moved.
"Yes, I like it. This time you outdid yourself."
Rarity smiled at her mischievously, but then she sighed as she replaced her pins in the dressmaker's box.
"Uff... Who knows if I'll get married too..."
"Well, when you find who will make your heart beat, Rare!"
"But I've already found them!"
Rarity's sapphire eyes looked at Dashie's magenta ones innocently, as if what she'd just said was obvious, for granted.
"Um... Excuse me, Rare... But who would be the lucky one?"
That was precisely the problem. Rarity fiddled with the pincushion.
"Somepony who doesn't want me, unfortunately."
"Ah, it's not Spike..."
Once again, the seamstress looked at the future bride.
"Spike and I got that cleared up. I told him I see him as a brother."
"And him?"
"He was upset, but what could I do? I made him waste too much time..."
The speech died there. Rarity walked out of the Wonderbolts' locker room where Rainbow Dash had been dressed and made up for her wedding to Spitfire and went to sit in the stands with the others. She hadn't told her the name of her loved one, and she couldn't think of anypony. Rarity had had a strong and fleeting passion for Trenderhoof, the famous travel reporter, but aside from that and her disastrous date with Blueblood nine years before, she had never shown signs of loving someone, so the Wonderbolt had no clue.
A few minutes later she would've left that locker room to reach Spitfire accompanied by her father in the large exhibition area.
She kept thinking about Lightning Dust and the promise that she had made to her, accepted by Twilight and her brother.
Her brain had rapidly shifted from that to the moment she met Spitfire, right during the first Gala she attended. The two were both from Cloudsdale and had competed together as foals, but hadn't started meeting each other until adulthood.
She would never have imagined falling in love with her captain, let alone being reciprocated by her. Initially she had a crush on Soarin, but this slowly evaporated to make way for a new feeling, directed at the flaming pony.
She and Spitfire had become good friends and her leader's enveloping gaze made her feel at home.
And she was now there, ready to marry her. Things had gotten incredibly serious between them.
Spitfire was in the square waiting for her; she was dressed in a slightly pleated layered dress in warm colors, similar to tongues of fire that spread into the surrounding environment, and in the same way her skirt caught the gazes of those present.
For Rainbow it was enough to see the smile of her future bride to calm down and be invested with an incredible charge of energy.
The ceremony was performed by the Mayor of Cloudsdale, and as soon as it was finished, there was a delivery of gifts.
Celestia and Luna were also present, and brought the two new wives an egg placed on a warm cloth.
The egg was dark orange, it almost looked like a precious stone, with its amber reflections and the sunlight that was reflected on the shell with its topaz glow.
Rainbow stood looking at it with her mouth wide open; Celestia smiled at her, happy that her gift had had this effect:
"My sister and I have always traveled to Equestria and visited orphanages. Sometimes we even took Cadance with us. This is how I found Spike's egg years ago, and this is how we found this egg. Luna and I are certain that you will raise this child of yours with all the attention in the world."
Rainbow's eyes sparkled. A child… Someone they would've raised according to their ideals, making them love freedom and shaping them to be the most determined and courageous creatures in the world.
Spitfire was also touched by the wonderful gift and drew her bride close.
The day continued between photographs and banquets, between dances with family members and pinatas for the younger guests. Rainbow Dash was very happy, and her gaze continued to run to the egg that the Princesses had given her and that had been placed in a protective case.
It was now the middle of the afternoon and the blue pegasus was sipping a drink from the now depleted banquet; it was a calm moment of the party, where the guests danced in small groups or chatted comfortably seated on the chairs.
Her gaze was still raptured by the egg, which in addition to being protected from bumps had also been enchanted by a warming magic.
"It's wonderful, isn't it?"
Spitfire had approached her, looking at the egg with loving eyes.
"Yeah... And to say that I didn't really see myself as the maternal type, instead I can't wait for it to hatch..." Rainbow told her, with dreamy eyes.
"Are you kidding? I am a klutz with children, and I think this little guy will give me a lot of trouble…" Spitfire echoed.
"Who knows what it contains and how long it will take for it to hatch..."
"How will we call it?"
"Fire Rainbow?"
The two brides looked at each other and laughed after a few seconds of silence.
Thinking about her future baby had unleashed another image in Rainbow Dash, concerning little Thunderquake. She again became melancholy, and her pupils moved throughout the field of view of the party, identifying all her friends: Applejack was chatting with Stormy Flare and Rarity; Fluttershy had made friends with Thunderlane; Pinkie Pie fired a few shots with her confetti cannons and Twilight watched in amusement.
"Um... Rainbow?"
"Huh?"
"It's everything OK?"
"Oh... Yes... I'm sorry..."
"Are you still thinking about Lightning Dust?"
Spitfire was very sharp in perception, and she knew her wife very well.
"Yes... In a couple of weeks she and her daughter will go to the Crystal Empire to meet Shining Armor and Flurry Heart... I confess I'm a bit nervous..."
"And why?"
"Well... You see..."
"You don't trust her, do you? I can understand you, at the Academy she behaved rather badly, but it was a long time ago, now she is a mother and from what you have told me she seems repentant."
Rainbow sighed and smiled at her.
The day ended and everyone went to bed happy after that beautiful party.
Fifteen days later, on a sunny mid-September morning, Lightning Dust and her daughter arrived in the Crystal Empire, where they would have been welcomed by Shining Armor for a couple of days in the Castle.
The Prince was a little better than the month before, but his face was still sunken, he still had some dark circles and his beautiful mane was combed unevenly.
The filly looked around her with her sand-colored eyes, amusing herself to see her image reflected in the myriad of crystals present.
"Welcome!" Shining greeted them, coming down from the throne, "Thank you for being here."
"The pleasure is ours!" the Washout replied, bowing.
The unicorn approached Thunderquake and she drew back, a little intimidated. So, Shining Armor lowered himself to her level and offered her his hoof.
"Hi, Thunder. I'm your uncle."
In front of the pony's reassuring smile, the little girl stretched out and placed her hoof on that of her uncle.
There was a small figure who observed them with questioning eyes from the top of the throne.
"Flurry, come here and meet your aunt and your little cousin." her father suggested.
The little Princess was wary too, and instead of flying to the group she preferred to go down the steps one by one.
When she was in front of her cousin, Flurry studied her for a while, until her peer said "hello" to her.
Taken aback, the little alicorn smiled and replied warmly.
The ice was broken, and the two fillies started running around the great main hall, under the watchful gaze of their parents.
"I'm sorry for everything that happened." Lightning said, when the girls were far enough.
Shining Armor frowned.
"I'm sorry that you had to find out the truth in this way."
The two ponies had been hit hard with pain, but now they could share it.
"I'm glad you are here." the Prince then said, shaking off his sadness.
"Yes..." Lightning echoed, "... Us too."
And it was the truth.
Meanwhile, in Canterlot, the girls had gathered in Twilight's Castle.
"How do you think the meetin' is progressing?" Applejack asked.
"I preferred not to interfere, they need to know each other without pressure." The Princess said.
Rainbow Dash was the most nervous; she would've felt responsible if things went wrong.
"Do you think they will end up falling in love?" Pinkie then broke in.
Everyone turned to her.
"Yes, guys, think about it… she's a single mom and he's a single father. They have the same grief in common."
"Pinkie... It's only been a month since Cadance died..." Twilight told her, clearly uncomfortable.
"I don't think you need to worry about that…" Spike tried to reassure her.
"Why does this worry you?" Fluttershy was curious.
The pink pony looked at her friend trying to imitate a poker face, and the yellow pegasus didn't know how to interpret the sudden stiffening of the pastry chef.
"Anyway, the important thing now is that they get to know each other and make friends. Let's not jump to crazy conclusions."
Rarity touched Pinkie's shoulder lightly to cheer her up, but the earth pony kept feeling uneasy.
There was a secret that was stirring inside her, but she wouldn't have revealed it even under torture.