Zecora and I both sat at a small table in my mansion's sunroom. It was a nice quiet spot that had been refitted with noise cancelling windows all around and gave a great view of the garden and the two trees in my acre of land. The sun was shining brightly through the eastern side of the window. We were both eating a quiet breakfast of vegetarian eggah, ful medames, and bessara, each of them traditional Farasi breakfast item. Both of us were drinking some hot steaming tea. Like almost every dish she'd made, each breakfast item was delicious, and the tea was sweet without being overpowering.

I looked up at my lovely fiancée, who was wearing some more of my clothes currently, which included a gray hoodie and some jeans along with a pair of my warm wool socks and a spare pair of slippers. Earlier that morning, I'd taken a shower with her, which would have been a sensual experience for the both of us had she not had some trouble in the slippery tub. The poor mare was as humiliated as I felt when I became an Anthro version of myself and had that accident in her own toilet.

After she recovered from her meltdown, I helped wash her body with a lot of my shampoo/conditioner combo. I constantly reassured her that I didn't see her as any less of a zebra or a person in general just because she might need to relearn a few things. I was, however, a bit worried. I knew that equines, at least back on Earth, didn't get anything like a menstrual cycle, but with Zecora being an Anthro now, I was concerned that she might. Where did the human part of her end and the Zebra part of her begin now? Especially if this was permanent? I was the only human here and was only a guy. I didn't know much about periods and stuff like that.

Maybe I can ask one of the girls on Earth to come and explain it to us, I thought as I took another bite of the eggah. And if she does have a period now, does that mean she won't go into heat? And does that mean she can be fertile all year round?

"You look troubled, love," Zecora said in Farasi. "What ails you?"

Slowly, I swallowed, then took a sip of tea to wash the Farasi version of an omelet down, all the while trying to think of an answer. I exhaled. "There's a lot on my mind, my little star," I replied, using a pet name that Zebras used.

"Please enlighten me, my strength," she replied, putting down her fork as she used another pet name for me in Farasi.

"It's a discussion not suited for breakfast," I replied. "I will talk with you about it later."

She nodded and took a cut out of her eggah. I'd noticed that she'd quickly gotten used to using silverware properly, at least. She took another bite, then took a sip of tea. I almost smirked when I saw her extend her pinkie finger as she did so, but realized it would be the right thing to do at that time. "Love, can we talk about the wedding?" she asked suddenly.

I nodded. "I was about to ask you the same thing. What did you want to discuss?"

"Well, um…why don't you go first?" she asked, sounding a bit nervous suddenly.

Taking the offer, I nodded and said, "Well, I know you said you wanted to be married, and I do to, but I wanted to be sure that we were doing the right thing and not just because of what's happened. Believe me, I want to marry you so much, but I want to make absolutely sure that we aren't making a mistake having a wedding now."

She sighed, put down her fork and, leaning her new elbows onto the table, leaned her chin on her hands as she looked at me calmly. "I have wanted you to be my husband and I have wanted to be your wife for a long time, my strength. I want to be with you through our brightest and darkest moments. I want to share my life with you. I will admit, being changed into this new form is still terrifying for me, but you have been by my side ever since I changed. What I care about most in the world right now is becoming one with you and even taking your last name as my own as your kind does."

That surprised me. I knew from our discussions that, in Farasi culture, names never changed even after marriage. They remained the same, and the only sign that a mare had been married was a small earring on the right ears of both husband and wife. It was like a wedding ring for them, and was made to match. The fact that she would willingly take on the human (and in some cases, Pony) tradition of changing her last name to match mine sent waves of loving warmth through my body. I couldn't help but smile at her, incredibly touched. "You would do that for me? My little star, you don't have to if you don't want to."

From behind her, her large Alicorn wings spread and she smiled back at me. "I'm not really a Zebra anymore, am I?"

"And I'm not really a human anymore," I replied, "but I still hold on to my traditions as a means of remembering."

She nodded in understanding. "I want to be Mrs. Bethridge, though."

Seeing that she was not going to be changing her mind about this anytime soon, I nodded and decided it was best to drop the issue for the moment. "Alright, sorry. I just wanted to be sure. But just out of curiosity, when do you want the wedding?"

"Before the years is up," she replied, taking a spoonful of bessara.

"Well, I don't think we can have it on Hearth's Warming, as romantic as that would be," I replied. "What about on the day before the New Year?"

"Ponyville does have a large celebration on that day, from what I remember from years past," Zecora said.

"Well, how about the day before? The thirtieth of December?"

Zecora nodded. "Maybe…yeah! I like that date!"

"Then how about this: we try for the thirty first, and if we can't get it, we can do the thirtieth."

She then did something I didn't expect her to do: gave me a thumbs up. "Sounds like a good idea to me, my strength."

I smiled back at her, feeling a bit relieved that she was looking better. "And speaking of the wedding and traditions, are there any others you'd like to do." I reached up and touched my ear. "I would be fine receiving an earring."

The smile on her face lit up the room more than the sun did. She reached over and put her hand over mine. "Truly? You would follow that tradition with me?"

"Of course! I can't have you following my traditions all the time, can I?" I gave her a knowing smile.

She giggled and gave my hand a squeeze before letting go. As she did so, she looked down at her own hand, specifically her right ring finger. "If you are going to do that, then I would like to wear a ring as well. One with our birthstones on them."

"If you keep making me smile, my face is going to stay that way," I replied.

"Good. I like seeing you smile," Zecora said happily. Standing, she walked over, leaned down and ran her hands through my flowing hair before moving in and kissing me deeply. "I love you," she said as she sat in my lap and lay her head on top of mine, placing her hand on my chest.

"And I love you too," I said, putting my wing and arm around her and holding her close.

The two of us sat like that for a few minutes before she pulled away and stood. Walking back, she sat back at the table and took a sip of her cooling tea before she said, "Dearest, if it's okay with you, I'd like to go down and get a couple of clothes made up for me from Rarity after breakfast. I can't keep borrowing your clothes all the time."

"You'll need more than just a couple," I said. "I'll buy you a whole wardrobe."

She looked at me with a worried look. "Are you sure?"

"You're my wife to be, my little star," I said, "and now that you're in this form, you'll need to wear clothes practically all the time."

"Bet that disappoints you, doesn't it?" she asked with lidded eyes as she pressed her breasts together with her arms to accentuate her cleavage.

"Scarlet has been a bad influence on you," I groaned, but inwardly I was happy to see her feeling better enough to make sexual jokes with me. "But it's settled. I'll place an order with Rarity so you can have a wardrobe all your own."

"Well, if you're sure…then thank you," she said. "Will that include a wedding dress?"

I grinned. "Only the best dress for my little star."

She blushed a bit and went back to eating, as did I. Today was going to be a very interesting day. I could feel it…

"Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where everything is-Oh my stars! Jethro, darling! What brings you and Zecora…by…?" Rarity, who had her back turned at one of the displays in her main lobby, had turned around when Zecora and I entered. The fashionista mare was looking up at Zecora in confusion and astonishment.

To my surprise, she wasn't the only friend of mine there. The rest of the Mane Six, along with Spike, Moondancer, Sunset and Scarlet were also there, the latter of whom had work at the Boutique that day. Those who hadn't seen the Anthro Zecora all had similar expression to Rarity, utter shock.

After a few seconds, Applejack, who was wearing a strange golden bracelet around one hoof, turned to me. "Sorry fer starin'," she said, "but when Twilight told me and the other gals about what happened and how Zecora's new form was permanent, ah was plum shocked. But seein' it in Pony, it makes it all real."

"You're so tall now!" Pinkie said, bouncing over to her and looking her in the eye with each bounce. "How's the weather up there?! Are we gonna have more snow?"

I caught the pink Pony in my magic, carried her over to me and placed her on my back. She immediately clung to me and nuzzled my face. I chuckled. "Calm down there, Ponks."

"Your wings are pretty awesome!" Rainbow said, zooming over and looking at Zecora's new wings with an appraising eye. "Have you tried flying with them yet?"

"You're really pretty," Fluttershy said softly from where she stood next to the still gaping Rarity.

The aforementioned fashionista Unicorn snapped out of her reverie, then cleared her throat. "I needed to see it to believe it," she said, "but you really have changed forms! I've never heard of anything like this happening before!"

"My new form is exactly why we're here," Zecora said, "we're here to procure some clothes, my dear."

Rarity's eyes went wide again, only this time with excitement. "Oh my! Are you serious?"

"Well, now that she's in this form permanently, presumably," I said, "She's going to need a wardrobe, after all. Something for every occasion."

Rarity squealed happily, then galloped up to Zecora. "Come come, my dear Zecora! I need to measure your new body so I can make the wardrobe!"

As Zecora was being dragged away, I found myself surrounded by the others in the room. Surprisingly, it was Fluttershy who was the first to speak. "Um, Jethro? Are you and Zecora doing okay with all of this? The change to her, I mean?"

I bit my lip. "Well, we're both trying not to lose our cool," I said with a sigh. "She's fallen back onto a few of her older habits, like talking in rhyme or speaking in Farasi, but that's due to the fact that it brings her comfort."

"And what about you?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm…conflicted," I admitted. "Is it hypocritical of me that I find her more physically attractive now? God, just saying that out loud makes me feel like a heel."

Fluttershy spread her wings, hovered up to my eye level and grabbed my cheeks with her hooves. She turned me towards her. "No, you're not a heel," she said. "You're just as imperfect as the rest of us."

"Speak for yourself, I'm awesome!" Rainbow said.

Ignoring that, Fluttershy continued. "You were born in a world where you found your own kind attractive, so of course you'll find Zecora more attractive now that she has more human features."

A few seconds passed, and I smiled. "You know, sometimes I forget that you work with animals for a living and you know things like this. And I forget how smart you really are."

"Well, you'd better keep it in mind from now on, mister," she said, poking my chest with her hoof before she landed and her nervous demeanor returned. "Um…please?"

"She's right, yah know," Applejack said. "Ah can admit that ah've found mahself starin' at a few handsome stallions in the past. But yah fell in love with Zecora before this, so ah know it's the real deal. And ah ain't Princess Cadance!"

"And don't forget I've caught you staring at Zecora's flanks," Rainbow smirked, which earned her a smack in the back of the head by Twilight. "Ow! It's true!"

"It really is," Scarlet added, earning her a smack from Twilight as well. "Worth it!"

"Not in front of Spike, you two!" Twilight hissed.

"And you called me sexy, too!" Pinkie said with a wide grin.

"Why are you feeling guilty, though?" Spike asked.

"Because this is such a huge change for her," I said. "One she didn't ask for. One she didn't want. And me finding her more attractive this way could very well be a slap to the face for her. If we find a way to return her to her old self and she knew about it, I wouldn't want her to refuse just to make me happy."

"Sir Jethro, this kind of change is probably permanent, like we've said," Moondancer said. "Twilight, Sunset and I have been researching this problem ever since it happened, and we can't find anything."

Sunset nodded. "I know it sucks, and we'll keep on looking to see if we can find anything, but it's probably best if you just start accepting it."

"No punches pulled with you, huh?" I asked.

"Not really my style," Sunset said with a smirk.

I took a breath and exhaled slowly. "I know you're all right, but I'm really still conflicted. Mind and heart just keep on arguing in there."

"I don't care if I ever change back," the voice of an angel said from behind me, "as long as you're with me, my tasty snack."

As a pair of arms wrapped around me and two large melons were pressed against me, a collective "Awwww," went up as Zecora nuzzled me. I reached up and put my hand to her cheek. "You heard that, huh?"

"I heard enough," she whispered, "and I'm not upset that you find me more attractive this way. It would make sense. So don't feel guilty."

I smiled and leaned against her cheek. "Thank you, my little star."

"You're welcome, my strength," she said before she released me and walked to stand beside me.

Rarity rejoined us. "Alright, measurements are all taken care of," she said, "and now all I need is details on what you want."

"Well, clothes for every occasion, like I said," I replied, "along with a good number of undergarments." I held up a small brown paper bag. "I have a couple of examples in here of the kind she'll be needing."

Rarity quickly snatched it with her magic, looked inside, then closed it and looked up at me with understanding. "Understood. And for every occasion, I assume you mean casual, professional, stuff like that?"

"All seasons, too. Oh, and one more thing," I added, making it sound like an afterthought, "We'll need a wedding dress. And could you make that a priority?"

"Of course, darling, now let me just-" She paused as the last part of my sentence apparently registered with her. She slowly turned back to me. "I'm sorry, there must be some cotton in my ears. Could you repeat that last part?"

"You mean the wedding dress?" I asked. "Well, do you expect me to marry her wearing jeans and a hoodie?"

Silence permeated the room as everyone stared at me and Zecora with wide eyes. Rarity was the first to say anything. "Did you say…marriage? As in wedding?"

I nodded. "We've decided we're gonna tie the knot before the year is up and get married."

Rarity gaped at me, then finally shouted, "A wedding?! At such short notice?! Darling, are you serious?!"

I winced as I stuck my pinkie finger in my ear to try and get rid of the ringing that normally came with Rarity's screeching. Zecora's ears were flat against her head as she, too, winced at the Unicorn mare's shout. "Indeed, a wedding is what we desire," she said, "it's what we want after all that's transpired."

Rarity was staring at me and Zecora with a dumbfounded expression. The others had similar shocked expression on their own faces. Twilight was the first one to speak, this time sounding a bit worried. "And what date, exactly, did you want this wedding to take place?"

"Well, let me just recover my hearing and I'll answer that question," I said as I cleared my ear again. Finally I faced the purple unicorn. "Zecora and I discussed it earlier and we thought that December 31st would be our first choice of dates. I'm pretty sure Hearth's Warming wouldn't work for any guests we'd want there."

"And if that doesn't work, the 30th will be perfect for us," Zecora added.

I nodded in agreement. "We don't wanna interrupt anyone's holiday plans," I said. "Needless to say, everyone here is invited. And yes, that includes you, Moondancer," I added when I saw said Unicorn beginning to raise her hoof.

Pinkie Pie climbed off of my back and began bouncing around the room, looking like she was hopped up on caffeine. "This is gonna be the biggest bash ever! I'll have to invite everypony in town! And the Princesses! Oh! I've gotta help the Cakes to make the most splendiforous wedding cake evar!"

"Pinks, slow your roll," I chuckled as I caught the pink mare. "This is our wedding. Zecora and I will do the inviting. You can write the letters, but we'll choose who comes."

"Are you sure you don't wanna have everypony come?" she asked with a pout.

"We'll get back to you on that." I began stroking her mane and she relaxed, purring contentedly as she closed her eyes and nuzzled my hand. I turned to Rarity and continued, "I'm sorry for the short notice, but after everything the two of us have been through, we really don't want to wait too much longer."

A look of understanding appeared on Rarity's face, and she walked up, stood on her hind legs and put her forelegs on my shoulders. Her gorgeous blue eyes looked into my own as she said, "Nopony would blame you for wanting this, but I want to be absolutely sure you two aren't rushing into this."

"Ah've got tah agree," Applejack said, stepping forward. "Ah know yah both love each other somethin' fierce, but are yah really sure now is the best time?"

Zecora and I looked at each other. Truth be told, when the two of us had the private conversation in my house's sunroom for our private breakfast, we'd expressed similar concerns. Even then I hadn't entirely sure we were rushing it. But then I remembered the moment afterwards, when the sun came out and shone on Zecora as she looked out into the yard. Celestia's sun had illuminated her and made her look not only angelic but surprisingly regal. Doubt was pushed aside as I'd stared at my princess-nay, my queen. Zecora's warm smile was all the answer I needed. I turned back to Rarity. "Yes, Rarity. We're both one hundred percent sure."

"I hope you don't mind if I call in an expert just to be sure," Twilight said.

"An expert?" I asked. "An expert on marriage-?" I paused the moment I realized who she met. "Cadance."

Twilight nodded. "I know you both want to get married, and I support that, but it just seems a bit sudden. Could you at least talk to her about it?"

I looked at Zecora, and the look in her azure eyes was all the answer I needed. Turning back to Twilight, I nodded. "If it'll make you feel better, Zecora and I will talk with her."

"My aunt is right, there's never a dull moment with you around," Cadance said to me as she, Zecora and I all sat in the sunroom of my mansion sipping tea and eggnog, which Cadance had taken an immediate liking to and had all but demanded a recipe for so she could get the cooks in Canterlot to make it. "But a wedding? I know the love you two share is pretty much unbreakable, but Twilight has some valid concerns, and so do I. Are you sure you're not rushing into it because of all that's been happening?"

I leaned back in the couch where Zecora and I sat close beside each other, her hand clasping mine. Looking at the Princess of Love calmly and collectedly, I replied, "Cadance, ever since I've come to Equestria, I've been involved in so many things it's not even funny. Got involved in the near start of a couple of wars, became a bastardization of humanity, Pony, Phoenix and Fae all wrapped into a neurotic box, become a Goddamned emperor of a foreign nation while simultaneously being the only Knight of Equestria in the world, and formed a herd. I've had some good times and I've had some bad times. Lately, there's just so much stress piling up that I want a release." I saw a smirk appear on Cadance's face, so I quickly added, "Don't you fucking say it-"

"That's what she said."

"Goddamn it! I knew I shouldn't have told you that phrase," I sighed as I looked up at the vaulted ceiling for a bit. After a while, I looked back towards her. "Back to the matter at hand, please?"

"You make it too easy," she smirked, then her expression softened. "Jethro, I'm your friend, and as your friend AND as the Princess of Love, I am a bit worried that you and Zecora are jumping into this. I want to just be absolutely sure your reasons are good ones."

"She's my oldest friend in this world," I insisted, "and the first woman I've fallen in love with since my Trixie. I've known I wanted to marry her for a while now."

"I want him to be my husband too," Zecora said.

Cadance looked at her, then at me. She closed her eyes, raised her horn and cast a spell. Our bodies were both encased in her signature magic for a few seconds before she let go. Opening her eyes again, she smiled. "I believe you two," she said. "Sorry for the interrogation, you two."

"You weren't the only one worried," I said. "It's gonna be a lot of work, but I'm just happy to finally be tying the knot with Zecora."

"And what of Scarlet?" Cadance asked, "and the other girls?"

"I've only been dating Scarlet for a little while, so getting married to her now seems a bit fast," I said, "and as for the others, when I get back from Aelyssia, I've promised myself that I will focus my attention on them and give them dates. Besides, I've got a month before I go to the Deerfolk homeland."

Cadance nodded. "And what about the Sirens? And Chrysalis?"

"They're coming with me to Aelyssia to help rebuilt the capital city," I explained, "and as such will be underneath Ember's command once I've established her as the new Right Hand of the Emperor, meaning she's second in command to me."

"What about Zecora?" Cadance asked. "She's going to be your wife, which technically means she's the Empress."

Zecora quickly raised her hand. "To rule over Dragons is not what I desire. Between Zebras and Dragons is unresolved ire."

"Remember what we learned in the Council?" I asked.

Cadance nodded. "That's a fair point." She stood and walked over to me and Zecora. Smiling, she put one hoof around us each and hugged us close. "I'm happy that you two are finally gonna tie the knot, though. It's rare that a love as strong as yours comes along."

I smiled, then looked over at Zecora. "Well, what do you think, baby? Should we invite Cadance here?"

Zecora chuckled. "Of course she's invited," she said.

Cadance broke the hug and squealed in delight. "I'd love to come! Can I bring Shining Armor?"

I smirked. "Just as long as you keep him from crying until after the ceremony. A little secret, he cries at weddings."

Her smile turned sinister. "Ohoho? That's good to know." The sinister smile returned to a normal happy one. "Thank you for inviting me!"

"We will send you details in an official invite later," I said. "Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

She shook her head. "Nope! Oh, only the date of the wedding, when is it?"

"Either the 30th or the 31st," I replied.

"Not much time, but I can make it work," she said. She smiled at me and Zecora. "Congratulations, I know you'll have an amazing marriage." Raising her head, her horn glowed and she vanished in a flash that looked an awful lot like a red heart.

I chuckled. "Damned Alicorn Princesses, they all loooove to make entrances and exits so flashy," I said.

Zecora smiled, then leaned against me, laying her head on my shoulder. "Speaking of Princesses, my dearest of loves, what of the ones who move the skies above?"

"I'd like to invite them if they're able to come," I said. "I mean, I am a Knight of Equestria, so it's entirely possible that Celestia and/or Luna might want to actually officiate."

"In Farasi culture, the weddings are different than here," Zecora explained.

"Well, we don't have much time," I said, "so why don't we get started on planning? It's only a couple days until Christmas, after all."

"Agreed." She got off my lap, walked to the door with a rather exaggerated swaying of her hips and swishing of her tail. Looking back over her shoulder, she grinned. "Are you coming?"

"Right behind you."