Chapter 9

As you approach the huge green field, having followed a path through the orchard marked by small candle-bearing lanterns, you see Big Mac running towards you at full tilt. He looks at you in panic, completely out of breath, before pointing at the small band setting up on a wooden stage, magically powered lights suspended in the air, a bar being set up at one side.

Still panting, the stallion explains that he needs your help, saying that the singer hadn’t been on board the carriage from Canterlot. You leave Berry and Ruby and trot with him, wondering what Macintosh could possibly want from you.

"He could have just gotten on a different carriage, are you sure he's not shown up?"

"Eeyup, please Paddy, can y’join the band, put on that singin' voice of yours? At least until the singer makes it here?"

"Alright, I guess. Do the band know?"

"We do now," responds a blue stallion, eavesdropping whilst pretending to be checking his piano. "Good to hear that Burt is being as reliable as always. The name's Freddy, that's Bluenote on the brass, Moony on percussion, Parish on guitar and 'Tavia on the violin.

You turn to the charcoal-maned mare next to Freddy. "Hold on, I know you, you're the fiddler from a band that played my old pub! What happened to your fella? The one with the fancy white guitar?"

"We broke up," she responds dryly, "and it's a violin, not a fiddle."

"Right,” you start, unsure of the actual difference, “okay, do we have a list of songs or are we just going to wing it?"

“We’ve had a couple of requests from the bride and groom.” Freddy says, passing you the list. “But they’ve said they’ll tell us if they want anything specific.”

You read through the three songs requested, immediately recognising two of them. The first one on the list had the words “First kiss” written next to it in Cheerilee’s neat muzzle-writing, along with a few words explaining why the song had been chosen. Trotting out onto the stage and looking out over the crowd of friends, family and coworkers of Snapshot and Cheerilee, the band sitting down at their instruments, you speak into the mic before you.

“Good evening everypony! My name is Paddock, and I’m with the band tonight to bring some music to this lovey day! Sadly, the proper wedding singer isn’t here at the moment, so I’m filling in for him. Anyway, this first song is something of a ballad that’d been playing on a certain stallion’s record deck the first time he kissed the filly he’d eventually marry...”

Steeling yourself as Octavia and Bluenote play the opening lines to the song, you swallow and then begin to sing, closing your eyes as the words flow through you with Freddy delicately putting hooves to ivory.

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Lying close to you
Feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if it's me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes and I’m thankful we're together
And I just wanna stay with you
In this moment forever, forever and ever

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

I don't wanna miss one smile
I don't wanna miss one kiss
Well, I just wanna be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just wanna hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
'Cause I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

I don't wanna close my eyes
I don't wanna fall asleep
'Cause I'd miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing
'Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you, babe
And I don't wanna miss a thing

Don't wanna close my eyes
Don't wanna fall asleep, yeah
I don't wanna miss a thing”

Opening your eyes again, you notice that several couples, including the bride and groom, had been slow-dancing, lost in their love for each other. Looking out, you can see somepony trying to grab your attention, having broken away from the grey pegasus mare he had been dancing with.

“We’re going to have a short break now, as the best colt wishes to say a few words,” you announce, looking out, seeing Macintosh approaching the stage. Slightly inebriated, the gently swaying giant plods onto the stage beside you, his bow-tie and the top few buttons of his shirt undone, and a clearly intoxicated, light yellow mare in the crowd wolf-whistles at him.

“First, I’d like to thank y’all for coming... and I really must say, most of you really scrub up nice! I’d also like to thank all of you for bringing such lovely gifts, I’ll be fightin’ her Majesties for the blender after I’m done here, hopefully they won’t cheat and use their magic.”

Looking out as the guests laugh, you’re sure you see Princess Luna wink at the stallion, who coughs awkwardly into a forehoof before continuing, “Now, I’ve known the bride ‘n groom for a real long time, so long, in fact, that I’ve still got photos of us durin’ the eighties...” he says, signalling to the noticeably red-eyed and giggling town librarian at the back, who levitates a white sheet up behind him, holding it in place as another unicorn projects a photo onto it.

As he waits for everything to be set up, you notice Berry bring a tray of drinks your way, giving one to Macintosh and each member of the band before giving you yours and taking the last one for herself. Wondering where Ruby is, you see her over in the corner, talking to a group of school-friends; no doubt members of the bride’s class.

You stifle a laugh as you see the four younger looking faces of Snapshot, Cheerilee, Big Mac and Ditzy, seeing the sheet ripple as the unicorn levitating it struggles not to giggle along with the crowd herself. The groom’s mullet, which draws a gasp from a certain white unicorn fashionista, and a sharp giggle from the electric pink pony beside her, stands out along side Cheerilee’s radically-styled mane and braces. Glancing back towards the other guests, you see the blushing bride trying to hide her face behind her husband, who didn’t seem to see the mullet as a bad thing, and was laughing fondly at the memory.

“That photo was taken by our chief bridesmaid, Ditzy, who I must say is looking lovely today, but I still have no idea how on Equestria she took that picture and managed to get in the frame too! This next one was submitted by... well, I’ve been asked to only identify this pony as “R”, but it’s of Cheerilee in her first school play.”

The picture appears on the screen, showing her in a fancy looking costume at around nine years old, stood between a filly with a heavily gemmed bowl of fruit on her head, and a filly wearing an equally flashy cake costume.

“Shucks, I have no idea what she’s meant to be in that picture, but ain’t she adorable, everypony?” Mac says, to a chorus of “d’aww” from the audience.

“And believe it or not, I’ve even managed to track down a picture of Snappy as a foal too,”

You see Snapshot’s head turn, and he grins at the picture of himself wearing what appeared to be an enormous bowler hat whilst sat in the bath. The audience “d’aww” again, and Macintosh smiles, nodding to both unicorns, a look of relief on their faces as the picture fades and the sheet rolls itself back up neatly.

“Anyway, I’d like to raise a glass to these two wonderful ponies, who we’d all be the poorer for not knowing. To Cheerilee and Snappy, may they live happily and long together!”

You raise your glass as the stallion gives the toast, before drinking deeply, the fluid welcome in your throat after having exerted yourself from singing. Seeing Macintosh walk off stage, you return to your position at the mic.

“Thank you, Big Macintosh. Fillies and gentlecolts, I've been asked to use the next song to let the younger ponies among us know that it's time to be heading home." You smile apologetically at a chorus of groans from the younger members of the audience. "Sorry kids, but it's time for the grown-ups to have some fun. This is Don't Stop Believing, by Trek..”

As Parish and Freddy take the lead and play the first few bars of the song, you see parents begin to gather their children and move towards the outskirts of the field that the party was being held. You notice Berry and Ruby amongst them, the sleepy child resting on her mother’s back.

You take a deep breath once more,

A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlights ponies, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night.

Working hard to get my fill,
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin' anything to roll the dice,
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, ponies

Don't stop believin'
Hold on
Streetlight, ponies

Don't stop believin'
Hold on to the feelin'
Streetlights, ponies"

You glance at Freddy as you finish the song, noticing the number of couples on the dance floor, and point at the third song on Cheerilee’s list. He nudges Parish, who had finally comes back to the world following his solo, who brings Bluenote, Moony and Octavia with him. Looking out of the corner of your eye, you see Berry appear from between the trees again, and turn back to the band.

“Fellas, d’you know this one?”

“Yeah,” Parish replies, grimacing, whilst the other band members nod, “It’s a bit slow considering what we’ve played so far.”

“I know, but it’s what they asked for and I don’t think my voice would sound right for it. Would you like to sing this one, Parish?”

With a look of determination on his face, Parish nods, and allows you to exit the stage and run over to Berry. You guide her to the dance floor as he introduces the track and Freddy plays the opening notes, whilst you nuzzle berry, gently kissing her neck as the two of you slow dance, a comfortable distance away from the bride and groom, lost in their own bubble of happiness in the center of the dance floor.

Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you

Look into your heart - you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am - take my life
I would give it all - I would sacrifice

Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you”

Parish stops singing, bringing his hooves down on the strings of his guitar as he expertly plays the solo, his eyes sweeping over the audience as he performs, before stepping back up to the mic to continue,

Oh - you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it - there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you - I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you - ya I'd die for you

You know it's true
Everything I do - I do it for you”

As the song ends, you give Berry a lingering kiss, before walking back onto the stage, Parish bowing as the crowd applaud him and the other band members. Looking out, you can see that most of, if not all of the guests have returned, and crack a smile as the memory of your sister’s wedding back in Cloplin floats to the surface of your mind.

“Stallions and Mares, now that the young’uns have left and folks have come back, we have a tradition in old Cloplin town, of singing a little dirty ditty to try and encourage the embarrassed groom to go and have a drink. This isn’t one of mine though, it was taught to me by an old friend up in rainy old Shetland, but I’ve been told I pull it of wonderfully. I don’t know if any of you know it, but it’s called ‘The Shetlander’s Kilt’, no idea who wrote the damned thing.”

You hear a laugh, seeing Ditzy giggling to herself, obviously having heard the song before and whispering into Cheerilee’s ear. The mare gives you a brief glare, but smiles shortly afterwards, nodding her head.

“Oh, I’ve gotten permission from Mrs. Snappy, looks like we’re good to go! Freddy, Octavia, give me a drinking tune and play by ear. Blue, Moony and Parish, go have yourselves a drink! Your Majesties, I’ll apologise in advance, please don’t be taking no offense.”

As the drummer tears the tape holding his sticks to his hooves and trots off stage with the other temporarily-dismissed musicians, the blue stallion at the piano gives you a confused look. Shrugging, he nods to Octavia and plays an opening bar. You see Snapshot raise a hoof to his face, Ditzy Doo trotting away from him calmly to the bar.

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
He stumbled off into the grass to sleep beside the street.

Later on two young and lovely fillies just happened by,
And one says to the other with a twinkle in her eye
You see yon sleeping Shetlander, so young and handsome built
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt.

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
I wonder if it's true what they don't wear beneath their kilt.

They crept up to the sleeping stallion, quiet as could be
Then lifted up his kilt about an inch so they could see
And there behold for them to view beneath his Shetlandish skirt
Was nothing but what he had been graced with upon his birth

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
There was nothing there but what he’d been given upon his birth

They marveled for a moment then one said we'd best be gone
But let's leave a present for our friend before we move along
They took a blue silk ribbon and they tied it in a bow
Around the bonnie spar that the Colt's lifted kilt did show

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
Around the bonnie spar that the Colt's lifted kilt did show

The Shetlander woke to nature's call and stumbled toward a tree
Behind a bush he lifts his kilt and gawks at what he sees
Then in a startled voice he says to what's before his eyes
He said, 'Lad I don't know where you've been but I see you won first
prize'

Ring ding diddle diddle i de o
Ring di diddle i o
He said, 'Lad I don't know where you've been but I see you won first prize!”

By the end of the song, you can see around half of the ponies present singing along, mugs of beer swinging in time with Freddie’s playing. Celestia appears to be grinning broadly at the story as she whispers into the ear of her bright-red and giggling sister, and a group of the guards present had raised Snapshot up onto their shoulders, the stallion laughing and taking a long gulp from the tankard in his hooves and then placing it back on the head of his best stallion.

Hearing hoof-steps, you turn and see Cheerilee wandering up to you, her beautiful white dress trailing over the wooden boards used to make the stage. Expecting a telling off, you back up and prepare for the worst; instead, she smiles, and leans in to whisper a request in your ear instead...

“Aye, I know that one... want it now?”

She nods, before trotting back down to the dance floor and rescuing her stallion from his colleagues and Big Mac. He glances at you, smiling broadly, his dress uniform gleaming in the late day sun. You can see Berry sat at the back, also watching you and beaming, mouthing her adoration for you and blowing a kiss.

Stepping up to the mic again, you’re interrupted by the frantic hoof-beats of the wedding singer finally showing up, flustered and thoroughly out of breath. Eventually, he steps up and thanks you, nodding to the rest of the band.

“The bride had a request, you alright with me introducing it before you go on?” you say, putting your hoof over the mic.

“W... what is the song?” he asks, catching his breath. You whisper Cheerilee’s choice, hoping that nopony nearby would be able to hear you and he nods before turning to the other musicians.

“Number thirty eight, looks like I owe you dinner, Freddie.”

The pianist laughs, before turning the pages of the sheet music in front of him and playing the scale.

“Fillies and Gentlecolts, the wedding singer has shown up, so it looks like I won’t be singing again for you tonight... which is good, because I understand the bar is still open! Anyway, he’s going to be handling the slow music. May I present, Burt Hayrach and the Posies, Fillies and Gentlecolts!”

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No, not just for some but for everyone.

Luna, we don't need another mountain,
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross,
Enough to last till the end of time.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No, not just for some but for everyone.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It's the only thing that there's just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No, not just for some, oh, but just for
Every, every, everyone."

As he starts singing, you dart offstage, galloping over to Berry and nuzzling her, once again making your way through family and friends of the happy couple, who had started dancing with the floor to themselves for the first couple of verses.

When Burt begins the third verse, other members of the wedding party take to the floor, shortly followed by you and Berry, and the pair of you slow-dance amongst the other couples. You smile at each other as the music picks up pace a little, before dying back down to it’s slower rhythm, elegantly bringing yourselves out of the way of Macintosh, now positively steaming drunk and dancing with Cheerilee’s mother.

The song ends, and you find yourself simply stood swaying, staring deep into Berry’s eyes, lost in your love for her before being disturbed.

“Excuse me, Mr Paddock? I’m sorry to take you away from what must be a tender moment...” a young voice from behind you asks. Turning, you see the younger of the royal princesses, Luna, blushing at having disturbed you.

“Y... your majesty,” you stutter, immediately bowing, Berry curtsying too.

“I heard about your misfortune, and I was wondering if there was something that my sister and I would be able to do to help? I’ve been trying to get back in touch with the everyday citizens of Equestria, and I think that supporting small businesses would be a nice way to make ponies happier.”

You stand there, dumb struck, mouth gawping at the blue alicorn. After what feels like a minute of staring, you hear the gentle melodic laugh of Luna’s sister,

“Forever working, my dear little sister? I’d know the look of somepony offered a chunk of the royal coffers anywhere! Mr Paddock, we shall have a building expert with your business as soon as possible, and I will gladly top up your supplies from those of the castle; we have wines that have not seen the light of day in years that I am sure would be much more appreciated by your customers!”

Still standing, brain completely disconnected, you’re brought back by Berry, who gently nudges you, causing you to finally close your mouth.

“Oh... oh my, I’ll gladly take you up on your generous offer, your majesties, and I promise you that none of your staff will ever have to drink for full price in my pub.”

“There was one thing that I wanted to ask in exchange, before Celestia made the offer. When you re-open, could you make it a place where families are welcome? Young and old should be welcome to enjoy the atmosphere, which one of my bodyguards tells me was wonderful before you were forced to close.”

“Of course, anything for you, your highness.”

“Also... the final song you sang, it has been a long time since I heard that last. I do wonder whatever happened to the two fillies from it.” she says, with a smile, “Part of me likes to think that they grew up together to be very close...”

“Wait, are you saying that-”

“I’m not saying anything, it was just nice to hear such an old song.” Luna giggles, and trots away to find her sister.

Berry laughs, and whispers into your ear that she thinks the young royal was simply having a little fun, suggesting that the pair of you find somewhere nice to watch the fireworks display that had been organised last-minute by several members of the royal guard she had overheard whilst you were on stage. You ask Berry if she needs to be getting home to look after Ruby, and she tells you that Ditzy's mother and father had offered to look after her with Dinky for the night.

As the announcement about fireworks is made, by Cheerilee’s harassed looking father rather than the completely inebriated red stallion you had noticed kissing Ditzy during the last song, you canter after your date. You eventually find her after following more small lanterns leading to a valley lined with more apple trees, and she takes you a fair distance off of the marked route to underneath a single tree, roughly near the top. The view of the valley below is amazing, and you can’t help but wonder why the wedding party chose to proceed further to the small clearing around two hundred feet below where you were sat. Sitting beside your love, she rests her head on you and sighs contentedly, allowing you to breathe through her mane, picking up the scent of forest fruits that you had come to love.

When the sparks from the first rocket of the display illuminate you, you turn to Berry, her eyes stare deep into yours, not showing any desire to watch the beautiful explosions in the sky above. You suddenly become aware of the feeling of your heart beating in your chest, leaning in to kiss her as nervously as she had done the very first time. Her lips meet yours, and the two of you caress each other, your hoof running through her mane as she kisses you.

Pulling back, Berry noses at your tie, undoing the knot between her lips, using her nose to tease the buttons of your shirt undone, encouraging you to remove it as you use your magic to undress her. With her dress hung delicately on the tree, your shirt and jacket in a pile beneath Berry's head, you run a hoof up and down her chest.

“I love you, Berry Punch.”

“I love you too, Green Paddock.”

You kiss her, and the two of you spend the rest of the night in that spot, together.

Next Chapter: Chapter 10 Estimated time remaining: 13 Minutes