Three Months Later

"Agh! I swear, I need a new curling Iron!" Rarity gasped as she stopped from applying her eyeliner quickly once she felt the beginnings of her mane burning. The unicorn silently thanked Celestia and Luna that she'd caught the instrument in time. Rarity had a bit of a hard time with many tasks involving her magic, namely moving heavy objects, but when it came to the maintenance of her beauty, Rarity was a magical ace. She was so skilled in this way of magic-use in fact, that Fluttershy, who sat next to her marefriend admiring her as she got ready, wished she could devote time and effort to perfecting her magic use for all purposes. Perhaps it was that the process of beautification came so naturally to Rarity. Then again, none of her makeup or beauty implements weighed more than a pound or two.

"Rarity, relax. We still have two hours. You'll have plenty of time to...let it all settle." Fluttershy attempted to reason with her love, but the fashionista paid no heed.

"Fluttershy, I simply have to make sure my look for tonight is perfect. Rainbow Dash is being inducted into the Wonderbolts, officially. It's probably the biggest day of her life."

"Besides marrying Applejack."

"Right, right. The second biggest day of her life."

"Soon to be the third, with the foal on the way." Fluttershy added, making Rarity turn around and raise an unamused eyebrow at her.

"Yes, yes there is that too, but you do see my point, don't you?" Rarity asked. Fluttershy giggled.

"Yes, I know dear, you like to look your best. I'm just saying you could relax a little bit...If you can help it."

Rarity couldn't help but smile at her (relatively) new love. There was a subtle change in the way Fluttershy conducted herself that she'd come to notice over the past three months. One of the first things about it that the unicorn noticed was that it was almost exclusively around her, though at certain times Sweetie Belle as well. She was much more sure of herself, and almost stood taller, but there were still little remnants of her inherent shyness that came through from time to time.

Rarity knew what her lover was saying was true, but she couldn't help it. Ever since Rainbow Dash had quite literally saved her life during the best young fliers competition, there was a connection there, at least for Rarity. Anything regarding Rainbow Dash and the acquisition of her dream made Rarity feel obligated to be ever-present for. She felt stupid for it, but she felt she should look her best because she believed she owed it to Rainbow, despite all the years that had passed since. Rarity let out a sigh and sat where she was, putting the eyeliner down.

She owed Rainbow Dash for another thing on top of all of that, though she wasn't vocal about this debt, even with Fluttershy. The more time that had passed since the incident involving Fancypants, the more she came to realize she was grateful for the action Rainbow Dash took that night. Though it wasn't for her specifically, Rarity still found a particular satisfaction in how the situation resolved itself. Applejack's prediction had been right on the money, as none of the four mares had heard anything from Fancypants since that evening, besides a tabloid article featuring his damaged face as he attempted to hide it from the paparazzo who took the picture.

"I think that's acceptable." Rarity said with satisfaction, smiling at herself in the mirror, now shiner-free. Fluttershy came up next to her and nuzzled her lovingly, looking into the mirror as well and appraising the way they looked together. "Good-looking couple, we are." The unicorn purred, kissing Fluttershy on the cheek.

"You're as beautiful as ever." The pegasus said sweetly. "Why were you so caught up with looking good? I mean, even more so than usual." The unicorn thought for a moment and turned to her marefriend.

"Well...since the best young fliers competition, when Rainbow saved me...I feel that there has been a sort of...confluence there. Between myself, Rainbow Dash and the Wonderbolts, I mean." Rarity explained. "I feel I have to look my best because Rainbow Dash deserves it. In a way, tonight will be the culmination of events that began on the day of that contest. When Rainbow messed up her performance a month ago, and fell into Pinkie's cotton candy...My heart broke for her. I was mortified." Fluttershy smiled at Rarity and kissed her cheek.

"I honestly didn't know you were so concerned about Rainbow's success."

"I'd been a heel to her the entire day of the Best Young Fliers Competition. I'd completely stolen her thunder at every turn I could, knowing full-well that her idols were there watching. Then, falling to my death, I idiotically knocked those idols unconscious. She saved me so effortlessly, so thoughtlessly." Rarity looked down as she said this. Fluttershy, recognizing Rarity's top-secret self-loathing begin to bubble to the surface, put a hoof on Rarity's cheek. Fluttershy had learned to recognize the signs of this because she was the only pony Rarity was comfortable sharing this side of her with.

"Rarity, I'm sure that if Rainbow knew how much you were stressing about looking good for her big day, she'd appreciate it very much." Fluttershy stated.

"Or see it as me trying to show off again."

"And you're saying that like she doesn't show off. Come on, Rarity. She's changed since then. You have too. We've all...grown up a lot."

"You're right. I should stop fretting so much." Rarity conceded. "I'm done with it all, anyway. How do I look?" The unicorn turned toward her and did a cutesy mane-flip, making the yellow pegasus giggle.

"Beautiful, as always." Fluttershy was, at this point, one of the very few ponies to see Rarity without makeup and she loved the way her marefriend looked, always, makeup or not. Rarity gave Fluttershy a tender kiss on the lips that lingered between the two of them, which led into a couple more.

"Ugh, gag." Sweetie Belle sighed as she passed the doorway to the bathroom, making Rarity separate from the kiss and scoff.

"Excuse me, miss!" Rarity called. "That was rude!" Sweetie Belle slunk back around the corner and she gave a look of apology.

"Sorry, I was just kidding. You know I love you guys together." The filly admitted. "I think I was just feeling sad about not having anypony of my own." Satisfied, Rarity turned back to the mirror to appraise her makeup once more for posterity's sake. Seeing this, Sweetie Belle looked at Fluttershy and shook her head, mouthing, "No." Fluttershy giggled quietly.

"Well, it could be debated that you're still too young to have a special somepony." Rarity sighed, stepping back from the mirror. "But if it were to happen for you, I wouldn't be too terribly disappointed." Sweetie Belle felt the smallest bit of regret for fooling Rarity.

"You'll find somepony one day who you can't wait to kiss as much as you can." Fluttershy said, smiling at Rarity. "You'll want to shout it from the rooftops that you have that pony." Rarity blushed and gave Fluttershy a small nuzzle, letting out a small.

"Aww..."

"Speaking of that, when are you going to tell...well...anypony?" Sweetie Belle asked. "I still haven't told Applebloom or Scootaloo and its driving me crazy!" Rarity looked downward, feeling slight shame at her sister's inquiry. The filly definitely felt bad, then. Fluttershy didn't mind Rarity still wanting to keep the secret. Coming out as being in a homosexual relationship was quite a big deal, and the pegasus was just happy Rarity loved her. Three months had passed since they had become official and exclusive and Rarity hadn't shown the first sign of misgivings. It had been wonderful ever since the night they'd first given themselves to each other. Given this, the pegasus' anxieties revolving around the subject had dissipated by that point. Sweetie Belle scuffed a hoof on the ground and looked downward, ashamed of hurting Rarity's feelings.

"Rarity, I didn't mean-"

"No, it's alright, Sweetie Belle." Rarity stated, looking up at her quickly with a smile, and then at Fluttershy. "I think you're right. I think I'm ready to shout it from the rooftops."

"Rarity, sweetie, are you sure?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes widening slightly.

"Of course I'm sure. I've actually been thinking about this quite a bit recently. I love you, and I want ponies to know about it. It's time to stop being scared. No matter what happens as a result, I'll still have you, and that's enough for me. Tonight, at the induction, once Rainbow Dash's big moment has come and gone, I'll announce it to the rest of the girls." Rarity said, confidence rising in her voice, her body straightening up. Fluttershy's heart warmed and her eyes filled with tears.

"I love you too, Rarity." Fluttershy said, giving her lover another sweet kiss.

"Ugh, gag again." Sweetie Belle said mockingly, and Rarity immediately lifted a roll of toilet paper with her magic and chucked it at Sweetie Belle, who deftly dodged it and giggled madly. Fluttershy and Rarity couldn't help but giggle themselves.

Rainbow Dash breathed heavily as she punched the clock at Weather Patrol headquarters. While the weather order had called for a cloudy night, Rainbow Dash had mentioned to her boss that it was to be her induction night into the Wonderbolts. Rolling Storm had understood, and upon Rainbow Dash's request for a clear night that evening, he approved it without question. His only stipulation for changing the weather order so drastically was that she had to do the extra work of clearing the rest of the clouds herself. With her entire weather crew, it wouldn't have been a job that took longer than half an hour, but by herself that time was tripled and got harder cloud-to-cloud. Rolling Storm had helped her, despite receiving no bonus, and watched her as she replaced her timecard in it's receptacle.

"That was some impressive work out there, Rainbow." Rolling Storm complimented her as he ran a hoof through his gray mane. "Left me in the dust pretty well. But then again, I'm pretty old."

"I appreciate the help, all the same." Rainbow said with a warm smile. "And I appreciate you bending the rules for me."

"Well, you're my favorite employee, and seeing as how I'm gonna be losing you to the Wonderbolts soon, I figured I'd throw you a bone." He reasoned and gave a small shrug.

"Aww, I'm your favorite?"

"Don't get sappy. Look, I'm just trying to say it's been good working with you." He said to her, putting a hoof out. Rainbow's eyes got a bit misty, as her boss for years was showing her actual affection, something he almost never showed anything else. She gave him a hug, which he returned with a small smile. When she stepped back, he gave her a small nod. "Lucky me, you still have a few days until your two weeks is up." He turned to leave, and Rainbow couldn't help but call to him.

"Hey, Mr. Storm, did you want to come? To the ceremony I mean?" Rainbow asked him, causing him to raise an eyebrow at her. "It'd mean a lot for me to have you there. You were kinda one of my first mentors." Rolling Storm cleared his throat and looked to the side.

"Oh, uhmm..." He cleared his throat again, and seemed to blink rather hard. Perhaps he was blinking back tears. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll definitely be there."

"Awesome!" Rainbow said happily before moving to leave the office. "I'm gonna go home and grab a nap or something beforehand. You know where to go, right?" He nodded at her.

"Not one pegasus around here that doesn't know about the Wonderbolt Academy." He said, unable to keep the wide smile from his face.

"Cool. See you tonight!" She chirped before speeding off. It was then that Rolling Storm let that proud, stubborn tear fall down his cheek.

The flight home, as it always was, was exceedingly quick and easy. The castle of friendship stuck out next to Ponyville like a sore thumb, not that it was a terrible sight to behold. Rainbow rather liked the way it looked, it was just going to be a while until she got used to looking at the massive spires coming up and sometimes cutting through the clouds. Rainbow looked downward to see that in a combination of her exhaustion and her staring at the castle for so long, she'd flown right over her home. Sighing to herself, she went into what was almost a divebomb before landing gracefully outside the farm house. The pegasus opened the door to find Big Macintosh and his new marefriend, Sugar Belle, sitting in the living room together. Cheerilee had left Big Mac about two months prior and he'd been devastated. The sweet memory of herself, Applejack and Pinkie Pie watching him stumble through asking her out remained, but she'd fallen out of love with him and decided to do the right thing and let him go. Thankfully, this new mare seemed to be helping those wounds to close and heal.

"Hey, Big Mac. Sugar Belle." Rainbow breathed, walking through the living room toward the hallway.

"Hi there, Rainbow Dash. Rough day at work?" She asked, making Rainbow scoff and shake her head.

"Yeah, kinda. Didn't get a lot of sleep last night, either."

"Oh, because of the Wonderbolts." She recalled with a smile. "Big Mac mentioned that. I wish I could be there tonight. Congratulations!"

"Thanks." She said, smiling back at the nice mare before moving down the hallway. She hoped that Sugar Belle didn't find her to be rude, but Rainbow Dash was determined to get at least some semblance of rest before her induction that night. She felt that if she didn't, she'd collapse on stage, which was a thought that made her feel like trembling. She'd been on her probation for a month after her last mishap involving a certain nickname that she'd been assigned and some cotton candy, and given that the month was over, it was time for her to be inducted. This included all the ceremony, pomp and frills that came with the addition of each new Wonderbolt. Finally, after what had seemed like a ludicrously long trek, she came into her bedroom and found Applejack snoozing. The sight was an inviting one. Applejack roused from her sleep when Rainbow entered, and smiled.

"Hey, you." She said almost dreamily.

"Hey, gorgeous. How's the baby treating you?" Rainbow asked, climbing into the bed with her.

"Oh, fine. She's relaxed a good bit since yesterday. Ah'm gonna be ready by the time of your induction tonight, Dash. Ah promise. Ah just figured that Ah'd get a little nap-"

"Hey, no explanation necessary. I was actually about to join ya." The Pegasus snuggled underneath the blanket and received a warm closed-mouth chuckle from her wife.

"Mmm yes please." The farm mare said sweetly. "How was work?"

"Well, it would've been easy, but Rolling Storm gave me the go ahead to clear the clouds out for a starry night tonight. So I had to do all of that. So, long story short, could've been easy, and it was actually pretty hard. But this nap will put me back to rights, I think." Rainbow explained, laying down fully next to the earth pony. While it was true that the precise reason Rainbow hadn't slept the previous night was her excitement for the coming event, she was bone tired and closed her eyes, fully expecting to lose consciousness any second.

Her mind drifted to Spitfire, and then to Soarin, then to the gymnasium that would surely be converted into a banquet hall, lit by candles, stocked with food and drink and decorated all for her sake. Her eyes opened involuntarily and she suppressed a growl, choosing instead to grit her teeth. She closed her eyes again, and tried to think about Applejack and her friends, but soon the thoughts of the evening took over once again. The pegasus opened her eyes and groaned, rousing Applejack, who had begun to fall back into sleep.

"What's the matter, darlin'?"

"I can't get back to sleep. This makes zero sense. I got no sleep last night, worked my flank off at work, now I'm here laying in bed with you...And I'm wide awake." Rainbow growled. "I can't help but get a little annoyed."

"Ah don't blame you there." Applejack said, turning around, lifting herself a little extra to account for her now truly noticeable baby-bump. She finally ended on her side, looking at Rainbow. "We can just lay here and talk if ya want." Rainbow smiled at her wife and nodded.

"That sounds nice. But...I was thinking..." Rainbow ran a hoof lightly up Applejack's side. The sensation felt pleasant to the farm mare, but she knew what Rainbow Dash was about to ask for. "Maybe we could, you know, mess around a little? We could be super quiet...We don't have to use the toy, even. I know, it's pretty tough for me to be quiet when we use that thing..." Rainbow blushed and gave Applejack a cheeky, yet hopeful look. Applejack sighed and looked to the side.

"Ah...Ah don't think so, Dash." She said nervously. Rainbow's cheeky yet hopeful look made way for one that telegraphed frustration. The pegasus sighed through her nose deeply and looked away, seeming to deflate.

"Okay." Rainbow said, her voice lowering. She turned around, making Applejack's eyebrows furrow. She knew she had to be delicate with the coming matter.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What's with the sudden cold shoulder?" Not the most delicate, but at least she wasn't yelling. Rainbow Dash spun back around, having known that Applejack would press the matter.

"Applejack, we haven't had sex in over a month and a half." Rainbow sounded angry, but it was more of a quiet, subtle, frustrated anger.

"Well maybe because that's because Ah'm buckin' pregnant." Applejack almost snarled, the words coming out in a completely different way than her mind had constructed them. There went the delicacy of the situation. Applejack could almost see it go. "Ah'd think that you'd understand that."

"I have been understanding, Applejack!" Rainbow snapped back, her tone becoming dangerously elevated. "I haven't said anything about it until now. I mean, for cryin' out loud, you could at least...you know... Reach over, or something..." Applejack scoffed.

"Oh, reach over, huh?" Applejack said almost mockingly. "Yeah, because that's really sexy." Applejack kicked herself mentally as the words came out. They were antagonistic, inflammatory and unnecessary. But there was a part of her that saw how agitated Rainbow was becoming, and so became all the more agitated itself.

"It's something, Applejack!" Rainbow cried, her tone increasing once more. Although it still wasn't quite yelling. With luck, Big Macintosh and Sugar Belle hadn't heard them. At this point, however, Applejack didn't really care. "We're married, and you haven't touched me in a month and a half! Going on a month and three weeks now. Don't you see how that's kind of wrong?"

"Ah'm not gonna apologize to you for carryin' our child around with me for the next six damn months!" Applejack growled before taking a deep breath. "Along with all the stuff it's doin' to my body, Ah don't see myself as being obligated to do anything that Ah don't want to do."

"Applejack, I don't want you to feel obligated." Rainbow said, her eyes widening slightly, the mind behind them possibly coming to a realization regarding the subject. "You're my wife, and I love you...I just...I want us to be close, you know? Intimate. I'm a sexual being, and I have the needs that go along with that....But...I know that I should be more understanding of you and what you're going through. I was being selfish. Look, never mind, okay? I love you, and I want you to be happy. I'm sorry." Applejack had to fight back tears and she felt her heart break for her wife.

"Rainbow...Ah'm sorry too. Ah kinda stoked the fire here a bit, and Ah'm not proud of it at all. Ah just have these mood swings, you know? My hormones are goin' wild basically twenty-four-seven." The orange earth pony replied, putting a hoof on Rainbow's, the pegasus holding it firmly. "Ah could be a little more...helpful...Ah could, you know...reach over or somethin'." Rainbow laughed at Applejack's playful jab at her earlier language.

"Oh, I like you." Rainbow sighed dreamily, kissing Applejack's hoof. "I really am sorry, okay? You're the one pregnant, you're the one making the sacrifice. Any time you feel like...helping me out, is fine with me. And you know I'll return the favor." Applejack giggled, and pulled Rainbow into her. Even after almost no physical activity for the past six months in her pregnant state, Applejack was remarkably strong. Applejack planted a firm, loving kiss on Rainbow's lips, which the pegasus happily returned. Applejack sensed Rainbow's arousal heighten, as the Pegasus let out a small moan and lightly bit Applejack's bottom lip.

"Well, if it's all the same to you, Dash..." Applejack said as she separated from the kiss. "Could we maybe postpone until tonight? Ah actually really do have a headache." Rainbow nodded and smiled, cuddling into her spouse's chest.

"Kissing you is just fine." Rainbow sighed contentedly.

"On my girl's big night, too. Maybe we can break out the toy...." Applejack mused, and Rainbow smiled widely, giving Applejack's shoulder a small, playful slap. "In fact, here's a preview." With that, Applejack connected with Rainbow in a kiss so passionate, that it brought the pegasus back to the fields of Ponyville, on a picnic blanket in the sunset. The farm mare felt her wife take the submissive role in the kiss, letting out a moan, making Applejack smile. Applejack lightly sucked on Rainbow's bottom lip and deepened the kiss even more before separating. The kiss had been so sensual and passionate that a small string of saliva briefly stretched between their lips as they separated and fell upon Applejack's bottom lip. Like that, Applejack lay her head back down, leaving Rainbow Dash slightly stunned. After a couple minutes of silent cuddling, Rainbow spoke up.

"So what did you do today?"

"Oh, prepared for the new harvest. Big Mac got in the barn and got all the equipment ready for when we...well, y'all get to work."

"A little early, huh?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, we didn't really have all that much to do today." Applejack reasoned. "Goddesses, it's gonna hurt to just watch y'all doin' all the applebuckin'." Rainbow giggled and placed a hoof lightly on Applejack's belly.

"Well, think about what you're staying out of it for." Rainbow said the words sweetly, gently rubbing her belly, love in her eyes. "And think about it this way, you can do all of my applebucking next year" Applejack laughed.

"It ain't like I wasn't doin' it all myself before you came along." Applejack retorted, giving Rainbow a small shove. "You probably won't be able to do it anyway, considerin' as how you're a Wonderbolt now." Rainbow smiled widely.

"Well, technically I've been one for a month. I've just been on probation until today."

"Which means today, you're a Wonderbolt." Applejack kidded and Rainbow laughed, snuggling into her chest. "Really Dash, Ah'm so proud of you. Not many ponies can say they went out and accomplished their childhood dream. And here Ah am, layin' in bed with the one Ah married. Ah feel so lucky." Rainbow gave her a small squeeze and looked up at her.

"Yep. You married an A-number-one winner." She said happily. Applejack prepared a retort along the lines of "Alright, don't push it." But she figured that this was Rainbow's day. She'd let her wife have the boast, because she deserved to make it, one hundred percent.

"Can Ah just say, how happy Ah am that we're havin' a girl?" Applejack asked, making Rainbow nod.

"I was hoping for a filly too." Rainbow sighed, looking up to the ceiling. "Can you imagine how bad the anticipation would be if we'd waited to find out the gender?"

"That's why Ah pretty much immediately wanted to know. Ah know you're impatient as all get-out and Ah definitely don't think Ah could've taken it either."

"Well I'm glad you can be honest with yourself." Rainbow said, giving a half-hearted smile before looking back up at the ceiling and letting out a sigh through her nose.

"What's wrong, Rainbow?" Applejack asked.

"To be honest, I'm a bit nervous." This slightly shocked Applejack and she looked down at Rainbow Dash, who looked downward herself.

"What do you mean, Dash?" Rainbow slightly shrugged at the question. "You mean about the induction?" Rainbow gave a small nod.

"AJ, their first nickname for me is Rainbow Crash." The pegasus nearly deadpanned. "I'm already known for messing up."

"Ah thought the rest of them had nicknames that were just as bad." Applejack said, confused. "You told me that yourself."

"Well yeah, I know. I'm just...I'm worried that I'm gonna crash again, and that's all I'm gonna be known for." Rainbow Dash almost buried her face in Applejack's chest. "I know it doesn't seem all that possible, but I can't stop thinking about it.

"Now hold up here. They selected you to become a Wonderbolt because you were at the top of the cadet list. You tell me all the time about how you impress Spitfire pretty much every time you go in there. Yeah, you've had some flub-ups, but so does literally everypony. You are becomin' a Wonderbolt for a reason, Dash." Applejack said, almost chastising the pegasus. She noticed this and lightened her tone slightly, to one of encouragement and love. "This is what you've been dreaming about your entire life, and Ah knew you could do it since long before you became my wife. Hey, look, Ah did a little rhyme there!" Applejack let out a small giggle and looked down to see Rainbow Dash fast asleep. Fighting away the very, very small feeling of annoyance with the intense love that swelled within her, Applejack smiled. Her encouraging words hadn't been heard, but at least Dash was getting some rest. She planted a light, yet adoring kiss on the prismatic mane of the mare she had vowed to spend the rest of her life with and let herself fall asleep again.

"I am honored to present to you, the newest member of the Wonderbolts, Rainbow Dash!" Spitfire said happily, gesturing to the beaming cyan pegasus standing next to her. Tears welled in Rainbow Dash's eyes as the gathering of ponies erupted into thunderous applause, all for her. There weren't a ton of ponies there, in fact less than there were at she and Applejack's wedding reception, but the ponies who truly mattered were there. Applejack, Applebloom (Accompanied by the other Cutie Mark Crusaders, who all had their cutie marks), Big Macintosh, even Granny Smith had come all the way to the Wonderbolts academy. The girls were there, Fluttershy and Rarity with their forelegs noticeably linked. This hadn't escaped Rainbow's attention and it made her already full heart overflow. There were others as well that Rainbow Dash had invited. Rolling Storm was there of course, as were Cloud Kicker, the Cakes, Amethyst Star, even Gilda, who'd come all the way from Gryphon territory to see her on her big night. Fighting back the sobs that welled up in her throat, Rainbow approached the microphone after Spitfire gestured her toward it.

"Thank you so much, everypony who has believed in me. Twilight, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie...you're the best friends a mare could ever have, and I love you. Big Mac, Granny Smith, Applebloom, thank you for being such a wonderful family to me. I honestly don't know where I'd be right now without you. You've given me a home, accepted me as part of your family, and supplied me with so much love it's hard to put into words. But there's a pony out there who I'm more thankful to than anyone else...Sorry, everyone, don't hate me." Rainbow made the last statement with a wry smirk, bringing a hearty laugh from the small crowd.

"That's impossible!" Scootaloo cried, sparking another smaller laugh.

"My wife, Applejack. You've been there for me, listened to me, let me cry on your shoulder...Yes, everyone, even I cry sometimes. In the years we've been in love, you've become the reason I get out of bed every morning. You give me strength, you're the wind beneath my wings. In short, you light my fire, baby. I love you." The crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Rainbow's eyes went to Applejack, who was silently crying with joy. The pegasus sent her a wink, and Applejack laughed with pure elation. Feeling the need to be right there next to her wife, Rainbow Dash went to leave the stage as Spitfire returned to the microphone.

"Alright, everypony! Go ahead and dig into those refreshments that I've seen each of you eye tonight at least once. In a little bit we're gonna dim the lights, turn some other lights on, and get dancing! Another thanks to our DJ tonight..." Spitfire's voice trailed off as Rainbow reached Applejack, the farm mare wrapping her into a tight embrace. The earth pony's tears made Rainbow's cheek wet and she laughed.

"Geez, AJ, you're crying more than me!" Rainbow said, her own tears spilling over. Rarity, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle and Pinkie Pie all quickly joined the hug and Rainbow savored all the love that was coming to her. "I love you guys so much." Next were Big Mac, Granny Smith and Applebloom, who all jumped on Rainbow and Applejack, the second group hug in a row. Normally Rainbow wasn't a fan of being confined in such a way but when it was ponies she loved so dearly, she didn't mind it so much. Granny Smith gave Rainbow Dash a kiss on the cheek.

"Ah am so proud of you." Granny said, with tears in her eyes. "My granddaughter!" The last words brought a fresh wave of tears to Rainbow's eyes as she couldn't help but let out a small sob. She hugged just Granny this time, and there wasn't a dry eye among any of the seven ponies observing.

"Great job, sis." Big Mac said with a loving smile, giving Rainbow a hug as well. "Never a doubt."

"Aww, ya stole that from me! Ah was gonna call her 'sis'!" Applebloom cried, furrowing her eyebrows at Big Mac, who looked genuinely confused at the filly's outburst.

"Applebloom, ya never said anything of the sort to me." Big Mac replied, raising a brow. Rainbow giggled and leaned down toward Applebloom.

"You know, you can totally call me sis, too. I don't mind. It's just as cool hearing it the second time." Applebloom wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow's neck and squeezed, hard. Rainbow didn't bother to mention that the filly had cut off her breathing for a moment.

"Ooohhh, Ah love my family!" Applejack cried as the emotion overtook her, tears running down her face. She gained control of herself and wiped her tears, laughing. "Sorry. You know...Pregnant." The ponies present laughed heartily.

"Well, not to exacerbate the crying problem, but Fluttershy and I have something to say." Rarity said with a wide smile as she wiped her tears.

"Rarity and I are together." Fluttershy said, taking Rarity's hoof in hers.

"Wait....You mean, like, together together?" Pinkie Pie asked. Rarity and Fluttershy nodded, prompting Pinkie Pie to scream.

"Ohmygoddessesallmybestfriendsaredatingthisisthebestnightever!" Her mouth put the words out extraordinarily quickly, and the pink Earth Pony breathed deeply, her eyes becoming incredibly wide.

"That's wonderful!" Twilight cried with utter happiness with a dash of shock. "How long has it been going on?"

"Well, it's a bit of a long story, so we won't really get too far into it here. It's Rainbow's night. We just wanted to...Well, I just wanted to proclaim my love."

"I think I'm gonna make myself eat, despite all this excitement. I had so many documents to go through today!" Twilight said. "If I don't, I just might pass out from the dancing.

"Good idea, Twilight! Fluttershy?" Rarity looked at her love, who nodded. "Rainbow, Applejack, are you coming?"

"Yeah, in a little bit. I have other guests I have to go mingle with." Rainbow replied with a small nod. "You guys go ahead. We'll see you in a little bit." They broke off to go get some of the provided refreshments while there still were some.

"You know, Twilight, our friends are all getting together. Maybe we could-" Pinkie began as they walked.

"Not a chance, Pinkie." Twilight cut her friend off. "Love you, but not a chance."

"Oh, come on! One dance with me and you'll-" The party pony's voice trailed off as they got too far away for Rainbow or Applejack to hear.

"Goddesses, they're finally out. I never thought they tell them." Rainbow said with a small laugh. "It had a rocky start, but I'm so happy for Rarity and Flutters."

"You know, we had a rocky start." Applejack replied, giving Rainbow a kiss on the cheek. "Look at us now."

"Yeah." Rainbow said, turning her head and giving Applejack a kiss on the lips in response. "Look at us now." The farm mare looked into her wife's eyes dreamily for a moment before catching herself doing so.

"So...Guests? Mingling?" Applejack asked and Rainbow nodded. She looked over and saw Gilda approaching, with Amber Heart at her side, the mare's foreleg linked with hers.

"Gilda!" Rainbow said happily, closing the distance and giving Gilda a hug. "And Amber Heart! I didn't know the two of you were together!" Applejack walked over as well, but she did so noticeably slower than Rainbow Dash. This weighed on the farm mare, but she put on a happy face for Gilda and her cousin.

"Yeah, it's so great to see y'all have been happy." Applejack said, giving Amber heart a hug as well.

"So how'd it start up, if you don't mind me asking?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Spare whatever details you think you should spare." The two laughed and looked at each other, before Gilda began.

"Well obviously, you saw us at the reception." Applejack and Rainbow Dash nodded. "Well, we got into sending letters back and forth, you know penpals and such. I just...I had to talk to her, you know? Hear about how her life had been and all that. Eventually, I took a trip to Equestria to visit and we ended up starting a relationship. She's been living in Griffon territory with me for...How long now, baby?"

"'Bout three months now." Amber heart almost gushed, the cute smile she was wearing never once leaving her face. "Been an item since two or so before that."

"Whoa whoa, hold up. You came to Equestria to visit and you didn't hit me up?! Come on Gilda, I thought we were friends!" Rainbow said in mock anger. Gilda wilted slightly, and her eyes widened, despite her partner getting Rainbow's sarcasm almost immediately.

"Gee, I'm sorry, Dash-" Gilda began, and Rainbow almost instantly burst into laughter.

"Oh, Gilda, did you actually think I was serious?" Gilda chuckled nervously, and it looked to Rainbow Dash that the gryphon was attempting to think of a snappy comeback. "I was totally kidding. That's amazing!" Rainbow exclaimed throwing a hoof around Gilda's shoulders.

"Ah second that. Ah'm so happy for y'all." Applejack said genuinely. "Thank you for makin' it here tonight, cousin."

"Well, Gilda was adamant about coming." Amber Heart said, raising an eyebrow at her partner.

"You know it. I still remember all those nights at camp where you'd rant to me about the Wonderbolts until I'd be quietly begging Celestia that you'd shut up." Gilda said before smiling widely. "I wouldn't miss this for anything." Rainbow smiled back at her, and embraced her old friend. This was not the quick friend hug she'd given her as a greeting. No, this was a full-on embrace, and Applejack couldn't help but remember when Rainbow had admitted that she and Gilda had gotten intimate more than once during their stint in Junior Speedsters Flight Camp.

'Tonight is about Rainbow Dash.' The farm mare told herself with a swift mental kick. 'Not you or your stupid insecurities.'

"Anyways, Ah thought it'd be a good opportunity to see my cousin again to boot!" Amber Heart exclaimed. Applejack noticed her eyes float to her baby bump and she smiled.

"Yeah, Ah'm pregnant." Applejack sighed, rolling her eyes slightly. "Y'all can talk about it, ya know. It's a girl."

"That's so awesome. Have you guys thought of names yet?" Gilda asked, causing Rainbow and Applejack to immediately look at each other, wide-eyed and blushing wildly. Gilda and Amber Heart laughed, with Rainbow and Applejack joining them, but still passing a look to each other as the other couple were caught up in the humor. The laughing made the married mares feel lighter, but both were still disturbed that neither of them had considered names for their foal who was now well on the way.

"It's whatever, guys. It's your foal, and you think of what to name it when the time comes." Gilda assured them, giving Rainbow's shoulder a small pat.

"Y'all probably have a bunch more folks that y'all wanna talk to. Ah think we're gonna go get some punch. Honey?" Amber Heart politely asked, looking at her partner.

"Yeah, I'm pretty thirsty. Dash, stay cool. Applejack, don't let this one go." Gilda said, and Applejack smiled with appreciation, but the mental image of her with Rainbow in their cabin flashed through her brain again. "See you guys on the dance floor?"

"You know it!" Rainbow said with excitement before turning to Applejack and quickly realizing that if she were to go out onto that dance floor, she'd be dancing either alone or with someone else after the first few minutes. Applejack smiled sweetly at her love and stood.

"Well, are we gonna get out there or aren't we?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, and the pegasus stood with a happy, albeit unsure, smile.

"Hay yeah!" Rainbow chirped. "But...AJ, are you sure?" The fact that Rainbow even asked the question put a small damper on Applejack that stuck with her. But nevertheless, the farm mare straightened up and smiled wryly at Rainbow.

"Who the hay you think you're talkin' to?" Applejack asked, and Rainbow, re-energized, ambled to her wife's side and the two mares approached the dance floor. The music was loud, but not terribly so, and the darkness of the night had descended so the lights were vivid and filled the dance floor. By the time the two got to the area, most of the young able bodied ponies present had started to dance, including their friends, Spitfire, Soarin and the other wonderbolts. Spitfire waved to Rainbow as she danced with Bright Blitz, another mare in the Wonderbolts. Rainbow and Applejack waved back.

"Ah guess Spitfire likes to dance with everypony, huh?" Applejack asked, elevating her tone to where Rainbow could hear her over the music, but no one else could.

"It makes sense, when you think about it." Rainbow replied with a small shrug. "She's always been such a free spirit. So cool." Rainbow let out a fangirl cry and Applejack gave a small laugh that was just the smallest bit fake. Despite her small anxieties, that remained with her even since their conversation with Gilda, and her building exhaustion, Applejack was having a great time. Rainbow was ecstatic, and so she was as well. She fed off her wife's energy as they danced, and for the rest of the first song and for about the first half of the second, her building fatigue barely registered. By the end of the second song however, her energy reserves had dwindled almost completely.

The farm mare pushed through her pure weariness for Rainbow, breathing deeply through her nose and trying to keep her wife's happiness in her mind. But after what felt like an agonizingly long first verse for the third song, Applejack was ready to stop. Still, the mare persisted, seeing her love happier than she'd been in a long time.

'Come on, Applejack.' She thought to herself. 'It's really no worse than pushing through the last couple trees when you're applebuckin'.'

The first chorus ended and another verse began, almost making Applejack cry out in frustration.

'Oh, Goddesses, it's so much worse.' Applejack screamed in her own head before looking at Rainbow Dash. 'But it's worth it, so shut the buck up and at least finish out this song.'

With sheer determination, Applejack pushed through to the last lyric. The mare had to dig deep and her legs felt more than wobbly by the end but she'd done it for Rainbow. Rainbow finished laughing at some funny thing Spitfire and Soarin did and she looked back at Applejack. As the fourth song began, Rainbow's face contorted into worry.

"AJ, are you okay?" Rainbow asked, almost scared, as she immediately moved up to Applejack, brushing her blonde mane from her face. "You're really pale." Applejack's heart jumped and she smiled.

"Oh yeah, Ah'm fine." Applejack replied, struggling hard to keep her breathing even. "Ah mean, Ah'm...Ah'm definitely winded. Ah'm pregnant, after all." Rainbow smiled at Applejack and nodded.

"Of course, what was I thinking?" Rainbow shook her head as they left the dance floor and approached the tables. "I wish you'd have said something. We didn't have to do three whole songs." Applejack threw a nonchalant hoof in Rainbow's direction and raspberried her lips.

"Not at all. Ah'm fine. In fact, let's take a rest, and then we'll...get back out there!" Applejack's stomach dropped at what she'd possibly signed herself up for. Rainbow shook her head, and Applejack tried to hide her relief.

"Nope. We're gonna chill here now. I think I've had enough dancing myself. I need to spent some time with my main mare." Rainbow sat down next to Applejack happily and the orange earth pony was filled with love for her. "Would you want a drink?" Spitfire quickly sat at their table, having retired from the dance floor with Soarin.

"So the mare of the hour and her beautiful wife! Couldn't be happier to have you on the team, Rainbow Crash." Rainbow blushed heavily at hearing the nickname she'd earned with the team already but smiled widely all the same.

"Thank you! I'm so excited to do more stuff with you guys!" Rainbow almost cried.

"I was thinking, since you're one of the only ponies in existence who can perform a sonic rainboom, we should incorporate it into our shows as the finale." Spitfire said with a raised eyebrow and a smile. Rainbow's eyes widened, and she looked as if she'd explode.

"Umm, that was my idea!" Soarin scoffed. "Remember, we were having sandwiches and I suggested it and choked on my bread." Spitfire raised an eyebrow at him, and he in turn furrowed his. "I remembered that because of the experience of choking on the bread."

"Anyways..." Spitfire continued, raising an eyebrow at Soarin. "I really think it'll work. We're gonna be at Swingin' Manes tonight in Ponyville if you want to talk about it more."

"Oh, o-okay!" Rainbow said happily, looking at Applejack giddily, before looking back at Spitfire. "But if it's alright, I think I'd rather stay with Applejack tonight. We can totally get drinks after the next practice, though!" Spitfire smiled and nodded. Applejack was taken aback by Rainbow's response to the invitation.

"No problem. If you change your mind, we'll be there. I'm serious about that sonic rainboom." Spitfire contined as she and Soarin stood. "So think about it! Again, the show, not the nightclub. Well, think about that too! See you out there?" The fiery-maned pegasus pointed to the dance floor.

"Uh...Yeah, maybe!" Rainbow replied and her now co-wonderbolts left the two of them sitting at the table.

"Rainbow, go dance with them." Applejack said to her with a smile, nodding at the two pegasi who had become embroiled in some kind of bickering. "This is literally your dream."

"Nah, I'm okay here with you." Rainbow replied simply, watching the dance floor, where Gilda now danced with Amber Heart. The ponies present at the ceremony already had drank enough to loosen up and start dancing. Rarity and Fluttershy laughed and danced together saucily, but not in a way that was obscene. Rainbow Dash loved her wife dearly, and had already made up her mind that she would stay at Applejack's side, but she still felt a yearning in her belly to get out there and move.

"But this night will never happen again." Applejack almost mumbled in a glum manner.

"You're kidding right? I'm a Wonderbolt now. These nights will happen all the time." Rainbow replied. "I said I'm staying with you, so I'm staying with you."

Blushing slightly, Applejack scooted her chair up next to Rainbow and she laid her head on the pegasus' shoulder. Dash smiled and kissed Applejack on the ear, making the earth pony's ears lay back for a moment.

"You know callin' me your 'main mare' hints that you have other mares, and that Ah'm the one you like the most, right?"

"Well, I have one other mare." This caused Applejack to widen her eyes, pull her head back and raise an eyebrow at Rainbow Dash, who smiled cheekily.

"And who might that be, Rainbow Dash?"

"The one in your belly." Applejack's heart melted and she struggled to find words to say. Tears filled her eyes and her lips trembled. At that moment, a slow-dance song came on. The timing being too perfect to ignore, Applejack stood and offered her hoof to Rainbow Dash. Slightly taken aback as she knew how tired her love was, Rainbow looked up at her from where she sat through a tearful smile.

"Are you sure?"

"Come on...Ah mean, it's a slow dance, isn't it? Ah think Ah can handle it."

The two married mares walked onto the dance floor and began to sway together to the love song that was playing.

"You're blushin'." Applejack said, raising an eyebrow at Rainbow, whose eyes widened a bit at receiving the information. "Just like the Harvest Hoedown when we danced for the first time." It was true that even after having been with Applejack for such a long time, the Pegasus still blushed when they danced together. Rainbow, rather than say anything, simply lowered her ears and looked to the side, embarrassed. With a small giggle, Applejack moved Rainbow's head to kiss her. They separated, and Rainbow Dash's previous expression of embarrassment had been replaced with a dreamy smile.

"You know...I like Honeycrisp Flash." Rainbow said, a dreamy tone in her voice to match her face.

"What's that, some kinda candy or somethin'?" Applejack asked with a slightly confused expression, earning a giggle from Rainbow.

"No, ya nut, I mean as a name. For our foal." Rainbow stroked Applejack's mane slowly. "What do you think? Honey or Flash for short, depending on what she prefers."

"Ah really like it. To be honest, Ah'm surprised that Ah haven't put all that much thought into a name." Applejack looked slightly ashamed, and Rainbow nuzzled her love.

"AJ, it's okay. I came up with it like twenty minutes ago, and if we decide we don't totally dig it in a week, we can think of another. You literally have a little life growing inside of you. You're doing most of the work with just that." Rainbow said with a smile. "You're a freaking hero. My hero." Applejack sniffled as Rainbow lay her head on her chest. Hearing Rainbow Dash utter the familiar phrase brought to mind the memory of the timber wolf attack, and Rainbow Dash flying through the sky deftly, with Applejack clutching her tightly, both terrified and having the time of her life. This coupled with the fact that Rainbow had foregone a night drinking with the ponies she'd looked up to for so long, and was now one of to stay with her made her love Rainbow so much that tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Well, there's nopony whose hero Ah'd rather be."

Author's Notes:

Yay! Rarity and Fluttershy are out! The foal (a filly!) has a name! Rainbow Dash is a Wonderbolt! I mean, I know she's already one canonically in the show, but this has been a part of my story for a long time, since before I knew of the episode. I figured I'd be able to work the canon of Newbie Dash in by having the induction ceremony take place after the probation Spitfire put Dash on at the end of the episode. Also, to be honest, this chapter was looking be yet another 12k+ one so I decided to, yet again, split the chapter up. (Hence the shit goes down I put at the end of my latest blog post if you'd read that. Look at me assuming you read the blog post. I'm not that important!) I hadn't fully finished the whole thing by the time I realized this so it'll be a little while before I have the next chapter up, as I'm only about 1.5k words or so into that part. It shouldn't be long, though. Cheers!