I don’t know how long our kiss lasted, but time seemed to stop in that moment. After what felt like an eternity we broke apart, happy tears streaming down my face. I picked up the bouquet, throwing it behind me. Turning around I saw it was Bon-Bon who had managed to grab it.

Rainbow Dash flew up onto the altar. “How was that, huh?” she asked in her usual cocky attitude. It dropped a second later, as she put her head around me, hugging me. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that, Derpy. I wish I had known sooner. I would have given that guy what for!”

I hugged her back, nuzzling her face. “Thank you, Rainbow Dash. I’m sure you would have.”

Pulling away she looked me in the eyes, before turning to Doctor Hooves. “You better take good care of her. I’m not afraid to try my hoof on you.”

Doctor Hooves laughed. “Don’t you worry about that, Rainbow Dash. I’ll never do to Derpy what he did."

Pinkie came up next, looking sad. “Awww, I feel like a bad friend now. I never figured out you weren’t as happy as you looked.”

I threw her a hug. “Oh, don’t be sad, Pinkie. I fooled myself too into thinking I was okay. It feels beautiful to finally open up with all those things. Now I can put them behind me. I can’t wait for the reception. You do have everything ready at Sugarcube, right?”

“RIGHT!” Pinkie said strongly, pulling away and saluting. “Balloons and streamers and cakes, oh my!”

I turned to Princess Celestia, bowing my front half to her. “Thank you, your majesty, for doing this for me.”

“It was my pleasure, my little pony,” she responded.

I bowed to Luna and Cadence in turn, thanking them as well. I didn’t bow to Twilight, though, because I knew she was uncomfortable with it. “So, are all of you coming to the reception as well?”

“Why not?” said Cadence. “Sounds fun. If Pinkie Pie is throwing the reception I know it’s gonna be amazing, just like mine.”

I heard Pinkie squee behind me, making me giggle.

“So it’s settled, then. Let’s all PAR-TAY!”

We all headed to Sugarcube Corner, Doctor Hooves by my side the whole way there. I kept nuzzling him as we walked, and he kept returning the favor.

When we got there I could see it was decked out like I had never seen before. A banner hung on the ceiling, saying “Congratulations, Derpy and Doctor.” Right next to it was a crude drawing of the two of us, right about to kiss, with a few hearts above our heads and a big wedding cake to our right.

Vinyl Scratch put on a fast paced song, and I took the Doctor’s hoof as I led him to the dance floor. I let myself go, immersing myself in the festivities as I spun and twirled and laughed and smiled and just danced for a couple of songs. At the end I was panting and starting to sweat, but I felt so good inside.

I went to sit down for a short time, the Doctor bringing me some punch and some cookies to munch on. After munching on the goodies and drinking a few cups of punch I felt ready to get back out there.

Standing up I headed to the floor, going to talk with other ponies. All of them treated me nicely, and I loved it.

After about an hour Pinkie Pie pulled out the mother of all cakes, white and yellow and green and red, with various toppings all over it. It was a five layered cake, the biggest I’ve ever seen, and at the top were two figures of me and Doctor Hooves, about half the size of Dinky. I cut the cake, taking the first piece and giving it to Dinky. The second piece went to Doctor Hooves and the third one for me. After that Pinkie told me to get back on with celebrating and she would take care of the rest.

The three of us sat down at a table, and me and Doctor Hooves giggled as we each fed each other cake. “I wonder if you’d yell like a filly again if I shoved this cake in your face.”

He snickered at that. “You don’t have a ball pit to hide in here.”

“Darn! You win. I am vanquished.”

Vinyl put on a slower song about the time we finished the cake, and me and Doctor Hooves headed back to the dance floor. I took his hoof as we moved in slow circles, my love for him filling me up. I didn’t care about anything else at this moment. My lover was there, right in front of me, and that was all that mattered.

For the next few songs they opened up a karaoke portion. Twilight and Cadence did a duet, followed by Berry Punch. Me and Doctor Hooves went up third. I felt strangely comfortable singing, even though I know I didn’t have a pitch perfect voice. It was probably because I wasn’t the first one up.

After the song was over the two us bowed to the audience as they clapped for us and we went to chat with Bon Bon and Lyra.

I don’t know why, but I began to feel really uncomfortable. One minute I’m sipping punch and talking to my friends, and then out of the blue my heart began hammering, and I started to feel afraid. The room began to feel small. So small.

I ignored it at first, thinking that maybe I just needed to sit down again. Maybe I had danced too hard before and it was catching up with me. However, even after I sat down for a few minutes I didn’t feel better. I looked at Doctor Hooves, and I felt a burning feeling in my stomach. I saw him talking to a female, and I felt ashamed that I was jealous. Even stranger still that jealous feeling persisted when he began to talk to a male.

Today had been too crazy; too perfect. Everything had gone right, and now I didn’t want to share Doctor Hooves anymore. I wanted him just for myself, the same way he said he didn’t want to share my love with any other stallion. I wanted to just be alone with my new husband, and make the most of our first day as a married couple.

I felt horrible for thinking that way. I knew it was selfish. I knew all of them had pitched in and done so many incredible things for me, but I felt like I was at my breaking point.

I quickly walked up to Doctor Hooves, pulling at his tuxedo. “Doctor Hooves, I need to go.”

He laughed, not looking over at me. “Well, Derpy, don’t you know where the bathroom is?” Both he and the stallion he was chatting with broke out laughing.

That really hurt. “D-D-Doc-t-t-tor!” I felt the tears coming, and was afraid I was about to make a scene.

When he heard the crack in my voice he quickly looked at me, and he could tell I was serious. “What’s wrong, Derpy?” he said, closing the small gap and putting his cheek on mine.

“I-I-I need to go. Please! I wanna go home.”

“Home?” he asked, perplexed. “But what about all our guests?”

“I need to get out of here. Now! Please.”

“Listen, Derpy. Why don't the two of us go for a little walk? We’ll get some fresh air, and in like twenty minutes-”

“No! I don’t want to come back.”

“Listen. We’ll go for a walk, and if you’re still feeling rattled then we can go home, okay?” He rubbed my other cheek with his hoof.

“O-okay,” I replied, wiping away a tear.

I pulled him roughly along as we headed for the exit, grateful when we made it outside. It was like a breath of fresh air. It was just the two of us, and the oppressive atmosphere of the hall was gone. Not caring about the dress I unfurled my wings and took to the sky, making a few loops around Sugarcube Corner before landing back next to him. I let out a heavy breath, feeling some of my stress evaporating.

“What’s the matter, Derpy?” Doctor Hooves asked. "You were having a great time earlier. What changed?”

I looked down at the ground, tears falling to the grass. “I know you’re gonna get mad, but today is so out there. I’m married. I’m a bride. Nothing has ever gone this right for me, and I feel afraid. Afraid that all of this was some kind of sick joke, or that I’m just having a very realistic dream that I’m going to wake up from soon. I’ll be all alone again when I woke up, with nothing but that old prom photo of Shooting to keep me company through the lonely days. I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t shake the feeling. I needed to get out of there, or I was going to freak out.”

Doctor Hooves pulled me close, putting his lips to mine and kissing me hard. After a few seconds I tried to pull back, but he wouldn’t let me. He just kept kissing me and kissing me, and my heart began to soar with love. “Do you really think I’m not real, you silly? Six months is quite a while to be dreaming. I proposed to you a long time ago, you know.”

He pulled away, and my good mood tanked immediately. I closed the distance, rubbing up against him. “I guess you have to be real,” I said in a quiet voice. “I can feel you here. Feel your fur against my face. But when I stop I can feel fear waiting for me. I’m terrified because I want all this to be real.

"This isn’t me. At least it’s not the me I’d ever thought I’d be. The me I know is usually alone, expecting bullies to mock her for the things she can’t help. I just don’t know if I’m worthy.” I gulped, sniffing. “I’m sorry. I know I should be happier, but all of this feels like the sort of thing that would only happen in my wildest dreams. A bunch of alicorns at my wedding? Almost the whole town of Ponyville coming to the wedding, helping out and supporting me? Nobody mocking me or putting me down or insulting me? It’s too big… too much all at once.”

Doctor Hooves lifted my head, and I could see him crying. “Derpy, what you just described is the magic of friendship; the foundation of unity. I only wish I could have met you sooner, so I could have spared you from your world view. You’ve been alone for so long, stuck in your high school days, that you’ve basically come to expect bad treatment from others. That’s not the true spirit of Ponyville.

“You know what the difference is between you and a bully? False courage. They can’t stand themselves, but rather than look inside to fix the issue, they attempt to rise above by attacking others. Rather than attempting to remedy their own issues and insecurities to lift themselves up, they artificially rise their esteem by dragging someone else down. You were just an easy target, but your eyes were never the issue.

"I’ve always loved you regardless of what direction your eyes point. I don’t love you because you’re beautiful, although you are and I do love that about you.” He winked at me “I love you for who you are beneath the surface. I dedicated my life to you, Derpy, and that’s never going to change. I know that life has been hard to you, but I’m here to make it better.

“I can see you’ve got it real bad, so we can go home if you want. Your happiness means more to me than alienating a few guests. However, they did go out of their way to be of assistance to you, and it would be rude to just leave without thanking them for it.”

I let out a relieved sigh. I didn’t fancy going back inside to the crowd, but just knowing the two of us would be alone again afterword was enough for me. I turned around toward Sugarcube Corner, my heart starting to hammer. It felt a million miles away. My body felt frozen. “D-Doctor, I don’t think I’m strong enough for this.”

He took my hoof in his and kissed my cheek. “You have me. I’ll be your strength, always there to lift you up when you feel weak.”

I looked over at him, a grateful smile coming to my lips. “Stay by my side.”

“There’s no place else I’d rather be.”

Taking my hoof away from his I lifted up my ring, taking a deep breath. Just like it usually did it made me feel more at peace. “Give me strength. For just a while longer.”

The two of us walked inside. I felt a little short of breath as I saw all the guests. I pushed myself closer to him and we continued walking toward the DJ stand. Taking the microphone I said, “Excuse me. Excuse me! I have an announcement to make.”

I winced as the music lowered and all eyes turned to me. My breath caught. I know I was imagining it, but the eyes of the ponies seemed piercing. I felt like running away, when Doctor Hooves nuzzled up against me.

I put a wing on Doctor Hooves for comfort and the impulse passed. I just wanted to go home! “Um, hello there, everybody. I hope you’re all having a great time.” Cheers and affirmations followed. “That’s, um, that’s… that’s great. Um, I-I, um, I just want to thank all of you again for all the help you provided and for being here to support me on my big day.” More cheers followed. “Unfortunately, I have to go now, so I’ll… just… be going, then.”

I could hear the confused murmur of the ponies.

Twilight made her way through the crowd, saying, “Is everything okay, Derpy?”

The concern in her voice made me squeeze my eyes shut, having to force myself not to break down, but my self-control was rapidly evaporating. I decided to just tell the truth. That was the quickest way to settle the matter.

“T-today has been a marvelous day, but I’m just way too overwhelmed at everything. I can’t take anymore.” I could feel a few tears come down. “I-I-I just want to go home and spend some time with my husband.

“I’m sorry! I know it feels selfish to just bail on my own wedding reception, but I just feel like I’m gonna freak out if I stay any longer. You can all stay and live it up, though, if you want.”

I jumped as I felt a weight on my back. I turned to look and I saw Princess Celestia had draped a wing over me. She gave me a quick nuzzle, saying, “I understand, my little pony. Rest with no worries, and we’ll all be waiting tomorrow if you need us.”

Just like earlier she radiated a feeling of kindness and sincerity that made me feel calmer, but I was still eager to get out. I got a few hugs from Twilight and Pinkie Pie as I walked toward the exit. When I was halfway there I suddenly remembered Dinky. Just as I thought of her she came up to me.

She threw her hooves around me. “I’m sorry you’re feeling down, Mommy.”

I pulled her to me, hugging her back. “I’ll feel better when we go.”

Dinky pulled away, shaking her head. “Don’t be silly. I’m staying here.”

I was temporarily distracted by her statement. “What?”

“You said that you wanted to have some time alone with your husband, remember?”

Now I was shaking my head. “Of course I didn’t mean you, Dinky.”

“Hey, I had you my whole life. Now I have to share you with Doctor Hooves. You two should have some alone time together. Today is about the two of you and your happiness, not mine.

“Go on. I already talked to Miss Berry and she said I could sleep over with Ruby Pinch, so you two don’t have to worry about me.”

I looked down at her, trying to find the words to say. Part of me wanted to dissuade her, to insist that she come along with us, but that jealous feeling popped up again, and I found I didn’t want to share him with Dinky either. I sure hoped that feeling was going to pass soon. Dinky was already calling him dad. I couldn’t just keep her away from him.

“Okay, Dinky. You win. Thank you.” I gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Be good for me.”

“I will!” she said, flashing her teeth at me. “You just worry about yourself.”

The two of us exited Sugarcube Corner again, and it was a load off my mind to be free of the noise and crowd, knowing I didn’t have to go back.

I felt clingy again as we walked toward my house. Every time he got a little distance from me I pushed myself against him so our bodies were always in contact.

“Derpy?” said Doctor Hooves.

“Y-yeah?”

“Do you still think I’m gonna disappear if we’re not in contact? That I’m just a ghost who will vanish if you can’t feel me?”

There was a trace of humor in his voice.

“I’m sorry. I’m sure I’ll feel better by tomorrow. Right now it’s still just hard to accept all of this.”

“You’re not that kid in high school anymore, Derpy. You broke free of that filly when you confronted the stallion who broke your heart and tore up the photo.”

“I know that. I do. But… it’s just so different than everything that I just keep feeling afraid.”

“Hmm.” Doctor Hooves looked up thoughtfully at the sky, before his eyes lit up. “Aha! I know just the remedy to settle those nerves.”

“What’s that?”

“Forget acting more grown up. Up until you met me, or more specifically when we began going out, you came to expect the worst of life. Your high school years to the present came with a lot of disappointments that made you give up trying, so why don’t we try going back in time?”

“Back in time?” I said flatly. “Even if there is such a spell neither of us are unicorns, as you might recall.”

“I didn’t mean it literally. I mean, you had a happy childhood at least, right?”

“Yeah. I had some really great parents. Just like you and Dinky they never cared about my eye condition and were very supportive of me throughout the years.”

“So there we are. Your fillyhood was happy, so instead of tapping into the memories of your painful teen years let’s go back further and tap into your foalhood memories.”

“And how do you propose to do that?”

“Hey, some of the most fun we had was when we acted like children, remember? Like our first date where we chased each other and you jumped into the ball pit. Let’s see if doing something childish can spark the inner foal inside you.

“Stay still for a second.”

I came to a stop, my eyes following him as he walked behind me.

“No, no,” he said as I started to turn. “Stay right where you are. Don’t move.”

I stayed put, wondering what he was up to. At first my fear began to rear its head again as I heard his hoofsteps receding, but then I heard him running toward me. I kept my body still, but I turned my head to see him at a full gallop. “What are you do-EEEP!” I squealed as he lowered his head, getting it under my stomach and he flipped me onto his back.

He kept on running with barely a break in stride, looking back at me with a smug expression. “Now how’s THAT for being childish? When’s the last time you got to ride on another ponies back, huh?”

It had all happened so fast I hadn’t been able to process it. I gave him a smack to the back of the head. “Oh, you! You scared the life out of me. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”

“Oh, come on! You know you love it.” He slowed down, saying, “You said you didn’t like us not being in contact because it’s the only way you know that I’m real. Well, if you’re on my back then we’re constantly in contact, aren’t we? And we get to do something fun. I don’t care if my suit gets a little ruffled. It doesn’t pay to be stuffy. You’re more important than a dry cleaning bill.”

I let out a small laugh. “I guess you’re right.” I leaned over him, putting my hooves around his neck. “I can feel you. Feel your warmth. This is actually pretty nice.”

“Okay, then. Hold on tight!” When I tightened my grip around his neck he reared back, saying “Let’s go!” before he went galloping away.

Once my initial shock wore off I began to really enjoy myself. It had been a long time since I had let out my inner foal. I stopped caring what the other ponies who saw us might say. “Faster, faster!” I said, indifferent to anyone who might be watching.

“Now that’s the spirit!” he said as he increased the pace.

I could feel the wind whipping past me, see the sights of Ponyville Park pass by in a near blur. I saw birds flying away to avoid us, chittering their displeasure at being disturbed. I could hear the crunching of leaves and the pounding of the path.

There was something about it that was almost majestic. It did pull my mind into the past, when I used to do this with my dad. He liked to take me for runs around the park. I rested my head on his neck, remembering the fun the two of us used to have.

Doctor Hooves got winded eventually, so he slowed his run down to a walk, but that was okay. It was still just like when I was a kid, the two of us just talking about our days after elementary school and his job were over.

A feeling of serenity washed over me, a complete absence of fear and sadness, replaced with comfort and calm. My mind went into that strange state of semi-consciousness, where you’re not quite asleep, but your mind begins to pull away from reality and starts showing you dreamlike visions.

I could hear Doctor Hooves voice, but it felt far away. Too far away to find. I didn’t want to leave my happy place yet. The voice stopped, and all I knew at that point was just the simple up and down, the natural movement caused by his walking. It was almost hypnotic.

I think I might have fallen asleep for a short time. I wasn’t sure. All I knew was that one minute we were walking, and the next he was loudly calling my name. I resisted his voice again, but he was persistent, and I finally opened my eyes, blinking in the light. “Y-yeah?” I said, sleepily. I could see we were in front of my house.

“I hate to disturb you, my sweet, but we’re here. I saw how peaceful you looked, so I put it off for a while and just drifted around the park to let you rest, but you’re starting to get heavy and I don’t think I can carry you much longer.” He lifted one hoof, putting it under the mat where I kept my spare key. He opened the door and we went inside.

“Hold on tight,” he said. Once I tightened my grip he walked upstairs, me still on his back.

I was slowly starting to come around. “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you for everything. I did enjoy my trip into the past. It was very relaxing.”

“Glad to hear it.” He walked into my room, heading next to the bed. “Last stop!”

I squeaked as he bent his knees and then thrust his body to the side, throwing me onto the bed.

He let out a groan as he stretched a bit. “Oh, man. My back hurts a little. I’m gonna feel that in the morning.”

“I can’t believe you just launched me off your back!” I said, trying to sound angry.

“Oh, and what are you gonna do about it?” he asked , smirking down at me.

Getting up on my hooves I pulled my dress off, throwing it on the floor. “Bring it!” I said, throwing myself at him.

He caught me easily, kissing my nose. “Now, now, dear. Play nice.” He spun around, throwing me back on the bed, jumping up himself. “Do you want to play, little Derpy?” He pulled off his tuxedo, throwing it next to my dress.

“Ladies first!”

“Oh, ouch!”

I hopped over at him, bringing him down on to the bed. The two of us play wrestled for a few minutes before I got bored and called a stop to it.

Sitting on the edge of the bed the two of us looked at each other for a while. “You feeling all better now, Derpy?” he asked.

“Yes. I think so. Now that I have you all to myself.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Good husband from day one.” He winked at me.

I shifted position so I was turned toward him, sitting on my knees. I took his hooves in mine. I looked deep into his eyes, seeing them full of love. “Thank you, Doctor. Thank you again. You truly are better than any dream I could come up with. With you I’m not afraid to face reality.”

He kissed me on the lips. “And you never will be. I can’t be there for you twenty four seven, but I’ll be by your side as much as I can. I meant every one of the words I said when I proposed to you. I’m yours for eternity, however long that may be. At the very least, until the end of this life I promise to you. After all, that’s what a husband is supposed to be.”

My heart began to fill up with love as well. I got a strange tingle in my stomach, and I knew what I wanted to do. “Doctor, we’re now married. You promised me everything without reservation. I threw away the last of Shooting Star so I could do the same. And now, after waiting so long, there’s something I owe you as your wife. I’m just sorry it’s “used.””

I saw recognition on his features, and then he looked sad. He pulled a hoof free, rubbing my cheek. “Derpy, please don’t say that. That’s just plain wrong. I don’t mind that I’m not your first, but that’s not what’s upsetting me right now. You don’t “owe” me that, just because we’re married now. You’re not my slave. You’re not my property. We’re partners, two halves of the same whole. I don’t want you to offer yourself to me because you “owe” me it. I want you to do it because you genuinely want it, not out of a sense of obligation. I don’t want it if you’re trying to force yourself into it. I’m not that kind of stallion.”

I used my free hoof to ruffle up his mane a little. “I’m sorry. I guess I worded that badly. I want us to celebrate our union together. I gave myself to Shooting because my heart was so full of love and emotions that I wanted to give him something special to show how much I cared. I want to give myself to you for the same reason.

“I had a lot of fears and regrets pop up as our relationship grew closer, but I’m not scared anymore. I know I’m not going to wake up and find you gone. I know you’re never going to abandon me. I feel safe with you, so there’s no reason to be afraid.”

“Derpy, are you absolutely sure about this?”

I nodded. “Yes. I’m ready.”