Chapter 5

What Dreams May Come

     Despite their outing the previous night, Rainbow Dash and Applejack couldn’t even imagine sleeping. They sat on a wooden bench on the porch of their little cottage, drinking mimosas and toasting in celebration.

     “To us!” *clink*

     “To love!” *clink*

     “To many years to come!” *clink*

     “To your double sonic rainboom…”

     “Our double sonic rainboom!”

     Suddenly the sound of hooves interrupted their morning reverie. Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were trotting up the path that led from the main household, Apple Bloom galloping ahead of them.

     “Something’s up,” said Dash, looking a bit worried.

     “Relax, they’re my kin, and soon to be yours…only seems fitting we break the news to them first!” A.J. said confidently.

     “Apple Jack!” Apple Bloom came hopping up and jumped into her sister’s lap so that they were nose to nose, “Whatchy’all doin’ up so early? Whatcha drinkin’? An’ what was that noise? An’ did you see the rainbow?” The little filly fired out questions faster than a machine gun.

     “That noise was us making the rainbow,” Dash interjected, giving her future sister-in-law an affectionate pat on the head.

     “But Apple Jack can’t fly!” she giggled.

     “Nope, but I took her for a ride with me anyways…I think she liked it!” Dash laughed; A.J. grinned at her – it had been quite exhilarating.

     “So is that why it’s a double rainbow?” the red-haired filly asked in awe.

     “Yup, I think it is, kid.”

     By now Big Mac and Granny Smith had caught up. “What’s with all the ruckus an’ the racket an’ the rainbows?” The old green mare inquired.

     “We’re celebratin’!” A.J. declared.

     “Celebratin’ what, sis?” Big Mac asked, his tone calm and even as ever.

     “Well, now, y’all brace yerselves,” Apple Jack just decided to come out with it, “me an’ Rainbow Dash are getting’ married!” She nearly shouted, unable to control her giddiness at saying it out loud like that. The reactions were mixed; Big Mac looked genuinely surprised, Granny Smith just smiled, and Apple Bloom looked downright confused.

     “But, Ah don’t get it,” the little yellow pony’s brow was knitted as if she were working out a complicated math problem, “yer both mares. Ain’t a mare supposed to marry a colt?”

     “Sometimes things just work out different, sugar cube.” A.J. did her best to explain.

     “Oh…okay,” the filly responded, seemingly satisfied with this vague attempt at clarification. A smile slowly crept across her face until she was beaming. She jumped off of Apple Jack and began hopping around in a circle. “Mah sister’s gettin’ married! Mah sister’s getting’ married!”

     “I…I had no idea,” Big Mac said, dumbfounded. He bopped himself on the head with a hoof, “dang it Big Mac, you gotta pay more attention to things.” After a moment though he too came around, and scooped A.J. and Dash up in a big hug. “Congrats you two!”

     Granny Smith gave them a knowing look. “Ah was wonderin’ when you two were gonna tie the knot! Congratulations to the both of ya!”

     Dash grinned and A.J. turned red. Sly old Granny smith – she’d known all along.

     “Well, Ah s’pose we got a party to get ourselves to,” said A.J.

     “What party,” asked Big Mac, “Ain’t we the only ones you told yet?”

     “Well, in my experience, Pinkie don’t need to be told when there’s need for a shindig.”

     “Whoa whoa,” Dash pulled her partner aside, “are you sure that’s a good idea? I mean Pinkie’s probably setting up a party right now, sure, but she and Twi and the others won’t know who for ‘till we get there. And what about the rest of ponyville? Who knows how they’ll react! We could get stoned to death or run out of town for all we know…two mares…I mean I know it’s happened but it’s definitely out of the ordinary.”

     “Hey, now don’t you go thinkin’ like that,” A.J. pulled Rainbow close, “what we got’s just as natural as any other two ponies, ain’t nothin’ to be afraid of.” She gave her a peck on the cheek and then turned to the others. “C’mon everypony, let’s go to town. We don’t want to disappoint Pinkie Pie, and frankly, I could use some cake.”