Chapter 19

"Rainbow." Applejack said to her dormant partner soothingly. "Rainbow, wake up, sugar. We're here." The cyan pegasus blinked up at the farm mare lazily for a moment and groaned. Applejack chuckled as Dash slowly sat up next to her in the seat and rubbed her head.

"Well, that nap didn't help at all. Sheesh." Rainbow complained, closing her eyes tightly in slight anguish at the throbbing in her head.

"Well, ya did take a pretty hard knock to the noggin." Applejack said. "You're lucky it wasn't a bigger piece of luggage."

Big Macintosh, who had awoken almost thirty minutes prior to them reaching their destination of Appleloosa, nudged Applebloom gently.

"Get up, sis." He said to her, making Applebloom push his hoof away lazily.

"Just a couple more minutes..." She said before laying back down. The red stallion sighed before turning to his grandmother and nudging her.

"Granny. Wake up. We're in Appleloosa." He said to her. Granny Smith awoke with a start and looked around frantically.

"The cider is all gone!" She cried. She continued to look around for a few more seconds before noticing she was only having what seemed to be a nightmare about losing cider. She sighed contentedly and laughed, placing a forehoof on her head. "Ohh, what a dream, what a dream."

"Applebloom still won't wake up, Granny." Big Macintosh said with a frown.

"Big Mac, ya gotta force her to wake up." Applejack said to her brother, raising an eyebrow. "Fillies would spend half their live asleep if ya let 'em."

"But Ah don't wanna hurt her." He replied, confused. It was a valid excuse, due to the fact that Big Macintosh rarely comprehended the full potential of his physical strength.

"Physical force ain't the only kind, big brother." Applejack said. "Observe. Rainbow, hun, you may wanna cover your ears." Rainbow nodded an affirmative and plugged her ears with her forehooves. Applejack moved her muzzle right beside her little sister's ear and inhaled through her nose deeply.

"HEY APPLEBLOOM, WE'RE HERE! WAKE UP!" She yelled, shocking her sister awake as she let out a small scream. Applebloom, shaking, looked up at Applejack and frowned with frustration.

"Applejack!" She said before she started to rub her ear. "That hurt my ear."

"Oh, you've had worse." Applejack said with a small smile. "Shoulda listened to Big Mac when he tried to wake you up."

"Effective." Rainbow Dash said with an approving look, nodding slowly. "Crude, but effective."

"But a little harsh if ya ask me." Granny Smith said with disapproval. "Ya scared her. Ya could've made her go deaf, Applejack."

"Granny, Ah've done that to her plenty of times before." Applejack replied. Granny Smith, now wearing a slightly angry look on her face, walked toward Applejack and stared her granddaughter in the face.

"Even so, Ah don't wanna see ya do that again, ya hear?" Granny Smith said. Applejack nodded, eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Yes, ma'am." Applejack said with a small nod. Granny Smith exited the cart, followed by Big Mac. Applebloom, who moved behind her much-larger brother, stuck her tongue out at Applejack knowingly. Applejack sighed and furrowed her eyebrows. Rainbow Dash stood and moved toward Applejack who still stood, watching her little sister.

"You should've said 'Yes ma'am.' when she first brought it up, AJ." Rainbow said with a smirk.

"You hush or Ah'll make that headache of yours worse." Applejack said. Rainbow Dash chuckled as they exited the cart as well to meet their family. The presence of Autumn was much more noticeable to the group in Appleloosa than in Ponyville. A slightly chilly wind blew over the train station.

"Alright. Now let's get our luggage." Granny Smith said with a content smile and a small sigh. As they prepared to depart for the luggage pickup area, a pair of hooves immediately shot to Applejack's eyes from behind, suprising her as she exclaimed quietly.

"Guess who?" A familiar voice said jovially. Applejack smiled slightly and sighed, tapping a forehoof on the deck they stood on.

"Hey, Braeburn." Applejack said with a smile. The cheerful stallion hopped away from his cousin and laughed before removing his hat and bowing.

"Howdy, everyone! Welcome back to Appleloosa! It really has been a while. Y'all ready for ano-" He stopped in the middle of his speech as he layed his eyes upon Rainbow Dash. He recognized the pegasus from the Harvest Celebration Hoedown the previous year, but that didn't stop the surprised look from forming on his face. He blushed as he looked at Rainbow Dash, failing to hide his attraction to her from everypony else.

"Well, hello there miss...Rainbow Dash, wasn't it?" He said. Rainbow nodded and smiled politely. "Ah remember you from last year." Rainbow Dash nodded again.

"Hey, Braeburn." Rainbow said with a small chuckle.

"Miss Rainbow, you're not a member of the family, so what are you-" He said.

"Yes she is." Applejack said as she furrowed her eyebrows and lowered her ears, interrupting him before moving closer to the cyan pegasus somewhat defensively. "She's my marefriend. She's helped fund our farm and she's been livin' with us for the past two and a half months." Rainbow Dash's stomach turned momentarily, unsure of just how Applejack's down-home-raised cousin would react to such sudden and...foreign news. Braeburn took a step back, completely surprised by Applejack's sudden burst of subtle agression, but still in his right mind.

"Alright, alright, cousin. Ah meant no offense, and Ah ain't judgin' or criticizin' you guys." He said before smiling again. "Ah'm happy for you two, just a little...surprised, is all." Applejack felt a pang of guilt shoot through her.

"Braeburn, Ah didn't mean to come across as angry or agressive. Me'n Rainbow have dealt with a lot of criticism for our relationship back home." Applejack said. "Ah'm sorry." Braeburn amiably shook his head and put up a forehoof.

"No harm done, Applejack. Ah'm sure what y'all went through back in Ponyville wasn't easy." Braeburn said before smiling again. "Ah thought you two looked like you were really enjoyin' yourselves dancin' together the way you were last year." Rainbow Dash smiled at him and nodded.

"So what time is the hoedown tonight, Braeburn?" Granny Smith asked the stallion. He smiled at her.

"Eight o'clock sharp. At least that's when the band is gonna start playin'." He said. "Got quite a few replies from a lot of the family up north sayin' they couldn't make it. Apparently, there's some massive storm bashin' the entire northwestern area of Equestria! That bein' said, there still should be a good amount of ponies there. But enough of all that. Ah actually got somethin' fun for us all to do before it begins." Braeburn said. "Let's go get your luggage, take it back to my house and get started!" He began to walk in the direction of the baggage claim car, followed by Granny Smith, Applebloom and Big Mac with Rainbow Dash and Applejack trailing behind.

"He took that a lot better than I thought he would." Rainbow Dash said with a smile as she walked next to Applejack. Applejack sighed to herself.

"We'll be lucky if half of everypony else reacts that way." Applejack said. "Ah'm thinkin' my family is gonna be a little close minded."

"This is what you were wanting us to do, Braeburn?" Big Mac asked his cousin as they approached a rough river, tall rocks sticking up out of the water.

"Yep! We call it rock-hoppin!" Braeburn spouted with the huge smile that never seemed to leave his face. "It's really fun!"

"Ah suppose this ain't for a mare of my age then, is it?" Granny Smith said as she sat of Big Macintosh's back. Braeburn's eyes widened heavily as he looked up at the elder mare, who raised an eyebrow at him.

"OH! Granny Smith, Ah completely forgot you were here on Big Mac's back!" Braeburn said, nervousness taking complete control of his body. "Let's take her back to the house, everypony."

"Oh, no. Don't you do that, now." Granny Smith said. "Ah'm not too old to sit and watch. Looks like a good bit of fun." Braeburn smiled and nodded as Big Macintosh let Granny Smith off his back.

"So, what's the objective of it all?" Rainbow Dash asked him. Braeburn, without taking his eyes off the river, proceeded to explain.

"Well, ya see those big 'ol rocks?" He asked.

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash replied, turning to the rocks momentarily.

"Well, ya climb onto 'em..." The stallion continued.

"Okay." Applejack said, gesturing a hoof in a circle, signaling for him to continue.

"And ya jump from rock to rock over the water!" He said excitedly. Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack, thouroughly confused.

"That's it?" Applejack asked. The yellow stallion nodded happily.

"Yep, that's it!" He said with a small chuckle. "Sounds fun, huh?" Applejack, not knowing what to say, looked over at Rainbow Dash who shrugged nonchalantly.

"Yeah. Ah guess it does sound kinda fun." Applejack said. "Is it safe?" Braeburn threw a hoof in Applejack's direction and laughed quietly.

"Why of course it's safe!" Braeburn said. "If ya fall into the water, just don't panic and plant your hooves on the floor of the river. Then slowly walk to shore. It's fine." Applebloom nodded quickly and looked up at Applejack happily.

"Sounds like a great time!" The filly said, positively beaming. Applejack sighed and nodded slowly.

"Alright, alright. Let's get to it." Applejack said as she began to approach the first rock, which was halfway submerged into the river and half ashore. The general stumpiness of the rock allowed for easy access to the next rock to jump onto. With a small grunt, Applejack jumped from the first rock to the second. When she made the jump, her body was set alight with a slight, yet remarkable feeling of accomplishment. The farm mare could not keep a smile from forming on her face. Applejack jumped to the next rock, feeling the spray of the cold river waters tickle her belly. Rainbow landed the first jump effortlessly.

"Hey, this is kinda cool." Rainbow said with a smile. Applejack returned her smile and nodded.

"Oh! Granny Smith, keep my hat for me!" Applejack shouted as she removed it and tossed it toward her grandmother with her mouth. The old mare caught the garment and held it up to show she was holding it.

"Come on! Let's keep going!" Rainbow Dash said, excited.

"Oh, hush up." Applejack said as she jumped to the next rock, followed by Rainbow. Applebloom bounded to the rock behind Rainbow and as they kept going, Big Macintosh jumped up onto the rocks, followed by Braeburn. Not long after they had begun, everypony involved was having a great time, jumping from rock to rock. Applejack's elation was noticeable at this point. The jumping between seemingly dangerous gaps, feeling the coolness of the river. It seemed like an adventure without the presentation of any real danger. They were about halfway down the river before Applejack spoke up to everyone else.

"Braeburn, Ah was wrong to doubt this!" Applejack shouted back at her cousin.

"See? Maybe next time you'll listen to me more, cousin!" He replied with a beaming smile. Applejack chuckled.

"That Ah will, Braeburn." Applejack said, stepping forward to take her next jump while still looking back at the yellow stallion. "That Ah-" Her speech was interrupted by her stepping forward slightly too far. This caused her forehoof to slip, sending her forward, toppling into the water. Everyone involved in the activity burst into laughter.

"Gotta watch your step, sis!" Applebloom cried in the middle of her giggling.

"Now, Applejack, don't panic." Braeburn said. "The current's strong, but not unbeatable. Just plant your hooves on the floor of the river and walk slowly to shore." Applejack, who was struggling in the water at that point, heard this and attempted to plant her hooves on the floor. They found no purchase and she was completely swept up by the current. She began traveling down the river, at risk of hitting a rock at any moment. Applejack, who had never truly been a good swimmer to begin with, began to frantically try to grab hold of something to stop her increasingly rapid movement. She failed.

Applejack's heart rate increased, and her limbs began to flail about wildly in fear. She let out a horror-laden shriek, alarming her family to her true dilemma.

"Aw...She's panicking." Braeburn said as Rainbow widened her eyes at him before focusing on Applejack, terror evident on her face. Rainbow's senses immediately went into overdrive as she began flying toward Applejack, determined to save her love from danger.

"Help!" Applejack managed to get out as the current continued to carry her downriver. Rainbow heroically swept Applejack up from the water and flew to shore.

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Rainbow said in great concern, looking down at Applejack, who was still shaking. The farm mare shook her head slowly. Rainbow reached the shore where she gently touched down with her lover. Applejack immediately swept Rainbow Dash into a great hug before sobbing into her shoulder.

"Thank you, Rainbow! Thank you!" Applejack said as she cried. Rainbow patted Applejack's back lightly and shushed her soothingly, holding her close.

"It's okay, AJ." Rainbow said. "You just went through a shock...It'll be alright soon. Just relax." Applejack quickly gained control of her crying and nodded before exhaling deeply. Granny Smith came hobbling up to the duo as quickly as she possibly could, a look of terror on her face.

"Is she alright?!" Applejack's grandmother asked frantically. "What happened?"

"It's alright, Granny Smith." Rainbow said. "She fell into the river and lost control for a bit. She's absolutely fine."

"Oh, thank Celestia." Granny Smith said with a great sigh as she gave Applejack her hat back. Braeburn, followed by Big Macintosh and Applebloom came bounding up to the three of them, having to come back via rocks over the river.

"Applejack, are you alright?" Applebloom said in fear.

"Are you hurt?" Big Mac asked in concern.

"Ah'm alright." Applejack said with a small sniffle. "Thanks to Rainbow, Ah'm absolutely fine. Just wet and a little shocked."

"Applejack, Ah'm so sorry!" Braeburn said with despair. "Oh, Ah should've stopped us! The river is too rough today! It's never that rough! Ah come down here all the time, and Ah thought we could handle it today, but that wasn't the case, 'cause Ah'm such an idiot! Ah, tarnation, Ah've ruined your time here. Goddesses, Ah'm such a screw up! Ah'm so sorry-" The stallion rambled for what seemed like minutes.

"Braeburn, it's okay." Applejack said. "You didn't know."

"But Applejack, Ah-" Braeburn began.

"Braeburn, it's alright. Seriously." Applejack said. "Ah'm alright. Just scared me is all." Braeburn, still breathing rapidly looked at Applejack seemingly on the verge of tears, guilt overtaking his features. He inhaled deeply.

"A-are ya sure you're okay?" Braeburn asked. Applejack nodded and smiled at him.

"Ah'm kinda wanting to take a nap now, but yes. Ah'm alright." Applejack said with a small sigh. Braeburn nodded quickly.

"Okay, then. Let's head back to the house." Braeburn said. "Ah gotta prepare some stuff, anyways." Granny Smith mounted Big Macintosh's back as the red stallion followed his cousin back in the direction of his house. Applebloom looked at Applejack and hugged her.

"Ah'm glad you're okay, Applejack." Applebloom said with a warm smile. The filly then immediately hugged Rainbow Dash lovingly. "Thanks for savin' her, Rainbow." Applebloom then quickly caught up to the rest of the group as Rainbow and Applejack began walking after them. Applejack lovingly pressed her body into Rainbow's as they walked and nuzzled the pegasus with a smile. Rainbow returned the nuzzle, smiling as well.

"My hero." Applejack said.

"Alrighty, everypony!" Braeburn's voice echoed throughout the house, waking Applejack from her nap on the guest bed. "Thirty minutes until the harvest celebration hoedown begins! Ponies are already arrivin'!" The two mares laying in bed at that moment knew that this meant about forty five minutes to an hour before the gathering really got going. Rainbow layed in bed next to Applejack, not sleeping, but not quite coherent either. She slowly rubbed her forehead after being jarred from her stupor.

"He sure doesn't mind using that big voice of his, huh?" Rainbow said as Applejack turned to her, smiling at her lover with great affection.

"Oh, he means well." Applejack said. "It's about time we got up anyways. Gotta get all prettied up, ya know." Rainbow Dash shuddered at the thought.

"You know I don't like the whole beautification thing." Rainbow Dash said.

"Ah know, darlin', Ah know." Applejack said as she stroked Rainbow's prismatic mane with care. "And Ah will agree that your good looks are natural. But it's our one year anniversary."

"Actually, it's in two days." Rainbow corrected, earning a raised eyebrow from Applejack, to which Rainbow giggled nervously. "Sorry..."

"The point is, we got together at last year's Harvest Celebration Hoedown." Applejack said. "Or...more like after it." Rainbow closed her eyes and sighed in fond remembrance.

"I still remember that night. Like it was yesterday." Rainbow said, giving Applejack a kiss on the lips. Applejack giggled.

"Yeah, me too, sugarcube." Applejack said before mentally kicking herself for being allowed to be led off track once again. "But what Ah'm tryin' to say is that it's, pretty much, our one-year anniversary, and Ah'd like ya to truly show your beauty to everypony in that place. So please do this tonight. For me?" Rainbow looked mildly disappointed for a moment before looking at Applejack and smiling at her.

"Oh...okay. But just for you. Don't go spouting anything off to Rarity once we get back to Ponyville." Rainbow said with a smirk. "So...you wanna shower first, or do you want me to?"

"Ah suppose Ah'll shower." Applejack said. "Ah fell in a consarned river today." Rainbow chuckled and nodded before gesturing to let Applejack stand up.

"I'll just be here." Rainbow said as she layed back onto the pillow, stretching her wings out underneath her. Applejack smirked and began to walk slowly toward Rainbow Dash.

"You know, If we can get away somehow after the Hoedown..." Applejack said, catching Rainbow's attention. The farm mare suddenly began to stroke Rainbow's left wing as it stretched, making Rainbow blush heavily. "Maybe we can have a repeat of our first time..." Rainbow gulped loudly and looked up at Applejack, panting.

"That'd...uh...be nice..." Rainbow said before Applejack pressed on the base of her wing with a subtle, but noticeable pressure. Rainbow gasped. "Oh, really nice." Applejack removed her hoof with a giggle and kissed Rainbow on the cheek.

"Love you, hun." She said before turning toward the bathroom. Rainbow couldn't help herself from eyeing her well-rounded flank for a moment.

"Love you too." Rainbow said before Applejack shut the bathroom door behind her. "Geez, she knows just how to get to me." Rainbow muttered to herself under her breath. The pegasus then layed back on her pillow, worried about how she would handle this "beauty" thing for the night.

The Harvest Celebration Hoedown had already "begun" before the group left Braeburn's house. The darkness of the evening had started to set over Appleloosa and the temperature of the air grew chillier, but pleasantly so. Applejack sighed as she looked over at Rainbow Dash, who was indeed looking very beautiful for the hoedown. Though it had taken several more minutes than it should have, Rainbow Dash had allowed Granny Smith and Applejack to apply makeup to her face. Nothing too flashy, but it was certainly noticeable enough to make anypony turn their head.

The pegasus wore a light foundation that brought out color in her cheeks, overlapping with a light blush. An extremely light application of lipstick brought the cyan mare's lips out enough to be tantalizing. The eyeliner she wore seemingly completed the makeup package. Her rainbow mane had been laden with texture cream, giving it a slightly more spiky look but maintaining an illusion of organization about it. This all combined seemed to make Rainbow Dash irresistible to everypony. Especially Applejack. This didn't stop Rainbow Dash from looking around nervously every few seconds, however..

"What are ya so nervous for, Dash?" Applejack asked her.

"I'm just..." She cleared her throat. "I'm just not used to this."

"Ya always love bein' the center of attention."

"This is different and you know it. If I didn't love you so much..."

"You look more beautiful than Luna's moon." Applejack said giving Rainbow a nuzzle as they approached the enormous barn. It was more than twice the size of the barn at Sweet Apple Acres. As they entered, they layed their eyes upon the many different members of the Apple Family. Less family members were at this Hoedown, so the increased space kept it from feeling too cramped. Applebloom walked further into the barn, surveying the place for her favorite cousin.

"Hey, cuz!" The filly heard a familiar voice shout. She turned around to be wrapped into a hug from Babs Seed, her cousin from Manehattan. As they spun around in their embrace, Applebloom giggled happily.

"Babs!" Applebloom said as her cousin put her down. "How've ya been for the past year?"

"Oh, I've been good." Babs said. "I made complete idiots outta those stinkin' bullies back in Manehattan the other day. Come on, let's get some cider and I'll tell ya all about it." Babs began to pull her cousin to the cider table.

"Alright! Sounds awesome." Applebloom responded as she followed her cousin. She looked back at her family, seemingly asking permission. They nodded, wishing her a good time.

"Alright, alright, alright!" Braeburn said before turning to his cousin. "Big Macintosh! Shall we find some beautiful mares who are distantly related to us to dance with?" The red stallion nodded.

"Ah suppose." Big Mac said as he followed his cousin onto the dance floor.

"Well, y'all, Ah'm gonna leave ya to it." Granny Smith said with a smile. "Ah got some catchin' up to do with the other old bats here at this hoedown." The old mare laughed heartily as she began to move toward the group of elders who seemed to oversee the hoedown.

"So..." Applejack said to her love. "What do ya wanna do first?" Applejack frowned in worry when she looked at Rainbow, who had seemingly fallen into a state of fear. Applejack put a hoof on Rainbow's chin. "What's wrong, Dash?"

"Oh, it's n-nothing." Rainbow said. "I-I'll be fine. You pick what to do."

"Ah know you're lyin' to me, Dash." Applejack said. "Tell me what's goin' through your head." The pegasus sighed and looked at Applejack.

"It's just...We're here together as a couple for the first time in front of your whole family..."

"Actually not all of 'em." Applejack said. "Seems to be about two-thirds of 'em."

"That's not the point, AJ!" Rainbow said, intimidated, very much unlike her. "What will they think? I mean, with just regular ponies, it's different, but this is your family."

"Rainbow..." Applejack began.

"I mean, what if you guys get exiled or something?" Rainbow began to ramble, her respirations increasing in speed.

"Dash-"

"I know how much you love your family." Rainbow said, looking back and forth rapidly.

"Rainbow Dash!" Applejack nearly yelled at her. This immediately grabbed her attention. Applejack then laid a gentle kiss upon her lips that anypony who was watching surely noticed. Nopony seemed to stop dancing, drinking or socializing, though. "Ah. Love. You."

"But-"

"Let me ask you somethin'. You know Big Mac, Applebloom and Granny Smith love ya, right?" Rainbow Dash nodded slowly. "You know Ah love ya, right?" Rainbow Dash nodded again. "Then what does it matter what the rest of those ponies think? You'll probably never see them at any time or place other than these gatherings. Celestia knows Ah don't. And if they don't like it, then buck em! All you need to know is that Ah love you...And Ah got you. Okay?" Rainbow nodded slowly.

"Okay." Rainbow said, her sudden fears under control seemingly.

"Now, let's get some cider." Applejack said with a warm, comforting smile. Rainbow followed her, attempting to resist the urge to look around. She failed and looked at the socializing ponies. Several of them were indeed looking at her, but not in a malicious or judging way. Many of them even gestured a greeting toward her, which she returned. Either these ponies had missed their prior kiss, or they had seen it and just didn't care. Rainbow prayed to Celestia that the type of situation was the latter.

"Alright, Dash." Applejack said, handing her lover a mug of cider. "Drink up! We've got a lot of dancin' to do!"

"Miss Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow heard a voice call. It sounded oddly familiar, yet she could not place the pony it belonged to. She looked ahead to see a well built stallion approaching her. The once from the previous year she danced with.

"Oh! Hey! I remember you. I danced with you last year." Rainbow said.

"Yes, ma'am, that was me." He said. "How're you doin' tonight?"

"Oh, I'm alright, I guess." Rainbow said. "I'm ashamed to say this, but I didn't get your name last year."

"Arbor Chip." He said. "My family mostly handles the lumber side of the Apple Family businesses."

"You danced with Arbor Chip last year?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash.

"Yeah, during the little switchy, switcheroo dance." Rainbow said.

"You know, miss Dash, Ah don't mean to pry into you or Applejack's business, but Ah was under the impression that you were at the Hoedown last year because you're a resident of Ponyville." He said. "Liked it so much ya wanted to come down all the way to Appleloosa this year, huh?"

"Actually, Arbor," Applejack said. "Rainbow here's my marefriend." The stallion looked at the pegasus, who giggled nervously and blushed. "It's been a year come day-after-tomorrow." The stallion, after a brief reflection, nodded slowly in acknowledgement. .

"Hmm." The stallion said. "Ah wouldn't have pictured either of y'all to be fillyfoolers, but hey, who am Ah to consult?"

"Wait, you're not freaked out?" Rainbow Dash asked. The stallion shook his head and chuckled.

"Nahh. My sister's a fillyfooler." He said, nodding toward his sister, a freckled, tan coated mare with an orange mane and tail, some distance away talking to a mare who seemed to be equally interested in her. "Yeah, let's hope they're just related by law..." He said, unsure of the path his sister was taking.

"Ah gotta be honest. Ah'm a little surprised." Applejack said. "Figured you'd be disgusted."

"Well, several of the ponies here probably would be. But ya gotta remember. In our family, the old timey raised stuck-in-their-old-ways ponies' numbers are gettin' thinner whereas the more exceptin' ponies' such as y'all and me, are growing ever larger. Ah wouldn't wager that you two have to worry about anything but a couple ugly looks tonight." This statement, however casual it was, sent a great wave of relief flowing through Rainbow Dash as she smiled at the stallion.

"Now, if y'all two will excuse me, Ah'm gonna find a mare to dance with." He said. "Be seein' you around." The stallion then moved down to the dance floor.

"You know, if I wasn't with you, I'd consider making a move on him." Rainbow said, flashing a sly smile toward Applejack. "He's really good looking."

"Alright, alright, cut it out with that, ya jokester." Applejack said. She barely noticed a rather small saddle bag hanging at Rainbow's side. "What'cha got in the bag?"

"Oh, nothing." Rainbow said nervously looking to the side before hiding it in a potted plant and grabbing Applejack's forehoof. "Come on, let's go dance!" Applejack certainly had no qualms against the request as they moved toward the dance floor where so many members of the Apple Family were having a blast, moving along to the lively music. The glorious feeling from the previous hoedown, that feeling of being lighter than air, soon returned to both Rainbow Dash and Applejack. They laughed together as they spun around and danced merrily to the band playing, holding onto each other for dear life.

Rainbow quickly took a look up at the group who was currently playing the jovial and lighthearted music. The fiddler was throwing his bow across the strings on his fiddle as if he was whittling a tree to make a sculpture. The bassist slapped his hoof onto the large stand up instrument, creating the core beat for the music. The guitarist and the mandolin player both looked at each other as they jumped up and down to the music as they were playing. The singer led the group as they all played and swung together as if they were all one living organism.

"It's pretty amazin', isn't it?" Applejack said. This brought Rainbow Dash's attention back to the farm mare as they danced.

"Yeah, it is!" Rainbow said with a wide smile. "I seriously can't believe that this is live music! It sounds so good! And I don't usually get into music like this so you know that's saying something." Applejack giggled.

"Well hun," Applejack said before pecking Rainbow on the lips. "Ah'm glad you're havin' so much fun."

"That rhymed." Rainbow said in a small sing-song voice, not unlike Pinkie Pie. Applejack laughed as she and Rainbow spinned around once quickly before separating for a moment and coming back together.

Rainbow realized at that point that what Applejack had said to Rainbow Dash earilier had been absolutely prudent. Rainbow Dash no longer knew who at the dance saw them, or which members of the family judged them, she cared not for the insiginificant opinions of ponies she had never met. She had Applebloom, Big Macintosh, Granny Smith and most of all, Applejack. That was all she needed.

Rainbow let out a happy cheer as she and Applejack continued to dance together. They danced for what seemed like an hour, moving their bodies, stomping on the ground, occasionally letting out a whoop or a holler. When what seemed like the twentieth song ended, Granny Smith's voiced announced to the crowd.

"Hold on, now, everypony! Hold on! Y'all can get back to dancin' in a minute! And Ah know how much y'all have been lookin' forward to that Switch-'Em-Up Dance we have every year!" The crowd cheered, including Rainbow Dash and Applejack. "And we'll be gettin' to that. But first, Ah wanna recognize somepony very, very special here tonight." This caused some confusion in the large group as to who this pony was. "Miss Rainbow Dash, will you come up to the stage?"

Rainbow Dash's heart skipped a beat as her eyes widened in surprise. The pegasus looked around, seeing all eyes on her before looking up on Granny Smith. She made a gesture to herself.

"Me?" Rainbow mouthed toward Granny Smith. The old mare nodded, a look of adoration in her eyes. Rainbow nodded and walked up onto the stage.

"Ah don't know if alla y'all know Rainbow here, but she's a very close friend to my granddaughter Applejack." Granny Smith said. "And Ah wanted to let all y'all know somethin' about her. She recently became part of our family back at Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville. She helps out around the farm and earns her keep to be sure, but what Ah wanted to recognize her for is that, using a lot of the money she sold her house in the clouds with, she has funded Sweet Apple Acres with thousands of bits, paid for repairs and new remodels to our farm and allowed us to live the life we always wanted. Your love for our family and your generosity have truly made a difference. Ah already consider you one of my grandbabies at this point in our lives. All Ah'm tryin' to say is, Rainbow, you're our hero." The entire crowd cheered and stomped on the floor for Rainbow Dash as she stood on the stage. A huge smile was plastered on her face as she looked down at Applejack, who nodded happily at her.

"Now who's ready to Switch-'Em-Up?!" Granny Smith yelled happily, making the crowd cheer again. "Then we'll do one more normal song, and get to it!" The band began to play a song which many of the ponies who stood before the stage started dancing to. Rainbow Dash, with a newfound energy put in her step, moved off of the stage to Applejack.

"Did you know she was going to do that, AJ?" Rainbow said.

"She's been sayin' somethin' like it." Applejack said. "And not a word of what she said wasn't true, Dash. You've helped us out so much and been such a loving addition to the family, we couldn't not say anything." Rainbow felt her stomach flutter at the comment.

"I just..." Rainbow said. "I'm used to being idolized by a lot of ponies back at Ponyville, but for some reason, here it feels different...Better."

"That's because back in Ponyville you're idolized because of your skills in doin' tricks and cool things like that, which are definitely nothin' to sneeze at." Applejack said, making Rainbow blush and giggle. "But here tonight, you're loved for your generosity and love for this family." Rainbow smiled at Applejack and couldn't hold back a sniffle. "See? You were all scared for nothin'!"

"I wasn't scared." Rainbow said defiantly as she quickly wiped her eyes. "I was just...nervous, that's all."

"Uh-Huh...Sure." Applejack said with a smirk. Rainbow playfully shoved Applejack and ran onto the dance floor. Applejack laughed and joined her in a dance. The tune, merry and jovial, carried their bodies as they moved to and fro, stepping happily along. As the song began to wrap up, Rainbow Dash let out a small squeal.

"I'm so excited!" She said.

"Me too." Applejack said. "You remember the steps, right?"

"Do I remember them? P-shaw! I could do them in my sleep!" Rainbow said. As the song ended.

"Ah taught ya the novice version, sweetheart." Applejack said. "Let's see if ya can keep up with me once we get together." Rainbow winked at her.

"You got it!" The pegasus said with a smile. The familiar music for the Switch-'Em-Up dance began and all the ponies on the dance floor cheered as they got into the two lines facing each other.

"Alrighty now, everypony!" The lead singer for the band said. "Ah know y'all all know the steps to this dance, but here's the real question: With her bein' a neophyte and all, does miss Rainbow Dash here know it?!" Everypony cheered for Rainbow as she flitted up into the air momentarily and threw a hoof into the air. She layed her eyes upon Applebloom and Babs seed, who were joining the dance just that year. "Then let's do this thing!"

Rainbow Dash looked up at Granny Smith for a moment, who winked at her. She had most likely told the stallion to poke at her.

'You rascal.' Rainbow thought with a fond smile.

The music began, and Rainbow Dash's heart was set ablaze with excitement as the lines began dancing toward one another. Rainbow caught up with the dance better than the stallion and the mare next to her, catching them both by surprise. Rainbow noticed this and smirked as the lines collided and everypony came out with a seperate partner. Rainbow was paired with a stallion slightly larger than her. He smiled at her and nodded.

"How you doin' tonight?" He said to her.

"Oh, I'm great." Rainbow said with a polite smile before the stallion spun her around. "Yourself?"

"Can't complain, seein' as how Ah'm dancin' with you right now." He said with a smile. "You're pretty cool. Applejack is one lucky mare." The comment sent happy sparks flowing through Rainbow Dash's body as she smiled warmly at him.

"Oh, thank you!" Rainbow said. "You seem like a good catch yourself."

"Now, Ah wouldn't go that far." He said with a small laugh. "Ah'm a pretty weak stallion for my size."

"Yeah, but physical skill isn't always what matters." Rainbow Dash said. "I've learned that in more ways than one recently. What do you do?"

"Ah help out with packaging and distribution of Apples in Las Pegasus." He said. "It's interestin' sellin' food earth ponies normally eat to a city pretty much chock full of pegasi."

"See, you're smart, I can tell." Rainbow Dash said with a smile. "Normally ponies say pegasuses. But you said pegasi."

"Ah really appreciate your compliment, Miss Dash." He said. "Golly, you're good at this!" He looked down at their hooves moving, seeing that Rainbow Dash was matching him perfectly, and even correcting him in some small mistakes he made.

"Learned from the best." Rainbow said, looking over toward Applejack, who was looking at her. They made eye contact.

Applejack danced happily with a stallion she hadn't really gotten to know throughout the years, due to them being second cousins. He had no accent at all, but was courteous and jovial during their dance.

"Here's the switch!" Applejack said. "Been nice talkin' to ya!"

"Same to you, Applejack." He said with a small nod before everypony on the floor seperated and found new partners almost immediately. Applejack was mildly surprised to find herself dancing with Arbor Chip's fillyfooler sister. The pretty mare nodded at Applejack with a smile.

"Hey, there, Amber." Applejack said. "How're ya doin'?"

"Good, good!" Amber Heart replied. "Ah heard about you and Rainbow Dash."

"Oh, did ya now?" Applejack said before chuckling to herself. "Seems like everypony here knows about it now."

"Pretty much. But honestly, Applejack, Ah haven't heard any negative things said about the two of you." Amber said with a smile. "Ah mean, yeah, some of the older family members are pretty angry about it Ah'd think, but Granny Smith doesn't seem to care about that!"

"Granny Smith, Big Mac and Applebloom have all been so acceptin' of me and Rainbow and our relationship. Ah just couldn't ask for a better family." Applejack said happily.

"Well, let me just say that you know how to pick 'em, AJ." Amber said with a small giggle."Rainbow Dash is quite the mare." Applejack laughed.

"Well, thank you. Ah see that in her every day." Applejack said. "What about you? You find any mares that are interested?"

"Yeah, Ah did, but she ended up cheating on me with a stallion. Said she just couldn't take the stress of the, uh...s-scrutiny." Amber said, looking down for a moment in emotional pain. Applejack felt a small twinge of residual guilt, remembering herself do something similar to the rainbow-maned mare she loved so dearly just about a year prior.

"That's awful, Amber." Applejack said. "Ah'm so sorry that happened to you."

"What are we gettin' so down in the dumps for, Applejack?!" Amber said, looking up and smiling at Applejack. Through the smile, however, Applejack could still see sadness in the mares eyes. "This dance if for fun!" Applejack nodded and smiled happily.

"You're right!" Applejack said as they continued to dance. Across the floor, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but feel a hint of jealousy at seeing another mare dancing with Applejack. She quickly dismissed this, however and paid attention to her current partner, who just so happened to be Applebloom.

"What were ya just lookin' at, Rainbow?" Applebloom asked her before looking in the direction Rainbow had been. After seeing Applejack dancing with Amber Heart, Applebloom smiled up at her. "Oh. My. Goddesses! You're jealous!"

"What? No I'm not, are you kidding?" Rainbow said with a small, fake laugh. "Why would I be jealous?"

"Because Applejack's dancin' with another mare!" Applebloom said. "It's only natural." Applebloom let out a small giggle.

"But why would I be jealous if Applejack's dancing with another mare if I'm dancing with another mare?" Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow at Applebloom.

"Ah'm a filly, you nut!" Applebloom said with a small giggle.

"Alright, that's enough outta you!" Rainbow said before tossing Applebloom onto her flank and bouncing her off, Applebloom landing on her hooves behind Rainbow. The pegasus then turned around and began to dance with Applebloom happily, both of them laughing. The crescendo for the third and final switch approached, so Rainbow began to move the two of them toward Applejack and Amber Heart. Applebloom got the idea and began to move with Rainbow as they approached Applejack.

"You make my sister sorry she ever taught you to dance like this!" Applebloom said with a wink right before the next switch triggered. Everypony switched partners and, in stark contrast to the previous year, Applejack and Rainbow found each other with ease.

"Hello again, my dear." Applejack said.

"Hello, yourself." Rainbow replied, raising an eyebrow. "I'm gonna show you how this is done!" The two of them started dancing with the music, stepping in time with each other. At that moment, every single memory, every feeling came flowing back to them in a cascade of joy. They smiled widely and danced in ecstacy, just loving the senses of having each other's presence. They laughed and shouted, as they stomped, spun and stepped merrily to the music. Hours seemed to pass by as they danced and danced, nearly setting the floor ablaze. Before they knew it, the music ended and they stood before each other, looking into each other's eyes as everypony else applauded.

"Applejack!" Rainbow said happily to her love. Applejack nodded, nearly getting lost in her rose irises. "This is paradise." Applejack teared up at hearing this and kissed Rainbow Dash in front of everypony there. This surprised Rainbow at first, but she happily returned the kiss after a moment. They separated after a moment and embraced each other. Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by nearly everypony else on the dance floor. They looked up from each other upon the crowd, and their hearts dropped.

"Oh." Rainbow barely got out.

"YEEEEE-HAAAAAAAWWW!!!" Applebloom bellowed happily, setting the crowd off in a massive cheer for them. This unexpected development completely surprised the two of them as they smiled at one another. They had taken a leap of faith, uncaring of what anypony thought of them, and they had made it. They had made it together, and most ponies at the hoedown loved it.

This did not stop the cold stare of several select ponies in the crowd, however. Namely, many of the elder members of the family. Applejack and Rainbow Dash chose to ignore them completely and focus on the majority of ponies cheering for them.

"AJ," Rainbow Dash said, making Applejack turn her head to her. "Just look at us now."

The night had continued on nearly without a hitch. Applejack and Rainbow continued to dance and have fun, occasionally taking a break to play some games or get a fresh mug of cider. They did not go without criticisms by several members of the family, but because so many of the ponies at the hoedown were happy for them, they let it go and did not let the scrutinization ruin their night. Rainbow panted after taking a swig of cider, having just gotten done with another round of dancing with Applejack.

"Phew! This is better than last year!" Rainbow said happily before taking another swallow from her mug.

"Well, Ah'm pretty sure that Ah can guess why that is." Applejack said before giving Rainbow Dash a quick peck on the cheek. "Ah love ya, Dash."

"I love you too." Rainbow said. Applejack looked at the clock momentarily and looked as if she had forgotten something.

"Hey Rainbow, would you wanna come for a walk with me? You know, get some fresh air." Applejack said.

"But the band is still playing." Rainbow said. "We might miss something good."

"Alright, Ah didn't wanna say this in front of you, but the heat in here's gettin' to me." Applejack said. "Ah really would like to get some fresh air and Ah'd like you to come with me." Rainbow, understanding Applejack's reasoning, nodded and smiled.

"Alright, you got it." Rainbow replied. "Just a sec." The pegasus ran across the barn to the plant she had previously stored her small saddlebag in. She retrieved the bag, threw it across her back and moved back to Applejack. "Okay, let's go."

"Seriously, what's with the bag?" Applejack asked her.

"Oh I just figured it wouldn't be too smart to leave my stuff there with everypony else. Might get stolen." Rainbow explained. Applejack nodded as they left the barn and began to walk down a path. The sky was clear and the moon shone light on everything in sight, draping everything in a beautiful, pale luminescence.

"Goddesses, it's so nice out here." Rainbow said. "I love fall. The cool air, the mild nights..."

"It is great, Ah will agree." Applejack said. "It's usually when harvest is wrappin' up and Ah get a little break." The two mares continued walking in silence beside each other, occasionally looking at each other. Rainbow sighed and finally piped up.

"So, anywhere in particular you'd like to go?" Rainbow asked with a small smile.

"Yeah." Applejack said. "Ah remember seein' this clearing on the way here that just looked perfect for us to relax in." Applejack nodded forward. "Should be through those trees." Rainbow looked toward the entrance to the clearing Applejack was speaking of and sped her movement up to a brisk canter, before long she reached the entrance.

And what she saw struck her speechless.

In the clearing, there was a table, draped in a nice white cloth, holding what appeared to be two covered meals and some wine. Several beautiful lanterns were lit around the arrangement with one adorning the center of the table. Rainbow still struggled to speak at the beautiful scene before her. She felt a gentle pair of forelegs wrap around her back in a hug.

"Happy one year anniversary, Rainbow." Applejack said with love, nuzzling behind the pegasus' ear. "Ah know it ain't quite our anniversary, but Ah wanted to do this tonight anyways."

"H-....H-How?" Was all Rainbow said. "How did you do this?"

"With careful plannin' and the help of Big Macintosh and Granny Smith. Applebloom knew about it." Applejack said with a small giggle. Rainbow just continued to stare at the beautiful set up. "Now are ya just gonna stare at it all night, or are we gonna go use it?" Rainbow quickly turned and wrapped Applejack into a tight embrace. She held her lover there for a moment before coming back and placing a small kiss upon her lips.

"I love it!" Rainbow said.

"Then let's go." Applejack said. "Ah'm actually pretty hungry."

They turned and walked down to the table. After sitting down, Applejack poured some wine for her and Rainbow Dash while Rainbow uncovered her dish, the steam rising to meet her face. Spaghetti with parsley leaves in tomato sauce with parmesan cheese and a rosemary garnish adorning the top. She uncovered the small dish beside it to reveal several three-layered apple fritters drizzled in icing. Rainbow began to salivate at the sight of her food.

"Ya know we have apple juice here if you're not in the mood for wine." Applejack said with a smile. Rainbow snapped out of her food-induced stupor and looked at her wine, which she had not touched.

"Oh, no!" Rainbow said. "No, no I like wine. I'm just so amazed by this! The food is still hot!"

"Well, Ah have my ways." Applejack said, watching Rainbow as she took a sip of her wine.

"Oh, this is awesome." Rainbow said before taking a bite of her spaghetti and swooning at the flavor.

"Ah just wanted to do something really special, you know?" Applejack said. "Can you believe that it's been a whole year since we first got together?"

"Time usually passes by crazy fast when you're having a good time." Rainbow said with a smile.

"And what would be your definition of a good time?" Applejack asked the cyan pegasus who was in the middle of chewing a bite of spaghetti. Rainbow, employing her table manners, finished chewing and swallowed before offering her reply.

"Any time at all I spend with you." Rainbow said. "So that being said, I'm not surprised at how fast time has flied by."

"Ya know Ah danced with Arbor Chip's sister tonight during the switch-'em-up." Applejack said before taking a bite of her pasta.

"Oh?" Rainbow said. "The fillyfooler one?" Applejack nodded.

"Yep. She just couldn't stop goin' on about what a great catch you are." Applejack said. "Ah didn't deny a word of what she said. But she's been goin' through a bit of trouble with and ex-marefriend of her's goin' with a stallion instead of her. Couldn't help but feel sorrow for the poor girl." Rainbow nodded before shrugging.

"Oh, she'll find someone." Rainbow said. "She's just gotta keep an eye out."

"And...it's just...It reminded me of what Ah did to you." Applejack said as she teared up, her voice breaking very subtly. This caught Rainbow's attention immediately. "How Ah hurt you...so many times."

"Applejack...Applejack, don't go back to that." Rainbow said. "That's behind us now."

"Ah can't help it, Dash." Applejack said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "It pops into my mind a lot and when it does, Ah just...hate myself. I wanna go back in time and hurt myself...if that makes any sense."

"Applejack, that was a dark time for the both of us." Rainbow said, putting a hoof on the farm mare's. "But we're past it, and we're here with each other, now. That's all that matters."

"You're so sweet, Dash." Applejack said with a sniffle and a smile. "So forgiving...so loyal...Every day you remind me of why Ah love you so much."

"Well, let me remind you again." Rainbow said with a quick wink as she stood up and began to reach into her small saddle bag, which she had layed down on the ground next to her.

"Whatcha doin' Dash?" Applejack asked her.

"Hold on a sec." Rainbow said before removing a jewelry box of medium size and placing it on the table as she walked around to stand in front of Applejack. The pegasus scoffed to herself and blushed heavily. "I was gonna do this back at the hoedown."

"Do what, Rainbow?" Applejack asked her. Rainbow sighed loudly and kneeled down to where she was looking up at Applejack. She opened the box to reveal a diamond necklace, woven in intricate patterns with the largest and most beautiful diamond being set in the center. Applejack gasped at the radiance of the necklace before looking down at Rainbow, who currently kneeled before her.

"Applejack..." Rainbow said, before clearing her throat. "When I first met you, I had just moved from Cloudsdale to Ponyville. I didn't know anyone and, frankly, I didn't know what the hay to do. But when I met you, those feelings of being lost and not knowing anyone, they faded away and were replaced by the most significant feeling of companionship I had ever known. From there, our friendship evolved on and on throughout the years, and sure, we had our bumps in the road. But, we always came out on top, just you and me. I had always felt something for you beyond friendship, AJ, but I never acted on it. I was scared that you'd shun me and not have anything to do with me, and trust me, I did not want that."

Applejack giggled, wiping more tears and nodding as Rainbow went on.

"But then there was that night. That magical night that you showed me you felt the same. We began to show each other more and more in different ways. And the rift between us that came a little while after that, while being so painful when it was there, only served to make us stronger, AJ! Both of us! We finally became what I had always wanted us to be after that, Applejack. I have never been as happy as I have been when I'm just relaxing with you, Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith, and it only took a week after me moving in to realize that you are the mare I want to spend the rest of my life with." Rainbow said. Applejack's eyes widened as she supressed another gasp, nodding. She had seen it coming since Rainbow had began, but when it came, it hit her like a freight train.

"I'm so lucky to have you, Applejack. You are, at least to me, the most beautiful, kind and loving mare in Equestria, and I adore every single second I spend with you. So, Applejack..." Rainbow blinked for a moment. "Will you make me the happiest pegasus in Equestria and marry me?" Applejack wasted no time in hesitation, worry or unsureness. She stood up quickly in front of Rainbow Dash.

"Yes!" Applejack nearly screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Yes, of course Ah'll marry you, Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow then stood up in front of Applejack, tears beginning to fall from her eyes as well.

"Awesome!" Rainbow said, taking Applejack into a tight embrace and spinning with her by the table, Applejack's stetson flying from her head. They stopped and Applejack kissed Rainbow Dash lovingly, before disconnecting and laughing quietly as she cried, pressing her forehead against Rainbow's both of their ears flattened in pure affection for each other.

"Here." Rainbow said, moving to the table where the necklace sat. She took it, turned around and gestured for Applejack to turn around so that she could place it on her neck. Applejack nodded and nearly shuddered as Rainbow hooked the necklace around her neck. Applejack turned around and smiled at Rainbow Dash, who could not suppress a smile from appearing on her face.

"Well?" Applejack asked. "How do Ah look in it?"

"You look amazing." Rainbow said. "Just how I imag...Wait a second." Rainbow said as she looked around for a moment before retrieveing Applejack's hat and placing it on her head. "Just how I imagined you." They embraced each other once again and kissed, holding each other happily.

"Ah'm just so happy, Rainbow." Applejack said. "A little surprised, but happy."

"Well, when we went for the walk, I figured it'd be a nice setting, but when you brought me here, it became perfect." Rainbow said. "I guess it all just worked out in the finish."

"Ah just..." Applejack said, looking for the right word, before ending up settling for just kissing Rainbow again. Their passionate kiss lasted for what seemed like five minutes before they separated, both of them breathing heavily.

"You know, our food is gonna get cold." Rainbow said. "You wanna finish it?"

"Yeah...Yeah, Ah suppose we can finish eating." Applejack said before kissing Rainbow Dash on the cheek one more time. They moved back to the table and began eating again. Applejack, in her vast excitement, found it hard to continue eating.

"Too excited to eat, huh?" Rainbow said, raising an eyebrow and smiling slyly at her. Applejack nodded, slightly embarrassed. "Yeah, me too." Applejack laughed.

"Well, good thing Ah planned ahead, seein' as how we probably weren't gonna finish all this anyways." Applejack said as she reached under the table, bringing out several food storage containers.

"I never would have thought of that..." Rainbow said, smiling. "That's pretty awesome."

"Come on, and let's get this stuff packed up so we can head back to the house." Applejack said, beginning to put out all the small lanterns. After they packed all the food up into the containers and retrieved all the lanterns, Applejack packed them into a saddlebag which she draped across her back.

"Shall we?" Rainbow said, to which Applejack nodded. They began walking from the clearing back to Braeburn's house. The Harvest Celebration Hoedown was over and everypony had headed home.

"What do we do if everypony at Braeburn's house is awake?" Applejack asked with an excited smile. "Wanna tell them?"

"How about this-" Rainbow Dash said. "If they're awake, we'll tell them right away. But if they're asleep, we'll tell them in the morning at breakfast."

"Ah coulda thought of that." Applejack said, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, but I thought of it first, so I get credit." Rainbow said with a snicker before kissing Applejack on the cheek. They pressed their bodies together as they walked back to Braeburns house, the cool autumn wind ushering them into a new phase of their lives together.

Obligatory End-of-Chapter Author's Note: Here is a really big D'AAAAWWWW chapter for you guys. I figured that it'd have to be a big one, seeing as how this is my first chapter in more than three weeks. Sorry about that, by the way, guys. This move has just been torture, but it is now Summer, so I should have a lot more free time on my hands. As for this chapter... It had to happen sometime, we all know it! But it just felt so good to write this, that I'm really ecstatic about sharing it. They're getting married! Cheers, everyone!