Derpy slept peacefully on Cloudfire's chest as Celestia's brought out the sun over Ponyville. Its brilliant rays cast over the horizon's edge, piercing their thin window shade. Beams hit the wide-eyed Earth Pony, who had been staring blankly at the ceiling since around 4:09 AM. Though he was thoroughly wired, that wasn't because of any left over caffeine surging through his viens. In his head, thoughts raced a mile a minute, scrambled in fragments:

Later today... Derpy won't be there. Why? She cares. Sweet Apple Acres. Surefire's... Camping... shaking. Rarity.

His eye twitched from all the stress. He hugged his fiancée tightly while she snored across his chest:

"I love you," he said, giving her forehead a kiss. "I really do."

The small Pegasus winced in her sleep... then cracked a smile.

After that he continued to try to sleep... but couldn't.

The alarm didn't go off until 9:30 that morning, and when it finally did sound... Cloudfire shut his eyes and breathed deep. Derpy shot out of bed and shut it off. With his eyes shut, he waited for it...

"Wake up, Cloudfire!" She exclaimed, poking him in the stomach. "A lot of neat stuff is going to happen today. I can't wait go to Apple Jack's farm with you and Dad!""

Opening his eyes, he turned towards the excited Pegasus and smiled:

"Hey there. Sleep well?"

"Yeah!"

"Good, good." He stretched. "How 'bout you go say hi to Dad for me, then I'll get up and make breakfast... how's that sound?

"Okee!" Before he could say another word, Derpy took off like a shot towards the door. She turned back briefly, giggling, "you're a sleepyhead lately, Cloudfire!"

"Guilty as charged," he said, winking, as she ran off down the stairs. "Oh, Sweet Celestia... every part of me is exhausted."

Twenty minutes later, Cloudfire managed to drag himself downstairs and into the kitchen. The room was spinning, but he had a mission: make eggs for not only Derpy, but also Dinky and himself. They were all there now, gathered around the table. Daddy Hooves was there, too, enjoying yet another cola while the sleepy Earth Pony tended to breakfast in the corner... his eyes glazed over, his mind in a fog:

"I can take over if you want me to, Cloudfire." The Unicorn offered. "You look like you need to sit down."

"I got it, dad," he replied blankly. "Thanks, though."

It wasn't long for the meal to get served up, and though it was slightly overdone, nopony complained. The family ate their food as Cloudfire looked out from the window at the mid-morning skies... still spacing, still far away in a haze. Daddy Hooves set an opened bottle in front of him:

"It's a treat," he said. "To help keep you going during all the stuff we have to do today."

"Thanks," he said, drinking the entire cola in a couple of gulps. "We're coordinating this big thing first, right?"

"Right. Then the meadow behind Sweet Apple Acres."

"Nice to know the agenda for sur--" Cloudfire was cut short.

Dinky, being a typical excited foal, took the opportunity to suddenly blurt out what she would be doing to help (causing the Earth Pony's mane to stand on end):

"Me, Mommy, and Derpy are going to hand out Invitations to ponies while you're talking to Ms. Rarity and Pinkie Pie!"

Excitement... pure excitement. Kid's a lot like her big sister.

"Yes you are," Cloudfire replied out loud, glancing back at Derpy. "You sure you don't want to be around to talk about your wedding with them? It's pretty important."

They already knew her answer:

"It's okee." She said. "I dunno much about weddings. I think I'd just be really quiet. I trust you and Daddy, and besides... handing out invitations sounds like fun!"

Know yourself better than you think, Derpy...

Unseen to his daughter, Daddy Hooves rolled his eyes while he finished his soda. Still, he tried:

"Well, remind me then, Derpy... Is there anything you want? ... music, maybe a place you really like? We need something to go on."

This was the umpteenth time he asked her that very open-ended question, but surprisingly she didn't hesitate or balk this time. Maybe it had something to do with it finally being her day off...

"Umm... I like the Sugar Cube corner!"

The older Unicorn's face lit up:

"I'm sure we can have the reception there..."

"Do you want the wedding out doors?" Asked Cloudfire, still staring out the window.

"Yeah!"

Daddy Hooves smiled as he thought:

"I think we can arrange something..."

Derpy looked excited as she ate:

"I'd like that." She turned to Cloudfire. "Don't you want to eat, too?"

He stayed facing the window while he answered:

"In a bit." He turned to Dad. "I am feeling a bit better now."

"Glad to hear it. Another Cola?"

"Yeah."

Derpy, Dinky, and Mommy Hooves all left for their appointed tasks, leaving two formal invitations nestled with small donations for Pinkie Pie and Rarity's time. Both would be coming within the hour.

The house now was quiet, a stark comparison to the noise filling it only minutes before. Cloudfire ate his breakfast in peace with yet another bottle of cola opened beside him. It was first time he'd found himself eating alone in months... it felt strange, but... at the moment he liked it. Though he wasn't feeling himself by any stretch, the caffeine and silence were definitely helping. Daddy Hooves left him alone... on the other side of the room the dishes were drying as the unicorn cleaned the counter tops. He knew Cloudfire was exhausted and didn't ask for any help. The poor Earth Pony was barely able to put on a decent smile for the meeting. He kept his head low for now, almost in his hooves, periodically sipping his caffeinated drink. Sitting down, he'd be fine. He kept telling himself that...

Once the dishes were away, and all that was left was the Earth Pony's mostly finished soda, there was a faint knock at the door. Daddy Hooves went for it before the second tap, ready to welcome the guests inside. Cloudfire stayed at the table, keeping his eyes low, but listening for hoof steps. He heard a lyrical voice coupled with a higher one -- it was Rarity, along with Sweetie Belle:

"Come in!" Said Daddy Hooves.

"I'll be happy to set these bags down!" Exclaimed an out of breath Sweetie Belle.

"Patience, patience!" Rarity shuttered. "And be careful with that, Sweetie Belle!"

Cloudfire raised his head in time to see the two in the doorway -- the sophisticated mare was dressed in smart purple business attire, wearing her red-rimmed glasses. It was plain to see that she meant business, as she stepped into the kitchen to say hello to Cloudfire... who got right up, instinctively offering the lady his chair:

"Please!" He said with a smile, despite the lingering exhaustion. So much for staying seated...

"Why, thank you dear!" Replied Rarity, setting a bag on the table with her sister. "My, my... you certainly do look... nervous? Don't be. We're here to help!"

"Thank you, Ms. Rarity. I'll keep that in mind..." The stallion yawned, finding a chair for Sweetie Belle and himself. "How are you this fine morning?"

"I'm well darling! Yourself?"

Before they were even done exchanging pleasantries, there was yet another knock at the door:

"I'll get it!" Shouted Daddy Hooves, half way to the door already.

Cloudfire knew who was coming next... Pinkie Pie had arrived in her usual festive glory. She came in surprisingly quiet, only greeting Daddy Hooves with a simple, enthusiastic "Hi!" at the door. The ivory Earth Pony could barely hear her hoof steps and was half-expecting some gag once she entered the kitchen. He waited for it in the silence... and waited for it... and waited some more, until she finally emerged into the kitchen with a big smile on her face, a few balloons in the air, and Gummy on a leash:

"Hello Cloudfire!" She exclaimed, throwing her forelegs into the air as Daddy Hooves got her a chair. "Heard you need help planning a party? I'm your gal!"

She sat down alongside Rarity and put her hooves on the table with a serious look in her eye. Her antics were completely visual and, surprising to Cloudfire, completely over with. Now it was time to get serious. Like Rarity, she was all business now. The only thing she did that was even the tiniest bit Pinkie Pie was occasionally stroke her surprisingly well-behaved pet gator Gummy, who was kept along side the table and out of the way the whole time.

With everything laid on the table, mugs of warm tea provided for all guests (and Cloudfire), they discussed all the options in detail... Daddy Hooves let Cloudfire start:

"We don't need a big wedding," said the Earth Pony off the bat.

"Derpy certainly doesn't seem to be too preoccupied with the idea of having one, either," added Daddy Hooves. "She'd rather be out passing the invitations than here with us now. I say keep it simple."

"Darlings, we're here to make it memorable and special," replied Rarity. "Even without being spectacular, we can still give it style."

"Isn't a good reception part of what makes a wedding so awesome?"

"That's true, Ms. Pinkie..." Said Daddy Hooves. "We won't need that big of a cake, either. We're having under 20 guests."

"I could always scale down my Marzipan Mascarpone Meringue Madness!"

The name got Cloudfire's attention:

"That sounds pretty good."

The pink mare giggled:

"I call it 'Mmmm' for a reason!"

Rarity had a thought:

"You said she likes the fresh air... I could always run the idea by Apple Jack of having the wedding itself at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," said the older Unicorn. "I could ask that today. We're due to visit them later."

"Wonderful!" Rarity started writing notes on the meeting. "So, now with a possible location now decided, I have a few ideas for some wreath decorations that might go with it. Your wedding needs a theme, after all. It can't just be a mish-mash of everything but the kitchen sink! How do you feel about..."

The meeting went on for an hour and a half. Cloudfire tried to keep awake but it was very difficult. He found himself zoning in and out, beginning to fall asleep with his eyes open if one side of a conversation went on too long... coming back into focus whenever Pinkie Pie or Sweetie Belle's higher-pitched voices suddenly uttered a word or two. He acted convincingly, though -- to Rarity he looked nervous and a bit focused; to Pinkie Pie and Sweetie Belle he looked as though he was bored to tears... both thought it really sweet he was willing to discuss the wedding details with them even though he and Derpy had very little interest in the actually ceremony. That wasn't true, he wanted to give it some flair... but he was too sleepy to give it his attention. Fortunately, Daddy Hooves picked up on his state and started talking even more... until Cloudfire simply had to answer yes or no to the occasional simple question. Everything had become a blur to him... but he could still function.

After business was discussed, notes were gone over and traded. Cloudfire had one thing to say before they left:

"Thank you all for coming!" He got out of his chair and slowly cantered up to the two, setting envelopes in front of them. "Come to the wedding as our official guests. You will be there... won't you?"

"Why thank you!" Rarity replied. "We're going to have to come though... we're overseeing certain aspects of it!"

The older Unicorn put a hoof to his face. Cloudfire was getting a bit sloppy, but he still let him do the talking for this part. He did add one thing, however:

"You'll find a small fee paid in the envelopes to both of you for your time here today."

"Thank you!" Exclaimed Rarity. "That was not necessary..."

Cloudfire then turned to Sweetie Belle, wobbling a bit on his hooves:

"You and your friends are invited, too. Please come! We want to see all three of you there having fun with us at the reception."

Rarity turned to her little sister, who was silently looking up the wobbly pony... watching him sway back and forth:

"What do you say, Sweetie Belle?"

The little Unicorn was silent for a moment:

"Um... thanks!"

"Sit down, Cloudfire," said Daddy Hooves getting up and offering him a chair. "You're obviously very nervous about all this."

"I'm fine, dad." He replied, leaning against the wall, shaking sleep from his eyes.

The two mares shot each other a concerned look. Rarity spoke up:

"I think this is as good a time as any for us to depart. Having an idea of what you are envisioning means we must get to work now and begin some of the more... tedious aspects of our jobs."

"By all means," said Daddy Hooves, walking up to the table to pull out the unused chairs, giving the mares more space to gather their things. "Get in touch with either of us if you have any questions."

Pinkie saluted him.

"Same goes for you," replied Rarity.

It didn't take them long to pack up. Cloudfire stood in the corner watching them as they departed. He followed the mares and filly to the front door, where he started to wave as they walked away. When they were well faded from view, he still continued to wave... Daddy Hooves had one thing to say:

"Go lay down son. Derpy won't be back for at least another hour." Staring off into Ponyville, the Earth Pony did not move. "Get some sleep, Cloudfire. Move your tail!"

"Okay...." He sleepily replied, turning around and slowly ascending the stairs.

He went right to his shared bedroom and laid down in bed, not bothering to even shut the door. Resting on his stomach, he felt himself starting to fade. The shades were drawn, giving the space a relaxing, pink glow. He looked up to the window, into the faint glow of sunshine, and sighed... he didn't remember a thing after that.