Rainbows and Apples

“No, I said no, there will be no wedding!” I shouted at my friends, each one stopped dead in their tracks to look at me, the papers of wedding planning being dropped on the table.

“R-rainbow darling … surely you don’t mean that?” I snorted at her, folding up my hooves in annoyance.

“I said before all of this started, I don’t want to be a crazy controlling bride … I’m not, but you’re crazy controlling bridesmaids! If this is what getting married is doing to you then the wedding is off, I’ll take Mac to Las Pegasus and do it without you.”  They all began to resemble a fish, before AJ managed to gather herself.

“Aw Rainbow, you’ve said this all before and you didn’t go through with it, come on I’m sure we can all just … calm down.” I shook my head at AJ.

“I don’t care how many times I need to say it, this whole wedding is driving me insane with all the flowers  and other things I couldn’t care less about.” I stomped my hoof, trying to get the point across.

“You have the food you wanted right?” I did a double take, how was that relevant? My eyes flared at Rarity.

“Yes, because other than wading through flowers and other pointless wedding things to marry the stallion I love, the only other thing I cared about was food so you're damn right I got what I wanted!”

“Rainbow calm down, we just want this to be perfect for you, we’d done most of what you asked ...” Rarity’s poor attempt at calming me down was only making it worse.

“Yes, and look where that's gotten me, don’t you get it?” I felt angry tears sting my eyes, I blinked furiously to send them away.

“Rainbow what’s this really about, we’ve done everything you asked, you gave us your yes and no’s what’s gotten you so worked up?” I glared at Twilight, how could she think this was my fault?

“Nothing, and that’s the point, my wedding is going to be so ... perfect isn’t it? I never wanted that, I didn’t want it to be extravagant since this is just MY wedding isn’t it, do you think Mac cares about half of this, come on AJ is this what he’d want?”

“Rainbow all he wants is for you to be happy, ah think he wouldn’t mind if it’s what you want.” I sighed knowing it was true, but this isn’t what I want anymore. How can they believe he’d like this just because I approved it?

“No, I can’t do this without him, this is the last time I just ... I’m going to calm down, then I’m getting married.” I flapped my wing irritably shooting from Twilights window, leaving everybody gaping after me.

I flew to the farm, the speed helping me think, I always did my best thinking when flying, glancing at the sun I looked at the position in the sky to check what time it would be to make sure I wouldn’t disturb Mac from his work, I hated doing that to him. Relief washed over me as I saw him walking from the fields, taking his yoke off to lean it against a tree. His ears swivelled around before he settled by the tree, he glanced up in my direction before he looked up closely, giving me a blinding smile. It fell from his face as I landed.

“What happened this time Dashie?” I buried my head in his fur, letting the tears I held back fall.

“We’re going to L-las pegasus to get married, I don’t w-want to be in the same room as those mares anymore! They want it all to b-be for me, and to be a big wedding to end all w-weddings, and all I want is for i-it to be for us.” He heaved a sigh tilting my head to look at him. “Mac I’m s-serious!”

“You were serious the last five times Dash, ah think y’all just need to calm down.” I glared up at him, taking a step back and flaring my wings. How could he be the one to take their side on this!

“I was, until they started going on about f-flowers, and and colour schemes and if the reception should be held at the f-farm, or sugar cube corner, or the castle, or on the m-moon all over again and again!” I flung my hooves in the air, trying to get my point across. “It’s like they're m-making it a wedding for them, and no matter what I say, t-they tell me that I’m not girly enough!”

“Ah’m sure they don’t tell you you're not girly, they just want you to have the best wedding, and ah just want to have one. Now, can we let them all carry on planning and not have a pitchfork wedding?” I frowned at him, I bet the whole thing would have been sorted perfectly by now if he’d been planning it … thats an idea! I grinned at him, as my rage became excitement.

“Stay here or in the house …. just don’t leave the farm.” I shot off back toward the girls, wiping my tears away. How hadn’t I thought of this before?

“I think thats it, so were all in agreement?” I didn’t bother to answer, and rested my head against Mac. This plan was brilliant, I brought the girls over to the farm and sat them down with Mac to go over all the plans, and he made sure his thoughts were known, and put his hoof down when he needed. I sat in silence throughout the entire discussion after having given up on the girls, Mac knew me all too well and together they all have our wedding planned.

“All thats left now … is the date?” I jumped up, looking at Mac as he looked down on me.

“Uh, we’ve been engaged for three months … do you want to be married now?” He smiled and nuzzled me slowly.

“Ah can wait as long as you need Dash, ah know that I’ll always be yours, now and in the future.” I blushed at his words, laying against him as the girls Aww’ed in chorus. I shot them a glare, making them laugh.

“Your’re so cute together Rainbow darling, you can’t glare at us when you can’t see or hear us can you?” I frowned, do they stalk us all the time?

“Yeah! because we talk about how absolutely positively cute you are all the time Dashie!”

I felt Mac shake beneath me as he chuckled, I answered by shoving against him.

“Uch, I give up with you, you all act like fillies.” I yawned, forcing my eyes to stay open. Mac stood slowly, making sure my head never lost contact from him, proving difficult since I was still sitting down.

“Don’t worry Dash, we don’t talk about just you, and it’s only on the Spa trips Rarity insists on us having when you and Mac go out, we all talk about us all. Now since you're looking just about ready to crash I think we can finish up here right girls?” They nodded, each smiling and bidding goodbye before going their separate ways. I stood up, still leaning against Mac, sighing into his fur.

“Aww Dash you look dead, ah guess your regular napping has it’s reasons.” I shot her a glare as I walked forward, slowly so I didn’t fall.

“I fly all day so I get tired faster, and you guys haven’t given me a break so yes, I’m dead.” She laughed, tipping her hat toward me before heading out of the room, I could feel her giggles as she went.

“Ah’ll get Apple Bloom from Rarity’s, see y’all later.”  I nodded, slowly walking out myself until Mac stood beside me, a small smile on his face.

“Ah know you can’t get up those stairs on your own like this, will ya let me help?” I smiled, leaning against him as we made our way up the stairs, the big lug knew me so well. He opened the door slowly, letting me stumble to the bed and flop down, I didn’t even lie properly. He climbed up on his side, his hoof pulling me into him.

“So, are you happy with the wedding?” I asked, slowly getting comfortable on the bed.

“Honestly, I’d be happy with anything that had you in the equation” I let out a soft yawn, resting my wing over his hoof and closing my eyes.

“You get sappy when you're tired Dash.” I made a lazy snort, too tired to talk as he pulled his hoof from under my wing and kissed my forehead, nuzzling his nose against mine gently before making his way from the room. I smiled letting sleep take me, sinking into Mac’s mattress.

I woke slowly stretching my hooves, the smell of food inviting me down the the Apple’s kitchen. I gave my eyes a quick wipe, making sure any signs of sleepiness were gone and yawning before I made my way from Mac’s room. I glanced back at the bed once, sad to leave the sleep behind, it was after all, a hobby of mine.

I made my way down the stairs, looking around for any sign of ponies before deciding that they were most likely all in the kitchen.

“Macintosh, go an get your fiancée from your bed before the food gets cold! Ah need to talk to her.”

I chuckled as I walked into the main room, granny really did amuse me, as I stepped through the door Mac walked from the kitchen, I managed to stop before I bumped into him grinning like a cheshire cat. I might even look crazy with my bed head and sleepy eyes.

“Ah’m glad you’re awake, I need some help with Granny.” I frowned, he needed my help with his family? That certainly wasn’t Mac.

“Help?”

“I’m sorry in advance for when she starts ranting at you.” He turned and walked back into the kitchen, leaving me even more confused. Shaking my head and holding it high I walked into the kitchen to see granny grinning at me.

“Ah here she is, ah need to you fill up for my great grand foals ya here, ah don’t need to skinny youngins running around the farm, an the bigger you are the more chance ah’ll get some earth pony’s, you pegasi cause enough trouble and ah can barely handle you. When are you gettin’ married, I want to be sure I get the invitation to the Apple family’s out in time.”

I stood still taking in the questions, panicking when she mentioned foals, I’m not ready for foals yet. No, definitely not ready for foals. One step at a time right?

“Uh well, I need to invite some ponies of my own, and there are two people I’d like Mac to meet before the wedding, I think we could hopefully decide on a date after he meets them.” I gave a small blush of embarrassment, how could I get married if my parents haven't met Mac? My wings twitched with the hope they’d like him.

“An who does he have to meet Dash?” AJ asked, tilting her head with confusion, she knew he’d met most if not all of my friends, and a few of my family members.

“Some close family I haven’t seen in a long time, I just need Twilight to get her charmed item for him to wear since they’re pegasi.” I shrugged trying to pass it off as a simple meet-up, her face wanted more of an explanation but I didn’t want to make the situation bringing up my parents when none of their parents were alive anymore. Mac just stared at me, since this was the first I’d mentioned of it.

“Come on, lets eat then we’ll head over to see Twilight, I’ll take you to see them tomorrow OK, i’ll call ahead so that they know where coming” He nodded, handing me an empty plate so we could all eat.

Once were were finished eating I leaned back satisfied, a grin on my face.

“Granny that was awesome, you’re the best cook ever.” Granny grinned. Her eyes sparkling as she looked at me.

“Years of practise, I’ll be sure to make you as good a cook, ah don’t want my grand-foal to go without.”  I felt my heart-beat increase when she mentioned foals again, I took a deep breath and smiled, it would be better to stay quiet than get into an argument with Granny.

“Granny, ah don’t think that we’re ready for foals yet, we’re still planning the wedding after all.” I blushed lightly hearing the slight dawl in my voice, I must be spending too much time with the Apples. I let out a relieved sigh at her words, foals hadn’t been something we’d talked about much before. I nervously ran my hoof through my mane and smiled.

“Yeah, I um, I’m going to call my family.” I flapped my wings to leave the room sooner, hoping Mac saw my discomfort, rather than assuming that foals wasn’t in my future plans. I made my way upstairs so that nobody would see my message. I made it as brief as I could, wanting to explain to my parents everything in person. Guilt washed through my body, I hadn’t even told them about Mac, let alone that we were engaged. I took a deep breath, they know me well enough they’ll understand. I sealed it closed as I noticed Mac had entered the room.

“You OK?” I nodded and gave him a smile, waving the letter slightly between my hoof.

“Yup, I’ll get spike to make it an express delivery, heh.” He smiled, and walked to his bed, sitting to see me. He glanced at the door before clearing his throat.

“Ah’m sorry about Granny, ah know she makes you feel uncomfortable, she doesn’t realise sometimes.” I laughed it off, bumping my nose against his.

“It’s fine, a little awkward but nothin’ I can’t handle. She’s being Granny.” He chuckled, and rolled his eyes, putting his nose against mine.

“So, who’s the letter for?” I grinned, I’d had time to think how this was going to go.

“Some family I want you to meet, why are you worried?” He snorted at me, his lazy eyed look opening for a split second, and I couldn’t help but giggle at him, it always amused me when he did that.

“Dash.” He started, knowing he wanted this to be a serious talk.

“You’ll meet them soon, trust me Mac. I-I’m sure that you’ll like them, and I know they’ll think you're awesome, now I’ll go and deliver this.” I didn't give him time to answer before I had the letter in my mouth and was out of the window heading to the library. I didn’t rush the way there, I wanted to have time to think, besides I’d already had a LONG day with the girls, if they were at Twilight’s now I’d probably wait until they left.

I slowed as the large tree grew bigger in my sights, then began to lower myself getting in-line with the door to tap three times. I willed Spike to answer, dropping to the floor to give my wings a rest as I waited. I began to paw at the floor with impatience though it had barely been a minute before the door opened.

“Oh, hey Rainbow Dash, what can I do you for?” I handed him the letter, a small smile on my face.

“Actually, I was wondering if you would use your skills to get this on an express delivery.” He looked at the address and frowned.

“Uh, who’s it for.” I turned from him, spreading my wings, arching my head back to answer.

“My parents.” I flapped my wings, gliding back to Mac’s house, all I needed now was the enchanted cloud-walking hooflet.