Despite the rest of the week going by rather normally for the most part, the three mares still couldn't help but be excited. What they had dreamed of for so long was finally going to come true. Colgate and Lemon Hearts went to work as if it were any other day while Twinkleshine stayed at home, did some housework but during most of the day, she would dream of how wonderful her new life would be.

While the week seemed to drag by, when Friday arrived the three were so excited. Colgate had rescheduled her appointments over the next six days until a couple weeks later and Lemon Hearts took a couple of weeks vacation for their honeymoon. The week dragged by for them but Friday seemed to be agonizingly long for them, having to wait the whole day and until well after dark to head to the castle for their private ceremony.

While they knew this was the conditions they began to wonder if they would even be able to tell their families, especially Colgate as she was by far the closest with her relatives. During supper the three began to talk, "So do you think Celestia will even let us share this wonderful news with our relatives?" asked Colgate.

Lemon Hearts replied, "You know, I'm not really sure. I'd be kind of nervous to tell my folks because they are incredibly old fashioned. They frown upon the fact that I like mares enough as it is. If I were to tell them that the three of us got married, they would probably do whatever it took to break this apart, even exposing it to the nation and letting everypony know that Celestia gave us an exception."

Twinkleshine added, "My folks are much more open minded when it comes to me liking mares but a plural marriage is something they would likely not approve of." She looked at Colgate and asked, "Colgate, how do you think your family would react?"

Colgate replied, "Oh I'm sure my family would be perfectly fine with it. I'll be honest, when my folks discovered that I am a lesbian, they were very happy for me. They know of many ponies who like those of the same gender but never go after those they truly love because of fear of being judged and they did not want me to conform to what society prefers and be miserable."

Lemon Hearts said, "Wow, it sounds like your parents are going to be the perfect in-laws!"

Colgate replied, "They're going to love you two. As long as the mare or mares I get with treat me good, they'll welcome them into the family with open hooves."

While they continued to discuss things about their families time seemed to speed by. Before they knew it the time to go had come. Colgate looked up at the clock and said, "Come on girls! It's getting close to ten and Celestia likely wouldn't be happy if we was to be late. We had best get going!"

They hurried out the door and headed towards the castle. They did not gallop through the streets or have too huge of smiles on their faces as they did not want to draw any unnecessary attention to themselves. When they arrived at the palace they were greeted by one of the unicorn guards, "Halt! Who are you and what is your business here?"

Lemon Hearts replied, "Well I am Lemon Hearts and these two are Twinkleshine and Colgate...."

The guard smiled and said, "I'm sorry for the rather gruff question. The princess told me she was expecting you three." He opened the door and asked, "Do you know your way to the throne room?"

Lemon Hearts replied, "Yep! I work here in the castle so I know it quite well."

The guard nodded as they headed into the castle. They remained quiet as they headed towards the throne room but when they arrived Celestia was not sitting on her throne, she was waiting at the doorway for them. She said, "Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, Colgate, it is so good to see you!"

Colgate replied, "It is good to see you too your Majesty!"

Celestia headed towards her throne and said, "Follow me."

Once they reached the throne Celestia grabbed the doors with her aura and shut them. She looked down at the three and asked, "Now is this what the three of you truly want?"

In unison they replied, "Yes your Majesty."

Celestia asked, "Do you remember all the terms and conditions of this?"

Colgate replied, "Yes your Majesty. We are not to advertise it to anypony and we are not to wear horn rings out in public."

Celestia said, "Good, and knowing you three, I know you will stick to your word."

Colgate asked, "Would we ever even be able to tell our families or would they have to think that we are just three lovers living together?"

Celestia replied, "Well it really depends on how your families would take it." She paused and asked, "What are your families views on plural marriages?"

Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts said in unison, "Our families frown upon them."

Celestia looked at Colgate and asked, "And what about your family?"

Colgate replied, "Oh my family already knows about how close Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine are with me. They wouldn't have any problems with it at all. All that matters to them is that I am happy."

Celestia smiled and said, "What a shame everypony else in Equestria isn't like your family. I bet growing up for you must have been rather easy."

Colgate replied, "Yeah, well except for when I would forget to do my homework!"

Celestia chuckled, "I think all parents would be like that." She paused for a moment and continued, "Well let's get this started."

The three stood before the princess as she started, "Colgate, do you take these two mares, Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts to be your lawfully wedded wives, to have and hold through all times better or worse, in sickness and health and not until death will you part?"

Colgate replied, "Yes your Majesty, I do."

She then cast her gaze on Lemon Hearts and asked, "Lemon Hearts, do you take these two mares, Twinkleshine and Colgate to be your lawfully wedded wives, to have and hold through all times better or worse, in sickness and health and not until death will you part?"

Lemon Hearts replied, "Yes your Majesty, I do."

She then looked at Twinkleshine and asked, "Twinkleshine, do you take these two mares, Colgate and Lemon Hearts to be your lawfully wedded wives, to have and hold through all times better or worse, in sickness and health and not until death will you part?"

Twinkleshine replied, "You bet I do your Majesty!"

Celestia smiled and said, "Good. By the power invested in me, Princess Celestia of Equestria, I now pronounce you wife, wife and wife. You all may now kiss."

The three took turns kissing one another while Celestia stood there with a smile on her face. While she was happy for the three, she felt bad that they were not able to have a large ceremony where their friends and families could be present but realized that it was best not only for her, but for their reputations as well, especially Colgate's since she works with the community.

The three hugged Celestia thanking her and telling her how grateful they were that she gave them this exception. Celestia took a couple steps back and placed her wing on her face, looking like she was in deep thought.

The three saw this and became a little concerned. Lemon Hearts asked, "What's wrong your Majesty?"

Celestia, despite being very happy for the three, had a tear running down her face. She said, "I feel so bad that your wedding had to be like this, that it had to be so private and at such a late hour."

Twinkleshine replied, "It's alright your Majesty. We are just happy that you gave us an exception and that we are legally married."

Celestia became sadder and continued, "But it's not alright. It wasn't right of me to do this. You should have been able to share this moment with your family and friends, you shouldn't have to hide the fact that you three are married." She pulled herself together a bit and continued, "I have decided that you should not have to hide this from everypony."

Twinkleshine asked, "Really?"

Celestia replied, "Really. I have decided that you can wear your ring horns in public. It is unfair that you should have to hide your marriage while others can openly show theirs."

Colgate asked, "But what about other ponies coming to you and voicing their concerns over you allowing us to be engaged in a plural marriage?"

Celestia replied, "I'll tell them that I have changed the law, that it will be on a case by case basis that must be approved by me."

Lemon Hearts asked, "What about your sister? What if she sees us out and about and approaches us about it?"

Celestia replied, "Tell her to come and talk to me about it." She put her wing up to her mouth and yawned, "Well I think it might be best if we all got some rest. I have to raise the sun in the morning and I'm sure you three probably have special plans for night." She began to giggle and winked at them, "Like everypony else does on their wedding night!" She giggled more and continued, "Oh and Colgate, don't let them dominate you too much tonight!"

Colgate blushed and replied, "Oh I won't your Majesty!"

As Celestia headed off to her sleeping chambers the newlywed mares headed home, happier than they had ever been. Unlike how they were when they headed to the castle, they were cheerfully laughing and clinging together. When they got home the very first thing that happened was what is expected of newlyweds on their wedding night and despite Celestia's comment, Colgate was all too easily dominated that night.

After their honeymoon and a few days of relaxing at home, Colgate and Lemon Hearts returned to work, wearing two horn rings and when all three of them were out and about, they were questioned as well and as requested, they told them to talk to Celestia. Celestia did have many, many ponies protest her allowing them to engage in a plural marriage, Celestia told them about the new law which for the most part silenced the critics. While Luna at first did not approve of her sister's actions, she could see the happiness in Colgate, Lemon Hearts and Twinkleshine.

Eventually Celestia decided to hold a formal wedding for the three with all their friends and family present, one that rivaled the wedding of Cadence and Shining Armor given that it was the first plural marriage allowed in Equestria in centuries. While she would never admit it, Celestia did allow it because it was between three mares and in the future that is how the case by case basis would work, it would only be for mares marrying other mares.

Author's Note

For those of you who thought the original ending was sad, I hope you like this alternate ending.