Big Mac bit down on his lip, nervously trotting in place. He could feel sweat running down his forehead and onto his dry lips, licking over then quickly. His heart was beating a million times a second, his legs wobbling underneath his own weight. Now Big Macintosh wasn't a skittish pony, but right now he never had been more scared in his life.
He could feel the disapproving glares of Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz pierce through his skin, clearly still upset they weren't having a traditional Amish wedding. While Applejack and stood with Big Mac as his best mare and Pinkie with her sisters as the bridesmaids, the rest of his sister's friends sat in the pews. Rarity looked very irritated, trying to get Rainbow Dash to stop fidgeting in her dress, while Fluttershy sat with Twilight and Braeburn. Said princesses was still very annoyed that she couldn't have served as the priest or at the very least a bridesmaid, the need to play more of an important role in the wedding eating at her. But nooo, they had to have Mayor Mare read the vows. Looking to the bridesmaids, Big Mac felt even more anxious to get this over with. Maud just stared ahead of her blankly, holding her flowers close to her chest as she listened to Pinkie Pie rattle off a bunch of names for Mac and Marble's future foals.
Limestone trotted over to Big Mac, and if looks could kill she'd be shooting bullets at him with her eyes. "Hey, Mac, can I talk to you for a minute?" She asked casually.
He nodded, "Eeyup."
She pulled him nose to nose by his tie, grinding down on her teeth. "If you mess this up for Marble I swear to Celestia I will kick your plot all the way to the moon," She hissed, before letting him go. "Got it?"
He nodded quickly, his throat dry. "E-Eeyup."
Smiling, Limestone trotted back to her standing place.
Feeling a hoof tap him on the shoulder, he snapped his head towards AJ.
"Don't worry, big brother, everything will go as smooth as a foal's behind," She assured him, patting him on the back.
"Now's not a good time to talk bout foals, Applejack," Big Macintosh whimpered through chattering teeth.
Applejack smiled nervously, quickly stepping away.
Big Mac looked towards the rest of the ponies, and there was a clear difference between the two families. While the Pies were mostly dull, monotone ponies whose coats and manes were as gloomy as their attitudes, the Apples were all bright, happy ponies, their coats the same colors as that of a sunset over sweet apple acres on a crisp autumn day. He was just surprised these differences didn't cause a horrible fight or rumble yet, in fact nobody even seemed the least uncomfortable with the other. It was strangely peaceful, and thinking of what could possibly set them all off made his heart pound.
Next thing he knew, the sound of the organ and bells twirled about in his ears, as the large double doors across the alter opened up. Everybody turned, to watch the young bride enter approach the altar. And at the sight of her, Big Mac's heart stopped.
Marble was dressed in a silk turquoise dress, the pink band of fabric holding it all together around her waist. Her hair was bundled up in a bun, but somehow a good chunk still managed to hide half of her face, even more so than the veil that topped her head. Around her neck was a beautiful necklace, in the middle a single shard of an amethyst. Despite how simple it seemed, to Big Macintosh it only made her appear more radiant than ever.
She walked over, doing her best to keep her chin up and head high, but failed miserably. The cutie mark crusaders were already at the front with the bridesmaids and best mares by the time Marble was even halfway down the carpet.
Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes, letting out an audible groan. "Move it Marble!" She yelled, causing Limestone to nudge her sharply in the side with her elbow.
Marble jumped at this, dropping her veil and flowers onto the ground. She slowly bent down to pick them back up, her lack of speed making Pinkie's pink cheeks turn red. Unable to control herself, she zoomed over, grabbing her baby sister by the tail she pulled her to the front of the altar in a matter of seconds. The bride and groom now facing eachother, Pinkie settled back into her spot between Maud and Limestone, both mares proceeding to step on her hoof for misbehaving.
Clearing her throat, Mayor Mare opened up the book in front of her. "Dearly beloved, we are gathers here today to..."
The mayor's voice seemed to get fainter and fainter till all the two could hear was the sound of blood pumping through their heads. Both lightheaded and anxious, the avoided eye contact for a moment, trying to gain composure. Big Macintosh was first, standing tall and slicking back his mane, he flashed a toothy smile.
Lightly cringing, Marble motioned towards her own teeth.
Mac rose a brow, quickly closing his mouth licking his teeth over before opening it again.
Shaking her head, she pointed a bit farther back at her teeth.
He picked at his teeth with his hoof till he finally got the hunk of cabbage out of his mouth, the scrap resting peacefully on the tip of his hoof. He quickly shook it off, it flew all across the room till it landed in the mouth of Trenderhoof, dousing Hayseed Turnip Truck's date for the night. As the two stallions desperately tried to get him to cough it up, Marble and Big Mac shared a soft laugh.
Pinkie Pie responded by leaning in close, shushing them loudly getting her spite everywhere before returning to her calm composure, her eyes focused on Mayor Mare.
The two quickly went quiet, returning to looking about the room doing their best not to make eye contact with anyone. Not even each others. Though, as it was time for them to do their vows, they were both lost in eachother's eyes. The two were leaning in close, muzzles almost touching, in their own little world.
"Do you take Marble Pie to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Big Max nodded, filled with pride, "Eeyup."
"And do you take Big Macintosh to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Marble giggled lightly, "Mmhmm!"
Mayor Mare smiled, "I now pronounce you mare and stallion. You may kiss the bride..."
The two leaned in, their lips almost grazing -
"Big Macintosh? Big Macintosh," He came to his senses, seeing Mayor Mare wave her hoof in front of his face.
He quickly shook his head, looking lost, "Huh? What?"
"Like I said before, do you take Marble Pie to be your lawfully wedded wife?" She sighed, sounding annoyed as if she had repeated this for the hundredth time.
His throat suddenly became dry, words failing him. He opened his mouth, but all that came out was a bunch of mumbles and stutters of absolute nonsense. "I-I-I... uh... I-I, um... no wait - I d-d-" He felt Marble press her hoof against his lips, smiling sweetly. She didn't have to say a word, her eyes telling him to relax.
"Eeyup." He said, feeling as if a massive weight had been lifted off of his chest.
"And do you, Marble Pie, take Big Macintosh to be your-"
Pinkie Pie suddenly jumped up beside her sister, "Well, duh, of course she takes Big Macintosh to be her big red hubby, through all the sickness and in healthy stuff and when they have snotty, dirty foals and what not. Right Marble Pie? Of course you do, right-" Marble quickly covered her sister's mouth with a hoof. Looking relieved her sister finally shut up, she nodded, "Mmhmm!"
"I now, pronounce you mare and stallion. You may kiss the bride~" Mayor Mare smiled.
The room seemed to glow as their muzzles met, the two rubbing noses and their heads against the others so gently, it was like snuggling a pillow. The too, filled with the cheers of friends and family; Twilight sandwiched between Braeburn and Fluttershy, the two clinging to her as they balled their eyes out. Rarity wiped her dripping mascara out of her eyes, Rainbow Dash whistled and hooted a lot with the rest of the stallion. Pinkie Pie was getting water everywhere from the amount of tears she produce, she was like a hose, being comforted by Limestone and Maud who hugged her gently. Applejack wiped a tear out of her eye, having trouble keeping the tears in.
This truly was the happiest day of their lives.
