She could feel her heart beating a million times a minute, and for the life of her she couldn’t understand why. It wasn’t as though this were an official ceremony or anything, it was just an excuse to celebrate because they’d missed out months ago. Why was she nervous about a wedding she’d already accomplished?

Twilight knew why full well and was forced to turn away from her reflection, lest she catch sight of the grin. She was nervous because she was excited! Desperately, joyously excited; she was adorned in a beautiful wedding dress, and she was about to see Cadance dressed the very same. The moment she’d daydreamed of, drooled over, wished for was actually happening! Her bride was cancer-free and they were going to get to enjoy this ceremony once and for all!

A knock came from the door and in walked Sunset, her Maid of Honor and the best attendant she could have asked for. Better suited to dealing with her more emotional moods than perhaps Rarity would have been –who was more perfectly suited for Cadance- the two longtime friends had worked well in seeing this makeshift ceremony come to life. And despite its significance being long dampened by the actual wedding being months prior, everyone was just as excited as ever.

“Hey, look at you!” Sunset said, her smile as warm as her voice as she entered the quiet dressing room that brimmed with the scent of jasmine. “I think you’re going to drive Cadance nuts just by the sight of you, she’s been begging for hints of how you look for ages now.”

“I’m amazed I haven’t tried to do the same, honestly,” Twilight replied, wondering if something was wrong with her in the fact that she hadn’t. “I bet she’s so beautiful, and just- I really get to see her in her wedding dress…”

“Yeah, you do. And it’ll be a great time.” Dressed in a sky-blue bridesmaid dress, the softhearted woman slid down into a seat beside her friend in the hopes of deciphering the numerous emotions that still ran beneath those features. “So why are you so nervous about everything?”

“Nervous? I’m not-”

Her protests were cut short by a wave of Sunset’s hand. “It’s all over your face. What’s got you so worked up? Cadance is cancer-free, you’re celebrating the fact that you’re married, and all of us are ecstatic for you! But you look like you’ve got something on your mind, and I’m wondering why.”

She didn’t really have anything that could dampen her spirits; really, she didn’t. But Sunset’s perception wasn’t all that incorrect, despite what her mind told her heart. “It just doesn’t seem really real.”

Sunset remained silent for now, allowing only a quiet smile to form on her face as she allowed her friend the space to continue. This was to be an important matter, not some trifling conversation; there would need to be plenty room for Twilight to speak.

“I mean, just- look at what’s happened this year alone,” Twilight said. Her voice was soft, small and meek as though speaking her words would break the spell that had brought her such good fortune. “Cinch and Mom, and then the diagnosis with the surgery… and that’s not counting everything that’s happened way before this.”

She hadn’t been present for most of it, and Twilight had flatly refused to provide further details as to what had transpired in the early days of she and Cadance’s relationship; shame she understood, but the young woman would not even provide the smallest hint. Sunset had often wondered if she should ever ask Rarity or Cadance what had gone on, but wisdom told her the information would have been provided to her if it were pertinent.

“I just… I really thought I’d lose her,” Twilight continued, and her words began to choke upon themselves. “But this is really happening, and she wants to marry me. How am I going to be good enough for her when she’s been so amazing?”

Sunset gave a long, droning sigh that grew in strength alongside her grin, recalling the few words she’d managed to swap with the bride who now dwelt in the room just beside them. “Unbelievable. You both are nuts.”

“What does that mean?”

“You really think she isn’t saying the exact same thing about you right now?” Sunset asked, her skepticism regarding this unnecessary humility left rocked when she saw Twilight’s expression turn to confusion; she really believed that Cadance was out of her league. “Cadance has been gushing about you for days now. Says that you’re the best person ever, she’s been trying so hard to get Rarity to spill the beans about your dress that she almost got her mouth duct-taped shut. How do you not know this by now?”

“But I mean-” Twilight floundered for a little while longer. “She… she’s so strong. And I was just so scared…”

“And she was terrified, sick… and guess who was there to help her every single time? Hmm?” Sunset would not see Twilight turn morose, not on a day like this; when the happiness was overwhelming, she would fight like hell to ensure it never turned against its makers. “You and Cadance are perfect together. Absolutely perfect. And you know why?”

“Ummm…”

“Because you’re devoted to each other,” Sunset explained. “Because you keep choosing each other, keep putting one another ahead of yourself. She does it for you, and look how much that’s done for you. I swear, I bet you’ll both breathe your last at the exact same time. You’re as close to soulmates as anyone could be.” Her solemn face split into a grin. “So enjoy today! You get to marry a hot piece of ass and enjoy it for the rest of your life, why bother with any stupid self-pity?”

Twilight considered the advice, nodding her head as she tried to accept its wisdom. “Yeah. Yeah, I know you’re right,” she admitted. “I guess I just-”

“You’re thinking too much about something stupid,” Sunset insisted. “So think about how Cadance is gonna look when you see her in that wedding dress. Try for me.”

Twilight remained silent; the image was so easily conjured in her head, the sight of that glorious woman adorned in snow-white colors and striding towards her. Elegant fabrics as she marched up that path to where they would unify hands and celebrate- not just a union, but a life free of danger after so much trial and fear. No cancer, no dimmed future, just a bright and wonderful dawn as they at last celebrated something wonderful!

“There you go! Keep focusing on that instead,” Sunset said, proud as she took in Twilight’s growing smile. “Gosh, Twilight, I am… oh gosh, you need to get moving. Cadance will almost be ready!”

Only the briefest brushings of makeup found their way upon her face before Twilight was hustled out of her dressing room by her friend and into the crisp fall air. She’d never felt lovelier, simplicity and regality combined to form the wondrous things now adorned her skin: a beautiful gown that just slightly trailed along the ground behind her feet, an ornate floral pattern across its as the white fabric crept towards her waist. Backless though the dress was, across her torso was a thin covering of elegant lace, her chest concealed beneath an additional layer of white satin that hid her bosom ever so slightly, the form beneath remaining despite the lack of cleavage that could be found. With a small, thin veil draping from her hair and beyond her eyes, Twilight could only imagine how she appeared to the world around her. Beauty barely concealed, made ready and kept waiting solely for one soul in this entire world.

There came the swelling sound of a marital march, and alongside a bright-faced man in his elderly years came the sight of which Twilight had never dared to dream she’d see. Oh my goodness, the sight of Cadance! No blemish could be found upon her, not in all the possible realms and worlds across the whole of the universe! How the gown clung to her form and accentuated the sensuality of her form- and the gold trim along her gloves! The brightness of the silk that made her shine with the brightness of pale starlight, so perfectly matching the glow of joy on her face as she wore it; never, in all her life would she lay eyes upon someone so beautiful and wonderful.

Twilight had always been grateful that Cadance was her bride; six months of marriage in desperate circumstances had done nothing to change that. But now came the fruits of their labor, revealed in such a splendor through this wondrous wedding ceremony that had been held off for far too long. Now came the harvest, and how they would reap!

Cadance looked upwards from her feet as they traced the ground and let her gaze trail to the woman who awaited her, lovely features barely concealed behind the thin lace of a veil that was meant only to elicit further desire and longing, to make her yearn to find those lips behind its covering and see them properly kissed. And so Cadance looked upon her bride and smiled, a shimmering in her eyes as tears took hold at the sight; she wept to see her, at the mere sight? Twilight felt herself wriggle with happiness at the feeling the adoration in those eyes. Here they were at last, and the daydreams could not hope to compare to the reality that lay before her.

“You look perfect,” Cadance whispered as she came to Twilight’s side, struggling to hold back from leaning in and stealing those lips early. “You ready?”

“Of course.” Hands intertwined and held firm, glad for this public announcement. Today was not formality or ceremony, but would instead be a celebration. All it would take was one simple proclamation and the festivities would begin; the party was coming.

There was a sound somewhere in the background, above the ringing in her ear. What was that simple noise, rhythmic and slow behind the maelstrom of chaos that threatened to overwhelm her. More than she could hope to withstand; there was simply so much pulsating, agonizing noise that she could feel it somewhere in the depths of her skull. An echo that reverberated from within and across every fiber of her being, the sensation so strong that it should have brought pain, but was instead numbed by a cool, liquid something entering into her from a space beyond.

Where am I? The question should have been an easy thing to answer, merely brought about by the lifting of eyelids to reveal the world about her. But so much of her body held a terrible, vicious weight that even the slightest movement seemed to be primed for a monumental struggle. It would be wildly difficult to achieve even the simplest action now. But she had to try. An instinct in her brain told her she must do so, find a means by which she could bring about a relief to the dulled throb that came from the cacophony of life about her. Was it person, place, or thing that did this to her now? She could hardly tell.

She sucked in a breath and found it a struggle; pain like a bloodied bruise across her front came as chest expanded to make room for air. Oh, heavens how this hurt! But by God, she needed this oxygen in her blood if she was to open her eyes. Somehow she knew it. Just a little further, a little more air- there. That should be enough. Holding her breath for a moment longer, she scrounged up the effort to see steel eyelids fight against physical form and the soft strangeness of unknown object upon her features to crack them open at last, the rims of her eyes crusted and glazed over by a strange gob of fluid. Surely she had not had them shut for that long?

The world was white; pure white, small pinpricks of light beaming through miniscule holes that seemed to be everywhere and yet impenetrable all at once; she could see white and light, but nothing else. Whatever it was that was about her face was opaque and unwilling to provide information to her current senses. I wonder what this is for.

Try as she might to recall much of anything, there was only failure; where she was, what had happened, or even who she was could not be ascertained. If only this miserable, mysterious thing upon her was not present! Panic began to set in, too deprived of sight to feel comfortable. She needed to see who she was, where, and why; this phantom that dogged her vision had to go.

Reaching up to her face could not be accomplished. Arms felt as though they were filled with lead, muscles seizing as their protests cried out against her actions. No, they told her; you will not see this fog lifted by the works of your own hands. She could hardly move a mere inch! Panic became terror and she knew that the effort to come next would have to be a valiant one; hold fast all of her effort and rise from this place, see the clouds parted- or Hell have her! A huff of air and she pulled herself away from her resting place.

A hideous pain like molten steel erupted across her body and snuffed out all oxygen and life within her-

The bathroom’s cold, quiet atmosphere was welcome to her. It fit the mood so perfectly that Cadance half-wondered if she’d purposely waited for a gloomy day to come by so she could finally indulge this deluge of emotion. The rain poured down, hard and fast against the windows of the nearby bedroom, the hefty storm bereft of rage but brimming with tears; she would not have to find her bare body rocked by the chaos of a summer squall today.

The sight of her reflection haunted her; though she knew it was herself that stared back, the appearance she possessed was so starkly different that it was difficult to recognize. Who was this strange woman that sat in her home, naked and on the cusp of the tub as she took in her visage? Surely this was not Cadance, the fair and beautiful. She’d always been lovely, kept wondrous and desirable by natural gift and rigorous effort. Though service of her ego had not been the intent for several years, the vanity that still lingered beneath the surface cried out in horror as she took herself in.

Thin hair that lay limp across her head, not even long enough to reach down beyond her ears yet. How much had she pulled out in recent days? Part of her wondered if she should have simply gone bald; pride had demanded otherwise and now look at her. But this unkempt look did fit so perfectly with the blotches upon her pallid skin where bruises had come so easily to life- the skinny, ravaged body void of any health, and just how deeply it sagged. All of her had been utterly spent in this toxic fight against a hideous tumor, its onetime presence still remembered in the form of a long, red scar that ran from the sunken absence where a splendid bosom had once rested and up to the edge of her neck.

She’d once called herself beautiful. But looking at her appearance in the mirror, Cadance wondered if she was something that had crawled out of a child’s horror story. There was more similarities with the nightmares of fantasy than anything lovely now.

“I wondered where you’d gone…” A soft, cheerful voice came in from the bedroom and brought a warmth to her cold misery; Twilight appeared from beyond sight and leaned against the bathroom counter as she took in her wife’s melancholy expression. “Goodness, I think you’ve got the right idea. No clothes sound way better right now, it’s super stuffy in this house. I think something’ wrong with the AC-”

“I know you’re trying to help, but please stop trying to be funny right now,” Cadance whispered, not even able to glance in the young woman’s direction. She hoped her words hadn’t come across as cruel; Twilight had been such a boost to her spirits, always there to look after her and care for her when the chemo had been too much. Always there to clean up every mess, all of her sickness, and never once complaining; she was just too good for Cadance to be around, and the thought that even now she still tried to aid her was just painful.

True to form, Twilight’s half-smile faded as she took note of her bride’s seriousness. “OK,” she said. “But I don’t think it’s good that you’re sitting up here all alone and trying to be miserable.”

“What should I be doing instead? Pretending to be happy?” Cadance asked. The question held no bluntness, that emotion too taxing to be utilized right now; her inquiry was made in earnest.

“I think you should let me help a little bit more, actually,” Twilight answered. Taking a small space beside Cadance on the rim of the bathtub, a hand came about her wife’s bare midriff so as to provide a little extra comfort- and to prevent any means of escape. “Feel like talking about it?”

“No,” Cadance admitted. She knew it would probably be best, but the thought sounded awful right now.

“OK, then. Do you want me to go away?”

“… No, please.”

“Then I’ll stay.”

The two newlyweds sat there in the quiet together, allowing the heavy pitter-patter of rain against house and home to fill the gap as each tended to their own thoughts. What could Twilight say that would remedy this mess she’d become? What could she hope to say in return that could be anything close to a proper explanation? It was such a tumult in her mind that it seemed rather impossible to succeed. Surely she should just stay silent.

So she spoke. “I’m hideous,” Cadance murmured. She had never looked at her reflection and ever come to such a conclusion, but this one could not be denied; sagging white skin bleared with the remnants of bruises, tired eyes that struggled to remain open, flaccid hair that was only halfway grown both in length and placement, and that ungodly scar! What part of her remained that hadn’t been untouched by the result of her sins? Nothing she knew or believed in was free of the stains she had smeared with the filth that was on her hands. This was not a coincidental punishment, and never had it been…

Twilight said nothing in immediate response, simply allowing her grasp about her wife’s waist to become a little tighter, the smile on her lips fading and turning to something morose. Better to remain silent and let this venom seep out of the wound than to seal it away for another day. What could her words do to remedy all the pain that her beloved’s body had endured, anyway? Could anything make it better?

“Why would anyone love me when I look like this?” Cadance asked aloud. “Like a freak.”

“I would,” Twilight answered, voice so quiet that it hardly registered to her wife’s ears. “I always will.”

“Oh, sure!” Cadance took little effort to begin to weep, the anger and grief at the sight of herself perfectly willing to boil over and send her blubbering. “Because this is acceptable, right? This is perfectly normal, I’m supposed to look like this!”

“I didn’t say that,” Twilight replied in an even tone. “I just said I’m going to love you anyway.”

“But what for?” Cadance demanded to know. What aspect of herself did she have to offer this glorious woman that could hope to be matched? She was beauty- or at least had been. Never had she possessed any qualities that were worth much. “What on earth can I do that’ll measure up to you? Answer me!”

“You’ll be gentle to me. And loving.” Twilight held that wet, ferocious gaze in her own and refused to relent, emotions holding steady against Cadance’s own roiling mind. “Why do you not like yourself? You don’t think how you look dictates who you are, do you?”

“I- but I- what am I if I can’t make you happy?” Cadance struggled to find things to say; she needed reasons to protest and keep this beautiful woman at a distance, away from where she could hurt her by whatever means that came. She could not lash out, could not wound by presence or sight. She need not be the monster she had once been.

“You make me happy. And you always will. Even if you make me sad sometimes, too,” Twilight assured her; not for a moment had her arm relinquished her place about Cadance’s waist, unwilling to let her go and fall into this doleful world. “I love you. And I always have, so don’t think this is going to change anything.”

“That’s stupid,” Cadance hiccupped, trying to push away the tears. “I’m going to be miserable to be around and you know it.”

“Only sometimes. But you’ll be great a lot, too,” Twilight replied. “And you are. Especially when you’re not worried so much about being a good spouse. That’s when you’re wonderful.”

“That’s still stupid.”

“And so am I, I guess,” Twilight answered with a grin. “But I bet I’ll drive you nuts, too. Like I am right now.”

“You are not-” So apt was she to praise Twilight’s every action that her next words would have been in denial of her current feelings. “So maybe every now and then.”

“I’ll have to keep you on your toes, then.”

She couldn’t resist the call, and Cadance found herself laughing; miserable, unhappy, and brimming with pain but still laughing, even as the effort drove her tears and to fall into her bride’s arms. There was so much misery that still had to be dealt with, the torture and pain of these days nowhere near an end; but Twilight was still here, so that meant things were going to be OK. That had to count for something.

“I’m going to get some dinner started,” Twilight announced. “You feel like anything in particular?”

“… Not, really, no,” Cadance answered.

“OK. Guess that means I’ll get to have a little fun, then.” Twilight rose from her place atop the bathtub- only to pause in her rising as she leaned back down to place one solitary, gentle kiss on Cadance’s lips, the soft warmth that came from the gentle press powerful enough to push back against the fetid serpent that had bound itself about the wounded woman’s heart. “I love you. And I will always love you. OK?”

She could give a million different answers; yes, no, anywhere in between. But for now, the best Cadance could do was a simple, “OK.”

Twilight smiled. “There we go, then,” she said, acting as though she’d claimed a permanent victory. “Love you, Princess. Hope you’re hungry.”

Where was she, again? For some reason, there was a part of her mind that said she should know the answer. After all, it wasn’t as though she’d gone anywhere; a lengthy amount of time had been spent lying upon whatever it was that she had supporting her body. Surely she could recall just where on earth she now currently resided. Or had someone had to tell her? It was doubtful that the answer had simply appeared in her mind like a thought. That information had to have been revealed. But by whom- and when?

When the answer to that couldn’t even come to the surface, there was little else to do but simply give up for the time being; if she were to know all the answers, it would have to be explained by someone other than herself. Whatever had transpired, wherever she was… all of it was knowledge she didn’t possess.

Now, what was that noise she heard? There, just beyond the ringing in her ears and the pulsating beat that came at a rhythm; yes, there was something new now. Or had she only just taken notice of it? It sounded as though it was starting to become clearer, beyond the cacophony a different sort of strain was revealing itself. Faint, far off in the distance, but tangible. If only she could concentrate and focus all her attentions upon it. Maybe that would be enough to make things clear.

“… Frac… ere. She… fo… life.” A little clearer now, but still drifting in and out; Her best efforts were not quite enough just yet to break the reverberating hum that still dominated her senses. But perhaps if she tried a little harder, it would start to make sense.

“But… ed? I only… and now you tell-”

There it was! Partial, still fractured, but clearer. That voice had rung so clear in her ears, more powerful than the overloading white noise if only for a moment. She would have to try again and see what came of this next great effort. A rattling, cagey breath and she forced oxygen to remain within her lungs, her gaze darkening and turning to numerous stars and pinwheels behind her lids-

Wait, a change in light! Should she try to open her eyes and see if the world would be revealed to her? Would that help, further info be what was needed to command her senses into working once more? Forcing her eyes to open, she found the world bleary and smeared, but no longer covered by whatever foul shroud had once covered her. There was a stiffness on her forehead, true, a tightness- but she could see. And there were two figures just beyond where she lay, huddled close together and trying to speak. Was one of them familiar? She saw numerous soft colors, and a white outfit of some kind. Something said she was supposed to recognize something about all this. You know this.

“… Details given to us by the police. They’re still investigating the perpetrator, but he was too heavily intoxicated to recall the event. If he hadn’t passed out behind the wheel-”

An entire sentence. She could hear the voice, so crystalline clear now! It would take her utmost concentration, but she could hear! One more intake of painful breath and she waited to hear the response-

“… Conscious at all? Does she- has anyone been able to talk with her?”

“Still in a state of delirium. In and out of consciousness, but nothing tangible.”

Wait a minute. The unknown voice remained as such, but the other she recognized. Someone she knew was in this room. Now she needed a memory, something to trigger a response-

I know that voice! It’s C- So energized by the works of her senses that the revelation forced her to rise from her resting place, and a molten agony bored into her body like hot rivets, enough to steal all breath from her lungs in a strangled cry, the smeared world before her eyes turning black.

Cadance had wondered if she’d ever make it this far. It seemed only yesterday that she had married Twilight; a dreamy ceremony cast to the wayside in favor a courthouse union that would see them made one flesh before the end came. It had been bittersweet, wonderful, and so breathtaking; everything that had transpired that fateful day had been too potent, too powerful for her to fully grasp. Especially when the numerous months that had come after had been so excruciating for them both; surgeries and recovery, illness both natural and man-made. The sorrow and agony, all of it- so much to take in.

Strange to think that all of that life experience was years behind them now. One unbearable, draining first year of marriage. They had worked so hard, holding to each other- and all that work had borne wondrous fruit. Ten years of marriage were to be celebrated today! Ten years filled with so much joy and laughter and love that Cadance could hardly believe it had been her life to experience. And look at whom she’d been able to share it with! Could it have been any better, any more perfect? The thought was impossible. Married life with Twilight was something beyond even the brightest, most pleasant daydream. Life could literally not be better.

There first anniversary had been made wonderful for Cadance’s benefit. The fifth had been much of the same, Twilight’s secret machinations seeing them whisked away to a beautiful resort in the tropics. But this one, the first of their many double-digits? Oh, she would have to see this one made special. Twilight deserved something lovely for once, to be the one doted upon and treated like a princess. After all, she certainly was something close to it.

Cadance had, at first, struggled to come up with a good idea. Twilight was sometimes a difficult person to buy for, and the precedent of their last major milestone was something she felt the need to live up to. But would Twilight want to simply repeat their last journey? It seemed like a hollow gesture; she would need to create a unique experience if this one was to count. Twilight did love books and learning, and her time alongside her bride had allowed a greater sense of feminity; if only there was a way she could use that to her benefit…

The answer struck her so quickly that it was almost shameful that the thought hadn’t been her first one. A road trip! A road trip to famous libraries and cities across the country, aged places brimming with story and culture that would have so much to offer such a mind. Wouldn’t that be something lovely that Twilight would enjoy! And of course, it would have to begin in their sleepy city first; a series of little gifts that would liven up her day and see her brought home glowing…

Cadance was often the first of the two to arrive home; greater rank within her school’s hierarchy allowed for such things, if need demanded it of her. Though perhaps some of the school board would not see it as such, today was something of great importance, a brilliant thing that required her fullest attentions. Arriving a bit early so as to prepare her home, see it made ready for the arrival of her beloved. Christmas decorations were strewn across hardwood floor as she sifted through numerous boxes, but she had need for a few specific things. A few white lights, some satin curtains, some greenery to add to the mix, and some decent weather- which Mother Nature seemed happy to provide.

“See? Everything wants Twilight to get some love,” Cadance boasted aloud, happily setting to work about the house to see the romantic décor set to rights. “Isn’t it nice when things work out? Especially because she deserves it…”

Just how was she to go about the surprise? Truth be told, she hadn’t thought that far ahead. The setting was more important than the delivery when it came to her preparations, so what she needed to do hadn’t yet sunk in. There would be the finale, of course, with Twilight being delighted by the news of their oncoming excursion come Spring Break. But as for the rest? Perhaps she needed to think about it a little once she was done setting the mood.

Ever-present in Cadance was a youthful sort of girlishness, a delight in the sappy and romantic that had come to life in her childhood and not once found the strength to fade. How she loved moments like this! Twilight’s proposal had been the most unexpectedly wonderful thing in the world, so suitable for their relationship. Yes, their initial wedding had been a little unorthodox, but hadn’t the eventual ceremony been perfect? What she was hoping to achieve would be another milestone; an addition to their storied romanticism. And just how many they had to share…

The sound of the door opening sent a thrill through her heart and Cadance felt herself shiver. Oh, she was here! She prayed that Twilight would take her time to read the select notes that hung from the decorations, small gestures of love that were meant to beckon.

“What in the world..?” Twilight’s businesslike demeanor was not prepared for such an intimate gesture, still guarded and built for the working world. Perhaps, out of sight and focused on what had been left waiting for her, she would let down her guard. “Cadance, what did you do?”

The older woman bit her lip and failed to hold back her grin; the sounds of her bride’s delight echoed from the concealed living room and out into the open space of their patio; every new note and letter seemed to make things all the more wonderful for Twilight, her own happiness intensifying. Why had she waited so long to be romantic towards her beloved this way? Twilight deserved to swoon every now and then, too, didn’t she? The thought would be one Cadance would have to hold to for later use. Seduction and sex was nice, but Twilight should be wooed plenty, too.

“Oh my gosh, that is- I didn’t even know she’d remembered that,” Twilight murmured, walking out through the back doors and onto their wood patio, so occupied with the love letters in her hand that she didn’t take note of the woman who stood their awaiting her for a few moments. When her eyes looked up from the words that delighted her, the younger woman’s face came to life in a dazzling smile. “You are amazing! Oh my gosh, the lilacs at work are beautiful- and all these notes! I didn’t expect anything so good as this-”

“There’s just a little more, if you’re willing,” Cadance offered, her own paper in hand as she tried to hold herself together at the sight of her rejoicing bride. “I hope that’s OK.”

“Is it- Oh. Oh my gosh, I, umm… yes, it’s fine, it’s- Umm. Yes, please.” Twilight’s expression turned a tinge of red, pushing back against the squirming happiness that perhaps came a tinge close to embarrassment. Never had she been the one to be treated so royally, this lavish affection more often in the realms of physical than any grand, sweeping gesture. Cadance had already outdone herself and the best was seemingly yet to come.

Cadance smiled at the sight. A quick glance down at the printed words in hand before her voice rang out and said, “She walks in beauty, like the night…”

Twilight’s eyes went wide as she promptly recognized the words. A love poem of Byron’s work, one of her favorite wordsmiths. She knew this one intimately, delighting in the imagery it so eloquently offered to the intricate workings of her mind. So often she had daydreamed these very things, seeing the expressions more properly describing her longtime love than anyone else. But to hear them said to her, meant to describe her? She had never even given such an idea a moment’s thought. But here Cadance stood- reading these very words to her, believing them with all her heart to describe her! ‘A heart whose love is innocent.’ Cadance read that final sentence and the warmth in her eyes spoke so clearly as to her deeply held beliefs that so beautiful a phrase could so adequately describe-

It was almost too much to bear. Well… more than almost. Not one for grand gestures of emotion very often, Twilight promptly burst into tears and leapt into her wife’s arms, ensnaring those wondrous lips in a kiss so fierce that Cadance almost fell back against the wooden floor beneath their feet. Was it something that bothered her? Not in the slightest, the wondrous woman perfectly content to salivate over her spouse’s kisses. No act of physical adoration had ever been something to give her qualms, and Twilight’s lips were no exception; she’d never hungered for anything more in all her life.

“You’re amazing,” Twilight said after their fervor had relented somewhat, the two teary-eyed brides all smiles and eyes meant only for one another. “Thank you, so much, I… I love you.”

“Love you, too, Twilight,” Cadance murmured. “Happy anniversary!”

“It is! This is the best present ever,” Twilight declared. “I loved it, I hope you like what I got you-”

Oh, the fun she would have next. “What, you really think that’s all there is to it?”

The spectacled woman paused in her adorations. “What does that mean?”

Now came the next part of her surprise. “So I might have done a little something,” Cadance teased. “Feel like finding out what?”

There was the routine sound of a slow, fragile heartbeat, giving greater frequency by the monitor behind her. But why was this a thing that currently alerted her senses? Of all the sorts of random noises she could hear, why did she find herself awoken by a heart monitor?

The body in which she dwelt felt so terribly heavy, her bones weighted down by what felt like lead. Movement would be agonizing, if she could even manage it. Could she even move at all, or had she been bound to where she lay? The thought was discomforting no matter how it presented itself. Both would have to be tested at once.

A small raising of her forehead, away from the pillow beneath her; oh, how miserable the action was! Why was a movement so simple something so torturous? An aching pain down her spine, all the way to her very toes, and such a description was not even adequate. To say she felt as though a truck had smashed into her body was insufficient; it was as though the very earth had crashed down upon her form with all its rage and might.

“Ow.”

“Oh my god.” The sound of a voice rang clear in her ears and the bleary world about her suddenly grew in clarity. Opening her eyes to the world about her, she could see a faint, smeared image of a person moving somewhere to her right. Why was this so difficult? Had her vision failed her, too? No, that didn’t seem right; she could hear well enough, and that hadn’t been something she could accomplish prior-

Wait. The memories came flooding back, a torrent so violent that it was enough to sweep her away. Valentine’s Day, date night with Sunset and Pinkie, the car ride home- headlights! The reckless panic that should have overtaken her the moment the car came into view suddenly erupted and she wrestled against her bed, movement only ceased due to the horrendous pain that seemed so eager to keep her immobile.

“Hey, easy- Easy…” The voice of her companion spoke again, further clarity coming to life as she blinked more rapidly. She knew this person, recognized the waves of hair that came in softened colors; Celestia was here in the room alongside her, trying to soothe her frayed nerves. “You’re going to hurt yourself if you keep thrashing like that. Please, stop.”

“Where am I?” Her voice came forth like the croaking of a bullfrog, cracked and miserable from lack of use. How long had she been asleep? “What happened? Where’s-”

“Easy. Please, try to stay calm. You’re- you were… hurt pretty bad,” Celestia said, the last words arriving in a wounded voice. “I… The nurses need to know you’re awake. If you’ll just wait a second-”

“What happened to me?” She would not wait, not for one moment. The panic within her chest demanded relief that only knowledge could provide, and Celestia was the only one present who could see it done. “Where am I, why am I here? Why does everything hurt?”

Celestia looked over to the door before tracing back to her; the expression upon her face was stricken, puffy and sagging from sleepless hours and the burning power of tears. So fervent had she been in seeing movement halted- now her words seemed stuck in her throat, unwilling to be brought to life. “I… You just woke up. You need a moment.”

“I had my moment. Tell me what happened.”

Celestia, despite all freedom of movement, was backed into a corner. “You… you were in an accident,” she murmured. “On the way back home, you were both in, an- he was drunk. And he ran the red light. He hit you.”

The headlights hadn’t been an illusion. “And what-”

“You’ve been going in and out for the past two days,” Celestia continued. “Your back got hurt really bad, and- and your leg was worse. You’ll be able to walk, but, umm, but you’ll- it’ll be a limp and I-”

“Where is she?” It was the only question that had truly mattered, the one she had wanted to ask straight from the start. All of her life depended upon it.

Celestia looked back towards the door, back at her, and everywhere else. Trying to hold against the storm as best she could, anything to stem the flow; a broken rhythm of her mouth opening and closing as she tried to summon strength to speak and failing all the more with each new feeble attempt. There was an agony in her gaze, unable to be ceased with every failing until she could at last prevent the falling of tears no longer. Squeezing shut as the first droplets of salt came and fell down ragged cheeks, she remained silent as her fingers appeared, Twilight’s wedding ring there before them both as a trembling grasp set it within Cadance’s limp palm.

Author's Note

I've seen far too much death in my time. It never gets easier.

Keep reading, I guess.