Iron and Blood: We Dear Sisters

“Careful, careful!” Pinkie said through clenched teeth as she helped Mr. and Mrs. Cake guide the cake over to the food table in the back of the visitor center’s meeting hall that overlooked the valley of Salt Rock Plateau. The dried lakebed of the once-mighty lake was a mineral-rich patch of desert that naturally divided the northern plains of the Earthen Republic and the Dirt Federation and the dense mountainous forests of Unicorpia and Zebrin.

Gently setting the wedding cake on the table, Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief.

“You seemed more worried than we were.” Mrs. Cake giggled as she patted the filly’s head.

Pinkie rolled her eyes as she fixed her bonnet. “I wasn’t that worried.” Mrs. Cake raised her brow and crossed her arms which caused her to blush. “Maybe a little….” Pinkie looked at the cake. She gawked at the white frosting base, with blue and red trimming and rock patterns beautifully crafted from different colored fondant. “It turned out so good.”

“Well, you and your sister did help.” Mrs. Cake bent down and pinched her cheeks. “You two did such a wonderful job.”

Pinkie blushed and playfully pushed Mrs. Cake’s hands away. “Thanks….” She giggled as she looked over at Limestone placing her music sheets on the piano’s stand. Her eyes went wide as she scanned for her twin sister. “I need to get ready!”

Mrs. Cake stared at the filly as she disappeared into the small crowd of family members and friends mulling about the hall or finding their seats.

“What’s gotten into her?”

Mrs. Cake looked over her shoulders and saw an older earth pony stallion with a grey mustache and pinkish-blue eyes. “Oh, I’m not sure….” She smiled as she gave him her hand. “Mr.?”

“Opal.” The stallion took her hand and gave it a firm shake. “I’m Cloudy Quartz’s older brother.” He looked through the crowd and saw Pinkie standing next to Marble and Ruby and watched them as they looked into their baskets. “So, my niece helped you make this cake?”

Mrs. Cake nodded. “Both her and Marble.” She eyed the cake. “They sure do like baking.”

Opal laughed. “Marble will follow Pinkie wherever she goes. And do whatever she does.” He looked at the cake. “Can’t believe Maud is getting married.” He looked over at the arbor.

“Time moves too fast.” Mrs. Cake commented as she looked at her husband laying out the rest of the treats they had cooked on the table. Seeing the clock at the back of the visitor center, she hummed as she turned around. “It’s about time.”

“So, it seems.” Opal saw the officiant walking down the aisle to the arbor. “Looks like I’ll be taking my seat.”

“So will we.” Mrs. Cake nodded as she motioned to her husband to follow.

“Crap, I’m shaking!” Obsidian rubbed his hands together.

“Dude, relax.” Jasper, his childhood friend, said as he patted his shoulders. “You got this. You’re just marrying the love of your life.” He wrapped an arm around him. “And once you do, your life will no longer be the same.”

Obsidian sucked in a breath and let out a moan through clenched teeth.

“That didn’t help much.” Flint, Obsidian’s cousin, stated.

“Oh, he’ll be fine….” Hearing the piano, Jasper peaked his head from the hall they were standing in and saw Limestone playing a melody. “Okay, it’s time to go!” He pushed Obsidian towards the hall and patted him on his shoulder. “We’re right behind you.”

Obsidian let out a held breath and made his way to the arbor. Seeing his mother standing by the beginnings of the center aisle, he offered her his arm. “Are you ready?” His mother asked as she wrapped her arm around his.

“Uh…” He looked at the officiant standing at the podium under the arbor. “I think so?”

Rose Sapphire giggled. “Your father was the same way on our wedding day.” Arriving at the arbor, she let go of her son’s arm and took her seat. “Good luck,” She whispered.

Obsidian gave his parents a nod as he stood beside the arbor. Seeing his friend and cousin taking their places behind him, he took a deep breath. Seeing Miss. Cheerilee and Sandy taking their places on the other side of the arbor, he took another breath and slowly let it out. “Here we go….” He whispered to himself.

“Here we go.” Cloudy Quartz hummed as she did the final touches to Maud’s mane.

Maud stared at herself through the mirror. She smiled at the last-minute additions her mother’s friend made to the wedding dress. It looked amazing, well, in her opinion, at least. The last-minute additions didn’t disappoint. The rich navy-blue fabric she wanted to be added to the shoulder straps highlighted her neck and shoulders. The gold stitching added to the gown’s seams made it look silky and light as a feather.

“Told you it would look perfect.”

Maud looked at her mother and smiled. “Thanks.”

Her mother hummed. “I always loved your smile. How rare it can be.” She placed her hands on her shoulder. “It's always a treat to see it.” Her smile faded as she heard the piano’s melody seep into the bridal room. “You grew up to fast.”

“We knew this day was coming,” Maud stated. “It is expected of us.”

“I know.” Her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You should get going.” She pulled the veil over her daughter’s eyes. “Your father is waiting for you.” She guided her to the door.

Opening the door, Maud saw her father waiting for her. “Hello, Pa.” She smiled.

“Hello, dear,” Igneous smirked as he took her arm. “He’s waiting.” He walked her to the arbor.

Turning the corner, Maud saw Obsidian standing at the arbor in the distance. A nauseous feeling overcame her as she walked with her father. Since she was little, she imagined this day. How couldn’t she, when she was taught in school and church that it was the responsibility of every filly and colt to get married and start a family.

Exiting the hallway and entering the meeting hall, Maud’s body tensed up as she felt the gaze of her and Obsidian’s family members staring at her. To keep her mind at ease, she watched her twin sisters and Ruby as they tossed flower petals on the floor in front of her.

Obsidian felt a shiver go down his spine as he eyed his bride. His mind couldn’t comprehend how beautiful she looked to him. Feeling his mouth going dry, he moved his tongue around and smacked his lips…. “Uh…” He said as Maud took her place in front of him.

Maud couldn’t help herself as she let her dull lips smirk at his facial expression.

The officiant smiled at the two as he laid down his book on the podium. “Welcome loved ones on this day, for it's such a lovely day for a wedding. Spring is approaching, and the sun is gracing the land with its warmth. And with spring, it’s the season for life to start anew….” He looked at Maud and Obsidian. “And for things to take shape. Such as this union of two coming together by the grace of the Lord himself.”

The officiant looked at Obsidian and bowed his head.

Obsidian took Maud’s hands. “I, Obsidian, promise to love you and protect you. To provide for you and our children. To be the husband God expects me to be and never harm you as long as we are together until death.”

Maud felt his grip tighten around her hands, and she did the same. “I, Maud, promise to love and honor you. To fulfill my duties as a wife and mother to our children. To be the wife God expects me to be and never question your wisdom as long as we are together until death.”

The officiant smiled as he placed a box on the podium. Opening the box, he revealed their wedding rings to the bride and groom. “Will you take your rings?”

Maud stared at the ring on the right. It was a gold ring with a beautiful five-carat ruby gemstone surrounded by eight point-five-carat round diamonds, making it look like a flower. Obsidian stared at the ring on the left and saw that it was a four-carat blue sapphire gemstone flanked on all four sides by oval-shaped two-carat diamonds.

Seeing both staring at their rings, the officiant coughed as he raised his brow at Obsidian. Obsidian blushed as he picked up Maud’s ring, breaking from his mindless haze.

He took Maud’s right hand and extended her ring finger out. Swallowing his nerves, he smiled as he held up the ring. “With this ring, I Obsidian, take you, Maud, as my wife. To cherish you for who you are. Respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me through all our years and all that life may bring us.” He slid the ring on her finger.

Maud wiggled her fingers, filling the ring on her hand. Smiling, she grabbed Obsidian’s ring and looked at the young stallion. She felt her throat tighten as she looked into his blue eyes. She chastised herself internally. She’s made it this far; she couldn’t back out now…. “With this ring, I Maud, take you, Obsidian, as my Husband. To cherish you for who you are. Respect your integrity and have faith in your abiding love for me through all our years and all that life may bring us.” She slid the ring on his finger.

The officiant smiled as he closed the box. “By the power invested in me by God and the Earthen Republic, I now pronounce you husband and wife!” He smiled at Obsidian. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Obsidian wasted no time and pulled Maud into a kiss. Maud was shocked by the suddenness, but she soon melted in his embrace as she returned the kiss. The visitor center’s hall erupted into an orchestra of cheers as both sides of the families clapped, hollered, and whistled at the newlyweds.

Pinkie was nearly going to explode as she spun her basket around, sending the remaining flower petals everywhere. “ITS TIME TO PARTY!” She cheered as she threw her basket into the air. The basket summer saluted several times before landing on Obsidian’s head. The cheers stopped as all eyes fell on him.

Obsidian patted the basket on his head as he stared at Pinkie. Pinkie blushed as she put her hands behind her back. “Um, oops.” She said through clenched teeth.

Maud put a hand to her lips as she tried to hide her giggles. Obsidian rolled his eyes as he took off the basket. “And it’s a party we’re going to have!” He placed the basket on Pinkie’s head. “You heard her!” He picked her up in his arms. “Let’s celebrate!” Pinkie giggled as she wrapped her arms around her brother-in-law.

Maud and Obsidian sat next to each other at a table by the back wall. From their seats, they had an eye on everyone attending their wedding. Both their families were intermingling at the tables within the dining hall of the visitor center. Maud looked out and saw her parents speaking with Obsidian’s parents. “Seems like they’re enjoying their conversation.” Maud hummed as she whispered into her husband’s ear.

Obsidian looked at their parents and smirked as they watched their fathers laugh up a storm. “I think so.”

“What do you do?” Maud turned her gaze from her parents and looked at Pinkie talking to one of Obsidian’s friends at their table.

“Oh, I work in the coal mines,” Jasper stated as he sipped his cider. “I push the coal mining carts to the lifting platform that takes them to the top.”

“So, you’ve seen our pa?” Pinkie tilted her head as she took a bit of her salad.

“Yeah, but I have to say I expected him to be really scary, given Obsidian’s description of the stallion.” He teased as he gave his friend a shit-eating grin.

Obsidian placed his face in his hands. “I said he was a little intimidating.” He groaned. Maud kept a straight face while she held in her laughter. Obsidian sensed her cheeky mood, turned around, and gave her a playful frown. “I’m going get you later for that.”

Maud crossed her arms. “Are you sure?”

Limestone rolled her eyes at their playful bantering. Looking over the crowd of family and friends, she let out a huff as she stood up and held up her glass of nonalcoholic apple cider. “Attention!” The earth ponies stopped their chattering and looked at her. Limestone felt her chest get slightly heavy now that she was the center of attention, but she swallowed her fears and gave the crowd a smile. “I would like to say a few words about the newlyweds!” She looked over at her sister and her brother-in-law.

Maud felt her cheeks blush, but she kept a straight face as she stared at the crowd and her sister wide-eyed. Obsidian choked on his cider. He nervously tried to save face as he coughed into a napkin and gave the families a sheepish smile.

Limestone smirked at the newlyweds. “I just want to say a few words about my sister and the stallion that stole her heart.” She gave Obsidian a sly smirk which caused him to fidget with his cup of champagne. Maud could feel her cheeks getting hotter. She kept her composure, but her eyes shot her sister a look of utter fear at being the center of attention. Limestone knew this and was enjoying every second of it. “I have to say it's still surreal that we’re here. It only feels like yesterday that we ran into Obsidian four years ago.”

She walked up to Obsidian and placed her left elbow on his right shoulder. “Did you know he almost dropped his root beer float on his lap when he first laid eyes on her?” She allowed the crowd to laugh at her words. She wiggled her eyebrows at Obsidian. He grumbled as he tried to hide from the world. Maud was staring at her sister in horror at what was coming.

“He was so nervous he couldn’t get a word out, but I think it was a match because this doofus managed to make my sister smile with his charm.” She winked at her sister. “His charm was so strong it even caused Maud to start fumbling over her words when she started talking to him.”

Limestone looked at her twin sisters. “I have to say, it was a fun four years giving the two love birds a hard time.” She looked at her parents and her sister’s parents-in-law. “What are siblings for if not teasing their sister about her love life?” She looked back at Maud. “We may have been a little impatient to see you get married.” She gave her a soft smile. “But we’re excited to see you guys grow as a couple…. And start a family…. Like you always wanted….” She felt her chest get tight.

Maud broke her dull face and smiled as she stood up and hugged her sister. Pinkie and Marble jumped up and joined them. Ruby, feeling left out, hugged her brother. Obsidian let out a laugh and hugged her back.

Feeling pride, Igneous stood up and held his champagne high in the air. “I want to say to the Flint family on behalf of the Pie family. Welcome to the family!”

Onyx, Obsidian’s father, stood up and held up his champagne. “And on behalf of the Flint family. Welcomed to the family!”

The other family members and friends held up their glasses and toasted along with the two families' patriarchs.

“Cut the cake!” A family member shouted.

Hearing cake, Pinkie felt her body shiver as she grabbed her sister’s and brother-in-law’s hands. “Cut the cake! Make it official!”

“Pinkie!” Obsidian laughed. “I think it's official.” He held up his hand, showing off his ring.

Pinkie grumbled and rolled her eyes. “Make it even more official!”

Maud held her laughter as she walked up to the cake with her husband. Maud stood left of the cake, and Obsidian stood right of the cake. Pinkie jumped back as she squealed out her cheers. Marble, Ruby, and Limestone looked at her with wide eyes.

Shaking her head at her sister’s antics, Maud picked up the knife along with Obsidian and held it over the top tier of the cake. Giving her husband a nod, they pushed the knife through the cake. Cutting a wedge together, they placed the slice on a plate.

Maud studied the orange custard-filled chocolate cake. Her snout tickled at its rich flavors. ‘Of course….’ She looked at Pinkie and Marble, who put their hands behind their backs and tried not to make eye contact with her. Looking at her husband, she picked up a fork, scooped up a bite, and put it to his lips. Obsidian smiled and took a bite as he gave her a bite of cake. She slowly took a bite and gave a small hum as she chewed the cake. “Who wants some?”

Maud stood on the steps to the visitor center, watching Obsidian with his family checking the back of the putter-wagon, making sure that it had everything they needed for their trip to the hotel. She sighed as she looked into the now empty visitor hall and saw the staff sweeping the floor and wiping down tables.

“So, did you enjoy your wedding?”

Maud looked over her shoulder and saw her mother standing with her father and sisters. “Yes.” She gave her mother a soft smile. “Thank you for helping me….” Maud was shocked as her sisters hugged her. Blinking her shock away, she looked down at her siblings and returned the hug.

Igneous walked up to his daughter and placed a hand on her cheek. “I’m proud of you, sweetheart.” He stroked her chin. “Have a fun trip, and make sure he treats you right.” He kissed her forehead.

Maud’s chest felt heavy as she hugged her father. “I love you.” She ended the hug and looked over at her husband. Seeing that she was looking at him, he waved with a smile. Looking back at her family, she gave them a small wave as she walked to the putter-wagon.

Obsidian opened the passenger side door and helped her in the vehicle. Feeling like someone was staring him down, he looked over his shoulder and saw Igneous giving him a stern glare. Obsidian felt his cheeks blush as he looked at his father. His father just shrugged his shoulders and nodded his head at the putter-wagon. Obsidian swallowed a lump and waved at Igneous and his family before getting into the wagon.

“Are you okay?” Maud wondered, studying his flustered expression.

“Um….” He started the putter-wagon. “Yeah, your Pa is just giving me a look….”

Maud rolled her eyes. “Pa….” She groaned as they drove off.

“Why did you give him that stare?” Cloudy Quartz asked her husband.

“Just reminding him that she’s still my little filly.” Igneous smirked.

Cloudy Quartz shook her head. “That poor colt.”