The wedding was full of joyful tears and happy faces. Mayor Mare officiated the wedding, and half the ponies of the town, and even some from beyond it, attended. Mayor Mare officially tied the two mares together under that special tree. Equestria was a kinder place to such things, and few were the complaints of what Big Mac had been compared to what Big Mac had become.

They had found themselves, and love, and both were reasons to celebrate.

"Congratulations." Barb fired an emphatic thumbs up at Joanamac. "Think I'll find somecreature?"

Joanamac inclined her head. "Well, first question." She directed a hoof at Barb. "Do you want to find a special somecreature? Ain't gotta."

"No... don't have to." Barb frowned with proper thought on the matter. "But I wouldn't mind a little romance..." She colored as the thoughts went. "I miss being able to be all kissy face with Rarity, even if she never did it back..."

Joana ruffled Barb's head. "Then ya will. Ah feel confident."

Elsewhere, Sugar Belle introduced herself to everypony all over again. She wasn't just some visitor, she was part of the community. That was official with the wedding done. She was an Apple, and maybe eventual resident? That was still undetermined for the long haul. "I'm thinking about it," she demured with the latest pony to ask. "I think I might..."

"I say." Fancy Pants stood there, a small plate floating in his magic near him. "This is quite the lovely ceremony."

Joanamac smiled awkwardly. "Yeah, came out good."

"Very good." Fancy nodded. "And good to see you two properly bonded, now... Would it be improper to ask you--"

Joanamac shoved a hoof against Fancy's lips. "Don't finish that!" She held still until Fancy looked like they were ready to stop for the moment. "You ask her. You don't go askin' me. That ain't right. Don't take that from her."

Fancy chuckled softly. "But she will know I tried to ask you, will she not?"

Joanamac flashed a big smile. "So you better ask quick, or she may go insane waitin' for ya. "

The two shared a little laugh, each confident in the matter in their own way.

The reception was in full swing, ponies mingling and dancing joyously. Joanamac smiled watching Sugar Belle laugh with her friends. After everything they had endured, this happiness was well-deserved.

Applejack sidled up next to her sibling, playfully bumping their hips. "Not too late to make a break for it," she teased.

Joanamac chuckled. "And miss all this? Not a chance."

Applejack's expression grew serious. "You know we're all here for you. Both of you. This family's got your back, come what may."

Joanamac pulled her into a one-armed hug. "I know. Couldn't ask for better."

Across the way, Fluttershy was talking earnestly with Sugar Belle. "...so proud of you two! I'm sure you'll be very happy together."

"Thanks, Fluttershy." Sugar smiled warmly. "I feel like I'm living in a dream I don't want to wake up from."

Fluttershy giggled. "Oh, you're sweet. But remember, even good dreams have hard parts. The key is sticking together."

Sugar nodded. "Don't worry - we aren't going into this blind. But with my wife and our family beside us, I know we can weather any storm."

Fluttershy gave her a congratulatory nuzzle. Nearby, Pinkie was organizing party games with infectious enthusiasm. Rainbow Dash cheered the dancing couples while chugging cider.

It was a fine wedding, but weddings were barely the start, and not even that. Things had happened before, and things would follow. Still, as bookmarks went, it was a lovely one.

Orchard Blossom straightened her outfit. It was time for another day, er, night of work! But who was that knocking at her door with a gentle clop clop? "It's not locked," she called, turning to the door as it opened.

Fancy entered with his butler and a maid behind him. Orchard had met both before. "Ah, I caught you before you ran off. May I have a moment of your time." Fancy stood at rigid attention, his servants behind him. "I have a matter of utmost priority to discuss."

Orchard pinned an ear back. "That sounds real serious..."

Orchard Blossom regarded Fancy Pants curiously as he stood rigidly before her. His formal attire and the presence of his staff hinted this was no casual visit.

"Of course, I'm happy to talk," she said. "What's on yer mind?"

Fancy took a deep breath before speaking. "My dear Orchard, since the moment I met you, I have been enchanted by your kindness, integrity and strength."

He stepped closer, gazing into her eyes. "You fill my days with joy and give me hope that together we can build a future filled with love and meaning."

At a subtle nod from Fancy, his butler approached bearing a velvet box. Fancy carefully lifted out an exquisite diamond ring.

"Orchard Blossom, would you do me the profound honor of becoming my wife?"

Orchard's eyes misted over, joy welling up within her. "Oh Fancy...yes! A thousand times yes!"

She threw her forelegs around him in a warm embrace. As they held each other close, the staff discreetly excused themselves to give the couple privacy.

Eventually Orchard drew back, eyes shining. "I can't wait to start our lives together."

Fancy gently slid the ring onto her horn. "My darling, this is a dream come true." He kissed her tenderly. "I swear I will dedicate myself to your happiness."

Orchard nuzzled him affectionately. Though challenges awaited, in this perfect moment all she felt was love and promise. "Ya know," she whispered consiprationally. "Ah knew you were comin'... Ah couldn't wait..." She squeezed him close. "Ah'm so happy right now..."

She reached a hoof for her radio. "This is Orchard Blossom. Officer down. Proposal received."

A brief hiss of static issued forth before the operator replied, "Copy that. Send Fancy Pants our due congratulations. Say, which police force are you inviting to the big day? No way you can fit us all in any one place."

Orchard wobbled with the thought of so many officers. "That'd not be a good idea anyway. Somepony has to keep an' eye on things! We'll, uh, plan that out as the day gets closer. Orchard out." She tossed the receiver aside, that handled. "Whattaya think?"

Fancy chuckled warmly at Orchard's radio announcement. "I should have expected nothing less from my intrepid bride-to-be."

He gently stroked her cheek. "As for the wedding, might I suggest a small, intimate affair? Just close friends and family. We can have a celebration later with your colleagues, but I want the ceremony to be focused on what matters most - our love."

Orchard nodded, touched by his thoughtfulness. "That sounds perfect, darlin'. The only ponies I truly need there are standin' right here."

She kissed him tenderly. As she drew back, a sly smile spread across her face. "Course, that don't mean we'll skimp on the caterin'. Apple family receptions are the stuff o' legend!"

Fancy laughed merrily. "Say no more! I would expect nothing less." His expression turned serious. "Which reminds me...have you considered where we shall live after the wedding?"

Orchard's ears danced atop her head. "Oh, um. Well." She waved around her apartment. "No insults on this place, but ah got no attachments to it... if yer invitin'..."

"I am."

"Then..." Orchard shuffled a moment before her smile returned. "Ah accept. Ah'll be movin' in with you. Uh, not like it matters much in the end."

"I disagree." Fancy poked Orchard gently. "My lovely mare, I wish to know we share a bed. It means a lot, even if you could teleport across the world at any instant. We are of one home."

Orchard's heart swelled at Fancy's words. "You're absolutely right, darlin'. Wakin' up beside you each mornin' means more than any magic."

She nuzzled him tenderly. "I can't wait to make a home together. Just promise me one thing..." A playful smile teased her lips. "That we'll get a nice big bed fit for a princess and her prince."

Fancy let out a rich laugh. "My dear, nothing but the finest for you." His tone grew earnest. "In all seriousness, I want our home to be someplace you feel cherished and free to be yourself."

Orchard planted a kiss on his cheek. "With you, I already feel more myself than ever."

Her smile turned impish. "Speakin' of which, fair warnin' - ya may find yer kitchen reorganized if ya don't lock it down. And the linen closet. And the study..."

Fancy silenced her teasing with a kiss. "Rearrange to your heart's content, love. As long as at day's end I can hold you close, that's all I need." He elbowed Orchard lightly. "No offense, but you haven't done much here." It was a small apartment, a studio at best. There weren't many things about it that screamed Orchard. "Why are you so interested now?"

"Ah told you." She touched her nose to his cheek. "Ah didn't think about it much. If ah'm livin' with you, got plenty of reasons to think 'bout it, so ah'm gonna... It's our home, instead of jus' a place I pass out. There's a mighty big difference there."

"Hm." He curled a hoof to his chin. "Well put. A home should be more than where we park ourselves at night." He kissed Orchard, a real one, lips to lips.

In that tender exchange, his servants snuck back in. Both were clapping as the kiss ended. They were part of the family too, in their own way.

Orchard blushed as Fancy's staff applauded their kiss. But she smiled brightly, accepting their joyful congratulations.

"Thank y'all so much," she said warmly. "I'm so honored to be joinin' this little family."

The butler dipped his head. "The honor is ours, ma'am. Never have I seen the master so happy."

The maid winked. "We'll have the estate spotless for your arrival, miss."

Fancy cleared his throat, though his eyes shone with mirth. "Yes, well, we'll leave the domestic arrangements to you." He took Orchard's hoof. "For now, my bride and I have a wedding to plan."

Orchard planted one more kiss on his cheek before heading for the door. "Let's go tell my family the good news!" She glanced back, love swelling in her heart for her husband-to-be and their growing circle.

With a spring in her step, she set off, Fancy keeping pace beside her. The future brimmed with promise and she couldn't wait to share it with those she held most dear.

The mare tossed a dart with a throw of her hoof, sending it right into the forehead of the picture of Orchard Blossom. "You think getting married will get rid of me? I think not." She chortled with dark intentions. "This wicked system's going to get the shake up it deserves... That I deserve!"

She broke into wild laughter, getting thumps from the several walls and a roof from annoyed neighbors. "Sorry, sorry, fine." She grunted. "I swear, apartments are not very suited for social activists at times..." She let out a small sigh, but it turned into a scowl, facing the picture of Orchard Blossom. "We're not done! Don't think this is the ending." She slammed a hoof against the picture.

"I will get you to admit this whole thing is rotten. Stopping crime isn't enough, or rescuing kittens from trees. No no no..." She slid her hoof back to the ground. "We're barely getting started."

She broke into renewed laughter, though it was much quieter, lest she get complained at again by her neighbors. She lived in a society. She would see that society improved.

That was the whole point, right?

Author's Note

And... fin! With hints that life would continue. We're not freezing our protagonists in amber here.

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