Finding Your Family

As the quartet began to play, Spike escorted Scootaloo down the steps. She'd forgotten that there was something stuck in her shoe, and stumbled a bit, but he caught her before she could fall, and to prevent further incident, he picked her up and held her in his claws, to an uproarious approval from the guests.

"We're going to want to fix that before our first dance," said Spike quietly, just loud enough for Scootaloo to hear him over the din.

"Dance?" Scootaloo shrank a bit. "I haven't danced since I was a pony, and never with a partner."

"Don't worry," smiled Spike, pressing his forehead to hers. "Just put your feet on top of mine, and I'll do the rest."

"You dance?"

Spike chuckled. "Twilight's had me attend more than a few balls and galas. I had to learn at least three."

"I should probably kick the shoes off entirely, then," smiled Scootaloo.

As they receded down the aisle, they were showered with dried petals of roses, lavender and marigold. Before they could reach the end of the aisle, though, a gust of wind suddenly rushed through the orchard, and with a loud crack, an explosion of colour permeated the sky above them, leaving a trail of rainbow light streaming from its epicenter.

Rainbow Slash's eyes widened to the size of dinnerplates. She'd never seen anything like this before.

The rainbow stopped at the ground as Rainbow Dash skidded to a stop. "Did I make it in time?" she asked, panting. She was covered in slime and thorns.

"Ya missed the whole dang thing!" shouted Applejack, running up to her from the house. "Kitchen! Now!"

As Rainbow Dash walked off with Applejack, Scootaloo sighed. "Kind of disappointing that she wasn't here..."

"She's here now," comforted Spike. "And she gave us a Sonic Rainboom. Second wedding ever to have one of those."

They proceeded to the barn, which had been fixed up to act as the main hall. While the boys had all dressed themselves in there, they had done so in a small section that Pinkie had set up for them last night and taken down during the ceremony. All of their belongings that had been left behind had been moved into the house for safekeeping.

Spike sat Scootaloo down at the long table at the back of the barn, which was sitting on an elevated platform. There were enough seats at that table for the wedding party, plus three more. While Ember was a guest, she was still royalty, and had been afforded a seat at the main table.

As the guests filed in, Spike bent down to remove Scootaloo's shoes, and found that two bits had been stuck in her left shoe. He swiftly pocketed them, and took his seat while he waited for everypony else to do the same.

The quartet came in last, setting up in one of the corners where a couple of stools were waiting for them, along with an upright piano and a drum kit. While a piano was a string instrument, it was very odd that they would have a drum kit. Even if it could be presumed that the Apple family owned the piano, it was unlikely that they kept a drum kit lying around. That was more Pinkie's schtick.

Scootaloo, now barefoot, walked out to the middle of the floor with Spike leading her. They were still tied together by their sashes, and a quick tug on both ends of Spike's knot pulled their bodies close together and held them there. Scootaloo stepped up onto the toes of Spike's boots, wrapping her claws around his shoulders and holding on tight.

With a nod from Spike, the quartet counted in and started to play the waltz he'd requested. To the rest of the guests, it looked like they were dancing together, but Spike was the one who knew what he was doing. Not only was this their first waltz as a couple, but it was also Scootaloo's first waltz ever.

After a moment, Scootaloo rested her head on Spike's shoulder. She had felt his skill on the dance floor, and was confident that he would continue to dance with her, whether she knew what she was doing or not. And given that this dance felt entirely unfamiliar to her, she knew for a fact that Spike knew better than she did, and was perfectly content to follow his lead.

As the piece came to an end, they kissed once more, then separated, with Rarity taking off their sash and moving it to their table as Twilight and Snap stepped into the dance floor. Scootaloo would dance with her father as best she could, and Spike and the closest thing he had to a mother would try not to show them up with their clearly superior dancing prowess.

Thankfully for Scootaloo, it was another waltz, though a bit quicker than the last. She had at least some inkling of what to do, and her father knew the most basic steps.

"I'm so proud of you, Spike," whispered Twilight. "I know I'm not your birth mother, but I feel every ounce of pride one could, seeing her son starting a new chapter of his life."

Spike, hugged Twilight a bit closer. "Even if you aren't my birth mother, you were the closest thing to a mother I have, and that makes you even more special to me. I love you, "mom.""

"Love you too, "son.""

The dance ended all too soon, and it was time for the third. Spike was to dance with Mane, but since he had no father figure to dance with, Scootaloo stepped back, until Thorax approached her. "I know I don't quite fit the bill, but would you allow me to fill in? I can shape myself into Spike, if it would make you more comfortable."

"I'd be delighted," smiled Scootaloo, taking his hoof. "And you can stay as you are."

As the third waltz began, Mane looked up at Spike.

"Thank you for letting this happen," smiled Spike, taking the lead. "I appreciate the vote of confidence."

"Oh, I still think this is a mistake," replied Mane. "But you proved to Lofty that she was wrong. I'm banking on a repeat of that performance. I give you a year at most. Prove me wrong, and I'll give you some of that confidence you're seeking."

Spike was quiet for the rest of the dance. When he returned to the table, he told Scootaloo what her mother had said to him, and to his surprise, she smiled.

"My dad told me he'd help me through the divorce three months from now. I think they're still against us."

Spike rolled his eyes. "At least they didn't interrupt the ceremony..."