Finding Your Family

There was a brief interlude after the first dances where everypony just sat at the tables, just talking to each other. Rainbow Dash had just come back from a quick shower, and had skipped dressing up any further, as the Wonderbolt's jumpsuit was the centerpiece of her ensemble, and it was sticky and a little bit torn. She and Applejack were pushing long trolleys into the room that would act as buffet tables, and when they finished, everypony could dig in.

The very last thing to come in took both mares to move, as it was covered by a sheet and rather tall. It was set in an area separate from the rest, and then off came the cover. The crowd was in awe of the reveal, as was the wedding party. Pinkie and the Cakes had worked together to make this on their own, as a surprise.

The wedding cake was five tiers tall, decorated with rice paper lace acting as ribbons. There was piped-on filigree that read "Spike and Scootaloo, Together Forever" on the bottom two layers. Fondant and gum paste flowers covered any imperfections, adding a splash of orange or purple wherever they went. At the very top, some hoof-formed sugar sculptures stood, showing Spike and Scootaloo. Sadly, their outfits were just a standard wedding dress and tuxedo, meaning they didn't quite match up with what they were really wearing, but that was a very minor gripe.

The lead table went first, and then every table after that went in numerical order. The kids weren't at the head table, as they'd opted to sit with their friends, instead. As a result, they'd be served by the ponies right in front of them in line, with those ponies being Scootaloo's aunts.

Once everypony had been served, and the main table had just finished, Thorax and Twilight stood up, ringing their glasses with forks to draw everypony's attention. "Good day, everyone," started Twilight.

"Great day, actually," continued Thorax. "Today was truly fantastic; let's hear a round of applause for the happy couple, huh?"

The crowd of ponies stomped their hooves against the ground in approval.

"Yes, it's great to see them finally married after all the trials and tribulations that led them here. We're not going to be the first to wish you many years of wedded bliss, but we're content to wish it on you now, regardless."

As another round of applause rang out, Thorax pulled a selection of cards from his pocket. It was time for his speech.

"In our wishes for the both of you, I'd like to start with Spike. When nopony else would help me, when the Crystal Empire was calling for my head..."

Shining Armor shrank down in his seat.

"I thought I was going to be slaughtered. Without you there to speak in my defense, I never would have survived long enough to go back to my hive. And if I hadn't done that, it would still be a threat to Equestria.

"That kind of love; the kind that can forge peace and harmony in the midst of a sea of hatred, is a powerful thing. As a changeling, everypony here knows that I can detect love and feed off of it. So you know I can say with certainty how powerful the love in this room is. And while this love is fresh, young, and not yet fully matured, it's clear to me that it's growing stronger every day.

"That's not to say that it's too young. Consider, if you will, that the two of you spent ten years separated from each other. For most couples I've seen, this would result in your growing apart, but you've stayed loyal to each other, even in the face of adversity."

Twilight took his cards next. "Scootaloo, though we have been apart for most of these last ten years, I have kept track of your progress as you went from being just a filly to an adult dragoness. At every turn, your thoughts went to your family. From just focusing on the kids to coming back to be with Spike, your sense of duty is truly something to behold.

"The effort you placed into joining the cultures of dragons and ponies is another thing that should not go unnoticed. You've never given up on the task set before you, a trait that is most admirable. That's how I knew that, once you'd decided you were going to be married, I should help you make it happen. Now that the two of you are as one, there's nothing you can't accomplish together."

Thorax took her hoof, and they spoke the rest of the speech together. "The two of you stand as a testament to what can be done with loyalty and tenacity," started Thorax.

"With your love fueling your choices, there is little that can overcome you."

"Standing side-by-side, you are an immovable object."

"Claw-in-claw, you are an unstoppable force."

"May you be as such now and forever."

"In poverty or wealth."

"In sickness or health."

"Through the good times and the bad,"

"The happy times and the sad."

"Fighting off every tragedy that comes your way."

"This is how it shall be to your dying day."

They looked at each other and said the last line in unison. "May this union last an eternity."

A thunderous uproar reminded them that there was a crowd watching, as in practising this speech, they always ended up a little too into it, especially at the end. They usually ended this speech with a kiss, but here and now were neither the place nor the time.

Pinkie Pie popped in just then, whispering something to the string quartet, to which they nodded and stopped playing. "Alright, everypony, time to cut the cake! And then we can start the party for real!"

Spike and Scootaloo stood up once more and walked over to where the cake was being kept. Before they would cut into it, though, Spike waved Pinkie over.

"Do I have to smash the cake in her face?" he whispered. "Can't I just feed it to her?"

"Sure," answered Pinkie. "I think cake is better used to fill a belly than to cover a face. Do you mind if I mash my face into my own slice, though?"

Scootaloo chuckled. "Go ahead. Just let us cut it first..."

Scootaloo wrapped her claw around the knife handle, and Spike wrapped his claw around hers. Together, they plunged the knife into the cake, pulling it apart to reveal a yellow cake with strawberry jam in the middle. They cut two pieces; one for each of them, and fed each other a forkful. As they bit down, an upright bass thrummed out a few notes, was joined by a piano and some drums, and just as Scootaloo turned to look at the band that had replaced the string quartet, a saxophone belted out a jazzy tune.