As I watched Ace and Pinkie depart for their honeymoon, I felt a great sense of accomplishment washing over me. I had found a new home, made many new friends... killed a man... and started a new family — all within in a remarkably short timespan.

The accomplishment soon gave way to dread. I began to think that I was dreaming. I thought that... perhaps... I was still hooked up to a life support machine with a bullet in my back. And that everything which had transpired from that point was just the delusions of my morphine-addled consciousness.

But then I think of Twilight. And our children.

And realise that sometimes...

... I can be full of shit.

Twilight saw me with a far-away look on my face and bumped her flank against me playfully, snapping me out of my stupor. I looked down at her, and she gave me a warm smile. I returned it and tousled her mane, before scooping her into my arms.

"Something on your mind?" she asked me.

"Just my brain being a bastard again." I replied. "I keep thinking that none of this is real. That it's all a dream, and I'm lying on a hospital bed with a bullet in my arse and a tube up my nose."

Twilight nuzzled my face as she sighed contentedly.

"Your brain is a bastard." she said. "You should know by now that all of this is real. And if it isn't, then I don't want to know what 'real' is. This is our life. You, me, our children, and our friends. Together no matter what."

I chuckled into her shoulder.

"You always know what to say to make me feel better." I said. "It's one of the reasons why I love you so much."

Twilight nodded.

"And I love you because you're my kindred spirit. We're both alike in so many ways." she laughed. "I'll never forget the night when we both realised that. The feelings I had for you... I've never had them for anypony else. Ever. I guess fate was just waiting for you to come along."

Hearing her say those words brought tears to my eyes, which ran down my cheeks onto Twilight's coat.

"Fate works in mysterious ways." I choked out. "It waited to bring us together, broke us apart... and finally decided to stop fucking around and bring us back together, albeit for a while."

Twilight giggled.

"All that matters now," she said, "is that we're together. Fate has been cruel to us, I know. But now, I won't let it get in the way of us enjoying the rest of our lives together. And I'm sure that you'll help me with that."

I brought my head away from her body and looked into her eyes. I could see the steely determination in them. I knew that she was serious, and I gave my approval by kissing her.

"Come on." I said as I drew away. "Let's get the kids from your parents. They'll probably be getting tired."

Twilight coyly batted me with a hoof.

"Cheeky." she said with a small laugh. "They're not that bad."

I allowed Twilight to get back on the ground, and we began the walk to her parent's house. As we walked, we bumped against each other and shared a laugh. It was like I'd never been away.

Along the way, I observed Shining Armour coming out of a restaurant, with Cadence behind him. Sticking my fingers in my mouth, I let forth a sharp whistle to get their attention. Ears pricked, they both swung around, smiling as they saw me (which wasn't hard, given my height).

"Hey Shining, Princess Cadence." I said. "I heard you two have given John and AJ an early wedding gift?"

"Indeed we have." Cadence replied. "It was very nice of Shining to give John the money. Celestia knows we have plenty. And please, you don't have to address me as 'Princess'. Just 'Cadence' is fine."

I bowed my head in response, to which Cadence giggled and rolled her eyes sarcastically.

"You going to see Mom and Dad?" Shining asked of Twilight, who nodded. "Last time we saw them, they were at the park. We're heading there now, you can come with us if you'd like."

"Lead the way." I said. "It's been a while since I saw your folks, Twilight. I hope they're not mad about me not being there for you and the kids."

"They understand completely." she assured me. "They know why you did what you did. They're not mad."

I smiled.

"Now, might I suggest that we stop living in the past, and instead look towards the future?" Twilight said sternly. "All that matters now is us, as well as our family and friends."

"Indeed." I replied. "We must always look to the future. My adventure may be over..."

I leaned down and gave Twilight a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"... but our adventure is just beginning."

And with those words, I placed her on my shoulders and followed Shining Armour and Cadence down the street.