Until My Last Breath...

It's been one year since Harmonic and Atmospheric started dating. Compared to the eleven since they reunited, it was extremely minuscule, but in that time, they became as close as spiritually possible. Some days, they rarely needed to say anything. Just being together felt like something beyond heaven. There were times when Harmonic began to fall into his downward state of mind, but Atmospheric always caught him and reminded him what he was fighting for.

"You've stared death in the face twice," she would say, "Now you probably wouldn't even flinch. That's why I love you. You would take on the grim reaper if it meant finding happiness for yourself and everyone else. If I kissed you or killed you, you would be okay with either option."

"Hopefully you would kill me with kisses," he joked in response.

"There you go. That's the spirit."

"Why did you choose me? There has to be someone out there better for you; someone stronger and less mentally broken."

"Because they couldn't replace the things that are specific to you. Everything you've seen and everywhere you've been is what made you the stallion I love today. I wouldn't change that for the world."

"Are you sure it's me you want to be with?"

"Positive."

"Then, I have a question for you. I wasn't sure if I should ask you here because of what happened."

"I know seeing her like that was hard, but we can turn this into a better place than it used to be."

"I had the same thought just now."

"You did?"

Harmonic pulled a case out of his hoodie pocket.

"Atmospheric, I love you more than I've ever loved anything before. For a long time, all I dreamed about were the tears I cried and the terror, but for a while now, those dreams have been gradually replaced with better ones. I see a future where neither of us have to hurt. I've envisioned who our children could be. I want to make all that possible."

"Are you asking...!?"

Harmonic opened the case, revealing a gold bracelet.

"...Will you marry me and be the mother of our children?"

Atmospheric quickly moved her mane away from her right eye. She was in shock. Harmonic was wearing a smile like one she'd never seen. It wasn't weak and full of sadness. It was strong enough to move the planet from orbit. The tears of joy started to well up in her eyes.

"On one condition," she replied.

"What?"

"Let me see your eyes."

Harmonic parted his bangs and placed them behind his ears. Her suspicion was confirmed. His eyes were lively and full of vitality.

"I'll do whatever it takes to make this a worthwhile existence for both of us."

"YES!"

"Really!?"

She nodded and hugged him. The emotion was overflowing.

"Hey, don't cry. Everything's gonna' be alright now. I promise."

The day their children were born was the happiest of their lives. They had two fraternal twins, the sister being the oldest. The children were named Melodic Death and Hard Core. Melodic strongly resembled her father, and her brother looked similar to their mother.

"Hi sweetheart. Daddy loves you very much," Harmonic told his newborn daughter.

"Have you noticed how she stopped crying when you held her and he stopped when I held him?"

"I think we have a daddy's girl and mama's boy situation."

"Awe! That's adorable!"

Harmonic and Atmospheric were married a month after their children were born. Unlike with a lot of parents, sleepless nights weren't really an issue. Melodic and Hard Core would always fall asleep while their parents held them or if an album done in the styles their names were based on was being played.

"What should we read them tonight?"

"Little Red Riding Hood was one of my favorite fairy tales when I first heard about it. I thought about writing my own comic book version."

"Why don't you?"

"Guess I never found the motivation, but I might get to it soon."

"You should. We've already put our demo out and it looks like we have a small audience here. Adding a comic to the mix would be fun."

"You know what? Why not. I'll start on it tonight."

"I wonder how the kids will take to school when they're older."

"You're pretty good at math, and I can help them with some stuff. I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Do you think they'll be bullied?"

"Hopefully, if that happens, what we teach them will help. I got made fun of a lot in a few places I went. You just have to let stuff like that roll off your shoulders and be kind to everybody. Befriending bullies and learning about them can really change their perspective, especially if they're young."

"I'm worried they won't adjust very well."

"Look at me. I won't let anything happen to our children. Okay?"

"I know."

"I love you; all of you. As a husband and father, I'll protect you at all costs."

"I'm proud of you."

"What for?"

"You were so scared and sad when we first met, and I couldn't see it. When you started healing, I knew there was something great in you. You overcame your fears for me, and now we have two blessings."

"I just did what felt right."

"Will you kiss me?"

"As you command."

As their lips met, they held their children close together. They were determined to become the strongest family Equestria had ever seen.