Equestria has been empty for centuries. The cities are abandoned, inhabited only by rats and birds. The ponies, or what's left of them, are scattered, isolated, and generally disagreeable.

Twilight tries to remain optimistic despite it all. Stories have taught her the fate of most immortals, forever resigned to be bitter and unproductive, and she will have no truck with it.

She reminds herself who she is. The Princess of Friendship. The Element of Magic. Personal student of Princess Celestia. Such accomplishments, deserving of pride, a reason to keep her chin held high.

She practices gratitude for what she still has: her ever-faithful companion, Spike, her full range of faculties, and her books.

She doesn't think about the Exodus. She doesn't think about Ponyville. She doesn't think about Spike's deteriorating health.

For the past one thousand, ninety eight years, Twilight's told herself things are going to get better. She's still waiting.

(My eternal gratitude to Pizza Pony for the cover. You can find their DeviantArt here: --> https://www.deviantart.com/provolonepone)

It's a huge step they're taking, and it's going to be hard, and long, and exhausting. But it's going to be worth it in the end, to form a family with him, to be a mother—is like all the pieces of her life are finally falling into place and she's exactly where she needs to be.

Or, Sunburst and Starlight take the plunge and decide to start a family, through adoption.

Edit: added a bit more context into the story to make a certain aspect more obvious.