Four months later...
I stood on the beach, wind pushing my hair to one side. I'd made it. I don't really know how... One day a week wasn't enough.
How could it be? How could any number of days less than all be enough, when someone is your everything?
And now that was finally over.
It was a long time to be alone, for the most part. The other Rainbooms were supportive, in their own way. I could tell Rainbow was a tad skeptical, and Fluttershy was just a tad jealous. Of who, I wasn't certain. But Rarity was eager to trade gossip, and Applejack and Pinkie both acted proud. Twilight told me she was relieved to not be the only one in a relationship now. She asked if we'd ever consider double-dating with her and Timber Spruce.
I told her I'd think about it.
I stared at the ocean. I'd gotten used to seeing it, after these months. I wouldn't mind living by it. It was a bit of a jaunt for my friends, but... new friends can be made. And we seven would always be bonded by our Elements, our geodes. And it would make things way easier for Sonata.
For now, I was just glad to take small steps. Like getting Miss Coloratura and Coriander Cumin to wait for Sonata to come back. I had to lie, of course- I told them she was dealing with the loss of her sisters. That got their sympathy. I've no idea what we'll do next year, but that's next year.
The warm spring breeze shifted the sand around my ankles.
I considered stepping into the water. This time of year, it would still be pretty cold for someone with a relatively normal human body.
Then, I saw something. A splash.
A dot appeared in the waves. It came closer, closer. It became a head, and a body. It stopped about twenty feet out.
Sonata looked at me. And she smiled.
And she walked forward out of the ocean.
I picked up a towel laying next to me, and held it into the breeze. What little sand was on it spiraled away.
“Welcome back,” I said.
Sonata shivered, clad only in her now old bathing suit, completely exposed to the wind. “N-nice to b-be back.”
I quickly wrapped her in the towel, and her shivering lessened. “Brrr,” she complained. “Worst part, all the way.”
“The hours of agonizing transformation?”
“Nah. Cold is worse.”
I shook my head and smiled. “Goofball.”
She grinned. “Oh no, I think I haven't turned back all the way! I'm still part fish- I'm a shark!” She jumped forward slightly, and bit my shoulder. “Gnar!”
I laughed. “Hey, they're waiting.” I pointed up the beach towards the road. The Rainbooms were milling around Applejack's van- her own car now, so she didn't have to borrow Big Mac's.
Sonata looked up and shrugged. “They didn't have to come. I'm okay with making them wait.”
“Me too. I know it's technically not our first, but... I've been waiting four months for this.”
I leaned down, and Sonata leaned up. And we kissed.
And life was good.