"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."
Ethan Shepard & Ashley Williams - Age 4
"Ethan no no." Hannah Shepard cooed patiently, her hands gently prying her cell phone from his hand, replacing the electronic with his favorite toy space ship before the child could utter a single word. Ethan made loud wooshing noises as he swayed the bright blue and red space ship with his hand, spiraling it madly. Hannah ran a loving hand through his short yet silky smooth black hair before standing and walking to the bedroom to get changed.
Ethan noticing his mothers disappearance grasped the edges of the living room table, the metal edging cold but surprisingly calming. Ethan pulled himself up and stepped over to the end table next to the television, his eyes lingering on the single drawer that had been inviting him to open it for as long as he could remember. The little boy licked his lips before gripping the metal handle on the drawer, beginning to slowly pull it open.
"Ethan!" The boy gasped then giggled insanely as his mother picked him up and began tickling the sides of his stomach, the boy squealing in her arms for escape.
"Mommy!" Ethan giggled harder then smiled happily as Hannah set him gently back down on the floor. "Ready to go to the park?"
Ethan nodded with a grin of pure delight.
Ethan Shepard was the proud child of Hannah and Steve Shepard, a creation that they were blessed with everyday. Hannah Singer and Steve Shepard first met at Grissom academy, they were both extremely intelligent and had been told that they were gifted at an early age. Hannah excelled as a amazing musician, learning to play the violin at an early age of three and mastering all the instruments from flute, harp, and everything she could get her hands on at twelve. Steve on the other hand was a brilliant mathematical prodigy, his young brain easy solving math problems that would leave college students stumped for days. They met when there was a Grissom Academy dance, a slow song bringing the two teenagers together but love found them and they hadn't parted since.
Something you should know about Hannah Shepard is that she was told that she would never be able to give birth to a child. Both Steve and herself felt remarkably upset but never stopped trying. They knew that they could get the prosedure of artificial insemination or perhaps adoption, but yet, they didn't.
After two years Hannah finally gave birth to a beautiful baby boy named Ethan Alden Shepard. Hannah cried with joy as they held their newborn son, a confused but dazzling set of dark blue eyes staring back at them and a tiny but strong hand gripping his fathers index finger.
Something that was always important to Steve Shepard was that his son would never have to do without, and if it mean't him working his entire life, he eagerly would. Steve worked at a space station, deep within the Hades Gamma Cluster. They saw him one every few weeks but as often as possible through Vid-Mails. Hannah Shepard was currently unemployed, looking after Ethan continussely and giving him the attention he craved. Ethan was surprising for both parents, he wasn't like most children. Ethan barely ever cried, when he was learning how to take his first steps he would take a step then fall but with a sense of determination he climbed back up and continued. Hannah knew that her son got that from Steve, he was spilling with strength and determination, never letting anyone fall without being there to pick them up.
It was now Hannah's mission to take Ethan to the park, not very difficult but a mission none the less. Her son was undeniably curious, his bright eyes always finding something to grasp and his lips asked hundreds of questions.
"Mommy, do they have slides at the park?" Ethan asked, his hand being carefully held by his mothers as they walked down the sidewalk, the sun bright and sky clear blue with a few light clouds.
"Yes they do, and maybe some swings." Hannah smiled as she saw the excitement on her sons face grow. They had recently moved to a new city, it was the perfect place to live, high quality homes, quiet kind people, and most importantly, a safe living for the family.
"Do they have a sandbox?" Ethan asked after a moment. "Oooh do that have a rope ladder?"
Hannah made a soft laugh, her songs curiosity peeking even more then normal. "Maybe, you will have to wait and see sweetie."
As the park quickly approached and Ethan began to slide his hand from his mothers Hannah gently gripped the shoulders of his blue collared t shirt as she kneeled down. "Ethan honey, remember to be careful, if anyone approaches you-"
"Scream and run to you." Ethan finished with a wide smile and Hannah nodded proudly before giving her son a quick kiss on the forehead, patting his back and standing up. "Go play."
Ethan grinned as he turned and eagerly ran to the playground, a number of kids were playing as well, kids with fingers deep within their nostrils as they slid down the slide or throwing rocks and getting scowled by tired mothers. Ethan saw an empty swing, slowly swaying in the air and almost begging for him to sit upon. The eager boy ran towards the swing, about to plant his rump upon the seat but felt himself confront gravel instead. "Thats my swing."
Ethan looked up, the sun blocking out the view and he squinted, seeing the unmistakable frown of a large burly boy, a stained white and red striped shirt with a pair of jeans covering him. This began the encounter with Ethan Shepard's 'first' bully.
"B-But I was there first." Ethan tried to explain but was silenced as the large child stepped over him, blonds curls covering green eyes, turned red by the sun.
"I thought about it before you did." The boy sat down on the swing and Ethan stood up angrily, his small hands tightened into fists.
"That's not fair."
The large child had begun pumping his chubby legs but came to an abrupt stop as he heard Ethan. "What?" The boy got off the swing and approached Ethan, making the weary boy step back.
"I was there first."
The boy glared with anger and raised his fist. Ethan quickly closed his eyes but didn't feel anything. The boy opened his eyes and felt them widen in surprise as he saw what was before him. The large boy lay on the ground, sniffling and holding his knee, a large cry erupted from him. Something else, or someone else in this case caught the boys eyes. A little girl, around his age stood above him, her arms crossed in dominance.
"Play nice meany" The little girl switched her attention to Ethan but she walked back to her own swing.
Ethan blinked a few times before walking towards the little girl on the swing, her legs pumping as she swung herself back and forth, her long black braid rising and falling behind her.
"Hi I'm Ethan."
"..." The little girl continued to swing, glancing at Ethan but not replying back.
"You must be real strong. Like superman."
The girl turned her head, her chocolate brown eyes showing annoyance.
"Are you a girl?"
The girl stopped pumping and her little running shoes dragged across the ground beneath her, causing her swinging to come to an immediate stop. Ethan saw a flash of a black hair before feeling a reconnection of soft ground beneath him. The little girl had pushed him. "What did I do?" Ethan grumbled as he sat up, seeing the girl staring at him.
"Don't call me a girl." She stuck out her tongue before turning and running to the bright yellow slide, leaving a confused but oddly curious Ethan Shepard.
A/N - This is my first Mass Effect Fanfic, I am hoping to have it a evolution of Shepard and Ashley Williams. Originally they are four years apart in age but I thought then being the same age would be a cute story. I apologize if what I write doesn't match Mass Effect facts and i also want to say that future chapters will be a lot longer. I hope any readers enjoyed the story and do you think I should continue? Have a good one :)
-Ashley
