AN. November 16, 2014 I began writing this story more than a year ago, and it's been quite some time since I have had the desire or time to sit down and write. To prepare myself to get back into writing form, I've decided to give the piece a once over. I write without a beta, and it shows as I reread this so I've got some work to do. Not only will this bring the story back to the forefront of my mind, it will allow me to put a bit more polish to the overall work. It is by no means perfect, and I am no professional, but hopefully the changes I make will make the story flow better. I am also working on an original fiction which I hope to finish by the end of December, but hopefully it will not interfere with The Turning Tide too much. This site and the people on it have helped me deal with what has become a difficult period in my life and I thank everyone for your continued support. It means a lot and I appreciate it greatly. Now, on with the show...

CHAPTER 1

December 19th, 2013, 2:30am, Nos Astra, Illium, Nelson T'Loak residence

A small cry echoes through the baby monitor on the bedside table, waking the young father. Since the birth of their twins, sleep had become a precious commodity to both Shea and Lenea. They each cherished those brief periods where they could sneak a few hours of rest. As the Asari began to get up from the bed, Shea held her hand gently, voice cracking from sleep "My turn. You go back to sleep. I got this."

Lenea smiled at her bondmate as she looked in the blonde's exhausted eyes "Are you sure, Asari do not require as much sleep as humans Shea, you need rest."

With a smirk, Shea shook her head, pushing herself up from the bed. Quickly pulling on her shorts and tank which had been discarded across the room earlier in the evening as the couples passions overwhelmed them, she leaned on the bed, kissing Lenea soundly on the lips."This is what Daddies do babe. We got the night shift so Mommy can recuperate." With a smack on the Asari's ass, she continued "I'm not done with you yet, you need some rest. Go back to sleep."

"How can I possibly say no to such a persuasive argument." Lenea said, stretching her arms above her head as she lay back on the soft pillows.

Shea winked before leaving the room heading toward the nursery. Upon entry, she found an interesting site. It seems that while Mina managed to wake not only her mother but her father as well, Dana was fast asleep. The little Asari could sleep through anything it seemed

Scooping Mina up in a protective embrace, rocking her gently and speaking softly in a tone that always soothed her youngest daughter - born a whole three minutes after Dana. "What's wrong munchkin?" She asked.

While these were Shea's first children, she had years of experience babysitting, and could recognize the facial expressions when an infant was hungry, needed a diaper change, or just wanted attention. Small hands pawing at her breast quickly gave the answer "Hungry huh? Okay, Daddy's hungry too. So how 'bout a midnight snack huh? You can stay up late with Daddy and watch silly cartoons." The human said as she quietly left the room, heading toward the kitchen.

Taking out one of the prepared bottled from the refrigerator, Shea set it in the bottle warmer while grabbing herself a ginger ale.

With a beep, the bottle was ready, having warmed to the correct temperature. Shea one handed both the bottle and her can of ginger ale, going to sit on the lounger in the den. True to her word, no sooner had the human sat down had she turned on the vidscreen, volume low as to not wake the household of course, displaying her old favorite Tom & Jerry.

"I used to watch this with Grandpa when I was little, munchkin." Shea smiled at Mina as the child suckled on her bottle. Watching these cartoons was a found memory the human had of her late father. Long before any sickness, any pain or death, just a special time to be silly. "You would've liked your Grandpa munchkin. He was big and strong like Uncle Derek, but with hair and eyes like Daddy." Tears formed in the emerald eyes, but not of pain, but of fondness as she recalled the cherished memories "I know he's always watching us, watching you. Grandpa's always got your back munchkin, he's your guardian angel."

Mina finished her bottle with a yawn, and slowly but surely, both father and daughter succumbed to sleep on the lounge chair to the sounds of a grey tom cat scheming to catch that illusive mouse. From the hallway, the Asari gazed lovingly and her bondmate and child. Lenea took a blanket from the nearby basket and carefully placed it around the father and daughter, she wasn't going to wake Shea. The human was exhausted. "Sleep well my love." she whispered, kissing her forehead before returning to bed herself.

December 21th, 2013,

Sitting in their den, the girls in their baby swings, Lenea reading the latest Nos Astra Times, Shea smiled, silently thanking whatever god or goddess has brought them into her life. That she could be so blessed, not once but three times is beyond my comprehension. A little over a year ago, Shea's life was in upheaval. Her father lost short but hard fought battle with cancer. In her despair, Shea sought solace in one of the few places her father often brought her during childhood, not only to spread his ashes, but to attempt to come to terms with his death. Little did she know that she would welcome the Asari into her life, one of which who would become her bondmate and mother of their two children.

And now, their first holiday as a family is upon us. Lenea and Aria had introduced her to the Asari religion Siari, and Shea did her best to learn as much about the faith and its observances. However, with the loss of her father in the prior year, Shea felt a responsibility deep within her soul to continue the annual celebration of Christmas going. It was important to her father, Lenea insisted that the tradition continue as a way to allow the girls to connect to their grandfather.

"Is that tree big enough Shea?" Lenea smiled as the human wheeled in the eight foot Douglas Fir. The trees along with several others, were obtained before the girls were born. Shea and her friend Derek uprooted several evergreens before departing Earth, potting them for transport to Illium. Leaving them potted would insure years of enjoyment to come.

"It's too small if you ask me, we do have twelve foot ceilings after all. But I'm not complaining." Shea said, placing the tree in the corner of the den nearest the window. Both girls watched their father with curiosity as she hung the clear lights on the large tree before them.

Picking the girls up, one in each arm, Shea walked toward the fir "That's a Christmas tree girls. Grandpa and Grandma planted this one a long time ago, when I was no bigger than you two." She said in a playful voice which earned giggles from the tiny duo. Kissing each of them on their crest as she did so, the young blonde sat her daughters girls in their swings so they could watch her decorate the tree before naptime.

Pulling the large box of decorations from the closet, tears formed in her eyes as Shea opened the box. Decorations handmade by her and her father over the years filled the container. While the decorations themselves were not overly religious, mostly toys, bears or snowmen, they were something the pair created together. Each year they made at least a dozen using different methods, but the end result was an eclectic set of decorations that went together as well as any factory made set. It gave the human an idea.

Standing up from the box, grabbing the lights , Shea turned to Lenea "Let's make decorations."

"How would we do that?"

"Well, I've got a recipe for dough decorations. I can make the dough and be ready before Mom gets here." Shea spoke as she strung the lights upon the tree.

"You mother is going to be here in less than an hour, we certainly do not have time to bake anything."

"No no. The dough goes together quickly. It's kind of like homemade edible clay that bake like cookies once you've shaped them. I want to get foot and hand prints of the girls, and this will be perfect for it." My smile was returned when Lenea saw how the enthusiasm of doing this as a family helped ease the pain I felt in not having my father here to experience it with us.

"What will we need."

"Flour salt and water, a big bowl and some of your sculpting knives."

"Sounds simple."

Ingredients now in hand, the couple mixed together a batch large enough to create three dozen decorations. For the sake of simplicity, and also because they wanted the girls participating as much as the adults, Shea limited the shapes to stars and circles.

With the first shapes formed, the door chimed "I'll get it." Shea tilted her head as she headed to the door com. "Hi Mom, Delany, come on up we're in the den."

Shea's mother, Jennifer, her younger sister Stacy and step-mom Delany-or should she call her step-dad, she couldn't decide-quickly made their way upstairs, both adults arms full of presents.

"What's all this for Mom, you didn't need to do that, really."

"Hah, and miss the chance to spoil my granddaughters for their first Christmas. No chance." Jennifer replied.

"Don't argue with her Shea," Delaney said, setting down her packages "She's been shopping for this since those two were born. We've got more in the shuttle, would you mind giving me a hand with them."

"Yea, sure. Mom, we've started making decorations, but wait until I get back up to make them with the girls. Stacy, I want to get it on camera, so can you check the settings on my omni to bring up the video feature?" Shea asked as the two walked toward the lift.

Returning to the shuttle, Delaney was correct, her mother most have purchased have the toys on the Citadel from the amount of presents she saw. Hugging her stepmother, Shea sighed, "Thank you for coming Delaney. It means a lot to Lenea and I, to the girls to have you guys here."

"Think nothing of it. I'm just glad we were able to get the two weeks off. Councilor Tevos has been very busy lately handling all the media clamoring for an interview with the two of you over our granddaughters."

It hit the human, my girls did have a grandfather. And she is standing right in front of me. My father may be gone, but he's still looking out for me, I just have to recognize the signs when I see them. "Yea, how's it feel to be a grandfather Delaney."

"Goddess, I didn't think I'd be one this young. Stacy certainly isn't going to be a parent for two centuries at least. But it's welcome none the less. I can't tell you what this has done for your mother. I don't think outside of Stacy being born I have ever seen her so happy."

"So, what is this you said about Tevos handling reporters? What do they want to know exactly?"

"Your children are among the from a human Asari couple. It is historically significant in the very least."

"When are they looking to do an interview?"

"I'm not sure, Tevos has been able to deflect them so far, but I imagine one would need to be done sometime next year. Although, I believe she is trying to push it at least until the girls are two years old and better to be left in the care of a babysitter during your absence."

"We don't need a babysitter. We've got family." Shea stated. "You remember Derek from the hospital right? He's going to open the pub with me, help run it when I'm not there. His cousins are able to babysit whenever I need them to, they're just a phone call away."

"That is good to know. Where did they end up settling?"

"They got an apartment in the same building the pub's located in. The building's owner gave them a good deal on it because of Aria."

Taking the rest of the packages inside using our biotics, we quickly rejoined the family in the kitchen. Mom and Lenea were busy getting the girls into their highchairs so they could participate. Stacy, ever the observer, was sitting in the corner filming the activity.

"Need a hand?" Shea said to Lenea as she slid behind her. She leaned into the human's embrace, a smile creasing her features.

"We we're just about to make the footprint castings." She smiled as she picked up Mina "Hold her while I make the print." Gently holding Mina, the couple quickly made the impressions in the clay. She giggled and blushed as only a baby could at the ticklish contact. Dana watched in delight, waving her hand as she waited for her turn.

"How's Daddy's little munchkins?" Shea said as she hugged both girls closely. Mom looked at me with such love, causing my own heart to swell. "Lenea, sweetie stand next to Shea so I can get a holo of the four of you." We complied as the family photo was taken.

"Stacy, you still have my camera from Earth with the time delay?" Shea asked her.

"Yea."

"Do you have it with you."

"Right here." She said, pulling the small camera from her pocket.

"Ok, let's finish with the decorations than I want to get a couple shots of all of us in front of the tree." Shea smiled.

With the tree decorated, and infants fighting sleep, the evening began to wind down.

"Well, we need to get these two to bed." Shea said, picking up Mina, Lenea hold an already slumbering Dana. "I think they're just a bit tuckered out don't you think Mom?"

"That would seem so. you two go ahead. We'll clean up." Leaning in to kiss each of her granddaughters, Mom whispered softly "Goodnight my little angels."

With both girls sleeping soundly in their cribs, Lenea and the human stood between the cribs, at awe at the lives we created. Wrapped an arm around Lenea, Shea rested her chin on the Asari's shoulder. "They're perfect aren't they, like little angels. Our little angels. Beautiful in every way, just like their mother." She whispered, gently kissing Lenea's neck.

"Mmm... like their father." Tilting her head, Lenea offered her neck to the human's touch. "We should get to bed ourselves, I do not wish to wake them."

"Yea, I don't think seeing Mommy and Daddy like that would work out too well for them right now." Shea sighed, bending down slightly to balance the Lenea's weight as she swept the Asari into her arms, carrying her.

After a passionate kiss, resting our foreheads together Lenea sighed, her head resting against me as she pleaded "Bedroom. Now."

Grinning like a fool, Shea was eager to comply. "Yes ma'am" she growled, as quietly as she was able since they had several house guests. The amorous human carried Lenea to their bedroom, which fortunately was at the opposite end of the hall from the other rooms.

"Mind hitting the lock...my hands are a bit full." The blonde smirked as she closed the door with her foot, gently squeezing a firm Asari backside. Lenea reached over her shoulder and engaged the lock on the door. "Now we have privacy." Setting Lenea down gently on the bed, Shea kissed her gently before excusing herself to change. "I'll be right back." Shea said as she went into our walk-in closet.

Heat pooling at her thighs, Lenea shed her clothing, returning to the bed the moment Shea had gone into the closet. Hearing a chuckle from the closet followed by several noises, Lenea arched her neck to sneak a peak, just missing the view as it was blocked by the door what in Goddess name is she doing in there? No sooner had the thought ran through her mind did the statuesque human exit the closet, clad in her new leather cup-less corset ensemble, sensory transmitting toy already in place. The Asari's mouth went dry and heat pooled at her thighs at the sight of the tall athletic blonde presented before her in such a fashion. Lenea would think herself a liar if she would deny the fact that the human looked like she belonged on the cover of Fornax.

Seeing the look animalistic need in her eyes, the tall blonde sauntered closer to the bed, adding extra sway to her hips as she moved. "Like what you see?" She asked, standing next to the bed, looking down like a predator stalking its prey.

"Goddess yes." the Asari answered, voice saturated with lust.

"Good." Shea purred as she firmly turned Asari around onto the bed. Running a hand along the curve of her ass, the human positioned the Asari on her hands and knees. Kneeling behind the Asari, the human released an audible but gentle smack to the bare flesh, causing a moan to escape ocean blue lips.

Running her hand along her backside, feeling Lenea's core, drenched with need, the human smirked "So fucking sexy. And mine...all mine." She whispered, leaning forward to run her curved tongue lightly over slick folds. Shea hummed with contentment at the sweet taste of her lover.

"Goddess" Lenea whispered "Do not tease me."

"Oh I'm not teasing you. Just getting started." The blonde continued, sinking her tongue deeper into Lenea, savoring every drop.

"Please Shea..."the Asari moaned, bucking back into the divine mouth tasting her from behind.

"Please what? Tell me."

"Fuck me. Please fuck me." She gasped into the pillow, but Shea heard her. Sensing her need, the human leveled herself behind the Asari, thrusting deeply into her azure as the meld began

Lenea screamed into the pillow, Goddess I hope no one can her me. How can she stay so quite.

Practice. Ahh...But I do loooove the noises...you...make...when...I...fuck...you.

Thrusting with increased intensity Shea felt the ghost sensations of Lenea's pleasure through the meld. As they approached their peak, breath ragged, bodies covered with sweat, emotions and physical sensation collided for euphoria. Coming down from the climax, Shea pulled the Asari into an embrace, still embedded deep within her both physically and mentally.

I love you

I love you too.