EARTH
Shepard has been blessed with a long life, a very long life. The improved nanites that Miranda Lawson injected her with 95 years ago are still going strong and are working at 97% capacity. She cannot be happier knowing she will be able to see her four children move out and start their own lives. She may even be able to see them bonded. To see grandchildren, well that would be icing on the cake. Like anything where one is blessed one seems to also be cursed.
Shepard has just attended her last Alliance funeral for her last crew member. She is staring in the mirror a little shell shocked, the day has been exhausting. The last time Shepard had her dress blues on was almost a decade ago when she and the family flew to Palaven to bury her best friend Garrus Vakarian. Two years after that it was Tali. Shepard and Liara stopped planning vacations because they kept getting notified of a death. Long life, a blessing and a curse.
Eyes puffy and red Shepard is wrung out. She doesn't know if she could produce another tear if she tried. She feels numb. Now 135 years old Shepard thought her old squad mates and friends would live longer. She would have thought Ashley of all people would have lived longer.
"The kids are settled in Elly. The ship is about to take off. Are you doing okay?" Liara crosses the room when Shepard does not answer. The human is just staring in the mirror.
"Elly?" Liara hugs her from behind. She rests her chin on her shoulder. "Talk to me."
Shepard doesn't look at Liara in the reflection instead she brings her hands up and turns them over and looks at them. "Why? Why me?"
Liara waits for her to continue.
"Why do I get to live so long and Ash…" She cannot get the name Ashley out. She sinks to her knees as Liara holds her. "It's not fair," she says between sobs. Apparently she does have tears left to cry.
Holding her tightly Liara says nothing. She lets her bondmate cry for Ashley Williams. She was a soldier to the core. The asari remembers the first time meeting the stern woman. They did not get along at first, Ashley kept her distance. It wasn't until after Liara's mother Benezia died that Ashley approached the asari. Liara found out later that Shepard had words with her, told her that Liara was a part of the crew and needed to be treated as such. Now Ashley is the last of Shepard's crew to die, the last of her squad mates. They both thought the woman would live at least another few decades since the human life expectancy is pushing 170 years now. But that didn't happen. Tyler , Ashley's husband died just two years ago. Kaidan their son who had a career in the Alliance died over 15 years ago which leaves Abby.
Abby is 100 years old now. She married a human male named Brandon, a fellow Engineer she met at her first job out of college. They have two children, Cynthia who is 65 and John who is 62. They each have spouses and children of their own.
Liara wondered how Raina's reunion would be with Abby seeing as they loved each other once 80 years ago. The two kept in touch and have remained friends over the decades. When Abby told Raina that she met someone it was a night full of tears and ice cream. Liara and Shepard continued to tell their first born that she would find someone to share her life with some day. After a few days Raina came around and has been nothing but a good friend to Abby. She was the human's maid of honor at her wedding. She visited both of them when Cynthia and John were born. It has been amazing to watch Raina mature as an asari, as a woman and as a friend to Abby. She was at Abby's side all day today during the funeral service, Brandon on one side, Raina on the other, while their kids and grandkids gave them space. The family looks to Raina as their Aunt and she loves them like her own family.
Shepard's soft sobs have quieted. Liara pulls off her uniform jacket. Shepard does not fight her or say anything she lets Liara lead her to the bed. She feels the hum of the floor. She knows the transport ship is taking off. They are heading back to Thessia. The girls have to get back to school and truth be told Shepard did not want to hang around and make small talk. The constant whispering from people was enough to last a lifetime. If people were not coming up to her and thanking her and Liara for saving the galaxy over a Century ago they were whispering about how she doesn't look a day over 40. The retired Captain is just that, retired. She is tired and fed up being called the savior of the galaxy. It is inconsiderate to all of the other soldiers and citizens that aided in the effort to kill the Reapers, it is an insult and Shepard had to bite her tongue all day long and plaster a smile on her face so as not to cause a scene.
"Just relax honey."
Shepard lies on her stomach. Liara straddles her legs and gives her a much needed massage.
"You did very well today Elly."
Shepard scoffs. "You are the one who did well Liara you and the girls. How is Raina holding up?"
"As well as can be expected. She hurts for her friend."
"Yeah, I know the feeling."
"As do I Elly."
Shepard shifts onto her back while Liara is still straddling her. She takes the asari's hands into her own. "I didn't mean to imply you didn't Liara. I know Ashley was your friend too." She kisses the back of each hand.
"I know." Liara leans down and kisses her fully on the lips.
Shepard holds her tightly as she deepens the kiss. Shepard turns Liara over and lies on top of her. The human's lips moving down her blue beauty's body. Shepard wants this, she needs this, she longs to have Liara, be with her, inside of her, lost in her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," says Raina. She is talking to Mia who is about to knock on their parent's door.
They are in a large suite, one of sixteen on the transport ship. There is one large common area where there are couches and matching chairs, two vid screens and a small kitchen with table and chairs. From the common room are three rooms that branch out each with its own bathroom.
"Why not?" asks Mia. "I just need to ask them something quick."
"You should know better than to ask her why Mia," says Little A. She smiles at her oldest sister as if she knows what is going on behind closed doors.
Mia lets out a sigh, "Fine."
"It's not like you can't ask them in the morning. Do you need an answer before then?" asks Eva.
"No."
"You will make it to your game on time Mia," says Raina. "The ship will arrive earlier than scheduled."
Raina's gift of seeing the future sometimes comes in handy. Over the years she has learned to control the feelings that come up when she sees a vision, has a dream or gets a feeling. Raina has been working with Dr. Snowden's replacement. The human psychiatrist retired 80 years ago and left her practice to her good friend and colleague Malin, a very capable asari. Though Dr. Snowden told Raina that Malin could be trusted with her 'gift' it took the young asari almost a year before she told her everything. Since then Malin has helped Raina control her feelings. She no longer feels like she carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. Sometimes she falls into old habits but is pretty good at keeping afloat. Raina also does not turn to drinking anymore, something her friend Abby helped her with all those years ago.
Raina, 103 years old now, is nearly done with her studies. She is working on her dissertation. She decided to go into a profession where her gift could perhaps help people. Soon Raina will be a full blown Psychiatrist. Aside from working on her dissertation she is working with her Mother on a business plan to present to Malin. She wants to buy half of the practice and become partners.
"Well I hope you are right sis because there are going to be scouts there," says Mia.
Mia, who is 102 years old, is still one of the best Skyball players on her team. She is hoping to be recruited by a professional team. Her sister Raina won't tell her if she has had any feelings about it or any dreams or anything to let her know whether or not her dreams of becoming a professional player will come true. On the one hand Mia understands why Raina does not tell her on the other hand she thinks she should.
Mia and Dava were pretty hot and heavy 80 years ago, but ever since Dava forced a meld on her Mia has not fully trusted the asari. They have remained friends all these years later, but it has not always been easy and they are not as close as they once were. Dava was devastated, scary devastated when Mia no longer wanted to date. She kept calling Mia to the point where Mia stopped answering her omni-tool. Dava left message after message crying, saying that she would do anything Mia wanted if she just gave her another chance. At that point Mia knew she made the right decision. It scared her how much Dava seemed to want her.
Shepard and Liara told her to let time pass and see about retaining a friendship. It took almost two decades before Mia felt comfortable enough to even say hello to Dava outside of seeing her in school, fearing the asari would want more than a friendship. Dava acted as if nothing transpired between the two, that she never left those messages over and over and over again. Mia was completely dumbfounded. She never expected such behavior from her best friend, but ever since that meld 80 years ago, something changed. Mia keeps Dava at arms' length now. She is not afraid of her but she doesn't want to give the asari the wrong idea. She is not interested in anything more than a friendship and for a long time Mia didn't think Dava was mature enough to handle just a friendship.
It doesn't matter now. Soon Mia will be graduating and hopefully she will be moving off Thessia to play for a professional Skyball team. Mia knows her family wants Thessia's professional team to recruit her but Mia wants to see more of the galaxy. She wants to expand her horizons and she knows it scares her parents half to death.
"I am sure everything will be fine Mia," says Eva. "Like Raina says, we will have plenty of time to land and get settled then you can kick some ass." She gives her sister a high five.
Eva has turned out to be quite the writer. Poetry is her specialty and though Shepard loves to hear it she does not understand one word. Liara on the other hand understands their third child who is 100 years old. Eva has asked for Liara's help recently. She is entering a poetry contest and is working on a few pieces right now but is not sure if she should go with something she has written already or if she should try to finish a work in progress. Liara of course loves each piece and has left it up to Eva. The young asari has two weeks to decide because the entry deadline is fast approaching.
"Yeah," says Little A, "besides we have to pick up my girl so she can join us." She smiles to her sisters.
The youngest asari is quite pleased with herself because she is the only one of the four with a significant other. 95 years old and brilliant in mathematics and physics, Aethyta (also known as Little A), named after their mother's Father, has been steadily dating Kaya a fellow asari classmate. Kaya also excels in mathematics and when asked, Little A says she loves her mind more than her body which is very pleasing to the eye.
Raina, Mia and Eva all roll their eyes at their little sister.
"You are all just jealous."
"We are so not jealous Little A," says Mia who grabs her in a headlock for fun and starts walking her around the common area of their suite.
Raina and Eva just sit back and laugh. It feels good to laugh. "Don't hurt her now," says Raina. She always feels like the parent when neither one is around.
Mia lets her go and gives her small shove on the shoulder.
"Let's get some food," says Little A.
"Don't you want to call your girlfriend?" says Mia, her voice is drenched in sarcasm.
"She is quite capable of looking up the flight information Mia. Do you want to join me?"
Shaking her head, "Not the point Little A. She needs to know you are thinking about her. Sending her a note does that ya know."
"I am aware. I sent her a message before we boarded."
Mia looks at Raina and Eva and just shakes her head in disbelief.
"What?" asks Little A.
Ignoring her Mia asks her other sisters if they want anything.
"Can you see if they have those chips I like?" asks Eva.
"Sure thing, Raina?"
"I am fine thank you."
"Suit yourself." Mia turns to Little A. She places her arm around her shoulders and they walk out to the dining area in search of food.
"You okay?" asks Eva.
"Just tired."
"You thinking about Abby?"
Raina nods.
"About what could have been?"
Raina looks at her sister, "What? No. No I have not thought about Abby and me like that for many years now Eva."
"Sorry."
"No it is quite all right. I just feel for her. She is alone now. No brother, no parents."
"But she has her own family now. And she has you, her best friend."
"That is kind of you to say."
"Well it's true. You have been her rock this whole trip. I am not surprised you are so tired. I mean you have been with her from morning 'til night for the last week and a half. You are a really good friend Raina." Eva scoots closer and takes her sister's hand into her own. "And you are a great big sister."
The older asari smiles a little. "Funny, I seem to recall a time you could not stand the sight of me."
"That was so long ago Raina. Must you always bring that up when I pay you a compliment?" Eva pulls her hand away but Raina catches it and gives it a squeeze.
"I apologize Eva. It was a poor attempt at humor. I appreciate your kindness."
Eva rests her head on Raina's shoulder as her sister pulls her close and wraps her arm around her. "Do you think Dad will be okay? She has lost everyone now."
"I know," says Raina.
"It must be so hard for her, I mean to be human and live as long as us."
"Not quite as long as us remember." The improved nanites according to Miranda will give Shepard an additional 400 years so she should live to be around 430 and if lucky, longer.
"I know. I just…well asari know they outlive everyone. We expect to live with loss. But Dad. I mean without the nanites she could already be…" Eva's voice catches.
Raina squeezes her close, "I know. But she does have them and she will be with us for a long, long time and she is not the only one hurting, Mother is too. Ashley meant just as much to her as she did to Dad."
"I know."
They sit in silence for a while.
"Raina?"
"Hmm?"
"Is it bad of me to want to only date asari?"
A little surprised by the question Raina asks, "Why do you only want to date asari?"
"I don't want to survive my bondmate. I want them to live as long as I do. I can't even imagine what it is going to be like for Mom." Eva starts to cry.
Raina holds her close. "It is as you said. We asari know we outlive all other species so we live for the moment. It does not make loss easier, but it allows us to cherish what so many people take for granted. It is important for us to cherish each other when we can. You can certainly limit yourself to asari and only asari Eva but to do so because you fear losing them well, I think your logic is a bit flawed."
Wiping her cheeks, Eva sits up to look at her sister. "What do you mean?"
Raina brushes a tear off her sister's cheek. "Just because you bond with an asari does not mean she will live as long as you Eva. There are no guarantees in life, none at all."
"I know, I guess I thought I would hedge my bets." Eva stops a moment and realizes what she just said. She cannot help it she starts to laugh.
"Where do you learn that expression?" asks Raina who is also starts to laugh a little.
"Who else, Dad of course."
"Hey what's so funny out here?" asks Liara.
Raina and Eva both stand and look at their mother.
"Mom!" says Eva as she quickly moves across the room to give her a hug.
"Thank you honey, I needed that."
Raina waits until their hug is finished then gives one of her own.
"Thank you," says Liara. She holds Raina at arm's length, "How are you holding up?"
"I'm okay."
"Where are Mia and Little A?"
"They went to get some food," says Eva. "Do you want me to see if they will get some for you as well?"
"Could you please Eva? Thank you."
Eva walks away to dial Mia.
"Do you want some tea Mother?"
"Thank you Raina yes please."
They walk to the small kitchen. Liara sits at the table. Raina grabs the tea and prepares the water.
"She is going to be fine Raina," says Liara.
Raina turns to her mother to see if she heard correctly.
"She was exhausted so she is sleeping, but she will be just fine. It may take a while."
"What about you?" asks Raina.
Liara wipes a single tear from her cheek. "I will be fine as well. I loved her very much. Ashley meant a great deal to your Father and me."
Eva sits next to her mom grabbing her hand. "They are getting some more food; I caught them before they left the dining area."
"Thank you honey." Liara kisses her cheek.
Raina sets a hot cup of tea in front of her Mother. She gestures to Eva who nods yes. Raina pours another cup and sets it in front of her sister. She sits down after pouring her own cup.
"She was an amazing woman," says Liara. "Did I ever tell you about how I first met her?"
Raina and Eva both shake their heads.
Liara is about halfway through her story when Mia and Little A show up with some food. They grab some plates and dig in while Liara shares the rest of the story of how she was trapped in a blue bubble when she met Shepard and Ashley for the first time. They have heard the story a lot because it is when Shepard first fell in love with Liara, but they didn't realize Ashley was there too.
"Yeah she was there."
They all look toward the voice and are happy to see Shepard join them. She sits between Mia and Little A and grabs a plate. "She was a real pain in the ass."
"Elly!"
"The best pain in my ass I have ever had, aside from you girls." They all laugh at their Dad. "Once you got to know Ashley you knew what a great big heart she had." Her voice catches a little. Both Mia and Little A touch her shoulder.
Liara jumps in, "She was fiercely loyal like your Father. I think that is why they got along so well."
The food ran out long before the stories. Shepard and Liara shared Ashley's life with their girls well into the early morning hours before they all finally went to bed. Alliance Captain Ashley Williams, Retired, a daughter, a sister, a soldier, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother. She will be missed terribly, but never forgotten.
A/N: Hello all! Just a quick note. This story begins 80 years after Dreams Realized. I hope I made that clear. Also, I hope to update once to twice a week but that may fluctuate. I hope you enjoy this journey!