She muffled a groan as a poke to her side made her twitch. She swatted at the offender before curling back under her covers. Another poke. And another.
Her bright, violet eyes opened and glared intensely at the turian laying beside her. His mandibles flicked in what Shepard knew was the human equivalent of a sheepish grin. At times, she found it endearing. Right now?
She felt like calling up the gunship to match the other side of his scarred face.
"Garrus. What. Do. You. Want."
His throaty chuckle increased the commander's anger as she moved to sit up in the bed. She pulled the covers up to her chest to conceal her modesty.
"Your stomach. It moved."
She resisted the urge to punch him. So she opted to roll her eyes and snort loudly.
"Babies do that Garrus."
She glanced irritated at him until she saw his face. His eyes were drawn to her sheet covered stomach. Looking down at herself, she could barely tell that there was any abnormalcy.
But it was abnormal. Pregnant? A human with a turian?
She sighed softly before dropping the sheets to her lap. Her hands grasped his three fingered ones and gently pulled them to her lips, kissing each hand and placing them gently on her stomach.
She heard his intake of breath and violent shudder before dropping her hands. His own remained as his shoulders shook in suppressed emotion.
If she was capable of crying, she would be.
"Garrus...you know if I could-.."
"I know Ari. It just...makes it more real."
It was quiet after that. His harsh breathing echoing in her cabin as she stared down sadly at her stomach.
"We can adopt. But having this baby? It's too dangerous."
He was silent, and Arianna knew nothing she could say would ease his pain. Their pain.
"I promised to protect you. I never would have imagined I would have to against a baby."
"It'll be okay. After this is all over, we can be a family. I promise."
She finally heard him give a small chuckle as he wrapped his arms around her waist. Squeezing her to him, Shepard sighed.
"I love you."
"I know."
