This chapter is basically just a fun look into who Shepard really is, into her background and upbringing.
My femshep is very family-oriented from the get-go.
Many would say my Shepard is spoiled by her family, I would have to agree. _
ENJOY! :]
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Birthday girl
"Wake up dear, Today's your big day!"
Hannah Shepard was always the excitable type, especially when it came down to her only daughter Stephany. Today was her eighteenth birthday, the day where she would have to tell her parents if she would be enrolling in the Alliance military.
Stephany has always been extremely gifted with guns and in-combat training, she was also very gifted with speech, rhetoric and had extraordinary leadership skills. Her teachers, family and friends alike all had big expectations for her.
"Mmkay ma, turn off the lights."
Stephany's face was buried into her pillow, she felt excited about today but didn't exactly want the day to start yet. She had to collect her thoughts before leaving her room and being bombarded by 'happy birthdays' wishes.
"No, we're not having any of that today Stephany. Now get up and wash up! I've made an appointment at a spa on the Citadel for us at 13:00 and I don't intend on missing it. Plus there's a surprise for you in the starboard observation room, mija*!"
Stephany knew exactly what the surprise was as soon as her mother used her father's native tongue. Her grandparents were here from Earth's Dominican Republic.
Stephany made sure to hurry as she did her morning routines in the bathroom, when she was done she tied her long dark brown hair into a very high ponytail and pulled on a pair of her favorite jeans, her pink hoodie and some sneakers. As she ran back to her room to drop off her toiletries, there stood her grandparents and both of her parents. Her grandmother held up a little red velvet box in her wrinkled dark hands, an infectious smile on her face.
"This is beautiful! Thank you so much!"
Shepard held the thin golden chain between her fingers, mesmerized by its simple beauty and shine. It took her a while to notice that the chain was being weighed down by a pendant, she gently took the golden diamond heart shaped locket in her hands.
"We had it programmed to only open to your touch and voice. You must place your finger to the back piece of the locket and say the word 'Estrellas*'"
Stephany smiled up to her grandparents who were both teary-eyed, she couldn't help but let a tear run down her cheek before holding the locket up to her lips her index finger planted to the back of it.
"Estrellas."
As soon as the word was said the locket cracked open and inside there was a holographic slide show that displayed pictures of her back on earth with family at her Father's Villa in the Dominican Republic and of her at her Mother's family home in Amsterdam,Holland . There were also pictures of her back in space in the multiple space stations and ships where her family was stationed. There were also random sentimental vid clips of her childhood and times in the different schools she attended. When the slide show was over, both panels displayed a sheet of space dotted in stars, and then a voice recording was played, a mash-up of the voices of all her family in space and back on earth.
"My love, We see the stars in your eyes".
As everyone gathered for breakfast in the cafeteria, Stephany skipped along like a 8 year old child showing all who wished her a happy birthday her grandparents gift. Everyone would 'Ooo' and 'Ahh' when they were shown the shimmery diamond-golden chain and tell her how wonderful it was. Her grandparents were elated that she loved it so much.
"Stephy! Happy birthday!" called Manuel from behind his kitchen counter.
Manuel was her uncle from her fathers side. Her dad requested that he be stationed wherever he is so that when he's away he can keep an eye on his girls. Uncle Manny had majored in the culinary arts in college so he was placed as a military chef for the Alliance, he was known for making the best grub.
"Thanks so much uncle Manny! Hey, Look what grandma and pop got me as a present. Isn't it the prettiest and sweetest necklace ever!"
Stephany held out her chain from her neck so that Manuel can see,
"Wow, that makes my present look like crap" He replied with an exaggerated frown.
"Hell if she doesn't want it, I will be more than willing to eat it"
Stephany looked up and met her father's brown eyes with her own, she pretended to sneer but failed and ended up laughing. Her dad wrapped his arm around her shoulders before asking,
"What do you have whipped up for the birthday girl, Chef Man?"
The cafeteria was now filled with almost every ship crew member she can name and her mother was swaying back in forth, both her in-laws hands swinging in hers as if playing a tune in her head, her green eyes gleamed in excitement. Her uncle pulled out birthday pancakes smothered in sprinkles and whipped cream topped with a eighteen pink candles.
"Oh geez..."
Stephany covered her face with both of her hands as she always did when they sung her happy birthday.
"Hello and welcome to S'yanna's luxury spa ,the best spa on the Citadel. How can I help you today?"
Stephany and her family had taken the shuttle from the ship 3 hours ago. Manny and her father decided to show their parents around the Citadel while Stephany and her mother attended their spa appointment. Stephany changed into her birthday outfit before departing, She was now wearing a tight black and white leather dress, It was a few inches above her knees,long sleeved and turtle neck. It was paired with tall black leather boots and of course her new locket necklace. Her mother dressed up too, in tight black pants and a flowery teal blouse that made her eyes pop along with her red heels. She had her brown hair in a bun as well as her daughter. Both didn't apply make up yet, they intended to have everything done for them in the spa.
Yes, Stephany Shepard was tough,brave and strong but she was still a girl and she loved everything that came along with being female. She loved being pampered,getting dolled up and going shopping, and those were just a few things. Growing up people would always tease her when she said she wanted to be a soldier, said she was too girly and that she would probably faint due to a broken nail before she could aim her weapon. She showed them all however that she was as likely to fire a concussive shot straight into your gut as she was able to make men and women alike do a double-take. Just like her mother.
"Yes, we have an appointment at 13:00." Her mother replied with a smile, the asari smiled back before returning her gaze to her terminal.
"Ah, yes! Executive officer Shepard of the SSV Kilimanjaro and her daughter Stephany Shepard. I see you two are here for the 'Sweet belle luxury escape'. You get an alliance discount of course and it says here you've also requested the birthday special for your daughter?"
"Yes, that is correct" Hannah grabbed Stephany's hand and smiled at her. "It's her 18th birthday, I'll like to be present for the special as well"
"Congratulations Ms. Shepard, and very well that will be an extra 2000 creds, however."
Hannah nodded at the asari before we were shown into the spa.
Hannah sat along side her daughter at the birthday lounge section of the spa, She rose the wine glass to her nose and took a sniff. They had both finished the 'sweet belle escape 'together, their skin now soft and blemish-less,muscles relaxed, nails clean and polished,body hairs waxed and tweezed, hair blown out loose and styled and their make up flawless.
"If this isn't heaven, I don't know what is...Pampered and now to relax and wine-taste "
Stephany took a taste of her own wine and smiled up to her mother, "I wish we could stay like this forever, Just relaxing with family not a worry in the world..."
Hannah looked Stephany in the eye and held her gaze for a few minutes before asking, "What's wrong, dear?"
"Nothing mom, It's just...I'm finally a grown up and I'm going to miss the perks of not being an adult...I know that from here on out nothing is going to be the same."
Hannah put down her wine glass and grabbed both her hands with her own,
"Honey, I'm not going to lie to you and say nothing will change, but I can promise you one thing. No matter what you decide to do with your life you will have your family's support and love. You will never be alone."
Stephany smiled weakly with trembling lips before hugging her mother tightly.
"Wherever you're stationed, no matter what planet you're on, no matter what galaxy you're in-"
Hannah reached for Stephany's locket necklace and held it up gently,
"We will always be there."
"There you two are, I thought you guys wouldn't make it in time" Her father called from their table at the fancy bistro her family decided to take her out for dinner. Stephany noticed all of the bags near their table and tried not to look excited, she was so distracted by the gift bags that she hardly noticed Captain David Anderson sitting next to her father.
"Chris, why didn't you tell me David would be here, we wouldn't have gone shopping after leaving the spa" her mother told her father, annoyance clear in her voice.
"Well, here I thought that Stephany had enough gifts." joked Anderson as we greeted each other and sat down, Everyone laughed at the joke.
"You two look good, would never guess either of you came from the military at first glace" complimented Anderson as he rose his glass of champagne to his lips and took a sip.
"You were always such a flatterer, David" Hannah replied with a playful wink.
"Looks like you have competition, bro" joked uncle Manny while he nudged his brother. Another round of laughter erupted amongst the family and their close friend.
"That meal was excellent, my compliments to the chef" Stephany's father told the waiter before the desserts were ordered.
"Well the night is nearing its end and I think its time that I give Stephany my gift" Anderson said suddenly. All eyes were now on her and Stephany felt her stomach drop.
"But before we do that-" Her father cut off, "We must ask her the big question"
Stephany took a deep breath and looked her father in the eyes, "Okay"
"Remember mijita*, no matter what the answer. You have our support" Her grandfather assured her, she smiled at him and nodded.
"Stephany Ortiz-Shepard, Will you be enlisting in the Alliance now that you're 18?" asked Anderson in a serious tone.
Stephany knew what she wanted, what she always wanted. To her the question was silly because she personally thought it was obvious what she wanted to do. It was her dream to follow in her parent's footsteps.
"Yes, I've always planned to." Stephany replied confidently.
Her mother almost practically squealed in excitement and her father wrapped his arm around her as they both looked at her, proud.
Everyone was ecstatic that she decided to carry on her family tradition, toasting to the fact with light cheering amongst themselves.
"Now that its clear you want to join the alliance, I can present you with your gift." Anderson finally said when everyone settled down.
He dug into his suit pocket and pulled an envelope out,
"I have a scholarship for you into Interplanetary Combatives Training Program, The N-School. With your skills I'm sure you can become an N7 in no time."
Stephany reached for the envelope when Anderson held it out for her. She held it close to her chest before looking up at him, tears of joy in her eyes,
"Thank you so much."
Hope you liked it!
TRANSLATIONS: Mijita: kiddo,darling,daughter.
Estrellas:Stars