Welcome. This fic is basically Kaidan and Shepard's epilogue, a series of snapshots about their lives in the future. I will be updating every Friday if I can. Please enjoy.

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.

-Mignon McLaughlin

Kaidan ran his hand along Shepard's arm, trying to make out her expression in the dark room. "What are you thinking about?"

She kept her back to him. "Nothing."

"You can't lie to me, Shepard."

"Watch me."

"Look," Kaidan leaned over her, pressing his lips against her shoulder. "I'm sorry. I know I could have done better, but I got nervous. Everything just...spurted out."

Shepard turned her head toward him. "I know. But it's just so embarrassing. To have everyone know that-"

"It happens to just about everyone," Kaidan said. To Shepard's ears, he sounded a little defensive. "Really, it's a very normal thing. Did you think it would never happen?"

Now Shepard rolled completely over so that they were chest to chest. "When I was a little girl, I dreamed of a lot of things for my future. Not this. I thought it was icky."

"Icky?" Kaidan grinned.

"Very." She paused for a moment. "Why does it have to be white?"

"What?"

"You know. There's just white stuff everywhere." She waved her hands around for emphasis. "So why white?"

"It just is, Shepard."

"Okay, then. Just how much is it going to cost to fix this up?"

Kaidan ran a hand over his face. Why had he started this conversation again? "Shepard, you've caught me a little unprepared here."

"Ballpark me a figure. That's an order."

There was only a sigh in response. Shepard poked a finger into Kaidan's abdominals. "Guesstimate. Come on."

"...thousands."

"Are you kidding?"

"You asked."

"Only because you...can't we go and do it somewhere cheap?"

"No, Shepard. There would be several people who would be very unhappy about that. And a number of them are Alliance officials. I wouldn't be very happy about it, either."

Shepard propped herself up on one elbow. "And that's another thing. Why did you have to do it in front of my mother of all people? Did you see her reaction? She goes nuts over stuff like this!"

"Well, that's not surprising-"

"She's going to want to help, now. Plan out every last detail. You watch, next thing you know she'll be measuring your fluid intake."

Kaidan groaned. "She can't be as bad as my mother."

"How'd she take the news?"

"As expected." Kaidan pitched his voice higher in a rough imitation of a female voice. "'You did what? Oh, I never thought it would happen, dear.'"

The two of them fell quiet. Shepard entwined her legs with Kaidan's, never wanting to let go in any way. He pulled her closer. They were skin to skin, breathing in unison, smelling their mingled scents in a room that was theirs.

"Still," Shepard sighed. "I guess it's all going to be worth it, in the end."

"I like to think so," Kaidan replied. "I wouldn't have asked you, otherwise." He kissed the top of her head. "What are you thinking about now?"

"Nothing, just..." She grinned. "I still can't believe you asked me to marry you in front of everyone. Just like that."

"I still can't believe you said yes," Kaidan replied.

Shepard smiled and kissed him back. "So far, it's the best decision I ever made." She snuggled against his chest, settling in for sleep.

"Oh, and the sex just now was fantastic."