This is going to be a series of oneshots, all set in the same universe but at random points in time and not connected to each other in any significant way. It's pretty much just going to be a collection of my drabbles about Shepard and Liara being parents because wow there is nothing cuter.
"You're so tiny."
Shepard received a response in the form of an unintelligible babble, Ava's eyes—her eyes—staring up at her as contently as ever. Looking at her still brought a strange sort of happiness to her; something caught between absolutely overwhelming and perfectly peaceful. The small blue hand reaching up towards her pushed the border almost uncomfortably over into the overwhelming section, but Shepard could feel herself smiling with a joy she had never felt so purely as she offered her own hand in return.
She wondered if this was how all new parents felt.
"Look at that," she said quietly, knowing Ava didn't understand a single word but still loved hearing her as much as Shepard loved talking to her. "Your hand's not even as big as my finger."
Ava giggled and grabbed at the finger that had been wiggled playfully at her nose, feet kicking triumphantly when she managed to 'catch' Shepard's hand. Her nose was dotted with her mother's freckles, and they crinkled as the child laughed. Shepard would have laughed with her, but in that moment she became rather breathless, nothing but a weak chuckle passing from her lips.
"How do you even exist," she murmured to herself, as Ava decided to make a game out of pulling on her fingers. Shepard reached down into the crib and carefully lifted her daughter up and out of it, cradling the girl against her chest. She had yet to get used to just how small Ava was. It felt as though even the slightest tightening of her grip might crush the girl.
"Nah," she whispered, leaning her back against the wall, eyes still on Ava's as the child looked up at her. "You're gonna be tough. Just like your mom."
Technically speaking, Shepard was Ava's father. Whatever name the girl decided she wished to call her, Shepard knew she would be fine with it. Be it mom or dad or some mixture of the two, anything Ava wanted her to be, she would be it. But as it was then, everyone was identified with a simple garble of sounds, and that would have to do until she figured out how to make her words.
And Shepard was watching herself very closely to make sure one of those first words didn't end up being something she might be shouting while shooting down a pack of Husks.
"We're gonna have a lot of fun when you get older," Shepard continued, stepping away from the wall and walking slowly around the room. She spoke softly, letting her thoughts drift. "There's a big galaxy out there waiting for you. Tons of planets to see. I've get friends on most of them, and I know they can't wait to spend time with you." She smiled. "Garrus and Wrex'll probably try and give you something to shoot. Let's try and spare your mommy that heart attack. Besides-" She lifted Ava above her head, smile widening as her daughter let out a squeal of laughter. "I wanna be the one to help you shoot your first gun. I bet you'll be great at it."
Shepard lowered Ava back down to her chest, brushing her thumb against her cheek. "A natural. Everyone will stop and say 'Wow, that kid is so good'." Shepard swallowed, a small lump forming in her throat. "And I'll get to say 'Yup. That's my girl'."
Ava wiggled in her arms, reaching above her head to reclaim the hand that she had captured earlier. She was making a quiet humming noise, and Shepard chuckled as she walked her back over to her crib.
"You're the best kid in this whole galaxy," she said, setting Ava down and holding one of her daughter's hands with both of hers. "And I'm going to make sure you always know that. I love you, Ava."
Ava was pressing her lips together, still making that humming noise. Shepard chuckled, about to question what the kid was trying to do, but Ava gave her an answer first.
"Ma!"
The only sound in the room after was a few giggles coming from Ava as she wriggled happily in her crib. Shepard looked at her, later feeling grateful for having set her down already, because she wouldn't have trusted the strength of her muscles in those few shocked seconds before her emotions caught up with her like a punch in the chest.
"Holy shit."