A/N: I do not own Mass Effect.


Chapter 2 - Start


I'm going to be mom.

Miranda is going to have my child.

We are going to be a family.

Finally.

Shepard awoke with those thoughts running though her head as the morning sunlight filtered through their apartment. It was odd to think that they were finally going to be a family not that she didn't think of Miranda as family she did. It was just now they would have a little being that would call them "Mommy." It was such a long road and Shepard was just finally glad they had made it.

Being the hero of the galaxy and not being able to help the love your life, is not the best feeling.

Shepard had to shake her head because it wasn't like she couldn't carry the baby she could. She tried to tell Miranda about this fact but the beauty refused. What was the point of Shepard being able to carry their child if her DNA was not going to be present? Or at least that was what Miranda had told Shepard and the red head being who she was let that one go. Miranda told her that if she were able to have resources needed to make a baby then she would carry it too.

Shepard looked at Miranda for a very long time trying to figure out if the Ice queen was being serious or not. She figured that a relationship would be a compromise and that meant dealing with pregnancy but surely not here. Shepard frowned she knew why, it was the one thing Miranda wanted desperately and the hero was not about to take that away from Miranda.

If Shepard were honest, her and pregnant seemed from two different worlds. Though she would have done it for Miranda, she would do anything for the woman next to her. The red head leaned over and stared at dark haired beauty. To know that the peaceful looks she held now was much different than it used to be, they were many times were it seemed there was just darkness around them all the time.

"I don't get why you love me. I can't give you the one thing we are designed for!" Miranda scoffed "I'm a perfect destructible mess. All I do is cause you pain, just go!"

Shepard looked at her girlfriend in disbelief she had no idea where this was coming from. Just yesterday they had been more than fine. They were great happy, had been staring at the kids in the park and then everything went sour. She just wanted to know when exactly it had gone sour though Shepard had an idea.

"You will not push me away, Miranda. Perfect? I never wanted perfect with you and that's not the reason why I fell in love with you" Shepard replied "You gave me a second chance at life, gave me the best-"

Miranda snorted through her thick voice "Because that was my job! It was what is required of Operative Lawson, bloody perfection." Miranda mocked

The Commander leaned back and tried to see where Miranda was going with this. Her anger was reaching critical levels because she was lost. She understood if someone was mad and why they were mad. It was another ball park if she came into something she didn't know. Then to get yelled at over it? No Jane Shepard was not going to have none of it.

"I have no idea what the hell I did for you to be this way right now" Shepard started lowly "If you have something to tell me than tell me. If I'm just a job to you then I will walk away- Even if that would devastate me."

Miranda lurched back the pain she felt in that statement alone let the shock run through her entire body. To lose Shepard over something like this she didn't think it was worth it. She had lost Shepard twice that had nothing to do with her. She didn't like the fact of her losing Shepard over her own foolish actions.

She could not lose Shepard, not her too.

She breathed in deeply letting herself relax sitting on the bed before speaking "Shepard I-I cant give you a family. I'm not able…I can't carry one-" Miranda stopped her speaking when she felt warm arms come around her tightly.

"You make me happy, Miranda. I fell for you, fell in love with you, for you. When you chose to let me in I took everything that I came with that." Shepard whispered "If this is just another obstacle then so be it, well get through it."

Miranda took in a shaky breath "But I cant give you-"

"Give me what? All I wanted was you. We will find a way."

"Shepard…"

Jane sighed "Stop thinking you need to be perfect for me."

Shepard felt relief when Miranda let her arms go around her without throwing more of a fit. Shepard never wanted Miranda because she seemed perfect it was for the exact opposite. Jane knows that if it took all her life to show Miranda that then she would. Miranda was the Ice Queen to everyone but to Jane? That was the love of her life.

Miranda kept staring at Shepard with the dazed looked in the commander face she tried calling Jane about four different times now. Each time was less successful than the last so she gave up waiting patiently. If she were honest she didn't mind staring at Shepard her eyes trailing over every detail and the joy felt because they were going to have a family together. Sighing she moved closer and nudged Jane before speaking.

"Commander, are you going to be lost in thought for the whole day?" Miranda teased

The smooth Australian accent kicked Shepard out of her memories turning Jane smiled placing a kiss on the operatives forehead "Good morning my love."

Miranda fidgeted before speaking "We should probably go to the doctors- to make sure everything is-"

Jane grabbed Miranda face gently her thumbs stroking the prominent cheek bones the woman before her was really quite breath taking. Shepard loved her crystal blue eyes and how with every emotion they would change into a different blue. She chuckled to herself she could have sworn that when they used to be out in the field Miranda's eyes would turn a dark navy. Her second in command really didn't like it when she would risk herself for the team but the kisses after where worth it.

"Hey, everything is going to be okay, the baby is going to be okay." Shepard whispered kissing Miranda on the cheek "I should call Karin, right?"

Miranda nodded forcefully "Only doctor I trust and respect."

Swiveling herself around in the bed Shepard scooted up so her back was against the headboard. She fiddled around with her omni-tool for a few moments noticing that she had a few messages that she needed to read. She would save those for later as she ran through her contacts and found the one she was looking for her. In matter of milli-seconds the doctor popped up eye bright as always.

"Commander, what do I owe the pleasure to?" Her accent filling the room

"Doc we have some new for you." Shepard said grinning just as in the same moment Miranda shuffled around the comforter being more messed up than before. She sat up a straight placing her chin on Shepard's shoulder and smiled bright.

"I'm pregnant."

The doctors eyes grew bright and wide as she looked between the couple for a few minutes. A small grin fell onto her mouth as she spoke again "Well it was about time, Congratulations to both of you. Now I want you both here, today at eleven-thirty sharp, understood?"

Shepard grinned "Yes Ma'am."

The doctor waved before signing off and Shepard had to recollect herself for a few moments because she was going to the doctor. She was going to the doctor celebrate a new life not because one was being lost and not only a new life but their baby. The words echoed in Shepard's mind it still seemed so unreal. Not wanting to waste the little time they the commander went to get up but was pulled right back down onto the bed.

"Can you believe it?" Miranda said happily straddling the commander her dark falling over her face in a mess.

"Hm. That I love the infamous Ice Queen?"

Miranda scoffed slapping Jane on her chest "You ass!"

"Hey you love this ass figuratively and literally." Shepard teased. "And I like yours too." The commander said smirking as she grabbed Miranda's hind quarters.

"Why am with you again?" Miranda asked

Shepard shrugged sitting up with Miranda still her lap she leaned forward pressing a kiss to her lips. She would never get tired of kissing the woman before her the former ice queen wasn't the best with talking about her feeling but she showed so well. At least to Shepard she saw Miranda clearly and she always had.

"Yes I can believe it" Shepard said softly "Is it a surprise? Of course but a welcomed one. You deserve this Miranda, so much."

Miranda ducked her head before shoving Jane lightly "Not just me, you do too."

"But this was a dream come true for you."

Miranda smiled her eyes watery "Because of you. I wanted this with you, only you."

Shepard chuckled "I got the Ice Queen knocked up. How many points do I get for that?"

"You ruin our moments." Miranda grumbled

"I don't like seeing you cry, baby." Shepard said. "That's why I cut them off."

"Happy tears Shepard." Miranda deadpanned

Shepard smiled dumping Miranda on the bed with no warning making the woman yelp. Jane laughed as she jumped stretching her body out "We need to get ready we only have a few hours, Operative!" Jane yelled as she walked off to the bathroom.

I'm going to be the mother of a baby.

Jane's baby.

My baby.

Are baby.

My own family.

Miranda felt more tears reach her eyes and she was glad Jane wasn't around because Miranda knew she would worry. Though for once these tears were out of so much joy that she felt within herself. She could not ask for me when she has a woman that loves her, wants a family with her- well now has family with her. Miranda lifted her arms so her hands were softly resting on her stomach she couldn't feel anything at all but she knew there was a little there. She swallowed hard when a memory came rushing back all too soon.

"Miri? Whats wrong?" Shepard asked franticly running into the bathroom to only see a crying Miranda on the floor. She had been looking all the place for her and to find her sitting on the tile floor body lost of life- it wasn't something Shepard wanted to see.

"Its negative- negative again! I thought it would be different now i-its not" Miranda said thickly "All of this for what? For what! I'm so-so tired Jane."

"I know baby, I know." Shepard whispered her eyes stinging with a flow of unshed tears cautiously she sat next to Miranda. She didn't know if the woman before wanted her touch or not it was something Shepard always struggle with when it came to Miranda. Her whole body was itching to hold Miranda so she scooted and as soon as she opened her arms Miranda leaned in, head against her chest sobs wracking her body.

"This is all I ever wanted when the time came and it did with you" Miranda said through her tears and whimpers "I want to give you a family, damnit."

Shepard let the tears fall down her face she knew the toll it took on Miranda and she was glad the woman couldn't see her. She need to be Miranda's rock for however long it needed to be and galaxy forbid Miranda saw her crying right now she would only feel more guilty.

"We will get there, together, okay? Me and you we can do this" Shepard quivered out "I love you."

Miranda could only nod her head and dig herself deeper into Jane letting the comfort take over here. If somebody had told her that she would be able to be this way around someone she would have scoffed told them to leave. The fact was Shepard made her feel safe, warm and completely adored. Made her feel comfortable enough to be herself, to be vulnerable to be everything she was told she wasn't. She clung to Jane even more she knew the phrase "I love you" kept leaving her lips but she meant it.

If she had to go through this with someone she was glad it was Jane.

Miranda came back from her thoughts while looking down at her stomach once again. It would be months before she saw bump. Even more weeks before she felt the first movement, the first kick but the best part was she got to share it with the love of her life. Miranda knew that most women dreaded to be pregnant to gain weight, to get stretch marks and swollen ankles. Miranda thought she might be weird but she didn't mind none of it at all for once she would be normal and she wanted the marks of having a child. She knew that Jane didn't mind if anything the commander would check on her more than ever.

It almost felt like a dream and Miranda was waiting for the moment where she would wake up waiting for it to all vanish away. She still couldn't believe this all was happening she knew that she had been feeling off but not for one moment did she think it would be because she was pregnant. She thought that maybe she was too stressed coming down with something but to her great wonderful surprise it was not. Though they had been planning so it wasn't just an accident but after so many disappointments they didn't let their hopes get up. Miranda looked up when she noticed Jane putting on her boots.

"You and I my darling should go to the Nos Astra Café for breakfast. What do you think?" Jane said huffing as she stood up again brushing her red hair back with a smile.

"Mmm. Breakfast date? How romantic." Miranda replied finally getting up to get ready she may swayed her hips a little more than usual.

Shepard shook her head as she eye Miranda "I try."

"Oh I know." Miranda teased as she jumped into the shower raising an eyebrow at Shepard.


Jane groaned and decided to walk out because if not they were never leaving.

Shepard tried calm herself down she really did but she didn't know how to handle this, handle pregnancy. She had seen many things in her life, reapers, thresher maws, husks and there was that one time she saw a Krogan give birth that made her cringe. Not only because it was very, very wet and slimy but those babies were huge! Tiny compared to a full grown Krogan but gigantic when put to a human newborn. Jane breathed in shallowly looking down at between Miranda's legs and her stomach.

A full grown baby was going to be pushed out of there and she winced at how childish she sounded. Though with everything she had seen her life she just really wanted to know if Miranda understood that a watermelon was going to be pushed down something the size of a damn straw. She had to stop her shiver at the thought of the female Korgan giving birth a human birth wouldn't be like that right?

She needed to talk to someone at some point before Miranda gave birth. If she was prepared for the end of the galaxy she was sure as hell going to be prepared for her wife's pregnancy. She could not be the hero of the galaxy and clueless to something that was so normal in a human life. Her mind stopped when she felt a tight squeeze to her hand and she saw Miranda looking at her pointedly.

Maybe she spaced for a bit too long she squeezed back when she noticed that Miranda was nervous because Chalkawas was in the process of doing all her scans. Shepard leaned down placing a kiss on Miranda's head before holding her hand tightly. She was Commander Shepard and this was her time to be strong.

"How do you feel dear?" Karin asked looking over her omni-tool.

"Rather normal just a bit off."

"How so?" Karin asked looking up

Miranda furrowed her brow "Dizzy, lightheaded and occasionally nauseous but not morning sickness."

The doctor laughed "Morning sickness can happen at any time during the pregnancy but everything else is normal. All part of being pregnant I assure you."

The last comment made both Jane and Miranda smile wide.

"It seems that the tissue regeneration and restoration procedure finally advanced, the results remarkable. If I say so myself you may never have to worry again but to be on the sure side please inform me if anything seems off, right away. We will also keep a very close eye on the little one." Karin talked away as Miranda and Jane nodded waiting a few seconds the doctor smiled "Now, would you like to see your baby?"

Shepard and Miranda froze at the same moment trying to wrap their heads again at this whole situation. They then looked at each other, at the doctor and back to each other. They really couldn't fathom this moment but they nodded their heads slowly as if trying to slow time down. The doctor hovered her omni-tool over Miranda and few seconds they heard the most beautiful sound.

The sound of their baby with a healthy and strong heartbeat.

"That, my dear friends is your baby."

"Our baby." Shepard whispered her eyes already glistening

Miranda thickly laughed "Ours."

Shepard had really tried to hold in her tears but they just poured out and she was tugged down by Miranda to be met with a tender kiss. She wiped her eyes trying not to look a complete mess as she walked around to hug Karin tightly. This was the only other person that truly knew what a struggle it was for them to get here and she didn't know how else to thank her except to repeat over and over again.

Karin replied but just hugging the commander a little tighter.


"We're definitely going to be parents Miri!" Shepard laughed as she walked into the dark living room.

"My Commander you sound just like a child." Miranda replied distractedly the whole house was encased in darkness and for the life of her she could not find the light switch. Which made her think if the house was always this dark or if they just always had lights on. She hissed when she came in contact with a table and then a chair. She would kill Shepard once the lights when on, she was sure.

Finally finding the switch she flicked turning around "Honey, where ar-"

"SURPRISE!" A loud roar echoed through the house.

Miranda's eyes grew wide as she saw everyone start to pop out from their hiding places. There were balloons, streamers even confetti all over the place. There was a huge banner that read congratulations. It seemed there was also paint because she was sure she was two krogan hand prints, a turian print and a haphazard splatter over the middle. She could only laugh because it was the crew after all. Then out came Shepard and everyone stood to the side to make room for her and there was nothing but happiness shining in her green eyes.

"Miranda." Shepard said reverently as she bent down on one knee she took both of Miranda's hands gently kissing her knuckles "I promised you when got engaged that I was always coming back to you, right?"

Miranda nodded eyes wide.

"Then on our wedding day I promised you that I was never leaving you, not ever again. Right?"

Miranda felt her eyes water, she nodded again.

Shepard swallowed "This time I promise you to always be by your side and to always stay by family. Nothing is more important to me now other than you and our baby. I promise to protect you, care for you and cherish you both." Shepard had get herself together her voice was quivering "Please, may I marry you again?"

Miranda had to laugh and she finally let one or two tears fall "Of course I will marry my wife."

"I knew you would say yes." Shepard smirked as she slipped off one ring and put on another and Miranda gasped the rin-

"Damn Shepard! That is some rock! Where's mine?"

Liara stumbled in embarrassment and bioticly shoved Jack in the ribs harshly. Only to be met with a very angry biotic with slight confusion on her face.

"What!"

"I believe" Kasumi started as she materialized before everyone "That she was trying to tell you to shut up." Making Jack jump around, startled.

Garrus twitched "Hmm. Planning to steel that rock?"

Kasumi smirked "Oh no I just taped this but you know there was part of the video that I didn't I caught. I think it was you, Garrus and-"

"N-no!" Tali shrieked then blushing "Garrus, shut it."

Shepard only laughed before standing up and pulling Miranda by her waist forming them together. She leaned forward placing a kiss on her lips only for the raven haired woman to deepen the kiss even more. There was a loud long resounding chorus of "Oh" in the background so they reluctantly stopped but Miranda leaned in whispering so only Jane could hear.

"You will explain this later on and that kiss? We will finish that later, Jane Shepard." Shepard felt her eyes grow wide but she played it off with a smile because if the crew caught they would never leave her alone for it.

"Now lets get this fiesta started, mis amigos!" James yelled as he uncapped two bottles of champagne the corks flying everywhere.

Everywhere being Grunt and Jack.

"Primitives." Javik half stated, half scoffed

Tomorrow will be interesting were the last thoughts anyone had inside the house.


A/N:

I'd like to give a big thanks to Darkoslim for helping me out on deciding how to continue this.

This chapter was harder to write than I thought. Going from a one-shot, to a full out story, I had to really think on where to take it. The first half is a lot back story, so the last chapter could make a bit more sense.

I hope you enjoyed.

Until Next Time!

UPDATE: I kept my original A/N's for nostalgia sake. Also I realized that in my original version it made no sense for Miranda and Shepard to not be married. So yes, that changed here.