Pain shot through my ribs as somebody, elbowed me in the ribs. My eyes shot open to see the habitation pod, we were living in while we built are house. Tali was sitting up beside me a smile spreading across her face as she placed her hands over her swollen belly letting out a grunt of pain.

''What happened, have they started kicking'' I said, as I placed my arms around her.

'' Kicking no. I think one doing somersault's.''

I slowly moved my hands over her swollen belly until I could feel the small soft kicks. A smile spread across my face.

'' well they've started kicking, I think that a good sign.''

Tali let out a grunt of pain as she turned to face me.

'' You don't have to be on the receiving end.''

'' If it makes you feel any better you can punch me.''

A smile spread across her face as she placed her arm around my neck.

'' I may take up that offer, how am I supposed to take three more mouths off this.''

'' You can handle collectors, Cerberus and reapers but two little unborn children have you beaten?''

'' Collectors, Cerberus and reapers don't kick you in the middle of the night.''

She leaned in close to me to rest her head against my chest. I leaned back against the bed, simply listening to the sound of the ocean echoing in the background.

'' So what do you think they'll look like?''

I looked down at Tali.

'' I hope they look like you.I wouldn't wish my ugly mug on anyone.''

Tali let out a small laugh.

'' Say the most sexy man in the galaxy, two years running.''

''God, please don't remind me of that. Do you know how hard it was to get the issue of Fornax off jack.''

Tali laughed as she propped herself up on her arms.

'' Didn't grunt need to pull you two apart?''

'' Laugh it up Tali.''

Tali opened her mouth to laugh again, but she let out a small yelp of pain. I wrapped my arms around her as she dug her figures against my skin.

'' What there problem, can't they just sleep?''

I said nothing as Tali dug her nails deeper into my skin, a look of pain on her face. I wished I could do something it hurt me to see her in pain. I wracked my brain for any ideas. Somewhere deep in my mind, something crept up from the blanks that filled my memories. As if I had sung the words yesterday, I began to sing.

'' Twinkle, twinkle, little star, How I wonder what you are! Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky!
When the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon, then you show your little light, Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Then the traveller in the dark, Thanks you for your tiny spark, He could not see which way to go, if you did not twinkle so.
In the dark blue sky, you keep and often through my curtains peep, for you never shut your eye, till the sun is in the sky.
As your bright and tiny spark, Lights the traveller in the dark, though I know not what you are, Twinkle, twinkle, little star. ''

Tali fingers stopped digging into my chest as she started right at me.

'' Shepherd what was that?''

'' What, surprised that commander Shepard can sing?''

'' Well yes but where did you hear that?''

'' I don't know, I can remember it in my mind, but when I try to remember where I heard it, it slips further away.''

'' Maybe your mother sang it to you when you were young.''

When Tali mentioned my mother, I could feel the sadness creeping back into my mind. Even after all this time I felt sad I'd never see my parents again. I always wondered what they'd have thought of are current situation. Marrying the quarian girl, I had fallen in love with and who was carrying my unborn children.

'' Maybe she did, I just can't remember.''

Tali pulled herself closer to me a smile on her face. Her hand had left her belly; I could tell they'd stopped kicking.

'' Could you sing it to me again they seem to like it? ''

I tightened my grip on her as I began to sing again. I didn't know how long I kept singing but only when I was sure Tali was fast asleep did I finally close my eyes.

My eyes slowly crept open. Shepard was standing by the small stove cooking something. The swirling black and blue pattern of the converted enviro suit he was wearing made him stand out against the dull white, of our temporary home. He turned around to look at me a smile forming on his face.

'' Good you're awake, I was making you some breakfast. ''

I pulled myself to the edge of the bed as he handed me the bowl. My smile widened. Even if, it was just heated kilanck, it was nice to have breakfast made for you. I believe the humans had something similar called porridge. Shepard sat down beside me, as he swallowed one of the ration bars he'd been eating here. I felt sad we couldn't eat the same food. I was still wondering how I would explain it to the kids.

Shepard switched on the communicator and put it on the Galactic News network. An asari appeared on the screen standing outside the remains of the citadel council chambers.

'' it hard to believe that less than five months ago, the ground where I am standing was a battle field as commander Shepard fought his way to the citadel master control terminal. Now it stands ready to accept the new council. The new addition of the krogen to the council has caused official complaints from the turian and salarian governments, but with backing from Commander Shepard, the krogan councillor should be arriving within the day. As for where the hero of the hour is, Alliance command has refused to acknowledge Commander Shepard's location, but if are reports are accurate he's enjoying some long overdue RaR with his finance Tali'Zorah.''

I grinned; at least the galaxy wasn't aware of our current predicament. The last thing I wanted was to explain my children to the galaxy. Shepard put his arm around me as he pulled me close to him.

'' At least the galaxy doesn't know about the little ones.''

'' For the moment, how are we to explain this.''

'' Lie through are teeth, it always worked for me?''

''Wait so all the times you said you had a plan for defeating the reapers?''

He turned to look at me the grin on his face said it all.

'' Your are joking, aren't you? ''

'' I thought you'd now be my now Tali.''

A smirk spread across my face as I punched him softly in the arm.

'' Well why don't you make yourself useful and collect the package from the starport? ''
He smiled as he stood up and headed for the exit.

'' Okay I'll be back in an hour, I hope the kids don't start kicking.''

I started laughing as he stepped out of are temporary home a brief blast of salty air filling the room. I smiled to myself as I started eating my breakfast I was feeling very hungry.

I pulled the cowl up around my face. The dust that was been blowing in my face was terrible. I'd only been living on rannock for a few mouths, and I still hadn't got use to the dust. It was being kicked up by the small fleet of shuttles that was flying supplies and passengers down from the fleet in orbit. I stepped through the door of the starport and immediately regretted it. The two geth that where standing the doors, immediately looked right at me.

'' Shepard commander.''

Every geth and quarian turned to look at me. Most of the quarians merely smiled and went back to their business, but the geth started crowding round me as if I was the messiah. Thankful a distraction called out to me.

'' Shepard over here.'' Yelled the familiar voice of Urdnot Wrex. He pushed his way through the quarian security guards to get to me. I quickly pushed my way through the crowd of geth to reach him.

'' Wrex what are you doing here?''

'' What can't I drop by to see my old team mate?'' he replied a grin forming on his face. A coughing behind him caught my attention as Eve stood behind him.

'' What he means commander is he broke the ship engines.''

'' it good to see you again Bakara, and I take it this is Mordin.''

The small krogan smiled at me as he squirmed in his mother's arms.

'' yes the first korgen born with the genophage, and he owes it to you.''

'' Well I had a lot of help from my friends.''

Before ever of the krogans could reply a geth approached me three boxes under it arms.

'' Commander Shepard these arrived for you earlier today.''

I took the boxes from the geth. Guessing by the labels they were all from earth. I turned back to Wrex and Bakara.

'' would you too like to stop by the house Tali would like to see you again.''

'' Well where going to be here for a few hours while the engines are fixed so lead on commander.''

'' Please Bakara call me John.''

A small burst of sparks jumped from the control panel as I activated it. At least it proved the electric where working. I smiled to myself at least there was no danger by shutting this down. Our house was slowly coming along Shepard had barley stopped working. He asked that I didn't do any heavy lifting and for once I was glad he did. I'd had to expand my enviro suit chest section twice already. I wished I could take it off, but with the little ones, my immune system was incredibly weak. As I brought up my omni tool, I heard John's voice approaching. He was talking to something the voice seemed familiar.

'' So this is it. It still got a long way to go but it home.''

'' I guess having biotics and a whole planet of grateful quarians has to help.''

I realised who the voice was. I turned to see the familiar sight of Wrex walking up the path to our home. I smiled as I pulled myself out of the hole and waved to them. Wrex started directly at me, and I realised He was looking at my belly.

'' Shepard is there anything you want to tell us?''

Shepard walked over to me and put his arm around my belly.

'' Just that where having twins. ''

Wrex simply stared for a long time before he burst into laughter.

'' Shepard, do you even know what the word impossible is?''

The female krogan who was standing behind him slapped him on the back of the head.

'' Wrex, please control yourself. I believe the human term is congratulations. ''

The small krogan she was holding smiled as he looked at me. I could tell he was wrex son you could see the resemblance.

'' Hello, you must be Mordin.''

He clapped his hands as he laughed at me.

'' Well I'll get our guest some refreshments, why don't you show them round are pile of rubble?''

A simply nodded as Shepard disappeared into our pod. I turned to face the female krogan who was smiling at me.

'' Bakara is it? I hope you don't find it rude if I ask this but…''

'' Wrex could you gives us a moment? ''

Wrex smiled as he took the small baby krogen and walked off mumbling something about showing him the sea. She turned back to face me.

'' You want to know if it will hurt? I won't lie to you Tali, it the most painful pain you will ever experience. Nothing you have been through can prepare you for the pain of childbirth. But after the end of it all, when you hold your new born child in your arms you know that it worth it.''

I let out a gulped I knew childbirth would be painful but when you heard it sounded even worse. Bakara placed her arm on my shoulder.

'' At least your mate will be with you when the time comes. Mine was riding round on an alien world on a kakliosaur.''

Beneath my mask, a smile spread across my face. She was right Shepard would be with me, and I should consider myself lucky.

I smiled as Tali sat down beside me on the bed. We both felt tired, showing Wrex and Bakara around are building site and then doing a whole day work would do that to anyone. A put my arm around her as I pulled her close to me.

'' So Shepard, what was in the boxes?''

''Just some of my belongings from my lockup back on earth and there something for you.''
As she glanced over at the long, thin box, I knew what she was thinking.

'' Is it my wedding dress?''

I simply nodded as she nuzzled in against my chest.

'' Tali are you still okay with putting of the wedding until they're born.''

'' Shepard the only way I could be happier on that day is if are beautiful children are there.''

I smiled as we fell back against the bed and before I knew we were both asleep.