Liara fiddled with her hands nervously, staring at herself in the mirror while Tali lightly dabbed a few traditional streaks of face paint beneath her eyes. She wore a flowing lilac silk dress, a line of opalescent Thessian pearls sitting around her neck. The quarian was likewise dressed for the occasion, her suit beautifully decorated with strips of purple fabric that disguised the more utilitarian parts of it's design, making it appear more like an elegant gown.

"I don't understand why you're so nervous, Liara. This is Sam we're talking about! Besides, didn't you two already have Anderson marry you before Earth?"

"That is no true comparison. I will forever be greatful to the Admiral for what he did, but it was little more than a rushed formality. This...Goddess, everyone will be there, watching us! She is still recovering, she should really be in bed but-"

Liara could almost hear Tali rolling her eyes "But, she's Captain Sam Shepard! You of all people know what a stubborn bosh'tet she is. You think she's going to let a little thing like a wheelchair stop her from marrying the love of her life?"

She smiled faintly, studying the unfamiliar sweeps of white beneath her eyes.

"You are right of course...It is just..." She trailed off, fighting the unexpected surge of emotion.

"It is just, you're getting married."

Since their initial marriage had (albeit loosely) followed human tradition, Shepard had insisted their official ceremony be asari. As such, their rooms sat opposite one another across a hall, with a slightly raised pedestal at the centre. At that pedestal stood Samara, the Justicar having asked permission to conduct the ceremony upon hearing of the couple's plans. To have a Justicar preside over a bonding ritual was considered a great honour, and they had of course accepted. A curtain hid the entrance to the hall from Liara's view, Tali peering out expectantly for the signal to begin.

"Alright! It's time!"

Liara's heart skipped a beat and she felt sure she would have collapsed there and then had Tali not reached out to take her arm, lightly guiding her through the curtain. Stepping out, she looked out over the crowd of people seated in front of the walkway, the entire surviving crew of the Normandy present along with close personal friends. For someone who had faced down Reapers, thresher maws and banshees, the prospect of walking a few feet in front of them all was surprisingly terrifying. It was little comfort that she knew Shepard would be feeling exactly the same.

But then she saw , dressed in a finely tailored suit that beautifully followed the curves of her body, her normally unruly shock of red hair neatly groomed , approached in her chair flanked by Garrus. He also wore a suit, his own obviously styled more to turian high fashion. Shepard still wore a bandage around her eyes, the operation to replace them not due for another two weeks, yet her own innate sense of direction assured that she needed no guidance.

About a third of the way down the walkway though, she stopped suddenly, Liara also faltering in surprise. For a moment she was sure something was wrong an her every instinct was to run to her bondmate, but Tali held her back and whispered "It's okay. Watch."

Shepard turned slightly and nodded her head to Garrus, who reached down and grabbed something from the side of the stage. Liara gaped as he produced a pair of crutches, helping Shepard get a hold of them and then aiding her out of the chair. Liara knew she had been undergoing therapy to help her recover but she had no idea that she had regained any mobility. She could feel tears in her eyes as she watched her slowly walk towards the centre of the platform, clearly under some strain but managing to do so without help from Garrus, who nevertheless walked alongside her and watched for any sign of her faltering.

Remembering herself, Liara started and resumed walking forwards herself, finding herself gripping Tali's arm tightly. When they at last reached the centre, she reached out and placed her hands over Shepards as she held the crutches, that familiar cocky smile spreading over her lover's face. "I bet you look amazing, Blue."

"You did not need to do that Sam...I...you must be exhausted-" She was cut off as Shepard snorted, waving her arm as much as her curent grip allowed. "Puleeease. I wasn't about to greet my wife in a godamn chair. Which reminds me. Vakarian, if you'd be so kind."

Had Liara been paying attention to either of them, she may have noticed the wink that passed between their two companions. To her continueing surprise, Garrus reached behind Shepard's head and began to unwind the bandages, slowly revealing the woman's closed, reddened eyes. As she watched, those eyes opened to reveal dazzling green gems, squinting a little even in the low light.

"S-sam! You...Your eyes!"

"Chakwas did the operation last night. They got the replacements sooner than expected."

"But...she never told me! I had no idea-"

Shepard shifted, leaning awkwardly on one crutch so she could reach up with her other hand, her fingers lightly brushing over Liara's cheek and feeling the tears of joy that sat there. "I wanted it to be a surprise, Li. I wanted to make sure that the first thing I ever saw was you."