AN: Mass Effect and its Characters are property of BioWare, I just try and make you laugh. Original Characters are of my own creation.
I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter.
December 22nd, 2013, 10:30am, Nos Astra, Illium, Nelly's Pub- Pre-Opening
"So this is the restaurant Stacy and Lidanya have been telling me about." Jennifer asked her daughter as the pair toured the newly remodeled eatery.
"Yea, Will can you show mom around while Derek and I finish the last of the interviews."
Deciding to make full use of all available space, Shea chose to go with what is called an Industrial Theme in American bar architecture. The open warehouse design fit well into the ultra modern architecture common in the Nos Astra megalopolis. The brick and stone finished used throughout draws attention to the copper brewery equipment on display in the center of the pub, which was surrounded by a well-stocked wrap-around bar.
All seating, both tables and booths, were modular. This allowed the floor to be used for a wide variety of functions, from banquets to raves. Hanging from the high ceilings was what Shea called a "floating stage". The unit, suspended from the rafters, was a 3 meter by 3 meter metal was similar to suspension stages used at various stadiums around North America to suspend performers above the crowds during a concert performance. The human thought the idea could be modified to use in the bar since their wasn't a true stage available. But the human wanted live music, and this would allow that to happen.
With the facility fully prepared for opening, Shea was now tasked with staffing the place. Having already decided to make Derek and Ericka her front of house and back of house managers, Will head of security, and Jada her lead bartender, she needed to hire wait staff. and cooks. Additional security was provided by Aria, with new dancers arriving at Afterlife on a regular basis, Aria sent Tama and Dmitria, who were arrive later in the afternoon.
"The Krogan? He looks kind of creepy." Derek mentioned. Tama, Dmitria and the two humans were discussing their options from potential candidates they interviewed the prior afternoon for the remaining security positions.
"Why, scared D? You're almost as big as him." Shea replied, teasing her friend, the two Asari concealing their laughter poorly.
"You can trust the krogan Derek. He comes highly recommended from a close friend, a Krogan whom Aria has known for centuries. He would not have recommended Dorlan if he could not be trusted."
"He's the one who picked up my family and brought them to Nevos when that shark decided to use me as chew-toy on our honeymoon. Dorlan's good people Derek. Well good Krogan anyway. He's Wrex's cousin, we can trust him."
"If you say so." The large man replied, his protective brotherly instinct driving him concern of Shea's safety. "If you trust him I guess I can't argue. But he still needs to do what Dmitria and I say. We're running the show when you and Aria aren't here."
"He will, don't worry about it. Now how about these other two. What do we know about them Tama?" Shea asked, looking over the data pads for two Turian brothers Derek interviewed with Tama. Recommended not by Aria, but by the Turian councilor by way Councilor Tevos. Another "gift" from Delaney Shea has suspected.
"Well, everything checks out from them. Both of them were with C-Sec at the time of their recommendation, however they had some issues with the sitting executor, something to do with a certain consort. Anyhow they both quit, and since they already have adequate training and passed all of Aria's scrutiny, they will be a surprisingly good fit." Tama replied.
"Aria wants ex cops working for her?" Shea asked, unsure as to why Aria would embrace law enforcement, former or not.
"You mistake Aria. She may run all activity, both criminal and legitimate, within the Terminus, and while she often bypasses law, she still respects it. Afterall, she does have quite a few agencies personnel on her payroll. And this is Illium anyway, everything's pretty much legal here. "
"Okay. So then we're set for security. Derek, have Rosario and Jada had luck with their wait staff. I saw them interviewing several candidates yesterday. They hire anyone yet?"
"Yea, Rosario's got six waitresses, all Asari. And Jada hired three additional bartenders, two Asari one Salarian."
"Salarian? That the guy Aria send?"
"Yea. Okay so that means were set, cause Ericka already hired her cooks a few days ago. I noticed our first shipment to the New Lusia Resort was successfully delivered. Have the resort's management committed to regular deliveries?"
"Yes." Derek replied. "From the first indications, the IPA and lager have been well received. Both the draft and bottles are selling at a steady place. They've asked if we would be able to produce it monthly resupply of 1,000 barrels per month."
"That is better than I expected. See I told you Dmitria! And Aria didn't believe the brew would be such a hit with the Asari. Had to tell her you make a good ale, a good beer, people will by it."
But this presented problem. The restaurant was not even officially lunched, and already orders were coming in for export of Shea's brews after their launch at Afterlife created a surge in popularity. Shea and Lenea had discussed expanding the brewery operations, but the current facility, which hadn't even opening to the public yet, was already too small. Aria had presented an idea earlier in the year about the couple purchasing land and setting up a brewery on the planet of Nevos, where the couple had gone on their honeymoon. A large parcel of land adjacent to New Lusia Resort, had recently gone on the market. Within the properties boundaries ran a good sized creek, which would provide ample spring water. There was also an large section of rich tillable soil in which hops, barley and other brewing ingredients could be grown and harvested, reducing the need to constantly return to earth for resupply. Ideal conditions for a breweries.
Thinking over the request Derek mentioned, Shea responded "We can do it. I'll talk to Lenea and Aria about Nevos. See if that's something they still want to do."
"What would you do if you bought the land? I mean you are just opening this place." Tama replied.
Looking at the party surrounding her at the table, the blonde human smiled "I've hired good people and I've paid them well. This place can run itself. It will take at least seven months for any construction to occur. Besides I'll be a few days journey away. Nevos isn't THAT far."
"It would be a better place than Illium for your daughters, that would be a certainty." Dmitria replied. "Congratulations Shea, they are both quite beautiful."
"Thanks. The two of 'em, my little munchkins. My Little Lenea and Little Aria." Beamed the proud father, pulling out her omni to show pictures to the two Asari."
"They do favor your bondmate and Aria." Tama replied "A handful to be sure."
"Not even four months old and they've got this girl wraps around their fingers." Derek replied, patting his friend on the back.
"Yea yea. Oh, as if big scary Uncle Derek doesn't give them EVERY toy he sees. I swear those girls have turned you soft big man. But that seems to be quite the turn on for Antayla, you better watch out there D."
Tama raised an eyebrow at the comment, smirking at Derek "Derek, you're seeing Antayla?"
"Yea, we've been dating a few months now." He smiled, proud of his new found romance. "We're taking it slow though."
"Forever the gentleman aren't you Derek?" Shea laughed "I couldn't hold out that long."
"We know this all too well Shea. You couldn't even wait till the cruiser took off before you two decided to consummate your bonding, remember."
Grinning ear to ear despite her blushing, Shea remembered alright "Yea, I'm a lucky woman. Lenea's the best thing to ever happen to me other than our girls." She sighed as the two Asari looked at each other with knowing glances.
"You fucked Lenea on the way to your honeymoon Shea? What was it like?" Derek cheesed, trying to look innocent. Despite the fact he still viewed Shea as a sister, the whole concept of her sleeping with an Asari turned him on. I mean come on, he thought. She never even THOUGHT about fucking a woman and now she's married to an Asari. Sex must've been pretty damn good to do that.
"I never told you about my conquests in the past D, what makes you think I'll tell you about my wife now. Slip Antalya the python and find out for yourself." Shea just shook her head "I don't kiss, in this case fuck, and tell" unless your Asari, thought the blonde.
"Ready to go Mom?" Shea asked Jennifer as she Rosario and Ericka joined the group having finished touring the restaurant.
"Yes, it's time to get back to the house. Delaney just called, seems two little girls have been a little grumps today. Must want to see their Daddy."
"Yea, I didn't spend much time with them this morning before coming in. I just wanted everything to be set for opening. Tama are you guys coming by for dinner tomorrow night?"Shea asked as she stood up.
"No, we would like to stay here and go over everything before opening. Thank you for the invitation though" the Asari answered.
"Okay." Turning to her human companions before taking her mother home "I'll see you guys at the house tomorrow. Rosario don't forget to bring your guitar."
"Will do. Now go see your girls."
"Good night y'all" said the young father as her and her mother left the pub.
Thirty minutes later, after having piloting her skycar through the hectic the afternoon drive Nos Astra traffic, Shea and her mother arrived home. The mother and daughter were greeted at the door by Lenea and Delaney, each holding one of the twins.
"See Mina, Dana, I told you Daddy was on her way." Delaney replied as her stepdaughter entered the room, both children giggling with excitement in seeing their father.
"C'mere munchkins." Shea cooed, taking both girls in her arms, kissing each one.
"They missed you." Lenea spoke, wrapping an arm around Shea's waste.
Leaning back, Shea kissed her wife "I missed you too. What's for dinner?"
"Delaney and I tried our hand at one of your recipes. I believe we made the spaghetti correctly, but you will certainly be the judge."
"You've made it before Lenea. our spaghetti's delicious. I'm ashamed to say, it's better than mine and I've been making it for years. " Carrying her daughters into the dining room, placing them into their high chairs, delicately soothing their delicate still forming crests "You're hungry too aren't you girls?" Seeing them both smile, she turned to the kitchen. "Let's see what Mommy's got here for you " she said, grabbing two bottles from the bottle warmer, returning to hand one to each daughter, who were now dexterous enough to hold their own bottles. "Dinnertime."
Both Delaney and Lenea smiled at the exchange between the young father and her two children. Shea was a natural at parenting, her patience and love for them evident in every interaction. Lenea had recounted finding Shea asleep on her easy chair with little Mina tucked safely in her arms after the human had gotten up late at night to see to her daughter. This had become a common occurrence for Shea. She would jump at any opportunity to be with her girls, whether late night feedings, chasing off monsters, too making silly faces to calm their nerves. She truly loved her girls. Both parents did. And Lenea, now more than ever, was certain that it destiny that they be bonded, that this human would be the father of her children.
December 23rd, 2013, 12:00noon, Nos Astra, Illium, Nelson T'Loak residence
Looking around the den of her sister's home, Aria was perplexed with the human's decoration choice for the room "What in Goddess name is that thing?" She said, pointing at the tree.
"It is called a Christmas tree. It is part of a human religious holiday called Christmas, although the tree itself represents a more secular celebration of Northern Hemisphere of Earth's winter celebration."
"Okay, but why is it here? I thought Shea converted to Siari when you two bonded." Aria said as she took a seat opposite of her sister.
"She has, but she wanted to continue this tradition for the girls. She said it would be their connection to their grandfather, her father Jacob." Lenea said as she breast fed Dana.
"Where is Shea anyway? I didn't see her when I arrived." Aria sipped on the concoction called eggnog Lenea had offered. Shea made it for her, Lenea had said. It packed a mean punch that was for sure. Shea certainly didn't skimp on the liquor. Aria thought as she drank the sweet beverage.
"She's in her workshop. She has been down their all morning working on her projects. She insisted I not come down. It was a surprise she said."
"I'm I barred from the workshop?"
"No, it is the second door to the left when you enter the garage. Please take her something to drink. She has not been up her at all today." Lenea asked her sister as the elder Asari entered the kitchen.
"I know just what she needs." Aria said, grabbed an ale from the fridge before heading to the workshop.
When she first moved from Earth, Shea had brought with her all of her father's woodworking tools. The layout of their building allowed her to set up the small workshop, where she was currently working on her Christmas present for her wife. Aria found Shea applying a second coat of lacquer to the hand crafted table. The matching chairs were already finished, lined up along the wall.
"Hey Aria. You just get in?" Shea replied as she stood back, pulling off her ventilation mask. "Come on, the fumes are a bit much, let's go outside.
Following the human, Aria exited the room to the small patio outside the workshop.
"What's the table for?" Aria asked.
"Well, my wife needs a real dining room table. And since I couldn't find any that sat ten people without looking like a damn conference room table, I decided to make her a set. Think she'll like it?"
"She'll love it. Your are quite the woodworker Shea, it is a beautiful set. Where did you get the wood?"
"Li ordered it from Thessia." Shea replied, commented on the rich hardwood her aunt obtained. "It's supposed to be the same stuff the furniture in the nursery was made of so I wanted to stay consistent. I uh, made you a set too, although not as big. It's in the garage." Shea replied, letting the surprise out of the bag.
"So you keep Lenea out of the loop but you tell me. But thank you." Aria smirked, she was touched at the time and craftsmanship her sister's bondmate put into the handcrafted furniture.
"You're welcome. I just finished the final coat for the table, so it should be ready to use by the 25th." the human replied. "Ready to go back upstairs? I've got to get the roast in the oven."
"You cook, you build things, you're a good lay. What don't you do?" Aria joked.
Shea just smirked at the compliment. Since the tension building moment of their encounter on Mexico, the two had danced around the sexual tension caused when Shea kissed Aria while the human believed herself to be kissing her bondmate in her sleep. Lenea and her had discussed a potential tryst with Aria and Shiala, but had not broached the subject with Aria. The human felt that it was rather awkward to discuss a fourway with her sister-in-law, despite how ungodly hot she was.
The human felt it odd to sleep with her bride's sister, even if Lenea was open to the idea It wouldn't be the first time Aria and I have shared lovers Lenea had said. But this was different Shea had thought, their married. They decided to shelve the idea for the time being, but should the opportunity present itself, they would let nature take its course.
Lenea explained that Asari were open their sexuality, not at all the prudes that humans were as Shea described them. At the same time however, Lenea did revel in the fact that Shea desired her above all others, no matter what her fantasies about Aria may be.
Shea shook those thoughts from her mind as the pair walked back up the stairs to join the rest of the family.
"Liselle went shopping with your mother Shea. I hope you don't mind I let them use your skycar." Lenea spoke as she hugged her bondmate.
"It's okay. I just hope Mom doesn't buy the whole damn store again. There's no way all of those presents are going to fit under the tree." Shea spoke, winking at Dana, held in Lenea's comforting arms. "Hey baby girl. You miss Daddy munchkin?"
"Shea you keep calling your daughters munchkin? What the f... sorry, what does that mean" Aria spoke, cutting off the curse. Lenea had scolded both Aria and her bondmate stating she did not want their daughters' firsts words consist of profanity.
"Some humans have a genetic condition that stunts their growth called dwarfism, the individuals with this condition preferred to be called a little person. Munchkin is a term that came from a book and movie called the Wizard of Oz in which the little people we're called munchkins. For me, it's want some parents call their kids when their infants, cause their little people. "
"So it is a derogatory term that has turned into a term of endearment? Humans make no sense." Aria shook her head.
"Yea. But it's still cute. Besides I'd never address a little person by anything other than their given name." the human replied.
"Anyway, what is this about presents? There are supposed to be presents? I wasn't aware of this?" Aria scoffed.
"It is more for the children's sake really Aria. Shea described another aspect of the family holiday in which loved ones exchanges gifts. These gifts are from the heart, but are no more important than the times spent with said loved ones. Did I get that correct Shea."
"Yes babe." Shea smiled, knowing she both bought and made presents for her entire family, including Aria and Liselle. "Don't worry Aria, we got you covered. I'm going to take a shower than make dinner."
AN: And yea...I went their with Shea and Aria. Something has to come of their little incident in Mexico. You didn't think I was going to leave you hanging like that did you? Anyhow, thank you for your reviews. I am glad folks seem to be enjoying the story thus far. Please keep the reviews/pms coming, let me know how I'm doing. More to follow soon.