In the three months that followed Shepard retired from the navy with the most honors ever bestowed upon a single soldier. He had gone back to Rannoch with Tali and they had built a house on the cliff over the beach near where Shepard had defeated the reaper. Tali had been able to shed her suit without risk after about two months of intermediate exposures. Life for the two seemed near perfect, and yet Shepard found himself more nervous than he had ever been in his entire life.
Today was many things. It was the day he was going to prepare a dextro dinner for first time. It was the anniversary of his first meeting with Tali back on the Citadel all those years ago. But most importantly, it was the day he would propose to Tali. He had spent the entire day trying to figure out the best way to do it. He had found, with the help of a certain master thief, a piece of ancient Quarian artwork carved into stone. The image was one of a servant kneeling before another Quarian. Shepard thought that this would be a great way to kick things off and then he would present to large golden ring he'd had made for her.
Tali giggled as she watched Shepard struggle to prepare the dextro vegetables for her. His steak was getting cold across from her on the table. "Shepard why don't you just let me cook it? Your food is getting cold." Shepard turned his head to look at her. "Because tonight is special. Remember what happened four years ago today?" He walked over and placed her food in front of her. When he looked at her he could tell she was deep in thought trying to find the answer. "You think I'll be right back." He then kissed her on the top of her head and walked over to the closet in the hallway and began shifting through it's contents looking for her gift.
"Hmmmm… Oh I feel like a bosh'tet. That was the day we met." Shepard returned with a large bag in his hand. "Exactly. Happy anniversary Tali." He handed Tali the bag and sat down with a huge grin on his face. "Oh Shepard you really shouldn't ha…" Tali fell silent as she pulled the stone tablet out of the bag. "Shep... Shepard" she stuttered "this… Where did… How did you… Thank you so much Shepard. It's wonderful."
Shepard slid out of his chair and onto one knee next to her. Clearing his throat he looked up into her eyes and gave a nervous smile "Tali, I love you with everything I have and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You have always stood by my side. You helped me stop Saren and Soverign. You believed me about the Collectors when the council wrote me off as a lunatic. You helped me defeat the Reapers. You have always been there for me and I can't imagine my life without you. Tali… Will you marry me?" Shepard then pulled the large ring from his pocket and, with a shaky hand, slid it onto the outer finger of her left hand.
Tali was astonished by Shepard's gift but now she was utterly speechless. She had done a lot of research into human courtship when they had just started their relationship. She had even gone as far as comparing marriage in human culture to the Quarian equivalent. It was the same basic thing… Just a lot fewer ceremonies. She never believed she would be in this situation however. "Shepard… I… I never thought you… Yes, yes I'll marry you." Shepard had been happy when he defeated the reapers but now, he was overjoyed. The one woman who mattered most to him in the entire galaxy had just agreed to marry him.
He stood up and kissed her deeply. "I love you" he said as they parted. "I love you too Shepard. You have made me so happy." Shepard just smiled and looked at her food. "You don't have to eat that if you don't want to. I wouldn't blame you…" Tali started laughing and kissed his cheek "I'm going to go call auntie Raan."
Shepard walked out onto the patio while Tali made her call. As he looked up at the stars he began to think about what they would do about the wedding. Human or Quarian tradition? It was at this point that he realized he knew nothing about Quarian ceremonies. When in doubt... Shepard thought as he opened up the extranet on his omnitool.
Raan had finally gotten relaxed and was about to fall asleep when the comm. on her wall bleeped. "Well that just figures…" as she stood she put on a robe and answered the comm. She yawned and smiled at the excited look on Tali's face. "Hello Tali. What is it?" Raan could tell that she was bouncing a little. Tali held up her hand to show Raan her ring. "Shepard proposed! We're getting married!" Raan's jaw dropped. She couldn't believe that Tali was getting married. "Tali that's wonderful. Where are you getting married? When?" Raan yawned again. "Actually I'll just come over tomorrow afternoon. I need to get some sleep. Congratulations Tali." Tali smiled and nodded. "Alright auntie. Goodnight. And thank you." Tali cut the link and the surprised admiral returned to bed. "So much for a peaceful night's sleep."
Tali stepped out onto the patio behind Shepard and noticed that he was looking at something on his omnitool. She crept up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "what are you looking at?" Shepard closed his omnitool and turned in her arms.
"Well I just gained a Fear of Quarian marriage… Some of those ceremonies are just… Disturbing." Tali could see the worry in his eyes. "Shepard it's fine. We can have a human wedding. But that look on your face is priceless." Tali started giggling and Shepard picked her up and slung her over his shoulder. "Shepard. Hahaha put me down!" She said laughingly. Shepard carried her inside and put her on the couch. "Wish granted. Now how did Raan take the news?" Shepard asked as he sat on the arm of the couch and ran his fingers through her hair.
"She was very happy she is coming over tomorrow afternoon."Tali yawned and smiled. "I'm tired Shepard. Let's get some sleep. We can celebrate in the morning… Unless you want to celebrate tonight?" Tali winked up at him and stood. As she began walking toward the bedroom she swung her hips seductively and just moments after she turned the corner her nightgown hit the wall in the hallway outside the bedroom. Shepard was dumbstruck for a moment. I love that woman. He then ran after her and shortly after his clothes joined hers on the floor.