At a little over two months she wasn't even showing, but that didn't stop Shepard from insisting that she wear her maternity clothes; sometimes she thought it was sweet, other times it made her want to howl. It had been cute at first, seeing the dawning excitement on her face those first few weeks, she had smiled fondly as Shepard petted her stomach and crooned nonsense to her, opening doors that didn't need to be opened and scouting around corners for any potential threats. She had laughed quietly when Shepard began to insist on cooking her meals herself and had laughed a little louder when she pulled up her search history on a hunch and found that her fearless Spectre was researching anything and everything that could go wrong with childbirth and how to prevent it, but now it had finally gone too far.

With Shepard insisting that she go to bed earlier each night, and nap during the day, and stop exerting herself for the baby's sake, Liara was beginning to feel a bit like an infant herself; it was time she showed Shepard what it meant to be a maiden on the cusp of motherhood. After today, Shepard would never doubt that she was anything less than an adult, and perfectly capable of looking out for herself. Liara smiled mischievously; teaching, and learning, could be very rewarding indeed.

When she slipped into their quarters she found Shepard sprawled on the bed, tracing patterns in the air with a fingertip, her gaze fixed on a point somewhere on her ceiling. Her thoughts on lessons and consequences were momentarily discarded in favor of enjoying this rare opportunity.

"It's finally happened, Commander Shepard has gone insane from the amount of unnecessary work she takes on her shoulders."

Shepard sat up quickly, a smile spreading over her face. "There you are! It's coming up on evening, have you had a nap today? You look tired."

Liara rolled her eyes, "No, I haven't. In fact, I'm quite sure I don't need one but since you're offering."

She crawled into the bed, pushing Shepard back down to rest her head on her shoulder. "You worry too much."

"Everything I've read says that naps are essential for new mothers."

"Dr. Chakwas says I am fit and healthy and that I should do what I feel is necessary. Napping is not necessary, unless you'd care to join me?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

They lay in companionable silence for a few minutes, each basking in the other's company. Shepard began to shift uncomfortably in that way that Liara had come to recognize as the prelude to a serious discussion. She buried her face in the crook of Shepard's arm, bringing her other hand up to tangle in her hair.

"You have my permission to speak freely, Commander." Shepard snorted, drawing Liara closer.

"I was thinking," Liara bit back the flippant response that hovered on the tip of her tongue; Shepard saw her unconscious swallow and leaned in to give her a knowing kiss before she went on.

"I grew up on ships you know, and while I turned out alright it's really not the best place for a kid. Especially not this ship, we're always mixed up in something or other." Shepard made a face, shaking her head to clear it of whatever memory had crossed her mind.

"Anyway, I was thinking that maybe we should find some quiet little colony and set up a home there. Somewhere we could turn the kid loose without having to worry about trouble; it might be nice to have a yard."

"When you say 'we' I imagine you're thinking that I will simply stay there with our children and you coming by every once in a while to visit? It won't work, Shepard. I'm the broker now and that's a lot of responsibility. Besides, I'm not willing to give you up."

Shepard shook her head, "I'd stay. There has to be an outpost in need of another pair of hands somewhere; I wouldn't be refused." She smirked, "My service record is impeccable to say the least."

"And so modest too."

Liara twisted to trail kisses up Shepard's throat, nibbling along the line of her tendons, "but I think you're better suited to the Normandy than some agricultural outpost. This will be a wonderful home. Just think, when we get tired and need our…" Liara bit down, swirling her tongue about the slight redness, she smiled suggestively, "nap, we can leave the children with Auntie Miranda or Uncle Joker."

Shepard groaned with feeling, "That would spell the end of galactic civilization as we know it, but if you're happier here?" Liara could hear the hopefulness in her voice, this had been Shepard's home too long for her to simply pack her bags and transfer.

"I am." Liara felt Shepard tugging at her shirt, reaching a hand under to play across her stomach, sweeping up to her breasts to take a nipple between her fingertips and brushing her thumb over it teasingly as she peeled the layer of material off with the other.

"I promised you a nap, and here I am being selfish again."

"I don't recall objecting." Liara frowned, "but on that note, I am not a child Shepard, I don't need to be packed off to bed or watched every moment of the day."

"I have never considered you a child, Liara" Shepard bent her head to capture her flesh, sucking gently until Liara began to squirm and fondling her neglected breast tenderly.

"Then you need to stop treating me like one." Liara keened as Shepard nipped her lightly, her thumb pressing against her other nipple warningly. "Out of the bedroom, I mean. You've made your point, Shepard."

"No, I don't think I have. If you think I've been bossy lately then obviously I owe you an apology, it's only fair."

Liara squirmed as Shepard's lips moved up to her neck, teasing the ridges of her crest with that talented tongue. Liara turned her head to give her better access as her hands twined around Shepard's shoulders, nails scoring lightly into her back.

Shepard slid her other hand down Liara's body slowly, pushing her pants from her hips to trace her finger through the crease at her thigh, sweeping over to run her thumb in circles about her belly button; all the while her teeth and tongue continued their work until Liara's breathing became ragged, her hands clenching and unclenching on Shepard's back, nails tracing down her spine. She felt her shiver, a puff of breath at her ear as Shepard arched against her unconsciously.

Her hand continued its downward descent as she pulled away, leaving small pecks the length of Liara's neck, over her breasts, pausing briefly to pay particular attention to her lower stomach. She glanced up at Liara as her hands brushed over inner thighs, massaging her muscles there. Liara's legs curved and spread, her hands reaching out to Shepard once again, thumbs feathering over her jawline.

Shepard pulled away from her reluctantly, her soothing hands dipping down to tease the crease behind her knees, still farther until she was pressing kisses up the inside of her calf teasingly, Liara's hips twitched and Shepard smiled, rising up at last to press her palm against her center, continuing the massaging motion. Liara felt warmth radiating through her from where she touched, shivered slightly as it raised goosebumps all over. Shepard glided her hand beneath the band of her underwear, drawing it down the length of her legs and casting it away thoughtlessly.

"Shepard?"

Shepard ignored her for a moment, licking roughly up her center and pushing between her lower lips to lap at her nub. Liara gasped as her release took her, gently this time, leaving an almost comforted feeling behind. Shepard's hands pushed beneath her hips to draw her closer and began all over again; Liara's breathing became erratic as she bucked thoughtlessly against Shepard's face, fingers descending to curve into her hair once more, tugging her closer without thought. Shepard chuckled and the vibration sent Liara over the edge again; she winced when she felt Shepard's thumb dancing too close to her sensitive flesh. "Enough, I'm too sensitive. Please." She gasped out.

Shepard pulled back, tracing her hands back up Liara's hips to her waist, she pressed her forehead to Liara's breasts, her breath hot against her flesh. "Sorry."

Liara stroked her hair, one hand insinuating itself between them to glide her fingers down beneath the waist of her pants to Shepard's slit, gathering up the moisture there to swirl it around her nub. "No need for an apology this time, but Shepard?"

"Yes?" Shepard murmured slowly, drawing the word out to several syllables so that it sounded more of an affirmation than a question.

"Embrace Eternity."

Shepard gasped as she felt the familiar presence seeping into her mind, impossible to tell at this point where the sensations originated from, it was all warmth and comfort and love. Shepard felt their release taking them and they arched, riding out the gentle waves together, limbs tangling somewhere distant, breath catching.

Sometime later they lay sated together, Shepard's hand brushing over her breasts absentmindedly as Liara's fingers combed through her hair, gently untangling every knot.

"Your apology is accepted, Shepard."

Shepard snorted softly, "Glad to hear it."

"Not in the least because I think I may be ready for that nap now." Shepard sighed with contentment, "Me too."

She drew Liara closer, wrapping her arms about her waist and curling around her, her face pressed into her lover's throat. "We should do this more often."

Liara hummed her agreement, eyes already closing in sleep.