"Was it really necessary to bring me along, Shepard?"
"Of course, Garrus! You're family," she slapped him on the back with a grin. "You should know that by now." He rolled his eyes, but he could feel his mandibles twitching in the semblance of a smile. "Not to mention, I'm sure the galactic peace is boring the hell out of you."
"True."
"Don't let her fool you," Kaidan chuckled from where he sat beside them. "This is all the girl's influence. Can't go a day without the girls demanding they see their Uncle Garrus."
He could feel himself grinning, in the way that Turians did, his eyes moving to where the two-year-olds chased each other around through the grass. Their feet were bare, and he couldn't help but wonder how it felt to have that strange plant against their soft, fleshy skin. Humans. So…squishy. Especially their offspring. He could at least be thankful that Shepard had her children after the Reaper threat had been quelled.
"It's hard not to love me."
"Okay, Vakarian, don't get a big head now."
Shepard laughed, leaning back on her elbows. "Too late for that."
"Hey now – " He was cut off as he looked as Shepard, one of the twins having jumped onto his back. Her little arms wrapped around his neck and she giggled, bouncing on her toes behind him.
"Piggy bwack, Gawwus! Piggy bwack!"
"What do you say, Riley?" Shepard gave her daughter a stern, but playful look.
"Pwease?"
"Good girl. Now – Garrus – you heard her, piggy back."
"Do I get a say in this?" He asked, though he already knew the answer, carefully grasping Riley's thighs and standing.
"Of course not. Better you learn that quickly," Kaidan laughed, though his victory didn't last long as Rhiannon jumped on his back and demanded the same of him.
"Piggy bwack daddy! Pwease!"
He smiled, a smile Garrus could only call heartwarming; Kaidan was meant to be a father – that much he could see. Together he and Kaidan tromped around the park with the girls on their backs. Turns out, he was happy Shepard invited him.
