Chapter nine
Garrus kept glancing over at Jane, where she sat in discussion with all the girls. He smiled. Hopefully this would be enough to distract her from that disastrous meeting. He actually had hoped his father would approve, what a stupid fool he had been. He just hoped it didn't discourage Jane from their earlier discussion about a baby. He hadn't been just saying that back on earth to make her feel all giddy, like he had read somewhere on the extranet that human women got all loved up when you mentioned babies. He had actually meant it. He sighed and turned back to his conversation with James, Joker, Zaeed and even Javik the Prothean.
Jane kept glancing across at Garrus. Even from her position on the cluster of sofas across the room from him she could still see how tense he was. She hoped he wasn't regretting her choice back on the shuttle, because she had meant every word.
"So if you and Garrus do succeed in having this human/ turian baby," Tali was saying. "What would you name it.? I mean Humans and Turians have very different ways of naming their kids."
"Who cares what we name it," Jane said. "All that would matter is that it was both mine and Garrus'."
"You two certainly like to just drop these things on me," Hannah Shepard took up a seat next to her daughter and clasped her hand. "No heads up first, just drop it on all of us when we least expected it."
"That was Garrus not me," Jane reminded her. "I was actually going to tell you first, see how you thought. But Bastian kind of put a damper on my plans." Hannah Shepard frowned.
"Yes, that man is positively ridged isn't he. But I almost remember him from somewhere. Lets hope we both didn't cross paths a Shankxi, that would make both your situations even more unbareable. But as to this whole baby thing," Hannah Shepard took a moment and Jane couldn't breathe. What if her own mother shared Bastian Vakarians views.
"I think its a wonderful prospect," her mother mused. "I always wanted grandkid, and I don't care what race, or mixed race they are or will be. I will love them none the less." Jane flung her arms around her mother and held her close, breathing in her all too familiar scent, one that hadn't changed since Jane was a girl.
"Thanks Mom," she said. "Beleive me I'm still worried about biology not being compatible and not being able to give Garrus' what he really wants, and disappointing him, which would totally destroy me."
"Nothing you will ever do will disappoint that man," Hannah reassured her daughter. "He loves you more than anything. He told his own father to get out to protect you and I'm sure he would do it a thousand times over if it meant keeping you safe. In a way he reminds me of your father," Hannah looked sad for a brief moment.
"I miss him too Mom," Jane said.
"He would be so proud of you baby," she murmured. "But come on, lets talk of happier things. This is your party after all. So what would you like too do?"
"Dancing," Liara, Tali and Ashley Williams, all yelled in unison. Jane laughed.
"You go ahead but I think I need a few more drinks before I can muster my courage to dance," she told her crew members. "And don't think I've forgotten all your insubordination last time I danced." All the girls had a good giggle at that one. Jane smiled at them. At Liara, Tali and Ashley, who along with Garrus and Wrex, who was stomping around here somewhere, had been with her the longest. At Jack, Miranda, Samara and Kasumi all so beautiful in their own ways, who had helped her without fear or hesitation to destroy the Collector base. And at Trayner, who may have joined the team late but had proven her worth a thousand times over.
They all made their way over to a makeshift dance floor in the centre of the room, turned to music up and began to dance away. Jane closed her eyes and leant back in the chair she sat in, more than happy for a little time to think. She thought of her future. If by some strange miracle, and they happened more than you would think, she and Garrus got their baby, their lives would be complete. No more Reapers to destroy their happiness. But Jane would never forget those who gave their lives so she could get here. Mordin, Legion, Thane and Kaiden all those years ago back on Virmire. They would live on in her for all her life. Never forgotten.
A cough made her open her eyes. Garrus stood above her smiling down at her.
"Hey Honey," she said, as he sat beside her and held her close. "You OK?"
"That was going to be my line," he told her. He kissed her forehead. "Why aren't you dancing?"
"You do remember what happens when I dance remember?"
"Yeah... by yourself, but I think you do OK with me," he told her.
"Yeah," Jane said, memories of their Tango on the Citadel coming back to her. "Shame no one was around for that one, well expect James. Maybe then they would stop giving me so much grief about my dancing skills."
At that moment a familiar tune came on the sound system. The beat of a Tango.
Garrus held out a hand for her.
"Lets show them what you can do," he told her. She giggled and took his hand willingly this time.
"Come on Guys," Jacob called out, "Stand back, Shepard need room."
As Garrus pulled her into hold, everyone fanned out in the room. When the music hit its crescendo they began, moving with grace and ease this time. Their bodies close, legs interlocking, her own flicking in and out at intervals in a grace she, let alone her crew, didn't expect from her. She flicked her leg up and locked it round Garrus' hip, causing the whole room to gasp. Garrus gave her a knowing look and leant back on that leg, and even in the clothes she was wearing, it looked sensual. The music was drawing to a close and so Jane swung herself out of Garrus's arms momentarily, performing a pattern of staccato moves, before spinning herself back into his embrace, where he dropped her carefully to the floor, making her do the splits, something she didn't know as possible. They finished with Jane draped around Garrus' leg.
The whole room erupted in applause. Garrus helped Jane to her feet and held her close.
"Well that was defiantly proving a point," he sounded a little out of breath.
"Mmmmm... second time round was most defiantly better," She kissed him passionately and felt like the luckiest person alive.
