By the end of the evening, everything is finally put together. Cassie has her own bedroom next to the one Andrew and Fletcher are sharing, and everything they brought with them is put away. It wasn't much in the first place, but Jane said she'd go shopping with them the next day for things they're missing.
The kids came up with names for the pups, Rose for the red and Daisy for the blue. I actually remember that they're flowers from Earth, and the fact I remembered seemed to surprised Jane. We had to tell Joker to watch his language around the kids a couple times, but he eventually stopped complaining and sucked it up. Altogether, it was a great night.
Everyone finished dinner, talked for a while longer, then eventually left, leaving Jane and I alone with the kids. Fletcher is dozing off as we all sit in the main room, leaning against Jane and using her as a pillow as he hugs his stuffed bear. Andrew and Cassie are sitting at the corner of the L-shaped couch, and I'm next to Cassie against the wall.
"I can't remember the last time we had a meal like that..." Cassie admits with a soft laugh, but we can hear the sadness in her voice.
"Well, you'll never have to worry about that again." Jane says with a smile as she strokes Fletchers curls.
"It's still hard to believe this isn't just a dream..." Andrew mutters before looking at Jane and I. "I mean, it's you. Everyone knows you, and you're our foster parents."
"Not that he's complaining!" Cassie says almost frantically, as if to make sure her brother didn't offend us somehow. "I mean, I know I'm not."
"I'm not either!" Andrew says a little bit too loud before realizing Fletcher is fast asleep against Jane, and quiets down. "It's just... Amazing."
"Well, you're great kids." I say, smiling at them. "You're welcome to stay with us as long as you need. Hell, as long as you like."
"Garrus!" Jane exclaims softly, and I raise my hands in defense.
"Sorry. Not as bad as Joker, though, you have to admit that." She just chuckles and rolls her eyes as Cassie and Andrew laugh.
"So... I have a question." Cassie begins again. "I know Andrew and I had school lined up if we had to go to the separate homes, but... What about now?"
"Well... Actually, we hadn't thought about that." I admit, looking at Jane. "At least I hadn't. Yet."
"I actually have a little." Jane speaks up, still stroking Fletchers hair. "I can figure out a way to homeschool you if you'd like, or I'm sure there are other schools nearby that you can go to. It's completely up to you, whatever you think is best."
Cassie and Andrew look at each other, and it's as if they're having a silent conversation. It's actually quite interesting to watch. They break eye contact with each other and look at Jane.
"You have the wedding to worry about," Cassie says. "We don't want you to have to worry about homeschooling us, too."
"Are you sure?" I ask, and they both nod and smile.
"Since we're on the topic..." Jane says softly, but I can sense where this is going. I give her a look, and she gives me one back that tells me she's got this.
"Since we're on the topic, we just wanted to let you know... We're always here for you, any of you, for anything. From boys, to girls, to how much you're sure to annoy each other every now and then, to... well, talking about your parents. We just wanted you to know that. Whenever."
It's silent for a bit, and I can see Jane start to look worried that she said something wrong or overstepped.
"We were at our moms lab when it happened..." Cassie says softly. "It was the safest place in town. Everything was fully automated. Drones and mechs kept us safe, but... Everyone could tell the end was getting close because the Reapers seemed to be getting more desperate. Throwing more and more of their forces at us.
They... broke through... One of the big brute things charged right through a wall, taking out half the building with it. Our mom and dad, they... locked us in a storage room, along with a few other kids. I was the oldest, ten at the time. Andrew was six and Fletcher was about to turn two... They were trying to keep us all safe..."
She pauses for a second to look at Andrew, who's already starting to cry. She scoots closer to him and takes his hand, tears coming to her eyes as well. Jane and I just stay silent and continue to listen, but I can feel my heart begin to sink.
"We... we could hear the gunfire... People were screaming, and the things were... screeching. But then, that green pulse happened, and... it just went silent. Everything changed all of a sudden, and... someone unlocked the door. We got out, and I saw... I saw..." The tears drip down her face, and I shift closer to Cassie and pull her and Andrew into a hug.
"Hey, shh... It's okay. You don't have to go on." I say softly, and I look up to see Jane crying as well. Cassie sniffs and wipes away tears with a shaky hand.
"I-I'm sorry..." She whispers, looking up at me.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Cassie..." I say and rest my chin on her head as I continue to hug them both.
"I'm just... glad Fletcher was too young to remember... but... I wish Andrew didn't have to remember it like me..." She admits.
"Stop worrying about me." Andrew says with a soft smile, squeezing his sisters hand.
"I can't believe how strong you are..." Jane says, wiping her own tears away. That disturbs Fletcher a little, and he sits up, rubs his eyes, then climbs right onto her lap. She smiles and hugs him, and I can tell by the look on her face she's falling in love with these kids.
"You said you know what it's like... to be separated from family." Andrew says to me, still holding his sisters hand. "How?"
"My dad and sister were on Palaven when the Reapers first attacked. I was on Menae, one of the moons, helping out our forces, stuff involving the Primarch. Jane showed up to help, and it was the first time I'd seen her in..." I reach my hand out to touch her cheek, and she leans into it with a smile. I sigh before continuing. "...In too long. But that's a whole other story. I wasn't able to get in touch with them, and it got to the point I was practically sick with worry. Jane helped keep me level, told me not to worry because she knew they were alright... And they were, more or less. My sister just had a broken leg."
"Where are they now? Will they be at the wedding?" Cassie asks, and I laugh a little, which seems to confuse Jane.
"See, I was planning on keeping that a surprise." I say with a bit of a grin. Jane rolls her eyes again and stands up, carrying the sleepy Fletcher in a way that seems natural.
"It's getting late... I think you should head to bed." She says, grabbing the teddy bear from the couch.
"I hope our conversation doesn't end up making it hard for you to sleep." I say, standing up. Cassie and Andrew stand up as well.
"We should be fine, but... if it does, can we... come see you?" Andrew asks a bit nervously, and I chuckle.
"Of course," I say, my hand on his shoulder. Cassie smiles and practically pushes Andrew into the bathroom.
"You're not going to get out of brushing your teeth," I hear her say, and I laugh. Jane carefully sets Fletcher down and walks with him to the bathroom, making sure he brushes, as well.
About ten minutes pass, and we've finally got Fletcher into his new bed, fast asleep. Andrew is asleep already as well, and Cassie is just settling down in her room, too. I walk out of the boys room, confused when I don't see Jane follow me out. When I turn around, I see her lean over both Fletcher and Andrew, kissing them on the head. I smile when she finally walks out, the door closing behind her.
"You're so good with them," I say, pulling her into a hug.
"So are you." Jane replies, leaning into me.
"Are you as surprised as I am?" I ask, laughing softly.
"I'm not surprised at all. I always knew you'd make a wonderful father."
I lean down to kiss her, taking her hand in mine. I start to say something else, but we hear Cassie walk out of her room and turn to look at her.
"I... Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..." She mutters softly, a blush on her cheeks. Jane smiles and walks over to her.
"You're fine. Is everything okay?" Jane asks, and Cassie nods.
"Y-yes, it's just... I wanted to thank you again." She says, nervously tugging on the sleep shirt hanging loose over her pants. I walk over just as Jane pulls the teen into a hug, and I join as well.
"You're very welcome, Cassie." I say, looking down at her with a smile.
"W-... Well, that's all. I'm gonna... just... yeah..." Cassie trails off awkwardly as she waves and walks back into her room, and I wait for the door to close before I let out a soft chuckle.
I kiss Jane again and take her hand before leading her into our room. As soon as the door closes, she begins to undress and change into her sleep clothes; I think humans called pajamas or something like that. While she's distracted, I snatch a little box out of a drawer before walking up behind her and wrapping my arms around her waist. She smiles and looks up at me, and I kiss her head now.
"I want to make it official. I'm learning more about human traditions and stuff like that, and with the help of someone very close to you, I think I found the perfect way."
She looks a bit confused at my statement, and as she turns around, I get down on one knee and hold out the box. She laughs and places her hand on the side of my face.
"You do remember the part where I already said yes... Garrus, I don't need a ring."
"I know, but I heard it's a pretty big deal. Especially in your family." I say as I open the box, and the look on her face... Surprise, joy, mixed in with a little bit of confusion.
"That... that was my grandmother's ring..." Jane says softly as she looks down at the white gold diamond and pearl ring. "How did you...?"
"Your mother," I begin. "She gave it to me as a sort of... blessing, I think would be a good way to describe it. After London and the Catalyst, I found her and asked her opinion on... well... you know. She gave it to me, knowing I wouldn't give up trying to bring you back to me, and... I did."
I take it out and hold her hand in mine, slowly sliding it onto her left ring finger. I hear her sigh and laugh a little.
"It... it fits perfectly..." I smile at her approval and kiss her hand before standing up. I see tears come to her eyes, and I pull her close.
"Are you okay?" I ask, worried. She laughs a little and sniffles.
"You really need to practice telling the difference between sad tears and happy tears..." Jane says as she pulls me with her to the bed, quickly losing ourselves in each other once more.