Epilogue: Parting
Performing an asari pregnancy on a human had been one of the most . . . intriguing experiences for Samara. She could tell that the petite female was of same mind on that regard. She held the caramel hands between each of hers, and gave the young woman soft kisses around the face. It seemed that no one else noticed the pregnancy mask unless they were told, but the oldest life form could still see it; she was kissing it at the moment.
"Would you like some time?" It was Sha'ira, an asari that the current father trusted deeply; it had been with her and her acolytes' help that they had managed to secure a smooth labor.
"We must talk," it was the only answer that could be given, and when those sky-blue eyes widen in horror, the speaker smiled her reassuring smile, "it must be done, sunshine . . . ."
"Worry not, Hannah," a good thing was, that those two had become close friends; she then approached the exhausted human, "you feed your babies, I'll speak with their Father for just a second."
Nelyna then entered the room in her quiet and discreet fashion, speaking softly and in a reassuring manner to the blonde, taking her to another room where more asaris waited to help her out. They had food for both, mother and children, as well as a relaxing massage. They would probably squeeze Hannah for information regarding the babies and, over all, the relation they shared. She loathed leaving her caramel pudding in such capable hands, but she knew that things would have been too risky with anyone else. For that matter, she knew that her choice had been right on the spot.
"How did you manage it?" Of course, that would be the main subject; humans couldn't reproduce without donors. Even if the asaris were the only ones who knew about this life form, they had studied their medieval times and hadn't changed much, anatomically speaking. "The girl, she will look just like you when she's older."
"I can already see the line of suitors," she frowned and then growled; she wouldn't be there to prevent or guide the girl. After spending so much time with her recent companion, she knew humans were delicate on that subject, specifically, females. "Sha'ira, you are not helping me out, I have lost enough daughters, and it feels like losing another."
"You're involved deep," there was a frown of worry on her friend's brow, and she stopped, "Samara, the girl is one hundred percent human, yet her whole structure is of an asari."
"If implants are needed, Hannah will make sure —"
"Three years ago, there was an accident on Earth," no wonder why she had been so rudely interrupted, "eezo was involved, a year later it was confirmed that the exposure left around thirty percent of the children with foreign tumors, and they were keen on leaving them to die."
Sha'ira was ready to continue, but stopped when she noticed her companion gaze on her mate.
"And those who didn't die at birth, presented signs of biotic potential," so that was the key . . . no wonder why her partner was sensitive. "We believe iniciating contact might be inevitable at this point."
The human was walking over to her, running actually, no signs of exhaustion left in her. "The Citadel will keep watch?"
"Yes." There was nothing else to be discussed. Or so she thought.
"She looks like you, just like you," the child was once again crying and burying her head on her favorite spot, "is it right to leave her —"
"You gave your word, youngling," she raised the caramel chin, and looked deep into those sky-blue eyes, "it wouldn't do to break it."
"I'm afraid of keeping her," she was becoming frantic, "but I do not wish to part with our —"
A kiss, as always, made things better. The blonde moaned deeply, and they were both breathless after the exchange. Right then, they noticed that several of the acolytes had walked with grace and poise, their target clear as they followed the steps of the caramel being. Nelyna stepped forward, and took the petite human from her grasp, and guided her back to the room. Samara just watched longingly as the young woman was taken from her. Besides her, the cobalt female snorted mildly, quite unlike herself.
"That answers my other question," that made the electric eyes turn to meet those steely ones in a focused glare. "You certainly care for her Samara, and had you not joined —"
"The order gave me stability," and there was another flaw, "and if I hadn't joined it, I wouldn't have met her . . . ."
"Samara . . ." Sha'ira sighed along with the name, and then shook her head as the oldest life form began walking; the other walked behind. "The order doesn't prohibit having a partner, and she wants you to be happy —"
"I want her to be happy," what she needed was peace.
"And she'll clearly be happy at your side!" It was logical, but as always, there were flaws in it; she began seeing them after spending so much time with an irrational creature.
"She also needs a fulfilling life," she turned to give the cerulean female at her side a sad look, "that means more than being a mother."
"She is a maiden . . . ." Finally, Sha'ira was seeing things right. "Maiden and Matron stage tend to mix themselves . . . ."
"Puzzling creatures, I agree," there was nothing else to be said; she meant that about their own race as well.
Samara went towards her mate, as she began giving trouble to some asaris. With the oldest life form among them, she was kept docile. Hannah fed her children, and kept them for three more months. She would do so in the Citadel, where Sha'ira would keep an eye on her, since she wouldn't be allowed to go out of the Consort's personal Chambers. Afterwards, she would leave for Mindoir, and then Earth. Then, Hannah would go back to her vessel.
Samara would be off hunting by then, and with renewed vigor. To make their universe safer for her newest born, who had that same skin tone as her mother, but the texture was that of an asari; the colony wouldn't realize this, and it was likely that said skin would soften with time. All the justicar could hope was for a future meeting.
This story was written for someone I just met: to Rae D. Magdon; may it bring you as much giddiness and joy as Hannah has in it
May you further inspire me