This is the day.

The dress has been made, the bridal party had been set – James as the best man with Grunt, Javik and Kolyat Krios as his groomsmen, and Tali as Maid of Honor along with Solana, Kelly Chambers and Traynor as bridesmaids.

Shepard was glad they had decided on a small, private ceremony on the Normandy. The press, somehow, had gotten wind of the upcoming wedding and had been hounding the couple for 2 solid weeks now.

Even Khalisah al-Jilani, the Human tabloid reporter for Westerlund News that had been on the receiving end of Shepard's fist more than once decided it would be a good idea to approach Shepard and ask for an interview and not take "No comment" for an answer.

Another punch was added to the total that day.

Tali, Liara, Traynor and the rest of the crew worked night and day to convert the Normandy shuttle bay into a wedding venue/reception area. The job was done so perfectly that, apart from the Kodiak Shuttles, you'd never know you were sitting in a hangar watching two soldiers get married.

As the guests, including Joker, EDI, Primarch Victus and Talus Vakarian, Quarian admirals Han'Gerrel, Zaal'Koris, and Shala'Raan, Ashley Williams, Dr. Chakwas , Urdnot Wrex and Bakara, and the Citadel Council along with several assorted friends and family members filed in and took their seats, Glyph the Info Drone activated his music playback function and filled the space with a soothing violin concerto.

Shepard's crew had made their rounds to both the bride's and groom's areas – Shepard had the luxury of her cabin that she shared with Garrus, and Garrus the forward battery – to say their congratulations again.

Liara kept her visit brief, due to continual reports coming in from her various operatives. "The Shadow Broker's work is never done, it seems, Shepard." The Asari sighed as she checked her Omni-Tool.

"I just wanted to congratulate you and Garrus," she continued as she embraced her old friend. "You two were there for me after you found me in that ruin on Therum – You brought me into your crew and trusted me, even though you knew nothing about me and we were chasing after my mother, of all people!"

"Liara – " Shepard began, but was asked by the Asari to let her finish.

"Shepard, I know that I can never repay you for what you've done for me these last few years, but I just wanted to let you know that I will be at your side for as long as you'll have me."

"I couldn't ask for greater loyalty, Liara." Shepard replied "As far as I'm concerned, you're not just my friend. You're my family. Thank you for sticking by me through my own trials and believing in me, even when I didn't even believe in myself."

With that, Liara smiled at Shepard and left the room. As Shepard turned to the mirror to adjust her dress, she heard the door open once again.

Jack and Miranda came to visit Shepard together, much to the admiral's surprise, as they weren't at each other's throats with catty remarks or threats of violence on Jacks' part. Had Shepard not been as observant as she was, she would have missed the two women letting go of the other's hands as they entered the cabin.

"Well, it's about damned time, you two!" Shepard whispered to them as they came together in a group hug. Miranda gave Shepard a shocked look, and Jack whispered back threateningly "If anyone hears about this, Shepard – "

"Relax, Jack, your secret is safe with me." The marine assured her tattooed friend with a loving smile. "My lips are sealed."

"Thanks, Shepard, really." The biotic said as they released the embrace. "Nice dress, Shepard" Miranda added with a wink. "Garrus has no idea what he's in for."

"Thanks for coming, ladies, I've missed the fireworks." Shepard replied as they turned to leave the room. At that moment, Tali and her mother, Captain Shepard, burst into the room, flitting about from place to place, frantic with excitement.

"Shepard!" She began. "Keelah, we need to get you read- Oh, you're already dressed." "Erm, well, it's almost time!"

"Alex!" exclaimed her mother, seeing the dress for the first time, a mother's proud tears in her eyes. "Heavens, it's beautiful! Simply beautiful."

"I brought you something to wear today." Her mother continued, pulling a small box from a pocket of her uniform. Inside was a large, emerald-cut Sapphire, set in silver on a long, slender chain. "This was your grandmother's necklace. I thought it fitting, as it matches the Vakarian family marking colors."

Shepard turned to allow her mother to clasp the necklace around her neck. Turning back to the mirror, she was stunned by the beauty of the large stone and its setting.

"Oh mom," she replied, eyes welling up with tears. "It's so beautiful, thank you."

"Come now, Admiral." Capt. Shepard smiled as she dabbed the tears from her daughter's eyes. "We can't have you crying off your makeup before the ceremony!"

"Come on, Tali" Capt. Shepard said to the young Quarian. "Let's go make sure everything is ready out there."

As she turned to walk out the door and find her seat in the hangar bay, Capt. Shepard turned to Alexandra and left her with 7 words.

"You're going to knock his socks off."

Meanwhile, over in the forward battery, the mood was much more relaxed.

As Garrus dressed in Turian formal garb that included a black, floor-length coat emblazoned with a larger version of his family's markings across the chest and back, his best man (and combat rival) James made sure the atmosphere light.

"Alright, Scars" began the big Marine, his tuxedo straining to hold its seams when he makes the slightest movement. "You look good, big guy. Lola isn't going to be able to keep her eyes off of you."

"Thanks, Vega," Garrus replied, feeling the nerves "I didn't think this day would ever come. What do you think her dress looks like?"

"I don't know, man." James replied, mischievous grin on his face. "All I know is, it's amazing according to Tali and you have no idea what you're in for. She hasn't stopped dropping hints about it since Shepard first tried it on."

"Hints?" Garrus asked, interested. "What kind of hints?"

"Oh no, not a chance, Vakarian." James replied, cautioning his Turian friend. "Bad luck to know what the dress looks like ahead of time. At least that's what I hear. I usually just stake out the bridesmaids."

Just then, the battery door opened to reveal Javik, looking uncomfortable in his Prothean ceremonial garb – the design likely recovered from a memory shard that he found at a former Prothean colony after the war ended.

"They are ready for you, Garrus." Javik announced, shortly.

Garrus took a long look in the mirror, took a deep, meditative breath. At the end, satisfied with his appearance, he turned to James.

"I'm ready, let's get out there."

Garrus, James, Javik, Grunt and Kolyat took their places on the right side of the dais that was constructed for the ceremony that gave the whole audience a good view of the proceedings.

Admiral Hackett, looking authoritative in his dress uniform extended his hand to the big Turian and shook it.

"Congratulations, General Vakarian." Hackett said with a smile. "You've got yourself a good woman. Take care of her, and don't let her get you into any trouble."

"Thank you Admiral, you have my word that I will." Garrus replied, returning the handshake. Liara then keyed in a command on her Omni-Tool, and Glyph changed the music from the violin concerto to a beautiful, haunting Turian wedding march.

The guests rose from their seats and turned to see the bridesmaids enter first, starting with Tali, each carrying a small bouquet of white roses wrapped with linen.

As Shepard came around the corner to enter the Hangar bay, she was greeted by a familiar face, dressed in ceremonial Asari garb.

"Samara!" Shepard cried as she saw the Asari Justicar.

"Shepard, hello my friend." The Asari replied, embracing the woman. "Liara contacted me and said that you had no one to accompany you today and 'give you away' as it were. I would be honored if you will allow me to be that person."

Temporarily speechless, Shepard replied as they parted. "No, Samara, it would be my honor to be given away by you."

"Shall we, then?" Asked Samara as she crooked her arm so Shepard could hold on to it.

"Let's go. I'm ready to be married!" Shepard replied as they stepped to the doorway.

There were audible gasps of excitement as Shepard, accompanied by Samara, appeared in the doorway at the end of the aisle.

Shepard walked, arm in arm with the Asari matriarch, slowly towards the dais, listening to the whispered murmurs of the crowd, pleased that what she heard – thanks to her cybernetics – was amazement at the beauty of the dress and wondering who designed it.

To the bride though, there was no one else in the world at that moment, besides her and Garrus. She looked at him like he was the most beautiful sculpture in the universe, incredibly in love., taking in every feature of his face. She even noticed the little flick of his mandibles that occurred when he was nervous.

Garrus, on the other hand, did not expect what he saw.

Shepard's dress, a floor-length gown of form-fitting, shimmering white fabric, with a delicate silver hairpiece that wrapped around from the back of her head to the shining metal banding that waved across her chest to re-create his family's markings was, to him, the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen.

He spied his sister among the rest of the guests, and slightly nodded in thank-you to her. He knew she was the inspiration for the Turian additions to the dress, and was incredibly touched.

The music faded out, and Admiral Hackett began the ceremony.

"Thank you everyone for joining us on this wonderful day." He began. "We have gathered here today to witness the marriage of Alexandra Shepard and Garrus Vakarian. Two souls forged in the fires of war, that brought peace to us all."

Turning to Samara and Shepard, he asked, "Who here today will give this woman away, that her husband might care for her until the end of their days?"

Samara looked up at Admiral Hackett and replied "I, Samara, am here to give Alexandra away, so that she and Garrus may join together and entwine their lives and destinies."

As Shepard released Samara's arm and clasped Garrus' hand to ascend the dais, she stumbled ever so slightly as the hem of the dress got in the way. "Should have worn boots!" She laughed, as the guests did the same. She and

"Alexandra Shepard, do you take Garrus Vakarian as your bonded husband?" Hackett continued, turning to Shepard. "Will you love and cherish him, and guard him, forsaking all others, as long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Shepard replied, squeezing Garrus' hand.

Turning to Garrus, Hackett continued again.

"Garrus Vakarian, do you take Alexandra Shepard as your bonded wife? Will you love her, cherish her, and guard her, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"

"I will." Was Garrus' reply, looking deeply into Shepard's deep emerald eyes.

"By the power invested in me by the Systems Alliance of Earth, I know pronounce you husband and wife." Hackett continued, having to remind the Turian. "You may kiss your bride, son."

"Thank you, Admiral." Garrus replied as he snapped into the present moment.

As the couple embraced and kissed deeply, the crowd rose and exploded into applause. When they broke after what seemed like an eternity, Admiral Hackett introduced them once again to the guests.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Garrus Vakarian!" He clapped as he motioned them down the dais steps back to the aisle.

Alex and Garrus walked down first; followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen as they came together, arm in arm. As Tali and James ended the bridal procession, James stopped at the door to the hangar bay, and turned to the crowd.

"I don't know about you all, but I'm ready to party! " The big Marine exclaimed, tearing off his tuxedo jacket to continued cheers from the guests in attendance. "Come on everyone! "¡Es el momento para la fiesta! (It's time to party!)