JD watched Shepard out of the corner of his eye as she shifted in the seat of their sky-limo. She was nervous and he knew it. But he understood her worry. She had been out of the public eye for months, leading to speculation as to where she had gone. The Alliance News Network had been running a "Shepard watch" pretty much since she went anonymous.

It wasn't a choice that she was eager to make, but a necessary one. She needed to take things easy, to heal from her bout of Sepsis. Now things had changed so peace was more important than ever. When she left hospital, she set about writing the truth about her life, from her early days on Mindoir, to the death of her parents, to the events of Saren and beyond. It was the full story in her own words, for the people she lost to be remembered and immortalized. A friend of JD's had suggested that the book be made into a film and thanks to his connections, it was made possible. Now they were in the sky-limo on their way to the premiere in London.

JD turned to look at her fully, admiring her beauty. She was dressed in a full-length black lace gown and hair was plaited up to a chignon at the nap of her neck. She looked truly stunning. "You look beautiful." He stated as if it were indisputable fact. To him it was.

Shepard blushed, shifting in the seat again. "I don't feel it. I feel like a whale."

He reached over to caress her swollen stomach. Their baby boy moved from side to side, occasionally pushing a hand or foot against his father's palm. "You look amazing."

Laying her hand on his, she beamed at the way her son moved within her. He was an active boy, which proved to JD that he was just like his mother. Shepard couldn't stay still either. "In four weeks, we get to meet to him. He'll be handsome like his daddy."

JD moved closer to her, caressing her thigh through the fabric of her dress, a lascivious look on his face. "So, where do you think it happened?

She turned to him; her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Bit hard to pin point. Not exactly celibate, are we?"

He kissed her neck, slowly pulling her dress up her legs. "Are you wearing underwear." He whispered in her ear, burying his face into her neck.

Shepard let out a high pitched laughed, squirming as his hot breath tickled at skin. She pushed him away, giving him a playful punch on the arm. "You are such a pervert."

"Can't blame me when my wife is a beautiful as she is."

Shepard sighed happily, resting her head on his shoulder. "I love it when you call me that."

"Greatest day of my life." He agreed with her unspoken statement. It was a day that would forever be etched into his memory. His mother had insisted that they had a gender reveal party at the Coats family home. JD had decided that he'd propose the night before so they could announce it at the party. Only Shepard, with her brilliant yet ill-timed idea, had ruined his proposal plans. Well, she ruined the plans by guessing when she found his Grandmother's engagement ring. He proposed any way as he cooked her favourite dinner. It wasn't the romantic way that he planned, but it was exactly what Shepard wanted. She didn't need grand gestures, huge tokens of love. All she wanted was sweet little gestures and to know she was on his mind when it truly mattered.

They had planned a surprise wedding with only friends and family around them. The guests had no idea what was going to happen, until Admiral Anderson asked for everyone's attention so Shepard could make her entrance with Joker on her arm. She wore a simple white gown with little blue flowers in her hair. It wasn't long before the guests realised what was happening and by the end of the small ceremony, there wasn't a dry eye in the garden. After everything they had been through, both separately and together, they had finally found their own little paradise between them.

The driver interrupted their happy reminiscing to let them know that they were minutes away from their destination, sending Shepard back into her nervous state. JD took her hand, gently pressing his lips to her knuckles. "You don't need to do this."

She sucked in a breath, exhaling slowly. "I have to, JD. I can't hide forever."

It was hard for JD to see her so nervous. He knew how happy she'd be if she never was seen in public again. She was sick of being "Commander Shepard." She had changed her name legally to "Ellie Coats" for that reason. For Shepard, the former died on the Citadel, giving rise to the latter. After he placed one more tender kiss on her lips, he turned to open the sky limo door to see a crowd of press eagerly calling for interviews with celebrities and dignitaries. "Your public awaits, my lady."

Shepard chuckled, taking his outstretched hand. She stilled, pulling him back slightly. When his eyes met hers, a tear slipped down her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you more." He flashed a smile before getting out of the limo.

No sooner had she stepped out; all eyes were on her. A several dozen cameras flashed, eager to get a shot of the formerly missing Commander. Shepard groaned when she saw Al-Jilani desperate to get her attention. She didn't have time for that woman so when she saw Emily Wong, she immediately went to her greeting her warmly. "Emily, glad to see you're ok."

"You've caused a stir, Shepard." She teased, gesturing to her swollen stomach. "Who's the lucky guy."

Shepard laughed just as JD appeared behind, wrapping his arms around her swollen stomach. "Emily, this is Major JD Coats. My husband." She said proud, leaning against his solid form.

"Husband?" That surprised Emily. Shepard had been in a few high profiles romances and none of them seemed like marriage would ever be on the cards. No one even knew she had started a new relationship, never mind a relationship that was that serious. But judging by the way the pair looked at each other, it had the potential to go the distance. Emily couldn't help but chuckle to herself at the string of disappointed men that would follow her forlornly. "I seem to remember being promised an inclusive…." She started. "So how about an interview so my viewers can get the full story?"

JD quickly winked at Emily, making her blush. "Deal, and we'll let you use shots of the wedding too."

Shepard nudged her husband in the ribs, trying to fake being annoyed but failing completely. "I'll call you tomorrow, Emily. You can come to the house."

"Excellent. You better go in. They can't start without their star." Emily watched as the pair went inside before giving her fellow reporters a knowing smile. An interview like that would see Emily's career soar. She didn't know just how she could thank Shepard, but she'd think of something.

The after party was in full swing, revellers in deep conversations, laughing and joking as Shepard walked in with JD on her arm. Luckily, they didn't seem to pay her much attention, something which she was glad about. JD moved away from her to get drinks just as she spotted James in conversation with Steve. Shepard couldn't help to smile at the man who would officially take her place on the Normandy. Steve left James alone giving Shepard the perfect time to speak with him alone. She approached him from behind, tickling his sides just under his ribs, making him jump. "Hey, James. Behaving I trust?"

James immediately wrapped his arms around his mentor. "Lola. I haven't seen you since the wedding."

"Well, I've been a bit busy." She joked, gesturing towards her stomach. "Can we talk alone?"

"Sure, Lola. Let's go out on the balcony." James led her outside, stopping to rest against the railings. "You aren't gonna tell me you love me, are you?" He teased.

She punched his arm, moving to take a spare seat. "So, first things first. I'm officially retiring from the Alliance."

"Retiring." James voice broke slightly. "I knew you were on extended leave, but I always thought you'd come back."

"The Brass left it open for me to return but I just can't do it." There was sadness in Shepard's voice. It was to be expected, after all, her career was over, and she needed to find a new purpose. "Anderson asked me for my opinion over me successor on the Normandy. I told him there was only one option."

It took James a moment to work out what she was saying to him. "Me?" He spluttered quickly. "What about Kaidan?"

Shepard stood up carefully, moving to stand in front of James. "From the moment we met I knew that you would be to me what I was to Anderson. You are ready for this, James."

"What if I'm not?" James whispered.

"You are, James." She took his hand in hers and their forearms rested against each other. He pressed their linked hands against the skin over his heart. She would never know just how important she was to him and nor he to her. "I may not be Alliance anymore, but I will always be your mentor."

"Thank you." James cried slightly, his eyes glistening. He looked down at the bump between them, realisation dawning on him as to why she was retiring. She had given her all for the galaxy, now she just wanted to give her all to her son. "So, does little loco have a name yet?"

Shepard beamed as he son danced from side to side inside of her. "Yeah he does." She turned to the balcony does to see JD coming with Anderson, Steve and Joker in tow. James wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a side hug. "JD, just in time. I was just telling James what our son's name is."

JD moved to her side, placing a hand on her stomach. "Oh, is the only argument I'm gonna win?"

Shepard scoffed. "Oh please! We both win with this one." She placed her hand over JD's hand, smirking knowingly at her husband. "His name is, James David Steven Coats. After all my favourite men."

Joker coughed. "Ahh, do I not count?"

Shepard wrapped her arms around her pilot, pulling his hat off his head, holding it away from him. "Oh, see my handsome pilot, I have a special job for you. You wanna be my son's godfather, teach him to fly like you?"

Joker didn't wanna show it but inside he beamed with pride. He would be nothing short of delighted to be the godfather. He and Shepard had grown close over the years and he would adore her son as much as he adored her. Not that he'd ever tell her that. "Give me the hat back and I'll teach him how to be witty and sarcastic too."

Shepard kissed his cheek and placed the hat gently on his head. "Deal."

After a couple of hours, chatting with various people, Shepard started to get tired. She couldn't deny that she was glad that she attended the premiere. She even managed to have a good talk with Sparatus. He wasn't so bad really, charming and witty. Primarch Victus offered his congratulations on the news of her marriage and impending motherhood. The Quarians Admirals, well Han'Gerrel and Shala'Raan insisted that she visit Rannoch with the baby. Admittedly, after hearing what they had achieved with the Geth, she was keen to do just that.

It quickly became apparent after that night that little James David Steven Coats was the most anticipated baby in the galaxy. Some news stations even started a countdown to her due date. It was a mystery how they even found out, but she decided to let that go. While she didn't want to be the focus of the galaxy again, she was icon and an important part of the galaxy. If anything, she was just happy that something positive had united the galaxy.