Chapter 13

The Normandy docked at the shipyards of the Citadel around 2300. Cassidy stood by the airlock as the crew filed by with their duffel bags, giving their departing salutes. Garrus brought up the end of the line, carrying both of their duffels. "I have a cab waiting for us." he said. Cassidy turned to Miranda and Joker in the cockpit. "Let me know if any issues come up with the upgrades. The Normandy is yours, Miranda." Miranda saluted.

They found their cab, which took them to a hotel on the Presidium. Once they were in their room, Cassidy turned to Garrus and took his hands. She started pulling him back toward the bedroom, saying "Please allow me to demonstrate to you just how happy I am."

–

She woke up to the smell of breakfast. Garrus was bringing in a cart with a puzzled air to his demeanor. "I see you are awake. There is a card here from whoever sent this in for us. Shall I open it?" "Yes, please." He read the card, "A romantic morning to yourselves. Love, Kasumi." "O that's sweet!" said Cassidy. She got up and put a robe on. Her dishes were marked with blueberries around the edges, his with something red she didn't recognize. She brought hers over to one side of the table and took off the cover – crepes in maple syrup, bacon, hash browns, yogurt fruit parfait, orange juice. Garrus seemed to be particularly enjoying his as well.

When she proclaimed herself stuffed, he got up and came around the table. He took her hand and she stood. He purred, pulling the sash off of her robe, placing his hands on her waist inside the robe. "Now it is my turn to show you just how happy I am."

–

Captain Hannah Shepard was waiting at "The Intersection", an asari restaurant that Garrus had recommended. Cassidy went up to her and hugged her, "Hi Mom. It's good to see you again." Hannah turned to Garrus, turning his proffered hand into a hug. "Good to see you in person, Garrus." They went into the restaurant.

Hannah started the conversation, "So, I had a nice conversation with Karin. She told me a great deal about you, Garrus." "Dr Chakwas is very knowledgeable of turian medicine. I like her." he said. She turned to Cassidy, "I have a feeling that you know what I want to say to you both." "Yes, Mom. In fact, I agree with your feelings, as I told Garrus yesterday after you called." Garrus said, "I was a bit surprised, but it makes sense for a couple that is beyond infatuation and is in fact deeply committed." Cassidy continued, "So, we decided to have a civil ceremony this afternoon at the Tevura temple. They take walk-ins."

Hannah grinned. "I had a feeling it was like this when I saw the two of you yesterday. So, you're thinking of the civil ceremony today and then what - a big affair later, after your mission?" Cassidy answered, "Maybe two big affairs later, depending on how it goes with Garrus' family." Garrus added, "I let my father know about the civil ceremony and I asked for a formal family affair later. He could refuse, but in the end I think he'll let it happen." The server dropped off a basket of bread, goblets of water, and their menus.

Garrus' omni-tool beeped. He glanced at it and said "It's Solana, my sister. Do you mind if I take it here?" Hannah said, "Please take it. Tell her she's welcome to join us if she's on the Citadel." He accepted the comm request. "Solana! How are you?" "It's more like, where are you, Garrus? I just docked onto the Citadel. I want to be there for your ceremony." "Come to the Presidium. The restaurant is called "The Intersection", we just got our menus. Should I pick something for you? Cassidy's mother says you are welcome at our table."

Garrus talked about his family while they waited for Solana. Solana came up and Garrus introduced her to Cassidy and Hannah. Solana sat down, "I was so mad at our father for saying that none of us could come yesterday. I called a couple of our aunts and they readily agreed to fill in for me with mom. So I hopped the quickest ship to the Citadel I could. Mom sends her love to you both and says she's happy for you, Garrus."

They continued talking through lunch. Cassidy liked Solana immediately. When they finished, Hannah said "While we were talking I got us a room for the wedding at the Tevura temple in two hours. Solana, will you take Garrus, while I take Cassidy. We'll meet you at the temple in two hours." Solana's face brightened, "Gladly."

"What's going on, Mom?" "You can't deny me a little bit of planning, dear." Hannah punched in a destination and their cab rose into the traffic. "So, where are we going now?" "Dress, hair, nails and flowers." "Oh."

They settled on a satin shoulder-less number with lace panel insets at the waist and a lace jacket over the top. A tiara and veil were added. They went next door to get hair and nails done while the alterations to the dress were made. After they collected the dress, they went to a florist and Cassidy found a simple orchid based bouquet, which they quickly converted to a bridal carrier. They arrived at the temple with about 20 minutes to spare. The attendant outside directed them to a room and showed them into the attached changing room. Once Cassidy was ready, Hannah directed her to wait and then went out.

Hannah returned a few minutes later. She handed Cassidy a necklace, "You are borrowing this from Karin. You can return it on the ship, later." Then she handed Cassidy a box, which had blue sapphire earrings. "These were my mother's. They are yours now." Cassidy whispered, "Grandma Florence" and put them into her ears, dropping the box into the bag with the clothing she had worn to lunch. "Now take your left shoe off" and Cassidy did. Hannah dropped an old silver coin into the shoe. "There. You're all set." She took Cassidy's face in her hands and kissed her forehead. "You look so beautiful. Let me take an image in here before the ceremony starts." "Oh, one more thing, I almost forgot." She took the chain off her neck that held her dog tags and took off a ring that was on there. "Here, this was the ring I gave your dad. I had it re-worked to a typical turian size. If it doesn't fit, you can have it reworked again." "Wait, when did you have his ring reworked?" "Last night. I told you I had a feeling." Cassidy placed the ring onto the clip on the bottom of the bouquet carrier.

She heard soft music start up in the other room. Hannah said, "I think that's our cue. I'll go first, then you." Hannah stepped through the doors, but shut them behind her. Cassidy was about to open the doors herself, when they were opened from the other side.

The first thing she noticed was that there were a lot of people in the room, on folding chairs looking back at her. Up the aisle in between she saw Tali and Solana standing on either side of Councilor Anderson. Anderson looked to the side and she followed his glance to see Garrus, over by a flowering bush, staring at her. Garrus walked to the center and stood tall in an elegant looking black outfit. Someone cleared his throat and she turned to see Admiral Hackett. He offered his arm to her. Once she took his arm, everyone stood.

As Hackett led her up the aisle, she nodded at her crew, a friend from high school, a few Alliance friends from the Academy. She saw several turian C-Sec officers. Her mother was in the front row, and a blue-painted turian male was across from her. They got up to Garrus and Hackett handed her hands into his. They turned to face Anderson.

"Friends and family, we are gathered here to witness the civil union of this woman and this man that stand before us. Do you, Cassidy Florence Krueger Shepard, take Garrus Vakarian to be your lawfully wedded spouse?" She said, loudly and clearly, "I do." "Do you, Garrus Vakarian, take Cassidy Florence Krueger Shepard to be your lawfully wedded spouse?" He cleared his throat and rasped out "I do."

"Cassidy, do you have a token of your bond to give?" She unclipped the ring from under her bouquet and then handed the bouquet to Tali. She took Garrus' left hand and slipped the ring onto it – it went on easily. "With this ring, I promise to share my life with you, forsaking all others, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, so long as we both shall live. I love you with all my heart."

"Garrus, do you have a token of your bond to give?" He turned and Solana handed him a ring. He took Cassidy's hand and looked at her with a question in his eyes. She lifted her left ring finger and he slid the ring onto it. "With this ring, I take you as my one and only partner in life, so long as we both shall live. I love you."

"Having heard your acceptance to be bound in civil union, in my authority as Citadel Councilor, I declare you married. Garrus, you may kiss your bride." Garrus, still holding hands with her, took one hand to sweep her veil up and over, then leaned down and kissed her.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the galaxy's latest married couple, Cassidy and Garrus." The room erupted in thunderous applause. "Now please line up to my left over by the windows, so the attendants may rearrange the room for light refreshments and dancing, courtesy of Captain Hannah Shepard." Cassidy stood next to Garrus and hugged one after another of all their guests.

When that was done, Cassidy alerted the ladies and turned around to throw her bouquet back at them. One of the Normandy crew caught it. The one that's maybe pregnant? Cassidy wondered.

The remainder of the afternoon was spent going around and talking to various people.

"Mom, how did you find all these people?" "Mostly it was Anderson and Udina. They knew which of your old friends were on the Citadel today."

"Garrus, who is this that stood for your family?" "Cousin Patrus, recently assigned to C-Sec." "Nice to meet you, Patrus."

"Oh, Anderson, thank you for officiating the ceremony at no notice." "My real pleasure, Shepard. Here, you and Garrus need to sign this for the official record." They each signed, noting that Tali's and Solana's signatures were already there. "Did my mom call you?" "Actually, it was Dr Chakwas last night and then your mom had contacted Hackett who happens to be on the Citadel today and he called me, too."

"Admiral, that was very sweet of you to take my father's place. I appreciate it." "Least I could do in his memory, Shepard. You are most welcome."

"Miranda, glad you came." "EDI has the ship in lockdown, nobody but you or I can board. They're working on the armor, so they don't need to board today anyway."

"Zaeed, Joker." Joker said, "Very traditional, Commander. You just remember the traditional vows off the top of your head?" "If you watch enough of the sappy romance movies with friends in the Academy, the words get drilled into your memory." she replied. "Very nice. Congratulations, Shepard, Garrus." said Zaeed.

"Kasumi, the breakfast this morning was very sweet. Thank you!" "Oh I thought you might like that. My pleasure. Garrus, I hope yours was OK. I just asked the concierge to order something traditionally decadent for you." "It was perfect, Kasumi. Thanks."

Eventually Cassidy and Garrus were left with Dr Chakwas, Hannah Shepard, Solana and Patrus.

"Mom, Dr Chakwas. It was much more than I was expecting, and it was perfect. Thank you! Now, get your pics before I get out of this dress." Cassidy and Garrus stood in front of the arch covered in flowering vines and let the women take pics with various groupings.

Hannah checked her omni-tool. "Sorry to leave you now, dear, but I need to get to my ship so we can get her ready for departure." Cassidy hugged Hannah. Hannah hugged Garrus and Dr Chakwas, then walked out the door. Patrus did a stiff shallow bow to everyone and took his leave. Dr Chakwas said "Shepard, let me take your dress, tiara, veil and shoes and I'll turn them in for the deposit for you." So Cassidy and Dr Chakwas went into the changing room.

Garrus looked over at Solana. "I'm glad you looked up about a ring, Sol. Thanks. What did you think of all this?" "It seemed functional and romantic all at the same time. It was very much like what I saw on the extranet. Not nearly as fancy as such things can get, but it was rather last minute." Solana produced a document with the Turian Hierarchy stamp on it. "You sign there, that's where she will sign. I sign there and Tali'Zorah already signed."

Cassidy came back out, dressed in her custom fatigues. "Much more comfortable, now." she commented. Garrus said "We need you to sign the turian record, Cassidy. Use your ranks."

The attendants were coming in to start cleaning. So they said their good-byes and went back to the hotel. Thane and Grunt were sitting outside their room. "Dr Chakwas told us it was traditional to guard the bridal chamber until the couple returned. We're just the latest shift. Goodnight and congratulations." said Thane.

They went into their room and didn't come out for over a day, a few hours before the Normandy was ready for re-boarding.

"Thane's message asked us to meet him outside C-Sec." "Here's a cab. Let's go."

–

Sometimes it's good to be a Spectre,.Cassidy thought. Kellham's advocate told him to talk, there was nothing he could do about it. Bailey was good about not sending Kolyat into the system. Thane was thankful.

"Let's go get our ship out of the docks." said Cassidy.