Mass Effect (c) Bioware

Stay tuned for an epilogue.

Everyone was ready. Guests had taken their seats, and a minister was waiting at the end of a long aisle under a white gazebo with red and white flowers tied along the archway. The aisle itself was a brick pathway. Kaidan was waiting at the end of the aisle nervously; he was twiddling his thumbs absentmindedly.

Soon the bridesmaids and groomsmen walked in, respectively led by the Best Man and Maid of Honor. Ladies on the left, men on the right. The order was mostly randomized on who walked next to who, but Tali and Garrus had elected to come second in both of their lines; thus standing together on the way down. They took their spots standing on the sides of the groom and bride.

Then Grunt walked in, carefully holding a pillow with two rings. Under normal conditions, they would've never allowed the actual rings to be carried for fear of them falling off. Grunt had been stubborn and persisted in practicing, and was allowed to carry the real rings. He proudly smiled as he was the center of attention walking down.

There was no single flower girl. Instead, there were six! A young human, turian, salarian, asari, quarian, and krogan girl bounded down the aisle cheerfully, tossing their petals all about. The girls giggled and gleefully tossed petals both at each other playfully and on the ground.

Finally, the music cued. It was a lovely rendition of Here Comes The Bride. Shepard was escorted in by Wrex, their arms interlocked. Everyone stood in respect and turned to the bride. Kaidan himself had to restrain his jaw from dropping; she was absolutely beautiful. His efforts failed, and Joker snickered as he gently pushed up the groom's jaw.

Shepard took a look all around at the crowd. Sure, there were reporters filming in the corners of the crowd, but she did not notice them. She saw friends and family. Her and Kaidan's mother were dabbing their eyes with tissues and beaming. Major Kirrahe was even in the crowd of guests watching, as was Oriana Lawson and Kolyat Krios. Chakwas was beside the mothers of the bride and groom, not crying, but proudly looking on. EDI was obviously happy, and somewhat fascinated by the whole thing.

Gabi and Ken were beside each other, watching the bride walk. Engineer Adams was there too. Even old Mess Sergeant Gardner came. A number of quarian admirals and friends of Tali were there. Liara's father, Aethyta, was grinning. She looked to her daughter, Liara, who smiled back. Doctor Chloe Michel was present. Garrus's sister and father were nearby the front, to be close to their brother and son.

Commander Bailey was standing next to the councilors. A new human councilor was present, the new one who took over Udina's spot; Councilor Dominic Osoba. All the councilors and Bailey were proudly watching the Spectre walk. A number of other Spectres were with them. Urdnot Bakara was holding her baby and carefully watching Wrex. Samara stood so stoic she almost appeared as a statue, until a stray tear escaped her eye. The justicar made no effort to hide it. Jacob and his wife, Brynn Coleson (or Taylor now,) were watching. A baby girl was held by Brynn. On the edge of the blanket wrapped around the babe had her name inscribed: Jane Shepard Taylor. Samantha Traynor and Kelly Chambers were right next to each other, holding hands.

On the maids' side, Liara looked incredibly proud, urging her best friend on with a mere look. Tali's facial expression was largely hidden by her mask. Miranda was simply smiling. Jack was grinning and nodding her head to Shepard, as if to say "You did good, Shepard." Kasumi's usually naughty demeanor was mixed with a coy appreciation for the day.

On the men's side, Garrus watched Shepard. When he noticed she met his eyes, he darted his head to Kaidan, who did not notice the action. The turian quickly made a slashing across the neck motion, letting her know what Garrus would do if Kaidan made a mistake (which he would never.) Jane merely chuckled at the motion. James...was James crying? Cortez was also happy. Javik just stood there with a blank expression.

For a split second, Shepard swore she saw ghosts behind the alter. Ghosts of Pressly, Jenkins, Thane, Ashley, Mordin, and Anderson all pleased with the day. But when she did a double take, they disappeared. With a blink of confusion, she came to the conclusion she had been imagining things with a small, sad sigh.

And then there was Kaidan. Kaidan had so many emotions on his face. Awe, utter joy, nervousness to name a few. When their eyes locked onto each others', the other emotions faded away. Kaidan and Jane were certain they were ready. After what seemed like forever when in reality it had been but a few moments, the music faded. The minister spoke.

"Who gives away the bride?"

"I do, on behalf of Clan Urdnot." Wrex proudly spoke. He reluctantly let go of Shepard and she took her spot to the left of Kaidan. Wrex nodded to her and took his seat next to Bakara. The minister spoke again.

"Please be seated." Everyone sat down. "We are gathered here today to witness the holy matrimony of Jane Shepard and Kaidan Alenko..." He went on for a little while. Vows were exchanged as well as rings, and finally the key words were spoken. "Kaidan Alenko, do you take Jane Shepard to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, until death do you part?"

"I do." he said.

"Good. Jane Shepard, do you take Kaidan Alenko to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, until death do you part?"

"I do." she said.

"Then I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Kaidan did not waste a second to kiss her. Everyone stood up again and cheered and clapped. Finally they pulled apart and Kaidan and Shepard lifted two locked hands into the air. They made their way back down the aisle, their first steps married. Finally, when they reached the end of the aisle, Jack whistled.

"Let's get this party started!" In response, there were cheers and laughs. Kaidan and Shepard smiled at each other. Both felt so right with each other. They only walked a short distance to a large building where the reception was held. As soon as the music started playing, everyone stood around Kaidan and Shepard, expecting them to have the first dance. The admiral blushed as Kaidan did not hesitate to take his new wife into his arms and dance. It was a strange conglomeration of finger-pointing and shuffling in one dance. It was so awful and yet romantic it inspired clapping and laughing yet again. Even the councilors cracked a smile at the goofy display by their two human Spectres. A lovely bond between two terrible dancers.

The reception was lovely. They ate, danced, dined, and partied. Once again, though, in a midst of the crowd, Shepard swore again she saw those same ghosts. They disappeared yet again when she took a second look. Kaidan that time had noticed Shepard staring off into what seemed empty space and asked if anything was wrong. His bride came back to reality and shook her head a little forlornly. Yet, he kissed her again, and her angst faded away for the moment.

When Shepard tossed her bouquet, Tali yet again caught it, earning even more 'ooh's.' Garrus yet again winked at her. Finally, as they made their way to the Normandy, which would be taking them on their honeymoon to English Bay. Joker and EDI were to head off to Hawaii for dry dock and retrofits for the Normandy, when they would also spend their long-overdue honeymoon as well on the islands.

When they approached the entranced to the Normandy, as everyone watched, Kaidan hoisted Shepard into his arms. The admiral allowed it as she was carried onboard. When the door closed behind them and he walked through the bridge and the CIC, he spoke to his new wife.

"Jane, we've had some crazy years together. And now we're married. I'll never let you go again, and I'm yours and you're mine. My life before you was...it just wasn't right. Now I have you, and you're the light of my life. I love you more than anything."

Shepard merely chuckled and smiled at her husband. "And they all lived happily ever after, Kaidan?" The major laughed in response.

"And they all lived happily ever after, Jane." he said as they made their way to the Captain's Cabin. Indeed, everyone lived happily ever after.