A/N:Hello all! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out! Between a hurricane, losing a computer and writers block, it was hard to get this out. Thank you to all my followers for your patience, understanding and support!
"Lunch is almost ready!" Shepard called to her son, who was currently playing on the floor in the living room, when there was suddenly a knock on the door. "Who in the world?" She asked herself as she answered. She wasn't prepared to see her old crew member, Jack, standing in the doorway. "Jack?! What are you doing here?
And HOW?" The other woman waltzed past Shepard into the house, glancing down at her slightly swollen stomach and the small boy who was currently clutching the back of his mothers pants leg, looking at her shyly. "Yeah, I'd heard you'd turned into a one woman, turian, breeding machine but I'd hoped it was bull-"
Jack started but, after a swift glare from Shepard, stopped in her tracks. "Bull... Crap. I'd hoped it was all bull crap." Jack said. Shepard rolled her eyes at her old friend and closed the door.
"A lot of people people settle down Jack. I never intended on being a commander my entire life. Oh, and come on in by the way." Shepard replied sarcastically but then smirked. She had to admit she was happy to see her old friend. "Well since you're here, you might as well get introduced. Jack, this our son David Vakarian. David, this is mine and daddies old team mate Jack. Say hello." Shepard said and looked down at the young child. He peeked his head from behind her legs. "Hi." He squeaked shyly. Jack stared at him for a moment before saying a simple, "Hey." and then looking around the room. "Wheres the big guy?" she asked. "Garrus is meeting with Primark Victus but he'll be back tonight. To what do we owe the pleasure?" Shepard asked. That made Jack suddenly turned to glare at her. "Are you fu- f-freaking kidding me, Shepard?!" She stuttered before continuing. "I seriously thought you were dead. All this time, I didn't know what happened to you! Then I find out you're alive and living some kind of domestic life like you're in a sitcom vid! Why didn't you tell me?!" When Jack was done yelling, Shepard sighed and turned towards David. "David, your lunch is on the table. Go in to the kitchen and eat, okay? Don't come out until you're done." She told her son calmly. David looked at them in confusion but then nodded at his mother before hurrying into the other room.
Shepard crossed her arms and turned to look at Jack with anger in her eyes. She could feel her old commander self coming out. "First of all, I'm assuming Liara told you where to find us. I'm going to have to talk to her about that. Secondly, our son has no idea about what happened to me and we plan on keeping it that way. Thirdly, I'm sorry for hurting you but Garrus and I both had our reasons for wanting to disappear the way we did. In fact we had the intention all along, no matter what happened during the war. We only told a very few, select people where we were." She glared strongly at Jack. "However, if you ever show up at my house and yell like that in front my son again I will make regret EVER coming here." Shepard threatened. Jack was silent but Shepard could see the hesitation in her eyes. Jack knew she had messed up. She finally responded with an "Ugh, fine. Whatever." but then paused again for a moment before speaking. "Sorry. It was just... Hard when I thought you were dead. When I heard you were alive, I needed to see it for myself." Shepard softened a bit after hearing that. "How about we sit down? You can get to know David a little bit."
Almost on que, David poked his head out of the kitchen. "Can I come out now?" He asked. "You finished already?" Shepard replied. He simply nodded. "What a good boy you are!" His mother exclaimed with a soft smile. He clicked his mandibles happily and ran to her side. Shepard gently rubbed the top of his head lovingly. Jack looked over at David. "So, kid. What kind of stuff are you into?" She asked. "I like to read." He replied hesitantly. "Books, huh? I had a student who was into that stuff. Theres a huge bookstore on the Citadel. You should check it out next time you're there." Davids eyes lit up at the thought while Shepard inwardly groaned and swore at Jack. She loved her son but now he would never leave them alone until they took him to the Citadel to see this damn library. Jack looked at her Omni-tool for a moment. "Well, I gotta head out. Don't be a stranger, Shepard. I know where you live now." She said before walking out the door and leaving in the small shuttle she arrived in. "Momma?" David asked, looking up at her. "Yes, baby?" She answered. "What did she mean she didn't know you were alive? Why wouldn't you be?" He asked. Shepard felt herself stiffen a little but quickly snapped out of it and crouched to his eye level. "Don't worry. Momma isn't going anywhere, okay?" David hugged her tightly. Momma?" He asked again. She replied with a soft. "Yes?" "I want to go to the Citadel." He stated. Shepard sighed before answering. "Yeah thats a hard no." And then thats all he talked about for the rest of the day until his father came home that evening.
It was a few hours later when Garrus returned home. He was greeted by his son, who ran towards him yelling "Daddy!" He picked David up into his arms. "I got you a present." Garrus told him and reached into his bag to pull out a rectangle shaped package. "Thank you!" David exclaimed. Garrus sat him down and he ran to the couch to open his gift. "Welcome home." Shepard said as she walked up to him. "You okay?" He asked. She sighed. "Yeah. Just tired." Garrus nodded at her. "The baby draining you?" Shepard smiled and shook her head. "Well, its certainly not helping but no. We actually had a visitor today." Garrus looked at her in surprise, as much as a turian could anyway. Shepard had learned how to tell his expressions apart a long time ago. "Who?" he asked. Shepard paused for a moment before answering. "Jack." "Oh? Ooooh." Garrus replied in realization. "Yeah. She mentioned to David that the Citadel has a huge library. Guess what I've heard about all day?" Garrus sighed listening to his wife. He knew exactly why she was so tired now. Their son was very stubborn when he wanted something. David ran back to him. "Thank you, daddy! Can we go to the Citadel soon? You and mommas friend said they have a big library there!" Garrus kneeled down to his level. "Son... I'm sure your mother already told you but we can't make a trip to the Citadel just for that. I'm sorry but it will have to wait. Now go get ready for bed." Davids mandibles shut tight on his face in anger as he stomped upstairs to his bedroom. "David! Don't stomp-" Garrus began to reprimand but David slammed the door. "Welcome to my entire day..." Shepard mumbled before walking upstairs after him.
After a few minutes, Shepard returned. Garrus was sitting on the couch waiting for her. "Should I talk to him?" He asked. Shepard shook her head. "No. I put him to bed early with no dinner tonight. Give it till tomorrow at least." Garrus patted the couch. "Come sit down and relax." He told her. Shepard sat down and put her feet on his lap. Garrus had already gotten a pillow for her to lay on. She heaved a heavy sigh. "I don't know what has gotten into him today. He's never been like this." Shepard said. Garrus nodded. "Hmmm... Maybe hes too spoiled." He replied. "Said like a true turian, honey." Shepard said with a light, playful kick to his front. Garrus laughed. "Can't deny that, can we? I have been thinking though... His birthday is coming up soon. Maybe we SHOULD take him to the Citadel for it. But only if he acts right of course." He said to her. Shepard rubbed her stomach softly. "Who's spoiling him now, huh? He is still a child though, Garrus. He's allowed to rebel sometimes. Maybe its the human side of him. I admit I like that idea though. We could have a party and invite everyone. Make a whole thing out of it, ya know?" Shepard replied to him. Garrus thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "I like that idea. Turians don't celebrate birthdays of course but it seems to be an important human tradition. Lets talk to him about the trip but not the party." Shepard smiled softly at. "That sounds wonderful." Shepard said but then looked down sadly. "Jack brought up what happened to me in front of David today. The worried look in his eyes was heartbreaking." Garrus groaned in anger. "Are you kidding me?! Let me get a good scope on her! She can't tattoo her leg if she doesn't have one!" He almost shouted in rage. Shepard grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers. "Its okay. I told him I'm not going anywhere. No need for anyone to lose a leg." She said with a laugh. Oh! How did meeting go today?" She suddenly asked. He rubbed his neck nervously.
"Oh, uhh, good, I suppose... Until I told him that I didn't want to be Primarch anymore..." Shepard shot up in surprise. "You said WHAT?! Why would you do that after all the work you've done?!" She yelled but then stopped herself in fear of waking up David. "I just... I realized how much I missed you and David. It reminded me too much of how my father wasn't around when I was a kid and I don't want that for my children." Shepard sat there with widened eyes while he spoke. She was shocked but couldn't deny she was a bit relieved. It had been hard with just herself and David lately and she'd missed her husband. She just smiled softly and scooted so she was on his lap. "I love you so much." She told him and let out a big yawn. "Ugh. I'm beyond exhausted." She said tiredly. Garrus put his arms underneath her. He then picked her up bridal style. "Well I guess its bed time for you then." He said. Shepard closed her eyes and layed her head on his chest. "I like the way you think, Vakarian." She was asleep before he even got to their bedroom.
The next morning, when David came down stairs for breakfast, they sat him down. "We've got something to talk you about, son." Garrus began. "Your mother and I decided to take you to the Citadel for your birthday." Davids eyes lit up with excitement. "But..." Shepard told him. "Only if you don't storm out or throw a fit like you did last night again. You're a good boy and its not like you, okay?" David listened to his mother intently and nodded, putting his head down. "Sorry..." He said timidly with guilt in his voice. Shepard kneeled down and rubbed the side of his face. "Awwww baby! Its okay. We know you didn't mean it." She said. Garrus felt an almost overwhelming feeling of love in pride in his wife as he watched her comfort their son. She was such a good mother to David and he knew she would be one to their new child when its finally born. "How about some breakfast?" He asked his son. "Can I have cereal?" David asked happily. Garrus chuckled and rubbed the top of his head. "Of course, son." They ate while David told them about the book his father had gotten him. His parents both feigned surprise as he talked and watched him lovingly. They were so happy with their lives now, it was hard to imagine a time when there was war and pain in their lives. It was a distant, almost forgotten memory. And they liked it that way.