a/n thank you everyone for all your favs, follows and reviews. To finish the story was hard. but I believe it's time to finish. thank you all again.
Miranda
I had heard that giving birth was painful, but this was bloody ridiculous. I now understood how Liara felt when she had Leealla and Sheanne, well, almost since I only had one baby to push out. I longed for Chey to be here, but it was not possible she was still in critical condition three floors down. For the past few months since the war ended she has been in and out of consciousness and bed ridden. I had sent Ash to tell her, but I didn't know if she was awake to hear it. I gritted my teeth and screamed. "Why the fuck did I tell them I didn't want the epidural!" I yelled at myself. I wanted to cry and curse my love's name. I screamed again and then felt familiar arms around me. "Breathe my love. I am here." Chey said. "About damn time Admiral. My hand feels be like it's about to shattered into pieces." Anderson says. I smiled. "Sorry sir. Some nurses and Doctors tried to strap me down. You uh may want to umm speak to them. When they wake up I mean." She says. I grabbed her hand with mine and squeezed, she held up my other knee Shea holding the other. "You're doing great Miri, push hard I can see the baby's head." I pushed with all my might and felt some relief as Chey Jr's head came free. I was glad Karin had decided to be my doctor her voice was always calming. "Great job darling. One final push and I collapsed Jr's wailing music to my ears. "Just like daddy. Would you like to see her?" Karin asks. She holds the baby out to me. Both male and female parts. Every inch of her was perfect. The last thing I saw was Chey holding Jr close to her, and kissing her head.
Tali
I smiled and laughed, at Leealla's antics, and I knew Sheanne was around here somewhere too, adding to it. At the moment they had built their very own drones and set them to float in front of each other's every step. I sat up and headed outside, in search of my bondmate. I shook my head when I saw her bent over the ground just outside of our property. "Once an archaeologist, always an archaeologist." I told myself. "Li, honey. I m pretty sure you should not be doing that in your condition, especially not in Rannoch's summer days. She turned to me and wiped the sweat off her brow. "If I can be like this during a war, then digging in the heat is nothing." She said her large belly making her waddle. "Yes love, but you were in an air conditioned ship and mostly sitting when you got this far along." I kissed her cheeks. "Oh alright… you win." She says smiling and kissing my lips again. "What are the twins up to?" she asks. "Tormenting each other with drones." I said nonchalantly. "Ah. I assume it's them barring each other's paths again." She says. I laugh. "You know it. They're my daughters after all." I tease. "That's good to know, I would I have not known how to explain it to my father or you if they weren't." she teases back.
Chey
At first, there was no way in hell, I would have ever done anything administrative in the least. But after the Reaper war, I felt like it was time to really settle down, no more wars, no more fighting. I could now bask in my family and enjoy the rest of my life with my wife and children. I was just a teacher though, no long business days to keep me away, nor having to travel to make connections or meet clients. Grissom Academy had become our home. Miri taught Biotic control. I taught Biotic combat. Of course Miri wasn't pleased that Jack was still teaching here. I think it was more because Jack could still get under her skin in a short amount of time if she felt like it. Miri had no control over whatever mood Jack was in. Kelly and Jack had gotten married too. Kelly finding her calling in counseling again. Teenagers really did need it. The best part of being a teacher, I didn't nearly miss our second and third children's birth. Miri was resting and recovering after having them. "Damned Asari cursing me with my next children to be twins." I kissed her forehead. "I know baby. You did really great though. However, you can't blame Li for the twins you did ask to have the multiple babies. Something about not wanting to have children after forty." I said to her. "Shut up. Kiss me." I grinned. "As you wish, my love." I still felt the tingles from when we kissed.
Liara
Life on Rannoch suited us. Tali had her duties as admiral sure but she always made sure to make it to every birthday and every anniversary. The girls were excelling in school, and I had my passion as an archaeologist back. Rannoch was a place full of old civilizations, it seemed I never ran out of work. Samara had moved here when I had asked if she knew any Asari willing to move her and be my children's tutor. She still spoke to Falere, but they were both busy. Falere taking over the role as headmistress at her monastery. Samara with her tutoring. Life was happy and good. "Oh, babe look we have letter from Chey and Miri." Tali said. I read the letter it was not a happy one. "It would seem Ash's mother is sick, they aren't sure how much time she has left." I said. "Oh no. We should go to them and see if there is anything we can do." Tali says. "Okay Love. I'll contact the travel agency." I told her and kissed her and left the room to make the call.
Ashley
It was so hard to get dressed through my tears. I was shaking like a leaf. Strong hands steady me, hands I have known for more then ten years. "Shh…it's ok love. I got you. Let me help you." Shea says. Her hands are gentle as she zips up my dress. Her fingers caress my legs to my feet. Like Cinderella's prince charming Shea puts on my glass slippers, figuratively speaking. Skilled fingers tie the straps and slide back up my leg. Arms of comfort and warmth surround me. "I'm so sorry my heart." She says to me. I kiss her head. "I know baby. But God has called her home to him. And Dad will meet her at the gates. She's at peace now." I tell her. "I call BS Mrs. Shepard you are not as ok with this as you seem to be showing." She points out. " I have to be strong. For my sisters." I said. "No. You don't. Let me be your strength. Let them see you." I held her tighter. She helped me stand. The doors opened and into the spring sunlight we stood together and left for the cemetery. Mother was going home to father. My home went with me. Shea. She was my heart, my soul, my fortress. She was my everything.
Shea
Twenty-five long years since the Reaper war ended, Earth was being rebuilt. The same could be said for Palaven and Thessia. For those first ten years after the war, I went around to each planet helping where I could, not as a soldier though. As just a person. I really had retired, the first chance I got. Ash stayed on for another 4 years but retired with me after that. Eventually we settled on the same colony Ash grew up in. Miri and Chey came to visit every year when school let out. Tali and Liara and the girls came out when they were able too. The rest of the Normandy crew, well, they kept in touch via messages and letters and phone calls. James and Steve got married a few years ago, James had taken over command of the Normandy. Jeff still at the helm EDI at his side. Traynor and Allers also got married and Traynor pretty much became the tech behind her broadcasts. Garrus rejoined CSEC and married the Turian female he met at the casino before we returned to Earth. I think her name was Nyala. Life as always had found a way and moved on. I still remembered all that had been lost, those we lost.
The weather was turning cold and damp, my whole body ached. But today was an important day. Once again I found myself in a room with a nervous bride. Pacing back and forth Biotics flickering off and on. "Careful Chey or you may unintentionally destroy the place. I seriously doubt your mother will be ok with that. Then again you are a Shepard. Property damage is our thing." I said smiling my niece starts laughing. "I'm sure dad would be proud. However I do not think my wife would take kindly to me destroying her home." She replies. We start laughing. The bell signals. "It's time Chey. Breathe now. Walk. Your father is waiting for you." I walk her to the door. My sister is beaming as she takes her daughter's elbow. I follow behind and sit next to my wife and Miri. I look at my nieces future spouse. I remembered her from Feros. It was nice to see that her skin had become more blue. Instead of green like the last time I saw her, Shiala was now a beautiful bluish-green color. They spoke their vows and a well of memories crashed into me. My wedding. Chey's wedding. Tali's bonding ceremony, and now my niece's wedding. So much had happened, so much to lead here, just to this moment. And it all began with Eden Prime. It seemed fitting that once again we were on Eden Prime, but it was a much happier affair. The end is at the beginning, like life does it comes full circle. Eden Prime was the worst and yet the best day ever for me. I hoped it would be just the best day for Chey Jr.