I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.
Again.
That break from updating felt a lot longer than it actually was- probably because I was updating so regularly beforehand. Alas, I have finished as much of Fallout 4 as I have been able to before the DLC is released, so it's time to come back to my Mass Effect fanfiction and finish it.
I will admit, I got myself into a little rut with this chapter that I struggled to dig myself out of. You'll probably be able to notice it as you read that it didn't quite come together as I had it planned in my head. Probably because I've never been to a military service and have no idea how they are run... and I find filler chapters a little harder to write. Gah. Feel free to tell me your thoughts!
Reviews heavily, heavily welcomed. I find that they help me improve my writing and spur me on, and this story needs to be finished. Especially with the plot-packed chapters that are going to follow before I wind this epilogue up.
Lots to do, lots to do. Let's get back to the happy couple, shall we?
The weeks following the Normandy's return to Earth had flown by - or crawled by, if one asked the heavily pregnant Shepard- with almost every waking moment spent with Kaidan, frequent visits from her squadmates, Kaidan, regular monitoring and non-stress tests on the baby, Kaidan, and bed. Oh, the endless, endless days confined to the bed. While ever-grateful that for Kaidan's constant and unwavering companionship since the Normandy had returned to Earth, despite the welcome distraction that he brought there was only so long that the Alliance Commander could handle being restricted to bed when her recently re-conditioned body itched to be active again.
And, if Shepard were to be brutally honest, her well-meaning and ever-loyal squadmates were not making it much easier to pass the time.
"Madre de Dios, Lola, you are looking huge!" James had remarked to Shepard when he and Lieutenant Cortez had first visited the Commander after she been discharged from the rehabilitation ward. "Don't get me wrong, hot as ever Lola, but dayum growing a human looks uncomfortable as hell..." He balked a little as Cortez elbowed him hard in the ribs. "Ahem. But like I said. Still mighty fine, Shepard. Want some eggs?"
When Garrus and Tali had stopped by the apartment so that Garrus could calibrate Shepard's omni-tool, Tali had poked at the swollen expanse of Shepard's belly, squealing in delight when the baby prodded her back in response. "Keelah!" the Quarian had exclaimed excitedly at the Commander's bump, her glowing eyes widening as she watched the mountain of belly move from side to side underneath Shepard's shirt. "It is absolutely astounding, Shepard, that a little human is even able to fit in there. Infant Quarians are born so much smaller in comparison. You're having surgery to birth her, yes?" Tali asked innocently as she looked up at Shepard's grimacing face. "Where do they usually come out if you don't have surgery?"
"Probably from around the same place where you got your omni-tattoo, Tali," Garrus had muttered as Shepard's omni-tool flickered, trying to focus on his calibrations. Tali made a small choking sound.
Joker had shuffled unannounced into the apartment early one evening as Shepard and Kaidan lay entwined on their bed, watching re-runs of Battlestar Galactica and devouring cartons of Chinese takeaway. Sophie, the robotic dog that had roamed the shuttle bay of the Normandy, followed closely at the pilot's heels. Oblivious to the fact that the Commander and Major were wearing less attire than they otherwise would have had they known that he had been coming to visit, Joker pushed open their bedroom door without so much as a knock before depositing a six pack of beer on the end of the bed. Mumbling that the scientists were making good progress in restoring EDI, he had crawled in under the sheets in the space beside Kaidan and helped himself to a box of half eaten satay noodles that sat open on the bedside table. "Good show, this," Joker had nodded with satisfaction at their choice of entertainment as he began to shovel noodles into his mouth. "Great characters. Pass me a beer, would you Kaidan?"
Javik had shifted uncomfortably as he sat perched on the ottoman in Shepard and Kaidan's bedroom, watching Liara and Traynor flutter about excitedly as they presented their gift of an enormous box of baby clothes to the Commander. His four eyes were expressionless whenever Liara made to show him a particular cute romper or onesie, cooing and clucking about in a manner rather uncharacteristic of the Asari. The Prothean's posture remained rigid as he ignored all subtle hints thrown his way by Liara that she hoped one day soon to have a little blue baby of their own. Eventually taking pity on him, Kaidan had pulled Javik out of their bedroom, leaving Shepard to suffer alone while Liara and Traynor continued to show her their endless bounty of pink frills and lace.
"If I'm stuck in this bed any longer, I am going to go crazy, Kaidan," Shepard had muttered to Kaidan through clenched teeth as the Major lolled across the end of their bed after his shower, the sight of his bare arse causing all sorts of sensations and tingles in places that the Commander dared not think about. "For the sake of my mental health, please tell those doctors over at HQ that I need to get out of this damn bed before I lose my head and hijack a shuttle. For the love of all that is holy Kaidan, please."
"When I said strict bed-rest, I did not mean that the Commander had to be literally bed-bound, Major," Doctor Michel had blinked at Kaidan when he had sought her out via video comm that afternoon, Shepard snoring softly in the bedroom behind him. Having returned to Huerta Memorial Hospital in the Citadel with Doctor Chakwas to give their expertise on a number of urgent cases, Michel had left Shepard's antenatal care in the hands of Alliance doctors until she returned to perform the scheduled ceasarean section. "The advice of bed-rest in pregnancy means limiting any physical activity that could put extra stress on mother and baby. Like Shepard's rehabilitation and training for instance, or physical intimacy between you both. Light walking is absolutely fine, and completely unavoidable. I certainly do not want the Commander to lose conditioning after all of her hard work since she woke up... Ohhh. I see. You and Rear-Admiral Shepard took me a little too literally when I used the term "bed-rest". My apologies, Major. I should have been a lot clearer."
Feeling a little guilty for the protective bubble that he had smothered Shepard and their unborn child in since learning of their more fragile condition, Kaidan relayed his conversation with the doctor back to the Commander when she woke, only to have the duvet and pillows fly across the bedroom as Shepard propelled herself as swiftly as she could out the bed. Despite being somewhat encumbered with the growing bowling ball of her belly, Shepard had eagerly fastened her prosthetic into place before she hobbled out of the bedroom door without so much as a backward glance. Kaidan was left looking a little perplexed before he heaved the mess of linen back onto the bed and followed his baby momma out into the lounge of their temporary apartment, shaking his head as Shepard immediately pulled on a hoodie over her pyjamas and motioned him to follow her out of the front door.
Whilst ever thankful that their unborn daughter was healthy and well, a very bored and rather hormonal Shepard could not help but curse the state of abstinence that had been forced on the newly reunited pair due to the unexpected complication in her pregnancy. With Kaidan being placed on an extended leave of absence by the Alliance until after the birth of their child, the two lovers had been intent on making up for the long and grueling months spent apart after their unexpected situation. Time that might once have been spent naked and intertwined in each others arms was now spent mostly content in warm embraces and conversation on the bed, the planning of their future with their unborn daughter giving the two something else to focus on besides the passionate fire burning deep within their cores.
Despite the overwhelming feeling of contentment that the Major had felt upon returning to Earth and learning of his impending fatherhood, Kaidan had spent many a night utilizing the time after Shepard had surrendered her tired body to the prison of their bed in order to spend long hours scanning Alliance databases. While the beginning of his very own family grew in the safe harbour of Shepard's womb, Kaidan secretly searched for any hints of the whereabouts of his family, deliberately keeping his hunt a secret from the Commander so as not to worry her. Details on his father after the retired Alenko reported for duty were sketchy and incomplete as the war had escalated, with his last location noted to be at a small outpost to the north of Vancouver that had been decimated before the end of the Reaper War. If there was one thing that Kaidan had learned from falling in love with Commander Shepard, however, it was that he should never give up on a loved one, despite evidence all but confirming that his parents had perished along with the millions of casualties in the wake of the war. Pushing the thought of giving up to the back of his mind, Kaidan took a deep swig from his mug of cold coffee on the desk beside his terminal before crackling his knuckles loudly and initiating a download of lists of refugees from the surrounding camps.
The small flame of hope that Kaidan had harboured in his heart that at least one of his parents had survived the war threatened to extinguish with each passing day.
Shepard sighed heavily as she watched a runaway button roll around in circles on the floor, the sound of the metal as it skimmed the tiles echoing around the hotel room before finally coming to a rest at her feet. She brushed her hand over the lower section of her dress coat where it had previously been attached only a minute ago, her swollen belly straining almost painfully against the tight fabric. Surveying herself again in the mirror before her, Shepard bit her bottom lip as she took in the reflection of the tired and heavily pregnant woman staring back at her, donned in the fresh dress blues of a Systems Alliance Commander. Despite the obvious differences in her reflection from only a number of months beforehand, the shuttle ride to the Citadel from Earth had proved quite exhausting for Shepard, and her increasing fatigue as she neared the end of her pregnancy showed across her healed features.
Turning her attention to her sleeved wrists, Shepard began to fumble with the cuff links, her non-dominant hand clutching clumsily at the small pieces of emblem-shaped stainless steel. Before becoming a hormonal and occasionally emotional incubator, it might have amused the Commander once that despite being able to head-shot a target from across a firing range with her non-dominant hand, the simplest of tasks could still test her dexterity and finer motor movement. Shepard swore softly to herself as her fingers lost grip of the links and they fell to join her runaway button on the tiled floor, before automatically positioning her crutch against the wall to bend down and retrieve them.
"Don't even think about it, Shepard," Kaidan's warm and husky voice interrupted behind her. The Commander caught herself before she bent any further at the waist, looking over her shoulder at the bare-chested Major behind her as he paused in his dressing, discarding his freshly-pressed shirt on the bed. He crossed the small distance between them, with Shepard's face growing hot as she watched his bulging muscles flex as he bent over to retrieve the cursed cuff links, silently hoping he'd hand them back to her so that she could drop them again.
Despite the man of her affections bending over before her, Shepard appeared somewhat disgruntled while she held her wrists out to Kaidan so that he could fasten the links in place. "This is getting ridiculous," Shepard muttered, her pride smarting. "I can't bend over, not even to put on my own shoes. Next you'll be telling me I won't be able to wash my own backside again. I need this baby out already, Kaidan."
"All in good time, Shepard," Kaidan reminded her, tugging her sleeves down and running his fingers lovingly across her hands before pressing a soft kiss to her fingertips. Smiling as Shepard shivered under his touch, he bent down once more to help her slip on her dress shoes, squaring his shoulders so that she could hold onto the broad expanse of his back for balance. "It's going to be a long day," Kaidan added, straightening to watch Shepard carefully perch her official cap above her ever-growing locks of hair. "Are you sure that you're both up to it, Shepard?"
"Up for Anderson's memorial? You know that I wouldn't miss it for the world," Shepard sighed, turning back to her reflection and leaning back into Kaidan's muscular chest as he came up to stand behind her. She rested her hands atop of Kaidan's as he placed them protectively over her stomach, turning her head so that her cheeks brushed the dusting of dark hair growing over Kaidan's chest. "The award ceremony with the Citadel Council and the media though?..." Shepard paused, a feeling of dread settling upon her. "Makes me feel sick that I'll be receiving awards that others are more deserving of. If it wasn't scheduled to take place during Anderson's memorial, I'd probably try getting out of it by pretending that I'm going into labour."
There was a loud outburst of gasping and murmuring among the crowd seated within the epicenter of the Citadel Tower as Shepard slowly stepped out onto the stage, her crutch clasped firmly underneath her arm. Immediately sensing the excitement that began to buzz across the audience, Shepard could feel the attention of hundreds of eyes fixated not on her, the Savior of the Galaxy, but on the little life she so obviously harbored in her belly. With only two weeks before she was considered at term and scheduled to receive another scar to add to her already impressive collection, it was evident to herself and Admiral Hackett that they could no longer keep her impending motherhood a secret from the public.
The ceremony had been set up to take place facing away from the Petitioner's stage at the far end of the Citadel Tower, opposite to the Council's audience chamber. Rows and rows of seating had been strategically placed across the flights of stairs in order to boast a clear view of the stage that had been erected atop of the flat patch of garden near the elevators. Despite the rather cramped surroundings however, the location chosen for the ceremony could not have been more appropriate, given its intention.
Ignoring the excited babble that arose from the crowd when she appeared, Shepard crossed the carpeted stage in order to make her way to her designated seat beside Hackett and the other Citadel Councillors. Kaidan's familiar faced beamed at her from beside her mother and Joker in the front row of the audience, the other crew members of the Normandy seated in the rows behind them. Much to Shepard's surprise, she noted Wrex seated among the Councillors, who winked warmly under his scarred faceplate as he gave Shepard a thumbs up.
To the centre of the stage, set up next to the impressive-looking podium, stood a simple memorial with a holo of Anderson positioned next to a silver urn of what Shepard assumed could only be her old friend's un-scattered ashes. With a thick lump forming in her throat, Shepard settled herself in the seat beside her uncle, closing her eyes in order to avoid the feeling of nausea that was being induced by the flashing lights of the media as the ceremony commenced.
The monotonous voice of the master of ceremonies radiated throughout the speakers situated around the Tower floor. "We are gathered here today, not only to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of those who fought in the war against the Reapers, but to pay our respects and farewell another. He could not be here with us today to celebrate the Galaxy's victory against the greatest threat in Council history, after he lost his life in the line of duty..."
Occasionally trying to focus whenever she heard her name spoken- which was often, given the nature of the ceremony- Shepard counted the minutes that passed with every squirm and kick of her baby beneath her skin, silently wishing to have the entire award presentation over and done with so that she could focus her attentions on Anderson's memorial service. The sound of Hackett's chair scraping against the floor slightly beside her as he took to the podium brought her attention back to her surroundings with a jump, the baby kicking Shepard's ribs hard in protest. The audience gasped, applauded and murmured throughout the Admiral's address as he spoke at length of the near-annihilation organics had almost faced, Admiral Anderson's sacrifice, Shepard's part in securing victory for the Galaxy against the Reapers, and the role that the Normandy's crew played as they supported their Commander during her mission.
"On behalf of the Citadel Council and all of its united races, it is with great honour that I invite the crew members of the SSV Normandy to take to the stage and receive the Galactic Unit Citation," Hackett announced proudly, flourishing his hands in the direction of Shepard's crew. "The highest honour that can be awarded to a military unit, we recognize the strength and gallantry of the Normandy's crew, above and beyond that recognized by the Palladium Star." There was a distinct hush across the audience as Shepard's crew stood up from their places and respectfully filed onto the stage to receive their accolades.
"What is this?" Javik asked curiously, his dolorous voice echoing as he took the medallion handed to him by the official and turned it over in his fingers, neglecting to shake the official's outstretched hand. "How primitive. Such trinkets were considered unnecessary in the Empire." The Prothean looked puzzled as Liara gently pushed him forward, respectfully taking her medallion and the hand of the official with a pained expression on her face.
Shepard's heart swelled with pride as she watched, chuckling as she noted Joker removing his cap to reveal a crop of unbrushed and messy curls, an unfamiliar look of seriousness and respect on his face. As Kaidan stepped forward last from the line to receive his medal, Shepard pushed herself up heavily from her seat to lead a deafening round of applause from the audience, her crew slowly filing off the stage to return to their seats.
"Commander Shepard, if you would step forward, please."
The audience's applause immediately ceased and excited murmuring began as the Commander abandoned her crutch beside her seat, her pregnant belly once again coming into full view as she straightened her jacket and shuffled forward from her seat. The lights of the media caused her vision to bleach, flashing continuously as the numerous flycams fixated their focus on her from their positions around the Tower. Shepard slowly limped to the centre of the stage before assuming a formal stance, clasping her hands behind her back and praying that the buttons of her coat would survive the straining of her stomach. Incredibly nervous, Shepard focused her own eyes away from the staring audience as the Councillors of each race stepped forward from their assigned seats and began to form a line.
The newest Salarian Councillor, a slightly hunchbacked female that Shepard had never met before, shuffled towards the Commander in order to fasten a glistening metal dagger to the front of her dress jacket. "Commander Shepard, on behalf of the Salarian people, I hereby present you with the Silver Dagger, the most prestigious award given by the Salarian Union to symbolize the respect and loyalty that you have gained from our people, in light of the part you played in ensuring that our race emerged triumphant from the Reaper War."
Shepard nodded respectfully and shook the Councillor's hand, her palms sweaty beneath the Salarian's leather-like touch.
Sparatus, the surviving Turian Councillor, stepped forward next from his place in line. "Commander Shepard," he drawled, "on behalf of the Turian Hierarchy and its people, I hereby award you with the Nova Cluster, our highest military honour." He fastened a spherical gold badge representing a cluster of stars to Shepard's jacket, the stones embedded within the precious metal refracting the lights above the stage to cast a glow of colours across the curtained walls surrounding them. "May you wear this honour with pride, and may it let all races across the Galaxy know that you are a friend to the Turian people, and the reason that we are all alive today."
Careful not to wince as Sparatus' talons dug into her soft skin under his handshake, Shepard murmured her thanks and straightened herself, her remaining knee and its prosthetic equivalent threatening to shake as she felt her posture begin to falter.
The Asari Councillor stepped forward next, her hands delicately cradling a thick necklace that bore a shield-shaped pendant from its apex. Shepard bent forward slowly to allow the Asari to place the accolade over her neck. "Commander Shepard, it is with great honour that I present to you on behalf of the Asari Commonwealth, the greatest acknowledgement that we can bestow upon a daughter of Thessia, the Shield of Athame." The Asari smiled warmly at the Commander, gently prodding the pendant so that it faced forward around Shepard's collar. "May the light of the Goddess shine on you as you continue to shield and protect those around you, and may it symbolize to everyone how thankful the Asari people are to you for saving Thessia."
Hackett moved down from his position at the podium in order to secure a familiar-looking medallion to Shepard's jacket, the Commander gulping as her eyes caressed the outlines of the platinum star she recognized so well. "On behalf of Earth's Systems Alliance," Hackett's voice rumbled, "I hereby present you with our highest military honour, the Star of Terra. An award only bestowed to recognize the courageous and distinguished service of an Alliance soldier who has risen above and beyond the call of duty. There are few recipients of Earth's most highest military honour, let alone one who has been deemed worthy of action and heart to receive two. May it forever symbolize the place you have cemented in human history."
Sounds of surprise emerged from the watching audience as Wrex moved forward next, the looming figure of the larger-than-life Krogan leader followed closely behind by the Quarian, Volus, Hanar, Drell, Elcor and Batarian Councillors. They jostled each other somewhat awkwardly as they gathered around the warlord, looking slightly nervous in their first official event since being invited to join the prestigious ranks of the Council.
"Commander Shepard," Wrex bellowed, his already loud voice causing the audience to cringe as he overcompensated for the amplification of the stage's sound system. "We stand here today, united as one Galaxy, a result of your unwavering determination to repair the bridges that had arisen between our races." Shepard's old friend paused as he glanced down, referencing his pre-written speech on the datapad that he held between his large claws. "The result of your hard work led to a united front between all races, such likes that has never been seen before in the history of the Galaxy. It was only fitting, therefore, that an award was commissioned in your name, to be presented on behalf of all of the united races of the Citadel Council." Wrex scratched his faceplate, his voice uncharacteristically formal as he delivered his first speech as the Krogan Councillor. "It is thereby the honour of all of the united Citadel Council races who stand beside me today, to present you with the most supreme award ever to be commissioned, the Sword of Shepard!"
Among the deafening applause that had erupted from the audience, Kaidan could not help but grin widely from his seat in the front row as he saw Shepard cringe at the name settled upon the accolade. She looked slightly overwhelmed and clearly embarrassed as the Volus Councillor crept forward towards her, brandishing a frame almost as large as himself that housed an impressive platinum sword within it. Unable to bend forward to receive it, Shepard smiled awkwardly at the Volus as he stood on his toes so that she could take the frame, the rest of the Council members moving forward to shake hands with the Commander as she tucked the award under one arm.
"Let the Sword of Shepard forever represent that despite the differences in our races, past quarrels and even blood shed in the name of war, it is not impossible for a Galaxy to stand united and as one!" Wrex continued. Discarding his datapad on the podium behind him, the Krogan beamed his gnarly grin at the watching crowd. "And while I am here, let us also acknowledge the important role that the Krogan race have played in preventing Palaven and other Council planets from succumbing to extinction! Thanks to the acts of this soldier standing here before us, the Krogan people are back in business!" Wrex finished his speech with a flourish as he smashed his fists together, a mixture of laughter and disapproval radiating from the audience. Shepard couldn't help but smile at Wrex's tact, chuckling softly to herself as the race leaders promptly pushed the Krogan warlord off to his seating at the side of the stage.
Hackett returned to the podium, clearing his throat to silence the audience as everyone buzzed in response to Wrex's departing words, a smile threatening to spread across the Admiral's face as he watched the Krogan's retreating back. A silence fell across the spectators as a bright light from the stage's ceiling turned to illuminate Anderson's memorial, while a ceremony official moved forward to carefully place a framed medallion next to Anderson's urn.
"For his courageous and unwavering service on Earth during the Reaper Invasion, going above and beyond the call of duty expected of an Alliance marine, it is with honour that I present the Star of Terra posthumously to the late Admiral David Anderson." The audience burst into applause, respectfully falling silent again as Hackett opened his mouth to continue. "Earth's Systems Alliance acknowledges and commends the Admiral for his invaluable leadership role in coordinating troops on Earth whilst Commander Shepard rallied the Galaxy for a united front. If not for the actions of this man, Earth would have succumbed to the Reapers." Hackett paused before gesturing in Shepard's direction. "I now invite Commander Aurora Shepard of the SSV Normandy to speak an eulogy for Admiral Anderson, on behalf of the Council and Alliance." The Admiral turned to Shepard where she had remained standing after receiving her accolades, holding out his hand to take her framed sword from her in order to free her hands.
Silently handing the large frame to Hackett, Shepard took a deep breath and limped forward to the podium. Turning her gaze to the holo of her old friend on the memorial beside her, Shepard closed her eyes momentarily to collect herself, trying to mask a sniff as tears threatened to form in the corners of her eyes. Kaidan nodded to her from his seat in the front row, his familiar face a comforting salve on her nerves.
"No matter what planet we took our first breath on, what colour our skin is, and what culture we embrace," Shepard began slowly, her amplified voice trembling with emotion as it resonated through the top level of the tower, "we can all agree that the definition of a hero is considered the same." Squinting her eyes against the flickering lights of the galaxy's media where she stood at the centre of the stage, Shepard clenched the polished metal of the podium tightly as the lump in her throat threatened to mask her voice. "A hero is a person of great courage, admired for their outstanding achievements and noble qualities. Admiral David Anderson was a hero, in all definitions and in every sense of the word. He was an honourable man, an outstanding leader, and the epitome of courage and kindness..."
With Anderson's memorial concluded, the traditional gathering to celebrate the Admiral's life had commenced in a private bar situated on the skirts of the Presidium, boasting a spectacular view of the Lake and repaired gardens. Making the most of her first proper outing since being placed on bed rest, Shepard mingled around the party, receiving endless congratulations and handshakes from everyone she passed, her protruding belly parting her a path through the small crowd like Moses and the Red Sea.
"You did fantastic, Shepard," Kaidan muttered warmly into Shepard's ear, his lips against her skin causing her nerves to tingle at the contact. Shepard smiled weakly as she chewed on the crust of a tart she had skimmed off a passing waitress, satiating the fierce hunger that had overcome her as she had waited for the memorial to finish. The newest accolades fastened beneath the collar of her dress blues' jacket hung heavy, tugging at the fabric so that it pinched at her neck. She ignored the rash beginning to form on her sensitive skin as she downed the rest of the canape, her eyes automatically scanning her surroundings for another passing tray.
"I need a drink after all of that," Shepard sighed. "A non-alcoholic drink," she added quickly, as Kaidan raised an eyebrow. "To toast to the crew with. Go and find them, Kaidan? I'll be right behind you." She ignored the hint of skepticism that crossed Kaidan's features before he turned and disappeared into the small crowd, turning on her heel and targeting a waiter as he passed with an array of different coloured drinks.
Reaching for a glass of juice, Shepard gasped as she turned and walked face-first into the tall frame of an Asari that had appeared behind her, sloshing the bright orange liquid over the front of her dress blues. Quickly reaching into her pocket for a serviette that she had stashed during her pregnancy-fueled quest for munchies, Shepard quickly rasped an apology as she dabbed at the her soiled jacket, the cold liquid causing goosebumps to form on her sensitive skin.
The Asari's face broke into an enormous smile as she waved off Shepard's apology. "Commander Shepard," she purred, reaching out a hand in greeting. "It is an absolute honour to finally meet you, after all of this time." She ignored the puzzled look on Shepard's face as the Commander looked at her quizzically. "My name is Matriarch Eileithyia. My sister Aurelia is the newest Asari Councillor. You might have seen me around before, since the end of the Reaper War I have been helping co-ordinate locals and refugees to other parts of the Citadel that were undamaged. I was also a very, very good friend of Admiral Anderson's. I knew him for more years than I can even remember."
"Pleasure is all mine, Matriarch," Shepard replied warmly, quickly wiping her juiced-hand on her pants before taking the Asari's outstretched hand in hers in a firm handshake. "I'm afraid I haven't seen you around before, although I haven't been on the Citadel often since the end of the war. Admiral Anderson never mentioned you either."
"Well he wouldn't now, would he?" the Asari chuckled. "Unless Anderson mentioned his extensive list of friends to you? And his favourite underwear colour?" Matriarch Eileithyia laughed at her own joke, ignoring the strange look that crossed Shepard's face before her.
Remembering that Anderson had never even mentioned Kaylee Sanders to her before she had met his love interest at Grissom Academy, Shepard smiled and nodded. "Good point."
The Matriarch's eyes moved from Shepard's face down to her heavily pregnant belly between them, her pristine white teeth flashing as her face extended into an even greater smile. "Oh, Goddess! My sister told me that you were expecting Commander, but I almost didn't dare to believe it given how injured you were after the war ended. My warmest congratulations to you and the father. You look positively radiant, Commander."
Shepard chuckled, shaking her head. "You'll forgive me if I don't believe you, Matriarch. I've barely seen the sunlight for the past eight weeks. My stalwart Major over there has kept me confined to strict bed-rest on what he thought was the doctor's orders. I've been itching to stretch my legs, get out and about."
"Well, what better place to stretch your legs than here on the Citadel? Have a birthingmoon- I believe that's what humans refer to it as? Do you have anywhere that you can stay? You would be most welcome to stay with me."
"A baby-moon? The thought had never crossed our minds, to be honest. Anderson technically gifted me his apartment on the Silversun Strip, so we certainly could, I guess. Assuming it's still even there."
"It would be. Sunset Strip was surprisingly untouched in the invasion, believe it or not. One of my daughters has an apartment located there as well actually. You will want take some time for yourself before your child is born, Commander. And your Major over there, if he is who I suspect he is," the Matriarch winked. "From someone who has had four children... it won't be the same after your child arrives. Trust me."
"You might be right," Shepard agreed, reminiscing of the good memories she and her crew had made during their last shore leave on the Strip. Her abdomen moved as her baby kicked, as if in reminder of the extent of the good memories that had been made. "You certainly haven't painted an exciting picture of parenthood Matriarch, if I need to have a holiday before my child is even born," she chuckled, rubbing her belly.
Feeling a warm hand snake about her waist, Shepard turned to find that Kaidan had crept up behind her, her nostrils tickling at his familiar scent of muskiness and eezo. "Just making sure you're not chugging down a beer while my back was turned," the Major grinned.
"Major Alenko," Shepard smiled as she rolled her eyes somewhat, pointedly holding up her glass of half-empty juice for Kaidan to see. "May I introduce you to Matriarch Eileithyia. She was a good friend of Anderson's, and is working with the refugees and misplaced citizens here on the Citadel. Matriarch Eileithyia, this is Major Kaidan Alenko, my Executive Officer on the Normandy."
"Congratulations on your impending fatherhood, Major Alenko," the Matriarch winked. Kaidan looked at Shepard, surprised, only to have the Commander shrug and take a sip of what remained of her juice. "I hope you are taking excellent care of the soon-to-be mother? Parenthood is a joyous time, and you both have a lot ahead of you. Particularly you, Shepard."
"I assure you that the Commander is want for nothing, Matriarch," Kaidan beamed. Turning back to Shepard, he clasped her free hand within his own. "I hate to interrupt, but we should probably go and congratulate the crew for their awards, Shepard..."
"Mmm. Yes," Shepard replied, swallowing a mouthful of juice. "If you would excuse me, Matriarch, I should go. It was a pleasure to meet you."
"Yes, yes, absolutely, go to your crew," Eileithyia nodded enthusiastically. "Give them all my warmest thanks and regards! But, Commander," the Asari leaned forward slightly into Shepard's personal space, placing both her hands on Shepard's shoulders. Shepard looked a little taken aback at the Asari's audacity. "I just wanted to say that although I know that we have only just met, given how close we both were to Admiral Anderson, I'm sure he would be happy to know that we had become friends ourselves. If you need anything Commander, anything at all, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Of course," Shepard gulped, slowly inching away from the Asari. Eileithyia let go of Shepard's shoulders, beaming at the Commander as Kaidan led her away.
The Matriarch watched the Commander's retreating form as Kaidan led her through the crowd, his arm ever protective around Shepard's waist as they stopped to join the Normandy's crew as they mingled and drank. Shivering a little as she felt her body suddenly grow cold, Eileithyia raised a dark-coloured handkerchief to her face and quickly wiped away the small trickle of blue blood that seeped out of her nose. Her dark eyes narrowed as they moved to fixate hungrily on the heavy curve of Shepard's swollen belly.