Hey guys!
So, this is a bit of a filler, but next chapter will have plot in it. (:
I would just like to say that, when I tell you guys to rate, review or PM me when you have thoughts, I expect some critics. I expect critics, who wouldn't have benefit from pointers? No one is perfect. Right? Great. The thing is, my very fragile heart gets broken when reviewers are needlessly rude. Critics can be given without being harsh. My motivation gets shaky and I get very discouraged. I just wanted to give a shout out to the wonderful MayriahLee for the support. Thank you, woman. You help keep me going!
Thanks to everyone who has favorited and followed, since I've gotten a lot of them in the past few days. It really means alot. (: You guys are just awesome.
Please, rate and review and even PM me if you have something to say. Remember, fragile heart. Doing my best here. (;
Thanks guys!
Natasha opened her eyes slowly the next morning. It took her a moment to remember where she was, looking at the room as she sat up. She felt a twinge of pain from her leg. She looked down at it, seeing the two claw marks that ran down her thigh and curved around to her knee. She smirked slightly, memories of how it got there rushing to her mind. She looked over to where Garrus was sleeping.
She stared for a moment, her smirk turning to a smile as she fought to keep herself from waking him. His breathing was slow and peaceful. She forced herself to take her eyes from him, sliding herself off of the bed. She got herself dressed, remembering Calpurnia had been watching Rayhel all night. She felt a quick rush of anxiety as she finger-brushed her hair as best as she could. She was almost to the door when Garrus stirred. She saw him reach over to where she'd slept for the night. His hand touched the empty spot and he sat up quickly, his eyes locking on her. He rubbed his face.
"Running away?"
She could hear the humor in his voice, but it didn't hide the worry. She gave him a smile.
"No. I was just going to check on Rayhel."
"Want me to go too?"
"You can sleep."
He got himself out of bed, reaching for his own clothes now.
"You go, I'll be over in a few."
She walked over to him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He stopped after pulling on his pants, looking at her. She kissed him slowly.
"See you over there."
He smiled before she turned away. She let her own smile spread across her face as she left the room. She let herself succumb to the giddiness she felt for a moment before taking a deep breath. She stood in the hallway, looking at the door as she ran her fingers through her hair again before opening it. She was surprised to see Calpurnia up and about, bouncing Rayhel in her arms as she slowly walked around the room. The soft hum went away quickly as she turned to face Natasha. She gave her a look.
"Where have you been?" Natasha held back her smile, her embarrassment quickly setting in. If not for her blush, Calpurnia would have had nothing to go off of. She did blush, though, and it made Calpurnia's mandibles flare into a smile. "You were over there all night?!"
Natasha shrugged, taking Rayhel from Calpurnia, clearing her throat.
"We just stayed up late. I was tired and fell asleep."
"Up late? Doing what?" Calpurnia asked with a suggestive tone.
"Talking."
"Talking?" She huffed. "About what? How long does it take to ask if you're together or not?"
Natasha smiled at Rayhel, ignoring her friend's pestering. The small turian slept soundly.
"How was she?"
"She was fine. Started getting restless before she fell asleep for the night. Nothing I couldn't handle."
"Thank you."
"So, are you two together now?"
Natasha shrugged.
"I guess."
Calpurnia gave her a smile.
"I'm glad. You deserve it."
"So do you." Natasha replied.
Calpurnia's smile faded as she cleared her throat.
"Not right now." Natasha's mind wandered back to Garrus. She smiled. Calpurnia laughed slightly. "What?"
Natasha shook her head, sitting down on the bed. She looked up at Calpurnia.
"I just had a good night."
"Happy to be able to stop wondering?"
"Yeah. I am... We, uh... We had sex."
Calpurnia's eyes widened slightly as she stepped closer to her. She sat next to her, a wide smile flaring on her mandibles.
"What?!"
"Yeah."
"Well?" Natasha just smiled. Calpurnia grabbed her arm and shook her slightly in excitement. "Tell me what happened!"
"I just told him that he needed to give me a straight answer and he said he wanted to try having a relationship. It led to other things. It's not that exciting. "
Calpurnia raised a brow plate at her.
"I cannot believe you right now."
"What? I couldn't help myself..."
"Well was it worth it? Was it all you wanted and more?"
"Sure."
Calpurnia narrowed her eyes, letting go of her arm now.
"I don't believe you."
"Why?" Natasha said with a smile.
"You'd never just tell me, I always have to work things out of you."
"I'm not lying."
"Prove it." Natasha laughed, standing now. She put Rayhel down on the bed before unfastening the button on her pants. Calpurnia laughed. "Whoa, wait a minute."
"Shut up." Natasha replied, pulling her pants down slightly and turning to the side.
Calpurnia gasped slightly, looking at the gashes on Natasha's leg. Natasha laughed at her friend before pulling her pants back up to her hips.
"Told you."
"He... You guys really did?!"
Natasha shook her head, lifting Rayhel back up off the bed. She snuggled her to her chest tightly before they heard a knock on the door. It opened without waiting for a response. Garrus stepped in silently, looking between the two women. He took in Calpurnia's bewildered look, then looked back to Natasha.
"Bad time?"
"No, it's ok."
Calpurnia straightened up quickly, regaining her composure before looking at him.
"Hi." She said shortly.
"You alright?"
She turned away, keeping her thoughts to herself. Natasha looked at him. He smiled at her, putting a hand on Rayhel's back. Natasha smiled.
"She knows." She whispered.
"Can women not just keep things to themselves?" He replied.
"We get one tell." She laughed.
"I can hear you." Calpurnia said.
Garrus looked over to her.
"Problem?"
"Nope."
"You sure?"
She gave him a look.
"I just didn't think you had it in ya, Vakarian."
"I'm full of surprises."
Garrus turned back to Natasha, holding his hands out expectingly. She gave him her daughter, watching him for a moment as he held her close to him. She smiled before looking to Calpurnia.
"I have some errands to run today." she announced.
"Like what?" Calpurnia asked.
"Well…" Natasha could feel herself getting embarrassed. She bit her lip. "I thought it'd be nice to scope out possible apartments on Zakera Ward."
"Why?"
"Because we both need a place to stay while they're rebuilding."
Calpurnia gave her a look that Natasha couldn't read.
"I would really like that."
"Plus it'll get us away from the Presidium. I think that'll do you some good."
Calpurnia nodded in agreement.
"I want to go with you."
"We all should go. It'll be fun."
"It's my anniversary today."
The two turians next to Natasha looked over to her.
"What?" Calpurnia said.
"It's been seven years…" Garrus couldn't help but to stare at her. He didn't know what to say, or if he should say something at all. She didn't seem upset. Her expression was blank. He hesitantly put a hand on her knee. She looked up at him, a small smile on her face. "Time just goes by, huh?"
"Yeah…"
"I'm alright." she told him, looking around to Calpurnia and then down to Rayhel, who laid in her arms.
"I guess I shouldn't have said anything."
"You can say anything you need to to me." Garrus assured her.
She smiled as she twiddled her thumbs together.
"My dress was at the apartment… It's probably ruined now."
He could hear the disappointment in her voice now. It made his heart sink.
"I have to admit, I'm not sure what to say."
She gave him a reassuring look.
"Don't feel bad… I just really loved that dress."
"What did it look like?"
Her face lit up as she began to describe it.
"It was white, and it had small straps. I felt like a princess. It had sparkles on it. And I even had a tiara in the shape of a turian fringe to go with it."
He laughed with her at the thought.
"I bet you looked pretty."
"I loved it."
"That's gonna be a great time for me." Calpurnia groaned.
"When is yours?" Garrus asked.
"Two months."
"You'll be fine." Natasha assured her. "Just like I am."
Calpurnia looked over at Garrus and held her arms out expectedly.
"I want her."
"Alright then." he laughed, handing over Rayhel.
Natasha watched Calpurnia play with the baby, getting up from the table they sat at in the cafe to walk around outside.
"God, I feel horrible for her." Natasha whispered.
"Why?"
"She's using Rayhel as a crutch. She blocks out what she needs to deal with."
Garrus looked over to Natasha now.
"How is it you know how to deal with things?"
"Well I did spend a while in rehab. Drug addict and all, remember?"
He gave her a sad look before nuzzling his forehead to hers. She could hear a faint purr in his chest.
"I wish I could have been there for you. "
She smiled at the sentiment.
"You're here for me now."
His lips pressed to hers gently.
"Always."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Trust me."
"I trust you, I just want to know where we're going."
Natasha heard her husband chuckle as he held her hand, his other on her shoulder as he guided her along the hallway. He stopped her at the door of the apartment he'd bought for them, letting go of her.
"Alright, you can take it off now."
Natasha reached for the blindfold, slipping it off her eyes. She blinked and squinted for a moment, then gave him a weary smile, glancing at the door he stood in front of.
"Where are we?"
Nihlus grabbed her hands, kissing her passionately.
"I love you, Nat."
"I love you. Where are we?"
"Well, I figured you'd appreciate having a place to stay. I was offered a place on the presidium. Since we're bonded, I figured we could have our own place…"
She smiled lovingly at the nervous look on his face. It wasn't often she was able to see him without his confidence. She put her hands on his face, giving him a kiss before smiling at him brightly.
"Show me."
He smiled back at her, leading her into the new apartment. She bit her lip, holding her hands to her chest as she looked around. The view was amazing. She looked up at him.
"I love it."
Nihlus could see the tears in her eyes now. He pulled her against him.
"I'm glad."
"I can't believe you'd do this for me."
"It's for us." He kissed her before bending down slightly, wrapping an arm around the back of her knees, the other arm behind her back. She clung to him tightly, giggling in fear of being dropped. "We have a bedroom to see too."
She smiled as he carried her into the room, setting her down on her feet as she looked around.
"The bed is huge." she said, wandering to the bathroom. "Look at this shower!"
He laughed as she came back, her hands on her hips.
"Like it?"
"This is just crazy." she replied, sitting on the bed, shaking her head. "I love it."
Nihlus sat down beside her.
"I'm glad." he smiled.
She kissed him slowly, enjoying the thought that he was now her husband. Both in human and turian terms. She smiled up at him after pulling her lips from his.
"I love you."
"And I love you. Mrs. Kryik."
She couldn't help the giddy smile as it spread across her face. He took advantage of her happiness, pushing her down on the bed. She giggled at him playfully.
Natasha stepped into the new apartment first, nodding to herself as the two turians looked around with her.
"Well?" she said, looking to them.
"I think it's good."
"Good enough to keep for a while?"
Calpurnia's mandibles flared as she nodded.
"Definitely."
"I think I approve." Garrus said, returning to her side after inspecting the place casually.
"You'd be welcome to stay too, of course."
"Thanks for the permission, but I didn't need it."
Natasha gave him a smile before Calpurnia sat down on the small couch.
"Nice of them to furnish the joint for us."
"They understood the civilians needing homes."
"I like it." Calpurnia told her.
Natasha looked around with a smile, then gave her a nod.
"Me too."
"We're going to have to buy her something to sleep in." Garrus said, looking down to Rayhel.
"I'll work on it."
Garrus shook his head, a soft look on his face.
"Don't worry about it." he said sternly.
She nodded, knowing she wouldn't be able to convince him not to do that favor for her.
"Thank you."
He just smiled, looking away from her to inspect the apartment further, leaving her to wish he'd come back to her.
