I shamelessly admit that I got the idea of the first part of this chapter from the song "Just a Fool" by Christina Aguilera.
"Your kids require you most of all to love them for who they are, not to spend your whole time trying to correct them."
- Bill Ayers
His Shoulders
Another shot of whiskey.
The eighth or ninth? He didn't care. Kaidan kept calling for another shot and another. He would drink till he couldn't remember how bad it hurt now that Shepard was gone.
The nights were so long and cold without her. The first month after the Normandy went down, whiskey was his company at nights. The surviving crew tried to talk to him, but they eventually gave up.
Everyone told him to move on but... He was a fool, wasn't he? Waiting and waiting for someone who would never come back.
Death took her from him forever.
He called for another shot. But someone grabbed it before he could drink it. Kaidan looked up and saw it was his father.
Even in his early sixties, Ken Alenko was still a tough man. His presence made the lieutenant feel like a two-year old boy again. When the man sat down on the stool beside him, Kaidan didn't know what to say.
"You look like shit, you know?" Ken started. He was like Wrex, straight-forward. "When was the last time you slept or ate, I mean, real food?"
"Don't remember." He really didn't give a damn.
Sighing, Ken waved the bartender off. "Your mom wants to see you. She's worried."
"I'm not a boy anymore, dad. I can take care of myself."
The old man tilted his brow. The Alenkos seemed to share that trait along with the whiskey-brown eyes. "From what I'm seeing, it doesn't look like you can take care of yourself."
There was no use in arguing. His stubble was evidence of his neglect. Kaidan just stared at his empty glass, not saying a word.
They sat in silence for a while. In the end, Ken gave up and spoke first. "Come home, Kai."
"I'm not a kid, dad. I..."
"You know what your mom will say." The older Alenko cut him off. "No matter how old you are, you will always be her little Kai. In any parents' eyes, you will never grow up. One day, when you are a father, you will understand."
That day arrived sooner than Kaidan imagined.
...
Keep your cool, Kai. The Major told himself as he tried not to shoot another murderous glare to a young soldier who was leering at clueless Butterfly.
They were at Huerta Memorial Hospital, waiting for the doctor. After the mess Cerberus created a lot of people had died or were injured. The hospital's staff was very busy. Although he was a Spectre, he still had to wait.
On the bench, Jack and Butterfly were playing a game to kill the time. Kaidan looked at his daughter and couldn't stop smiling. People saw her as a beautiful woman, but he still saw her as a baby who once sat on his lap.
His father was right.
He heard a growl from behind. He knew that was Grunt. The krogan kept snarling at anyone who looked at his baby sister the wrong way.
It was strange, though. The tattooed woman was barely clothed, but everyone seemed to stare at Butterfly.
"Major Alenko?" Someone called him.
The Major looked up at see a drell. He used to spend time with Thane, and knew he was the ex-assassin's son. If he remembered it right, the young drell's name was Kolyat.
"Kolyat, good to see you." Standing up from his seat, Kaidan shook the drell's hand.
"Good to see you as well. I- the doctor called me. He said my father was hurt..." As solemn as he was the young man stole a glance to the girl who was listening to their conversation.
Butterfly was watching him.
Kaidan coughed, making Kolyat jump. "Your father is fine. He took a beating but nothing the doctor couldn't fix. We paid him a visit but the doc needs him to rest."
Dr. Michel walked towards them. "Major, sorry to keep you waiting. I received your daughter's results. Let's talk in my office."
"I- I better go. Farewell, Major," Kolyat said as he stole another quick glance at Butterfly.
Butterfly didn't quite understand the situation. She looked at her newest aunt for an explanation but Jack just shrugged.
Hand in hand, the father and daughter walked through the Presidium . Neither of them said anything. They were deep in their thoughts.
Butterfly snuggled against her dad. However, the Major saw she was distracted by an ice-cream cart.
Chuckling, Kaidan led her to the cart. "What's your favorite flavor, Princess?"
"I-I don't know." Butterfly shook her head. Her eyes sad. "I've never tasted ice cream."
The Major knew Butterfly had a difficult childhood, but there were a lot of things he still didn't know about her.
"You've never had a chance?"
Another shake, "Mary only had enough credits for necessary items. I knew she would buy me some if I asked. But I didn't want to bother her." Butterfly rarely made a demand because she didn't want to be anyone's burden.
Kaidan smiled softly and patted her head. "Butter pecan, then. It's the Alenko family favorite. Your grandma always kept a bucket of butter pecan ice cream in the freezer. Your mom loves pistachio flavor. Although, more chocolate toppings makes any flavor taste better."
He ordered four cones of butter pecan ice cream, topped with nuts and chocolate; two for him and Butterfly, and another two for Jack and Grunt.
Jack had a poker face, trying not to look grateful. Although the biotic woman was happy to taste ice-cream for the first time in a decade, she didn't want to let Alenko see her soft side.
As she savored the smooth flavor, she watched Grunt wolf the whole cone down in one bite. Butterfly laughed when it caused Grunt a brain freeze.
Cerberus changed the girl's physical appearance, but her mentality was left untouched.
"Major," She called Kaidan. "Kahlee sent me message. I need to go back to my students."
They worked together for a short time, but Kaidan had began to like her. She wasn't so bad, despite her attitude. "Take care, then."
"I'll stay till you guys board the Normandy. Cerberus probably wouldn't dare screw with Shenko since both of you are in your best condition, but I won't risk it."
"Shenko?"
"Well, it was Joker's idea." Suddenly, Jack didn't know what to do with her hands. "He mixed your names together. I think it's cute... I mean, convenient."
"Should I know what kind of conversation you two had?" He had a pretty good idea, though.
"I am fond of that f... flight lieutenant, and prefer to see him in one piece. So no, you shouldn't."
Chuckling, Kaidan let it slide. "Good working with you. But well, I'm not sure about boarding the Normandy."
"Why? Shepard would like having you and Butterfly with her." She and Grunt had waited outside Dr. Michel's office as Kaidan and his daughter spoke with the woman. She didn't know had happened in that room.
That question wasn't easy to answer. Kaidan sighed as he bent over the Presidium's terrace. "That amp in her head is the problem. Doc said she and her team might be able to remove it, but she has to run some more tests. Meaning Butterfly would have to stay in the hospital at least for a month."
"But Shepard still has to save the galaxy. She can't stay." Jack felt bad for them. Time was running out, but they still couldn't be together.
"Despite her ability, leaving Butterfly here is a risk. Cerberus might try to abduct her again and... You know. Anything could happen to her if she is far from our sight. We can't bear the thought of losing her again," he said with a sigh.
Damn it. Jack frowned. This guy makes me want to hug him. Those eyes are too dangerous.
Steadying herself, Jack changed the subject. "I hate to say it. But that 'evil eye' is dangerous. She won't be safe till it's out of her."
Kaidan nodded solemnly. "That's why I have to talk with Amala before making any decision."
They aren't married, but they sure act like they are. Perhaps Butterfly still has a chance to have a real family after this mess.
"Kai, is that you?" Someone said to the Major.
There were only a few people who called him that name. Kaidan turned around, half expecting to see an old friend.
It was someone he thought he would ever actually see again.
"Rahna?"
The brunette in front of him was his first crush. It was almost two decades since they last saw each other . She still beautiful but she didn't make Kaidan's heart beat fast anymore.
No one compared to Amala.
Ignoring Jack, Rahna kept staring at the Major. She had to admit that he looked a lot better than during the BaAT years. "I saw the vid. You're Spectre and saved the councilors. Wow, that's great!"
Before he could answer, Butterfly went to his side and gripped his arm tightly. She didn't pout but the look on her face was priceless.
Jack had to cover her mouth with her hand. Butterfly was possessive like her dad, it seemed.
"Oh, your sister?" Rahna seemed upset.
"Daughter," the girl huffed.
That was unexpected. Kaidan didn't look old enough to have a daughter this age. The brunette gasped, lost for words.
Butterfly was really Amala's girl.The Major smiled dryly at the thought. She was a good girl but able to turn it off in a second.
Like mother, like daughter.
"Let's me introduce you. Rahna, this is Butterfly, my daughter. And Butterfly, this is Rahna, an old friend."
"Butterfly? A beautiful name but... The girl who had been abducted from the hospital months ago was also named Butterfly. Butterfly Shepard, if I remember correctly."
It was an easy name to remember. And the reporters kept talking about the girl for weeks. Everyone wanted to know about Commander Shepard's love life.
And now, Rahna wanted the identity of Butterfly's mother.
"It's... complicated." It wasn't a lie. Kaidan just didn't feel like he should have to explain it to her.
Butterfly knew the brunette made him nervous. "Shall we go home, daddy? Mommy is waiting for us. Besides, Big-G has to leave soon. He wants to take us home before taking his ship back to Tuchanka."
Big-G? When did she come up Grunt's nickname? Kaidan wondered if the krogan didn't like the nickname, but he would be unable to deny his little sister anything. He had fallen for Butterfly head-over-heels since he saw her smash a Cerberus turret with her biotics.
"Yeah, well. Sorry Rahna, but we have to go. See you later." He said politely although Butterfly was dragging him from there.
He laughed when they were far from Rahna's sight. His daughter seemed to understand why. She pouted and snuggled against him.
A family passes them. Butterfly eyed the kid who was riding his father's back and then looked away.
"Butterfly?" Kaidan asked.
But she shook her head. "Nothing,"
She takes that trait after her mom, Kaidan sighed. They always tried to be strong. "I'm your daddy, Butterfly. No matter what happens, you can rely on me."
As she stared at him, she looked like she was about to cry. "I just... I always wondered how it would feel to... ride your back like that. But I never... Now, I'm with you but... I'm too big."
Smiling, the biotic daddy patted his daughter's head lovingly before turning around and sitting down in front of her.
"I'm not as strong as Grunt, but I'm sure you're not that heavy. Come on, Princess. Let's take a ride."
She tried not to cry as she circled her arms around Kaidan's neck. But he felt hot tears fall on his shoulder.
Grunt and Jack stared at them. The biotic woman couldn't hide her smile as she saw Butterfly had fallen asleep on her dad's back.
Her cheeks were wet with tears, but her lips arched up in a blissful smile.
5th December of every year is Thailand's king's birthday and also father day. I know it's quite late but it still December, so I still in the mood of father things and all. My own dad died a decade ago so I hope good luck for other's father. ;) Butterfly's father included.
Thank for beta and wish you joy in holy December too, The Lovely Traveler.
