A/N : First of all I want to say I'm sorry for super late chapter. It has been quite a while since I write a new chapter for any of my stories. Mostly I'm being lazy and the other thing is I find it hard to write a new chapter. I seem to losing my usual touch and it took me awhile to find it again. So I won't keep you waiting any longer. Hope you guys enjoy the new chapter.


Chapter 29 : I Do

It's a busy day at Shepard-T'Soni household as they are busy packing for a trip to Earth for Ashley Williams and James Vega wedding. After done packing, they all rushed to the docking bay D24 where the Normandy is waiting to fly them to Earth. For this occasion, the Normandy will be flying with skeleton crews as the Alliance and the Council gave them permission to use the Normandy for the wedding of their current commanding officer.

The only crews still on board are Joker, EDI, Lieutenant Steve Cortez and Engineer Greg Adams while Kenneth and Gabby also brought their daughter for the ride. Garrus, Tali, Wrex and Grunt also on board the Normandy after the Normandy picked them up before they arrived at the Citadel and gave most of their crew's shore leave.

"Hey, Ash." greet Shepard as she saw Ashley sitting at the bar in Port Observation room.

"Hey, Shepard." greet back Ashley as she gulp down a drink.

"Already drunk before your wedding day?" asked Shepard as she sat next to Ashley.

"Maybe… I don't know."

"Cold feet?"

"*took a deep breath* how did you know that Liara is the one?"

"Umm… I was the one who asked her to married me so I'm pretty sure that she was the one. Or at least I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. We've been through so many things and I think everyone can see how much we are meant for each other."

"Yeah. It's like a fairytale story between you two."

"James is a nice guy, you know."

"I know. It just…"

"You are afraid? It's normal to be afraid. You're going to commit to someone for the rest of your life. You will be asking question if you make a right choice, if this marriage will last until the day you die. But if he is the one, it will be worth it."

"How did you know that you want to spend the rest of your life with Liara?"

"I think it have something to do with my 2 years of absence. When I met Liara at Illium for the first time, I knew she's not the same person as she was 2 years ago. She might kiss me when we first met, but she sure is making it clear that she's not talking about our relationship. Every time I try to bring it up, she always has something to do or asked me to do some favor. It drives me mad. At least I want to know where we stand… I want to know if she still loves me."

"When you died, no one hurt more than Liara. Joker blamed himself but Liara? You were her first love and I know what it feels like to get your heart broken for the first time but you died… which is a lot worse."

"I finally managed to get her talked about us. What she said… I can see the pain in her eyes. What my death done to her. But I also thought she move on and found someone to love."

"Was it Feron?"

"Yeah… When I confronted her about it, she told me that as human said it 'she's taken'. Right then and there, I knew she still loves me and never stop loving me. It just my death hurt her deeply and she's afraid she going to lose me again. I had to promise her that I'm always coming back and let me tell you, it's not easy to keep that promise."

"Hah. I can imagine. You cheated death so many times, Shepard. It's like everywhere you go, there's always someone wanting to kill you and there's always bullets flying. No wonder Wrex loves you so much. Haha."

"To tell you the truth, he's a bit jealous that I always get more action than him." said Shepard as both she and Ashley burst out laughing.

"Anyway, we usually don't realize what we need until we lose them. Are you willing to lose James first so you can find out if he's the one? If you want to spend the rest of your life with him?" continued Shepard.

"No…" answered Ashley.

"I guess you got your answer. Now you better stop drinking before you got drunk and forget everything we just talked."

"Wait a second, Shepard. What about a toast?"

"I think I better keep my head straight. Who know what funny business my daughters will pull this time around."

"*chuckle* EDI already warned us to keep our eyes peels for any suspicious activity by your daughters."

"I didn't say such thing, Commander Williams." said EDI over the PA speakers.

"Don't worry, EDI. That won't happen again and back then Elaina still learning how to control her biotics. Apparently her curiosity somehow triggers her biotics. It barely done any damaged to the cargo bay anyway." said Shepard defending her daughter action over a few years ago.

"Curiosity kill a cat, you know. And exactly what made her curious?" asked Ashley.

"Like daughter, like mother, I guess. Something she must have seen. Honestly Elaina won't talk about what exactly happen that day. But if I'm going to bet, it must have something to do with Cortez and James."

"That makes more sense if James had something to do with it." said Ashley.

"Well I better get going. I promised Elaina and Kate to show them around the ship."

"You go, Shepard. I'd be fine here. We don't want Elaina to damage the ship when she furious her daddy late for show and tell." joke Ashley.


Shepard got out from Post Observation room and as she was about to head straight towards the elevator when she heard Wrex and Grunt arguing in Mess Hall.

"Hey Pyjak, stop eating all of those foods. We still long way from Earth." yell Wrex.

"I'm hungry." answered Grunt as he keeps eating.

"Even when I'm hungry I didn't eat like you did." said Wrex and he took a few foods away from Grunt.

"Yeah, because you old. I'm young and I need a lot of foods." replied Grunt as he tried to get back those foods Wrex took.

"It's nice to see you two get along." said Shepard as she walks towards the two Krogans.

"Oh, we try to." respond Wrex as he dodges Grunt effort to take those foods away.

"Grunt, it's nice to see you here. Although I can't say I'm not surprise to see you."

"Why's that?" asked Grunt as he gave up trying to take those foods away from Wrex.

"You know, I never thought you were buddy with Ashley or James. Because the last time I saw you with them, you ate my lamp because James took forever to cook."

"Umm, you know, I just want to see how human wedding are."

"*laugh* you should just say you miss your battlemaster." said Wrex.

Shepard tried to stifle her laugh as she swears she could see Grunt blush over Wrex comment.

"Shut up you old Krogan."

"I miss you too, Grunt." said Shepard as she walk towards Grunt to give him a hug.

Grunt replied to Shepard gesture with his adorable laugh that Shepard love so much.

"I always knew you have a soft spot in you." said Shepard to Grunt which got Wrex laughing.

"Wrex, I knew you have a soft spot for me too." respond Shepard.

"Only because you always get in the middle of all the actions."

"Yeah, right. Whatever makes you sleep at night." said Shepard.

"Oh, we all know you love Shepard, Wrex." remarks Garrus as he joined in the conversation after leaving his duty at the Normandy main gun.

"Said Archangel who needed Shepard to save his butt." retorted Wrex.

"I can't see a point to this argument." said Ashley as she walks towards them.

"Why don't you all drop your alpha male ego and admit how important Shepard is in your life. Because let face it, everyone who fight alongside Shepard, who served under her command, always have a soft spot for her." add Ashley.

"I agree with Ashley." said Joker over the PA system.

"Were you spying on us, Joker?" asked Shepard.

"Oh, no. Liara asked me to call you down to the CIC and I think it's rude to interrupt that nice argument."

"You and your excuses." said Ashley.

"Either way, you of all people should admit how important Shepard is considering she sacrificed herself to saved you." add Ashley.

"You just waiting to rub that on me, didn't you Ash?"

"You have no idea how long I wait." said Ashley to everyone laugh.

"See, Joker. Don't ever tell me I don't care about you." add Shepard.

"Yeah, yeah… Hey, Ashley, if Shepard also means so much to you, how come you still don't believe her when she said she's not working with Cerberus anymore? Or the fact you were mad at her when you met her at Horizon?"

"We saw her died, Joker. We saw what Cerberus did and why would they want to bring Shepard back? I was afraid it wasn't Shepard, the real Shepard who saved me from Eden Prime who I knew on board the Normandy SR-1. For all I know, she could be that evil clone. But if push comes to shove, even if the Alliance orders me to kill Shepard, I wouldn't have done it. I rather die before I kill her. Not until I know for sure she's not the real Shepard. That was the reason why I believe Shepard over Udina. I knew if I'm wrong, she will kill me but I won't kill Shepard either. But if she is the Shepard I knew, I knew she won't kill me even if Cerberus orders her to."

"You put a trust on me in such a weird way, Ashley. You don't believe me when I said I didn't work with Cerberus anymore but you trust me that I won't kill you?"

"I just… I guess I'm just in denial that you could betray Cerberus order, that you not already under their thumb. After everything we saw they did, after everything they did to rebuild you, I just find it hard to believe you not working with them or at least owe them. After all they believe you about the Reapers when the Council and the Alliance still in denial."

"I didn't owe them anything. I wasn't the one who asked them to rebuild me. They may promise Liara that if she could bring my body, they could bring me back to life. But she was desperate to have me back and they used her. I might appreciate them bringing me back to life because I would have never have the life I have with Liara now but I still didn't owe them a single a thing. They used me just as much as I used their resources to take down the Collectors."

"I believe you, Shepard. I'm sorry I doubt you before."

"The past is the past, Ashley. What matter now is what happens now. I might have done the same thing if I was in your situation."

"Oh please, we all know you always give the benefit of the doubt as you human say it." said Tali who decided to show up.

"How long have you been listening in?" asked Garrus.

"Long enough to hear everything."

"And you just decide to show yourself now?" asked Ashley.

"I love to know the reason why Tali didn't show herself but you know what I love more, Shepard? You get down in CIC now before Liara break every bone in my body." chime in Joker.

"Oh you know she wouldn't do that." replied Shepard.

"I rather not find it the hard way."


Once they touchdown on Earth, Ashley leaves the Normandy to meet up with James to discuss a few things ahead of their marriage. The others also leave the Normandy to their separate way as they waiting for the wedding day. Shepard, Liara, Elaina, Kate, Irene and Carissa all head out to the Shepard family estate which is only half hour away.

"Wow. It's so big." said Kate as she was mesmerized by the view in front of her.

"Wait until you get inside." said Elaina.

"I'm glad we have a time to stop by the estate." said Liara.

"Me too. It has been a while since we come here. I'm pretty sure we haven't been here ever since Kate joined the family." said Shepard as she unlocks the front gate.

"Dada, dada." said Carissa who is walking beside Liara with her hand held high, asking Shepard to pick her up. The twins have started to talk and their version of daddy is dada.

Shepard complied and after picking up Carissa, she head straight towards the small lake by the estate before sit down on the grass. Elaina, Kate, Irene and Liara also follow Shepard by sitting on the grass by the small lake which was the wedding between Shepard and Liara took place just over 10 years ago.

"Did you know that in this very place was where your mother and I said our vows?" said Shepard.

"Really?" said Kate.

"Yes. Even Elaina was a part of it."

"How come?" asked Elaina.

"I was 5 months pregnant." answered Liara.

"We never actually planned you because we were in a war. No one can promise if one of us will come back from a mission alive. Your mother almost lost me more than she would have like to count. But by in any mean necessary we weren't delight when we found out." said Shepard as she look at Elaina lovingly.

"Your father worry if anything happened to her, she won't be around to see you. You only hear what people story about your father than you know your father yourself." add Liara.

"I will also be overprotective of your mother and I can't possibly think straight when I'm on a mission. Leaving your mother is one thing, knowing I have to leave my daughter too? Not even a galaxy worth to save if that's mean I will have to leave your mother and you, all of you."

"Even if that's mean leaving us a better future?" asked Liara.

"Well… Maybe that."

"Daddy, can you recite your wedding vow again? You too, mommy?" pleaded Elaina.

"Honestly I don't think my vow is anything special. What if I make a new vow? I think this time it will be sweeter." said Shepard.

"I think your vow was nice. But I'm looking forward to hear your new vow." said Liara.

"Come on, daddy, mommy. Stand up and hold each other hands and say your vows in front of us." said Kate.

"Very well then." said Shepard as she got up.

"You first." said Liara as she holds Shepard hands.

"Liara T'Soni, when I'm with you nothing else matter, when I'm with you all my pain, problems go away. You always there for me since the very first day and I'm lucky that you felt in love with me. I'm lucky that you gave me 4 beautiful daughters and I'm lucky that you always stick by my side. I love everything about you; your blue eyes always took my breath away every time I look at your eyes. I found myself lost in your blue eyes and I swear I couldn't have loved you more than I did but I was wrong. But it was the best mistake I ever make. I wouldn't trade anything in this entire galaxy for you and for what we had and what we will have. I will always treasure every seconds I have with you like it will be our last."

"Grace Shepard, you were my first love and I will forever treasure the day I felt in love with you. You are my first and only love, I can promise you that. There won't be another one like you and there won't be the day I can ever find anyone to replace you. The day you drew your last breathe will be the worst day of my life. I found happiness by your side, I have a real loving family with you and I have 4 beautiful daughters because of you. When I'm with you I felt safe, I knew you will always be with me and always look out for me. I couldn't ask for anything else better and I'm thankful that you felt the same way. I will always love you until the end and after the end. You will and always are my first and last."

Both Shepard and Liara had teary eyes as the said their vows and when they listened to each other vows. As soon as Liara finished saying her vow, Shepard draw her lips closer to Liara as they both kiss in front of their watching daughters. Elaina and Kate are already in tears as they witness their parents reaffirmed their love.


A day after Shepard and Liara reaffirmed their love in front of their daughters; it's the day of Ashley and James wedding. They decided to hold the wedding on board the Normandy as it flew around the galaxy. Both Elaina and Kate are the flower girls as Irene and Carissa mostly trying to eat the flowers. While Traynor son, Dylan were chosen as the ring boy. Samantha who are now 5 months pregnant and her wife, Sarah also join the wedding party after the Normandy arrived on Earth to picked up James. Ashley family also on board the Normandy for the wedding.

"So Ashley, James. Ready for your former Commander speech?" asked Garrus.

"Whether they ready or not, I can't wait to hear Shepard speech." add Joker.

"This should be good… Probably not." whisper Ashley to James as Shepard stand up.

"Ashley, James. The day I found you two flirting with each other, I couldn't believe my eyes. I don't know whether to smile or laugh. But when I think about it you two are meant for each other. I knew Ashley since the day I met her in Eden Prime, she's a great soldier who I knew will always have my back. The day I met James, I knew he's a great soldier and I knew he's loyal and I couldn't be any more right. One of thing both Ashley and James share are how passionate are they for their work. How much they care and respect other soldiers. I knew both of them look up at me and I couldn't be more proud with what both of them achieved. They are a few of the finest Alliance soldiers I ever work with and I wish nothing but the best for both of them in their new adventure." said Shepard.

"Thank you, Shepard." said both Ashley and James.

"Well that went less exciting than I expect it. Anyway turn up the music, EDI. Time for the newlywed first dance!" said Joker.

"May I have this dance?" asked Shepard to Liara after Ashley and James finished their first dance.

"Always." answered Liara with a smile.


A/N : Will you look at that. I was planning on having this chapter about Ashley and James but I couldn't help but have more moment between Shepard and Liara. I hope it was a sweet chapter. Also I hope you guys understand what I'm trying to do with Ashley and Shepard. You know have Ashley finally tell why she did what she did in ME 2 and early on ME 3. I also hope it satisfy you guys about what happen to the other crews. I realized I didn't say much about Tali and Garrus but I'm sure I will get around with them in future chapter. But at least right now we know that Samantha is happy and expecting! Maybe I will feature the little one arrival in future chapter. And you know maybe one for Ashley and James too before I finished this chapter. Anyway let me know what you think about the chapter.