A/N: Hey guys, first of all I want to apologize how late this chapter was. 2016 haven't been good on my writing/creative side. It took me longer to figure out a chapter and it almost driven me mad. I just hope this chapter is worth the wait. There will be a scene related to Christmas, a present for my loyal reader, brandon66 who asking for it. I also want to thank kirki101 for being my awesome beta! With that being said, I'm currently working on re-posting the story. I don't think there will be any major changes, mostly it involved Grammar mistakes I made. Anyway enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 35 : Hopeful Heart

It was another beautiful day on Earth. The birds are chirping happily, the blue sky was cloudless and a gentle breeze blew through the warm air. The only strange thing was why she was alone in this park. Where was Liara? As she about started to grow worried, she could see Liara walking toward her with her beautiful smile Shepard loved so much. But this time, her smile seemed strained, like she was forcing herself to smile.

"Liara, what's wrong?" Shepard asked as Liara stood in front of her, looking down at her feet, clearly uncomfortable, or perhaps even nervous.

"Shepard... There is no easy way of saying this."

"What is it, Liara? You know you can always tell me anything." Shepard said as she grabs hold of both Liara hands and give it a reassuring squeeze.

"I-It is best if we go on our separate ways."

"What do you mean?"

"I feel that it isn't worth it to be with you anymore. The constant worry... All you ever gave me was pain. I don't think I can be with you, Shepard."

"Li-" before Shepard could form a word, Liara pulled her hands before turning back and leaving Shepard standing frozen in the middle of the park.

"Liara!" Shepard yelped as Liara words finally sank in.

"Shepard, wakes up! It's just a dream." Liara said as she tried to wake up her wife.

Shepard slowly opened her eyes and slowly getting the started to grip the real world after her first nightmares in years. She could feel Liara's arm wrap around her shoulder as she sat on the bed.

Liara could see that this particular nightmare really shook Shepard more than her other nightmares. Before Liara could ask what the nightmare was about, Shepard started sobbing as she covered her face with both of her hands.

"Please... Don't ever leave me." Shepard muttered just above a whisper.

"Shepard, what are you talking about? I love you." Liara asked as she barely heard what Shepard said.

"...It felt so real." Shepard murmured as her hands still covering her face.

"Promise me. Promise me that you won't leave me. Because I don't want to know what life is without the sound of your love moving through me." Shepard added as she finally facing Liara.

"Shepard, I promise you. After Illium... I will never push you aside again. I love you so much that it hurts. And our daughters, they adore you and the love you more than they love me. At times, I'm jealous at your relationship with our daughters, but I know that you love them more than they love you. And I know that you love me more than I could ever love you...You're my first and only love, Shepard. No one, I mean no one can ever replace you in my heart even after you're long gone." Liara said before she gave Shepard a reassuring kiss.

After the whole incident where Arthur being framed, Kate got suspended for punching a fellow cadet, Shepard decided to take her family for a few week vacation in Thessia. This will be the first time they live in their own house (perhaps more of a mansion) in Thessia. The Asari's government gave an estate for both her and Liara in Thessia, as a grateful gesture of what both of them have done during the Reapers war and also a sign of approval from the Asari over Shepard's decision to marry Liara, even though Shepard strongly denied that her marriage with Liara was a political move, the Asari didn't back down. Shepard eventually accepted the offer with a condition that the Asari will focus on the development Thessia first and foremost before start building the mansion. It finally completed just a few months ago, thus why they decided for a vacation on Thessia since for now, they plan on living on Earth after almost two decades living in the Citadel.

The girls seem to be enjoying their time in Thessia with the exception of Kate who looks like she doesn't belong there. She faked a smile when Shepard and Liara were around but honestly, her mind was someplace else. Despite her best effort, eventually Shepard saw through her. When Shepard didn't see Kate with Liara and her sisters in the living room, Shepard went looking for her. Sure enough, Shepard saw Kate on a swing in the backyard by herself and seems lost in thought.

"Isn't it great here?" Shepard asked as she startled Kate in the process.

"Yeah..." Kate answered as Shepard sat on a swing next to her.

Shepard let out a small chuckle before saying, "You are bad liar. Just like your mother."

"That obvious, huh?"

"Not really. Actually she was a great liar but she could never deceive me. At least not long enough because I always saw through her. What's bothering you?"

"I'm anxious to hear from the Alliance regarding my status. It has been a few week and I still haven't heard anything. Did I really screw up?"

"No. You didn't. I got a call from the Alliance yesterday and they said they are trying to let everything settle down first and also trying to figure out how to deal with the boy you punched. Apparently he came from a wealthy family and his family wants some blood. The Alliance is thinking about dropping my name in a hope that they will back off. But until this can be settled, the Alliance thinks it best if you lay low for now. I promise, it will turn out okay."

"I don't want you to pull strings for me."

"I won't. I promise but right now, the Alliance will need to use my name to make the family of the boy you punch, back down. Apparently he forgot to tell his family the whole story about why he got punched."

"You mean he forgot to tell his parents that I punch him because the great Commander Shepard is my guardian and clearly I acted in her honour to punch him for talking about her father in less than appropriate way?" Kate said to a small chuckle from Shepard.

"Perhaps...But the Alliance assured me that this will be resolved soon and you will be reinstated to finish your training."

"I'm glad to hear that. I was so afraid that I would get kicked out from the Alliance from losing my temper. I have worked so hard to get to where I am now and I don't want to lose it just because I punched someone who rightly deserved it. Most of all, I don't want you to be disappointed in me, and I don't want my mother look down at me and be ashamed of me."

"That's nonsense, Kate. You will never disappoint me neither nor will your mother be ashamed of you. I have known her most of my life and it would never cross her mind even for a second that you have shamed her. If anything she will be so proud of you for standing up for the people you care about and I wouldn't put it past her that she will go so much farther than what you did."

"You think so?"

"Yes. And I have seen your instructors' reports on your performance and from what I read, they look at you as a bright cadet and how can you think that I will be disappointed in you?"

"I guess I just thought you will have high hopes for me because of what you have achieved."

"I don't expect any of my children to do what I did because I really want the peace I fought hard to achieve to last for hundreds of thousands of years. And growing up to both of my parents in the Alliance, I knew better than anyone else how hard it is to live up to your parents' reputation."

"Really?"

"Yeah. On my first day of Alliance training, all of my instructors had high hopes for me. They were wondering if I had my father's leadership ability in the battlefield, his fearlessness and let's not forget his charm. Or perhaps I have my mother's sense of political situation and her leadership ability to lead a war ship. But they also half expected me to do what both of my parents did."

"You mean falling in love with your subordinates?"

"Yeah. I spent most of my career trying to fend off any romantic relationship with my fellow crew mates. I was lucky for a moment when I was with someone but after we broke off, I was half swearing that I will never fall in love again. Until I met Liara... But there's also Kaidan who let me know of his feelings once rumours surfaced that Liara and I were dating."

"Did you love him?"

"No. I didn't even realize I was falling for Liara until she asked me if I felt the same way as she was. I was feeling sorry for Kaidan because I might have led him to think that something more could happen. I was so used to feeling all the men's crew mates as nothing more as my brothers; I might have given him a wrong signal."

"Do you ever think something could have happen between you and Kaidan if it weren't because for your parents' past?"

"Perhaps... My father gave up his career so mother won't be punished harshly. Everyone in the Alliance knew father had a brighter career than mother but he loved her so much, he was willing to give up his career. But it still didn't change the fact that I was truly in love with Liara. You should have seen her back then. She was the most innocent, and perhaps a bit naive but I was falling head over heels for her before long."

"Perhaps it's that legendary Asari charm I heard so much about." Kate said as both of them let out a small laugh.

"I think it was more of her smile." Shepard said as she let out a smile as she could picture Liara gave her a smile that always managed to melt her heart.

It warmed Kate's heart as she could see how full of love Shepard's face was. It never ceased to amaze her how both Shepard and Liara could love each other more than they already did. She heard many stories about the fairytale between Shepard and Liara that was told by human and Asari but none of them managed to capture perfectly how in love they are.

"Well I hope that's the only thing that bothering you." Shepard said as it brought back Kate to the reality.

"Why did you say that? What else could be bothering me?"

"I don't know... Maybe the fact we are in Thessia?"

"I admit it felt a bit awkward being one of few humans in Thessia but then I imagined how it must felt for Elaina, Irene and Carissa. Elaina went to Citadel school where there were many species went studying, but Irene and Carissa? I heard they were only Asari students there and in fact the others were humans. Even Elaina was brave enough to continue her study on Earth where she could have easily continued her study somewhere else."

"I heard human and Asari pairings are more frequent nowadays than before but I admit there are still few of them living on Earth or Thessia. Most of them rather live somewhere like Illium or on the Citadel. Perhaps it was easier living there than on Earth where it's a human homeworld or Thessia which is an Asari homeworld. But I hope you're not feeling ashamed..."

"What?! Of course not! I am so proud of this family and really thankful to be a part of it. No one can say something that will change my mind."

"I'm glad to hear that."

After a long vacation on Thessia, they finally returned to Earth once Kate was reinstated after the Alliance managed to use Shepard's name and also Ashley's name to warn the family of the man Kate punched, to back down. The man was eventually dishonourably discharged by the Alliance for showing an attitude that was not needed in the Alliance. Despite Kate's uneasiness of using Shepard's and Ashley's name to get her reinstated, she knew that was the only way. She was thankful to have Shepard's as her guardian and Ashley's as her auntie because their connection clearly helped her in the situation she created in the first place.

Although it was practically a small matter, the man he punched clearly thinks otherwise or perhaps his ego was bruised when she punched him in front of everyone. Sometimes it doesn't hurt to have some connections.

"Daddy...Can I ask you for something?" Elaina asked after the settled down on the comfort of their home after a long journey from Thessia.

"You remember what I told you when you were a kid?"

"Yes... That I can ask for anything even the moon and you will find a way to get it even though mommy will argue it's impossible."

"Which is true." Liara chimed in.

"Oh come on, Liara. You should know better than anyone else how I just love to do the impossible thing. The galaxy have tons of moon, I'm sure I can find a moon I can fit in my pocket. I'm sure no one will even notice a moon is missing. Even if they did, I could always use the 'I saved the galaxy' card."

"I just don't want your head to get bigger."

"Wouldn't you have more of me to love?" Shepard said with a chuckle.

"Don't push it, saviour of the galaxy. There's only so much I can accept before I finally get tired of you."

"Ouch. Someone call a doctor. I think my heart just broke." Shepard said before she let a laugh.

"Daddy..." Elaina said as she broke the loving banter between Shepard and Liara.

"What is it you want, Elaina?"

"My professor asked me to write my experience of celebrating a human tradition... I'm wondering about Christmas and perhaps we could celebrate it?"

"I would love to, Elaina. But we usually celebrate Christmas in December. I heard that some local hospitals have Christmas in the summer but Christmas is typically celebrated in December."

"I thought you said you always will find a way to get anything Elaina wanted." Liara said.

"Hey, I never said I can't do it. Well maybe I can't since I don't think we could find a Christmas tree and ornaments to decorate it during this month but perhaps we could do a Secret Santa."

"Awesome. I'm totally in. We can get it done before I have to report back in 3 days." Kate said.

"What's a Secret Santa?" Elaina asked.

"It's a tradition during Christmas in which members of family or friends are randomly assigned a person to whom they anonymously give a gift. You can only reveal yourself during the gift giving."

"That sounds like fun." Liara said.

"Can we join?" Irene asked on behalf of her and Carissa as Carissa makes her best puppy look.

"Of course you can!" Shepard said as she starts looking for a paper and pen.

After she wrote down everyone's name, she put all those pieces of paper with all of their names written into a bowl before they start to pick a piece of paper to see who they got. Shepard had to pick twice as she drew her own name the first time around.

"The rules are simple. First, you cannot have any help from anyone. With the exception for Irene and Carissa of course. You two can ask for any of us for help except the one you supposed to give the gift. Second, you cannot reveal who you play Secret Santa for. Third, the gift can come in any form be it something you make or something you buy. Understand?" Shepard explained as everyone nodded in understanding.

After giving a day for everyone to find an appropriate gift, today is the day they open the gift and their Secret Santa revealed their identity. The first one to open the gift was Carissa. She got a new video game from Irene and funny enough, Irene's Secret Santa was Carissa, who gave her a doll of her favourite cartoon character. Irene had received help from Liara while Carissa got help from Shepard on picking and buying the gifts. Being twins, it wasn't hard for either of them to figure out what each other liked and all Liara and Shepard had to do was provided them money to buy the gifts.

Next, its Elaina turns to open her gift. She received a book about human history which looks like it cost a fortune and some digging. Not a surprised, she received it from Liara, who almost certainly used her Shadow Broker network to find it. It was almost unfair but the look on Elaina's face, it made it okay. After she opened her gift, Elaina then revealed herself as Kate's Secret Santa. Kate received a locket with her picture and Maddison. It goes without saying that Elaina had snoop around Kate's room looking for the perfect gift.

"Thank you, Elaina. I appreciate it." Kate said as she put the locket with her Alliance dog tags.

"Now it's my turn." Kate added as she handed over a perfectly wrapped box to Shepard.

As soon as Shepard received it, she wasted no time to open it. Once she did, she was holding back her tears as she saw what Kate had given her. It was a framed picture of her and Maddison.

"Thank you, Kate. You have no idea how much this means. We took this the day we graduated from the Alliance academy. We both had a copy... I had one on the first Normandy with her note written behind it. I still remembered every word she wrote. It was... You did it, buddy! Top of the class! Never doubt you for a second. Glad I could end this and start focusing on my med school. Oh joy." Shepard said as she let out a chuckle.

"This is her copy with a note written for me." Shepard added as she turn the frame around and open it to reveal the note... See, I told you. I never doubted that you will graduate from the academy. You were the only one who refused to believe it and look where you are now. I'm so proud of you!

"I found it among her stuff when I was sorting through her stuff. Always thought it will be a great gift for you. I thought about giving it for your birthday but this is as good time as any." Kate said before she received a hug from Shepard.

"Well, in case you haven't figured it out, I am you Secret Santa, Liara." Shepard said as she handed out a box of Liara's favourite chocolate.

"Thank you, Shepard." Liara said as she gave Shepard a kiss.

"But that's not all. I plan on a romantic dinner for us tomorrow night. My parents agreed on watching over the kids."

"That's even better." Liara said as she gives Shepard another kiss.

After everyone already opened their gifts, they headed into the kitchen for dinner. Shepard and Kate have spent the day before preparing and cooking some Christmas menu such as roast turkey with some stuffing, mashed potatoes, casserole and some desserts. They were also joined by Shepard's parents, Kate's grandparents, Miranda and Oriana who arrived shortly after they were done opening their gifts. It might not be a true Christmas dinner, but it was close enough in their eyes. And for Elaina, it was definitely something she could write about and most importantly she now understood what her college friends told her about how special Christmas is. Next December, she was certainly going to make sure they celebrate a proper Christmas.

Yesterday was the day Kate reported back for training and today she was determined to make up for lost time. After their usual morning run, Kate headed straight to the shooting range after grabbing a sandwich for breakfast. After a few rounds, she was left exasperated by how bad her shooting was. She was always on top of her class on marksmanship, which is due to Shepard and Ashley's hard work on training her, days after she decided to enlist. Shepard did warn her after her first shooting; it might not be surprising if she suddenly forgot how to shoot properly. Kate of course, just like her mother, Maddison as Shepard said it, refused to listen it. Saying she was okay when the fact is she sometimes had nightmares over that day. Shepard tried to help her out but she keep refusing, and yesterday before she sent her off, she reminded her that she can always call her at any given time.

"Come one, Kate Taylor Sinclair! You can do this! I really don't want to call daddy and tell her that she was right..." Kate murmured to herself in an effort to give herself some pep talk.

"Damn it." Kate cursed after her shot missed the target again.

"You know the more you're stress, the more likely you will miss the target." said a man's voice from behind her.

"W-What?" Kate stumbled on her own words after turning around to look at the owner of the voice.

"It's the truth. You can ask your father and I'm sure she will say the same thing."

"Excuse me?"

"You don't recognize me, do you? I'm Dylan."

"Dylan? As in Aunt Sammy and Sarah's son?!"

"The one and only." Dylan said before he was hugged by Kate.

"It has been forever since I last saw you!"

"Well who am I compared to Admiral Shepard's ward. I'm sure there are hundreds of men out there lining up to be with you." Dylan joked.

"And they all scattered away once they saw her face." Kate said with a chuckle.

"Good thing then that I'm in a great relationship with her. Or at least my mother was..."

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I just decided to take a walk and I'm just so happened to see a beautiful pissed off girl at the shooting range."

"So you can flirt with her?"

"Never. That is until I realized it was you."

"Such a charmer. I hope your girlfriend won't kill you."

"Good thing that I don't have one, then. But then again my heart is only belongs to one person only."

"Yeah? Who is it?"

"You, of course."

"Oh come on, Dylan. We are no longer kids."

"Exactly. I told you that one day I want to marry you and I intend on keeping that promise."

"We are not even in a relationship, Dylan."

"Then give me a chance to be your boyfriend. How about a dinner tonight?"

"Smooth, Dylan. Real smooth."

"Come on. We can go there as friends if that make you comfortable. And if after that you're happen to feel the way I feel, we will take care of it from there? If not, no harm done. I will accept your decision and I will always treasure our friendship."

"Deal." Kate said as she shakes Dylan hand with a smile on her face.

A/N: How was it? I hope it's good and I'm really excited about the future of Kate and Dylan. Do you guys approve of this pairings? I know that some have wished that Kate will end up with Elaina but I never think of them as anything but sisters. Mostly because how close their age gap is. Despite I always painted Elaina as a more mature Asari kid, I just can't do that to her love life. It just not the same, you know.