A/N: First off, I wanted to say how sorry I am for how long it took me to post a new chapter. I've been busy with my work schedule and also I was being so sick for quite a while that I didn't have the strength to write. If you think I abandon my stories, well you're wrong. Since it felt like forever since I write, I found myself struggling with some words and describing some scenes. So pardon me for any mistake or lack of a little something. Lastly, this chapter hasn't been beta and I don't have any time to find someone to do it or proof read it myself. So consider it a rough draft. So without further ado.
Chapter 36 : New Romantics
It has been awhile since Shepard's father daughter moment. Ever since Arthur was clear of any charges and discharged from the hospital, he was in under constant watch of his wife, Hannah as his daughter, Grace decided to take her family for a vacation in Thessia while the whole thing blow over. Mostly for her adopted daughter, Kate sake who was left waiting anxiously for the Alliance decision after she punched a subordinate and the aftermath of taking a person life.
"It's not long now, is it?" Arthur asked after they went into a comfortable silence as they wait for their bait to catch an unlucky fish in their attempt of fishing after two miserable tries.
"Yeah. I'm glad this pregnancy went a lot easier for Liara than the last pregnancies."
"Didn't you and Kate almost get hurt?"
"It's nothing compared to what happened when Liara was pregnant with Elaina or Irene and Carissa."
"Will the trouble ever stop finding you or you actually try to find it?" Arthur joked.
"If I was given a choice, you know that I will be content with a normal life with no adventure whatsoever. I already have enough adventure during the Reapers war to last a lifetime. Or two in my case."
"So everything is alright?"
"Of course it is. Why do you ask?"
"You might be all grown up, but you're still my little girl and my only daughter. Is it wrong for me to be overprotective of you?"
"I appreciate it, dad. But there's nothing you should worry about. Liara loves me as much as I love her and she would never do anything to hurt me. At least not on purpose."
"I know that. Even after all these years I could see how in love you both are. Sometimes I'm jealous of what you two have."
"Jealous?"
"You know that my marriage with your mother was rocky. It wasn't like that the first few years but it all went downhill once the Alliance started putting us under microscope. If it wasn't stress enough, your mother miscarried... You could have an older sister or a brother."
"I-I didn't know that."
"Your mother was too focused on getting back on the Alliance good side that she didn't realized she was 10 weeks pregnant. I was so mad when I found out. I felt like she neglected our family in order to climb the rank. We promised to keep a balance life but it easier said than done when the sky was the limit for both of us to climb the Alliance ranks. Things were never the same after that. Then you came along and I realized that I wanted you more than I wanted the Alliance life. So I decided to leave the Alliance while your mother stayed."
"But you two stayed together."
"We decided that it was best for you to grow up without having to choose to live with me or your mother. It was already hard enough with your mother in the Alliance, we are not going to make it even harder for you. Despite our rocky marriage, one thing for sure, we both love you. Never doubt that."
"Now look at the two of you." Shepard said to Arthur laughed.
"I guess despite everything we are both pretty much still in love with each other."
"Love always finds a way."
"I can't say it any better."
"What got you all smiley and such even after those workouts?" Kate friend, Emily asked after they just finished one of their training regiment at Alliance Academy.
"Oh, nothing. Can't I simply be happy?"
"I know you. So the answer is, absolutely not. I'm pretty sure it has been awhile since your family come visited, so it has to be something else. Perhaps it has something to do with that handsome man walking to us right now?" Emily said as Dylan walked towards them.
"Dylan! What are you doing here?"
"I'll tell you when we get there."
"Where?"
"Just trust me, okay?" Dylan said as he held out his hand for Kate.
After a few minutes of walk, they are heading straight to the building where the Alliance recruit usually spend time with their visiting family.
"Who are we meeting?"
"Just someone who I think will be ecstatic to see you." Dylan said before Kate saw someone she recognised as soon as step into the building.
"Aunt Sammy!" Kate called out.
"Good to see you, Kate. It has been awhile." Samantha Traynor said as she gave Kate a hug.
"It is. Elaina is going to be so jealous once I told her I met you."
"I don't doubt that. After all I was pretty close with her."
"So where's Aunt Sarah?"
"She couldn't be here today. Something came up at work."
"What about Kelly?" Dylan asked about his little sister.
"Oh you know her. She's out with her friends for a study group."
"I forgot that she told me she has final exams next month."
"Yeah. So are you two officially dating now?" Samantha asked thinking there's no point beating around the bush.
That question took both Dylan and Kate by surprised and they both blush before Kate finally found the courage to speak up.
"I haven't got around telling my parents yet."
"Don't you think with your mother resources she won't find out?"
"I'm lucky so far that both of them always gave me privacy. Even if they knew something, they won't mention it until I'm ready to tell them."
"Still, you should tell your parents. And you, Dylan, you really should find time to meet with Aunt Shepard and asked for her permission to date Kate. I thought I taught you better than that."
"I know, I'm sorry. I promise I will."
"It's not necessary, Dylan, Aunty Sammy."
"Perhaps but I really am serious to date you, Kate. I have to ask for your parents approval and if they don't approve, I will have to find a way to make them approve of me seeing you."
"Such chivalry." Kate said with a smile as she knew she has fallen deeper for Dylan.
"Hey daddy, you know my semester break is almost here, so I was wondering if I could umm... You know work with mommy?"
"What?! Elaina. I'm okay if you want to work part time as a waitress at a restaurant or at a bookstore or anything really. But with mommy? Aunt Miranda and aunt Oriana? Did mommy even know?"
"...No. I thought that you could talk to mommy to let me work with her."
"Absolutely not. I know that it's asking too much to hope you, Irene and Carissa didn't actually know what exactly your mom do because I know you're too smart not to figure it out but that doesn't mean I or your mother think even for a second to let you two anywhere near the business. It's far too dangerous."
"Perhaps it's because of me."
"What are you implying, Elaina?"
"You let Kate went to that training in the middle of the jungle without a second thought but you won't let me work with mommy, aunt Miranda and aunt Oriana?"
"Because she was trained for it."
"But she still got hurt! You need to stop treating me like I made of glass. Is it just wrong for me to have some adventure?" Elaina said is she raised her voice.
"Don't you raise your voice with me, Elaina."
"Fine! Whatever. Do whatever you want. Find me a job, go ahead and plan my future for me because no matter what I want to do you won't even let me do it. So you might as well write down everything you have plan."
"You know that's not true."
"Is it?" Elaina said as she stormed to her room.
"Elaina Shepard-T'Soni!"
"What was that?" Liara asked as she just got back from work and heard the commotion even before she opened the door.
"Well Elaina asked me to let her work during her summer break at Shadow Broker ship. She also told me to stop treating her like she made out of glass and to let her go on an adventure." Shepard said as she let out a long sigh.
"I will go talk to her."
After half an hour, Liara returned to Shepard.
"Well she refused to listen to me and we both know you're a lot closer to her than I ever do."
"I'm pretty sure you heard our arguments. How do you think she will listen to me after all that?"
"She will. You always know what to say to her."
When Shepard got to Elaina room, she could see Elaina sobbing in her bed.
"Elaina, you know that it wasn't my attention to make you think that you're made out of glass or that you're not entitled to your freedom. But you're smart and you know why I let Maddison did the things I won't let you do. You might be a year younger than her, but we both know the fact is you're way too young for any of the things you wanted to do. The only reason your mother and I let you went to the university here on Earth was because we believed it's never too early to learn."
"It just that Kate is about to graduate on top of her class at the Alliance academy and I'm here doing absolutely nothing impressive."
"If you think for a second you're not making me proud of you, then you're wrong. Elaina, you're the most precious thing for me in this entire galaxy. I don't like playing favourite but I'm not fooling anyone around that you're my favourite. I love Kate, Irene and Carissa but with you, I love you more. You want to know why?"
Elaina turned her head to look at Shepard and gave her a silence approval.
"After the war, I keep having nightmares that sometimes at one point I can't tell the difference between my nightmares and the reality. When your mother was pregnant with you, when I woke up in the middle of the night because of my nightmare and your mother didn't realized it, I could just close my eyes and put my hand on top of her stomach. And every time I did that, you would give me a soft kick like you were telling me that everything will be okay. When you were born and when the nightmares still haunt me on some nights, you would wake up as soon as I did and wrapped your little hands on my finger and gave me a smile until we both fall asleep."
"It can't be true..."
"Believe what you want, but you always brighten up my day ever since you were in mommy stomach. And I'm sorry if I'm being overprotective of you more than I did with Kate, Irene and Carissa. But I was just trying to protect the one person in this entire galaxy that could make me feel like everything will be alright even when it doesn't feel like it."
"I thought mommy make you feel that."
"Your mother makes me feel like I could do anything even when the whole galaxy is against me. Of course her smile could brighten up my day, but what you did to me as much more than what your mother could ever did. Don't you ever forget that." Shepard said as Elaina wrapped her in a tight hug.
It's a warm night, sky full of stars as Liara lay her head on Shepard's shoulder as they sat next to each other in their backyard.
"Thank you for being such a great parent for our kids." Liara broke the silence.
"Where is this coming from?"
"The way you handle Elaina sudden outburst, and what you said to her, it warmed my heart. I don't know what I did to be so lucky."
"You know exactly what you did." Shepard said as she planted a kiss on Liara head.
"Do you remember what tomorrow is?"
"How could I not? It's the day we first met."
"Who could have imagine the Asari the great Commander Shepard saved from a Prothean trap ended up marrying her knight in shining armor." Liara said to a light chuckle from Shepard.
"And who could have imagined such a naive and innocent Prothean expert could hold a key to my heart?"
"You're sure it's not Elaina who holds the key to your heart?"
"You heard our conversation didn't you?" Shepard asked as Liara nodded. "But don't you worry, Liara, you're the one who hold a key to my heart. Without you I could have never achieved what I achieved and I could never have a loving family to spend the rest of my life with."
After another ordinary, tiring morning jogged, Kate settled herself in her chair of her classroom. Apparently today the Alliance academy has called a war veteran to tell about their story in whatever war they involved in, which is usually the Reapers war. To be honest, it always bore the life out of her, there's nothing those war veteran could tell her anything extraordinary about the Reapers war she hasn't heard from Shepard and Liara. Especially when some of them seem to exaggerate on what actually happened. She never gets the point the Alliance trying to make by calling a total nobody to talk about the Reapers war.
"The class not even start yet and you already bored out of your mind?" Emily asked as she took a seat in an empty chair next to Kate.
"You always know how this class ended. All those so called war veterans didn't exactly succeed on inspiring us. The Alliance should call someone who served on board the Normandy to tell us about what happened. Like Chief Engineer Greg Adams, Engineer Gabriella Daniels, Engineer Kenneth Donnelly, Flight Lieutenant Jeff "Joker" Moreau, Specialist Samantha Traynor... It doesn't have to be then Lieutenant James Vega and then Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams. It could even be Major Coats who served under Admiral Anderson when he was on Earth, trying to rally the force to fight the Reapers as Commander Shepard doing her best to rally the support from all species."
"Of course you will know the entire names that plan at least an important role in the Reapers war. Which I figured some of them you called aunt or uncle than by their ranks. After all you live with the most important figured in the Reapers war..."
Before Emily could finish rambling, the entire classroom was filled with surprised and excited noises as two persons walked into the room. Kate couldn't see who was getting the attention of the whole classroom as her view was obscured by her classmates standing in front of her. But her question was soon answered by her best friend.
"Is that Admiral Shepard?!" Emily said as let out a squeal of delight.
Kate only knew two Admiral Shepard, but the other Admiral Shepard could never get this kind of attention despite being the former third human Councilor, so that only leave one other Admiral Shepard...
"Settle down everyone." the person who was standing next to Shepard, Lieutenant Nick Mason said. He was tasked to oversee the class Shepard was asked to give a story or two about the Reapers was. At first Shepard was hesitant when Alliance asked her, but after Liara convinced her it will be a nice surprise to Kate who always complained about Alliance idea of war veterans in the Reapers war.
"I know you're excited to meet Admiral Shepard who I don't think need any introduction but please be civilize. You're an Alliance soldier after all." Lieutenant Nick Mason continued before he gave Shepard all clear signals for her to speak.
"I don't even have an idea on what I should talk about, so I think I will let you decided. I promise no details will be left behind." Shepard said. As soon as she finished that sentenced, everyone on the classroom held up their hands except for Kate. With Lt. Mason helped, he called out one of the student to ask his question.
"I always wonder how did you chose who will accompany you in a mission? You had quite a team and it must have hard to choose who will go to a mission with you and who will be left behind. Did you pick someone who will compliment your skills? You're a soldier so I bet you always have a biotic and a tech expert with you for all the missions."
"It's a bit of a yes and a no. It depends on what kind of mission it is. I also count other factor as where the mission took place and who will be joining us. But yes, I usually pick someone with biotic ability and a tech expert. When you look at it, this team can deal with anything. But sometimes you need more brawn than brain and vice versa. For example I took Ashley and James with me when we returned to Earth for the first time. It's not only because it's our first time back on Earth, but also because I believe soldier skills are more important in that mission than biotic or tech. And I was right with wave after wave of Reapers attacked we had to counter and thankfully we had more than enough thermal clips laying around or I would have wish I bring a biotic with me."
"We read the Alliance file about the Normandy crew, but it never exactly specified who your second in command was. Was it Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams?" asked another student.
"With the first Normandy, after I was appointed as Commanding Officer, Navigator Charles Pressly was made Executive Officer since he was the highest ranking officer after me. Just like the ruled stated. When I was with Cerberus, I didn't exactly have a say on who was my XO, but to my surprise I came to enjoy Miranda Lawson served as my XO. Probably the best XO I ever had, perhaps because how she enjoyed doing paperwork more than I did. But during the Reapers war, the whole who's my XO is a bit of a chaos after Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams was hurt after our visit on Mars. Most crew thought Dr. Liara T'Soni took that place, but as much as I know she would have done a great job, I stay true to the Alliance rule, so I appointed Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau as my "unofficial" XO. But as soon as Ashley back on the Normandy, I knew I wouldn't have any other person as my XO."
"Despite her hostile attitude after you surrender yourself to the Alliance after joining Cerberus? I heard that she didn't trust you when you came back and she even draws her gun on you."
"It's all has been blown out of proportion. She was trying to protect the Councilors, like a good Spectre agent should, but in the end she trusted me, perhaps against her better judgement. Point is I understand why she acted the way she did and we even had a talk about it and everything is good after that. Even the way how hostile she was, I still trust her to have my back. She just needed time to come to term with whatever she's dealing and all I have to do is be patient and understanding. Point is when you have known someone and have been through hell with them, when push comes to shove, there's only one answer, you know that you could trust them to have your back in the middle of a war." Shepard answered before she pointed at another student to ask her question.
"It's not a secret that you and your former crew member, Dr. Liara T'Soni is married. Both of you felt in love when this began, how did you overcome so much and keeping your personal emotions affected you during a fight? Or did you rarely bring her with you on missions?"
Shepard gave a light hearted chuckle before she answered, "I would like to see you try telling Liara that she couldn't go on a mission with me. She always insisted on going on a mission with me, saying she didn't trust anyone to have my back even if I bring Garrus, Tali or Ashley along... Of course the fighting usually intense, but nothing that could stop my heart worrying about Liara safety since she's one of the best biotic I ever fight alongside. But there was one mission that I thought I lost her, I could feel my heart stop beating and even though she was safe in the end, I was still overcome by fear of losing her, hours after the fact. I don't know how she dealt with it with how many times I almost didn't make it, and that one time I technically didn't make it... I was too afraid to asked, afraid I will stir up feelings that should be left untouched. But one thing I know, if anything happened to her, I would never forgive myself and I might not even have the strength to see it end."
"And about how we overcome all this? When I was a kid, I read this book saying loves always find a way. I always thought it only happened in fairytales, but I'm glad I was wrong. Loves always find a way. All kind of loves... I seen a Justicar who never waver from her Justicar code, had her faith shattered when she had to kill her only remaining daughter because she is bounded by her Justicar code... But her love for her daughter proved to be so much more than her faith in her code, so she decided to take her own life instead. Thankfully I managed to convince her otherwise and now she lived happily with her daughter. So like I said, loves always find a way." Shepard added.
"Admiral, this might be a sensitive subject and I will understand if you decided not to answer it, but I have to know, how do you deal with death of your crew members? After everything we have been through, we are pretty much like a family, which I figured you agreed, so it must have hurt to lose someone now only a part of your crew members, but also someone under your command?"
Shepard took a deep breath at the question and her eyes instantly found Kate. Kate knew that she's going to mention her mother death and all she could do was look down, didn't have the strength to look at Shepard in the eyes.
"This is not a subject I like to talk about. But I can see how it is important for you to know how to deal with it. My answer is, you never could deal with it. I still remember each name of every soldier who died under my command and I don't plan on forgetting it any time soon. Thing is you just have to honour their death by remembering them and try to move on. Make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vain. I know that it easier said than done, but you have to try. And if there was someone for you to talk about it, don't be afraid to do so. It doesn't have to be a shrink; it could be your parents, friends or even your partners. Sometimes talking help rather than keeping it bottle up."
"Have you ever wondered if you could have done something different to change the result? To save those soldiers who died?"
"There are two soldiers who I wish I could have done differently to change the outcome. The first one is Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko. The decision I had to make on Virmire was the first and unfortunately not my only hard choice I had to make, but by far that was the hardest and most painful one. I'm sure you have read what happened on Virmire, and wondered why I chose a low ranking Marine to my junior officer. That situation wasn't as straight forward as the Alliance wanted it to be, by rules, I have to pick an officer over a low ranking soldier but by the situation we were in, if I chose Lt. Alenko, I would not only sacrificed then Gunnery Chief Williams, but also the entire squad of Special Tasks Group. But that doesn't mean losing Lt. Alenko was any easier. Or the fact I regret choosing Ashley. She has became my trusted friend and turn out to be a very capable human councilor. Could it have been different with Kaidan? Perhaps but I have made that decision and I have to live with it and there's no turning back." Shepard took a deep breath before continuing; despite it's a bit hard for her to do so.
"The second was the death of the last soldier under my command. The fact that she's also my best friend, made it the hardest lost I had. The thought that she died protecting me so I could go home to my wife, daughter and unborn daughters didn't ease any of the pain. Because she died without having the chance to be reunited with her daughter and to hold her again. She will be so proud of her if she could see her right now. I know I did. There wasn't a day I wish I could have done something to turn back the time so I could have my best friend again and there won't be a single day where I wish she could be here right now with her daughter and have a life she deserved, a life she always deserved and dream." Shepard said as she could see Kate shed a few tears.
Before Shepard could say anything else, she was interrupted by Lt. Mason who received a call a few minutes ago, something that Shepard completely missed it. As Lt. Mason whispered news he received, Kate who finally managed to stop her tears, could see Shepard face turn pale. There wasn't much news that could make Shepard turn pale in an instance and Kate knew it must have something to do with Liara.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have to go. And Kate, if you don't mind, we have to go." Shepard said before she hurriedly leaves the classroom.
"You're excuse Ensign Kate Sinclair." Lt. Mason said before Kate got up and packed up her stuff before burst into a run to catch up to Shepard.
The whole ride to the hospital was filled with silence as Kate didn't dare to say a word as she could see worry itched in Shepard's face despite she's trying her hardest to stay calm. When they got to the hospital, Arthur was already waiting for their arrival. With his help, it wasn't long until they got to the room Liara was assigned to.
"Liara, are you okay?" Shepard asked as she took a seat next to Liara's bed.
"I'm fine, Shepard. Just a little lightheaded."
"I left you for a few hours and this happened? You scared me half to death, Liara."
"I'm fine, Shepard. Really. The doctor wanted me to stay here overnight for an observation considering they don't have an Asari doctor around. But I should be able to go home tomorrow."
"What happened, Liara?" Shepard asked but was answered by Liara long silence.
"Mommy went to the grocery store and went she came back, she doesn't look so well. So I called grandma and she insisted on having mommy get checked by a doctor." Elaina answered.
"You did the right thing, Elaina."
"Hey, I'm a bit hungry. Want to join me in the cafeteria?" Kate said as she tried to make an excuse so everyone will leave the room and give Shepard and Liara some privacy.
"Is there even a good food in hospital cafeteria?" Carissa asked.
"There's only one way to find out." Irene answered.
"Want to join us, grandma, grandpa?" Elaina asked.
"And miss having a dreadful lunch in hospital cafeteria? Perish the thought." Arthur joked.
"It can't be as dreadful as eating MRE's for 6 months straight." Hannah chimed in as they all made their way to the hospital cafeteria.
"Why didn't you ask Elaina to go the grocery store instead?" Shepard asked.
"I'm not a kid, Shepard. I'm just pregnant."
"Exactly. So what exactly happened?"
"I... I saw Matt at the grocery store..."
"Liara..."
"Seeing him made me feel all these emotions that I can't quite explain."
"Liara, I told you I no longer have feeling for him. What I have with him is in the past and what we have is the present and the future. I don't want him, I want you and only you."
"I know that. It just..."
"What can I do to convince you that I only want you and only you?"
"What about a kiss?"
"Just one?"
"For now..." Liara said as Shepard gave her a kiss.
"Liara, I want you to know that it doesn't matter how long since I first fall in love with you, because since that day on, I never stop loving you, in fact I keep finding myself falling deeper for you. Since the day you captured my heart, there was no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with and there's nothing I wouldn't do for you. For as long as you want me, I'm yours." Shepard said before Liara stole another kiss from her.
P/S : So how was it? I hope it was okay. Not sure if it's one of my best or anywhere near my best considering how long it has been since I actually wrote a chapter. Clearly I'm a bit rusty, something I figured out when words keep slipping from my mind. Before, writing all of this was like a second nature, but now, it felt like something almost alien to me. Anyway I hope you guys enjoy an early N7 day present. After all I'm not sure I can beat whatever BioWare going to announce regarding Mass Effect Andromeda if I decided to post this new chapter on November 7th. So enjoy your November everybody. After all we're going to know more about ME: Andromeda and it's only at least a few months away before we got to play it.