AN: Mass Effect and its Characters are property of BioWare, I just try and make you laugh. Original Characters are of my own creation.
I am so sorry to all of my readers for the gap between updates. Real life has commanded my full attention. It's crazy, stressful, at times depressing, other times fun as hell but regardless, I haven't had much time to even read my favorite fics let alone update my own. I do appreciate your patience.
One a happier note, my workouts are really starting to payoff. Stepped it up to 6 days a week, nice mix of circuit training, weight training with hiking on the weekend. I go on a five my hike tomorrow, I live in Phoenix, so we have lots of trails in and around the area. Down 30 pounds since the start, muscle that was already there is becoming more defined, and none of my clothes fit. Everything is baggy. Still work to do before reach my goal, but I'm enjoying the results so far. So I'm proof that even at 35, if you want to improve yourself you can.
With Shea having become such an integral part of the pirate queen's family during the past few years, and though the young woman still continued to surprise her, Aria had become accustomed as to what to expect from the human. Aria had picked up several habits from the human, most notably her addiction to coffee. Now while she by no means consumed the amount Shea did, after acquiring a taste for the human beverage, Aria never went a day without it.
During her trek through Seattle, Shea purchased a large variety of beans, both whole and ground. One bag of coffee grounds sat next to the coffee pot, much to Aria's delight. After scooping the proper amount, Aria set the brewer for a 12 cup pot, knowing Shea would most likely enjoy it as well. What Aria did not know was the grounds she found on the counter were decaf, as per the recommendation of her mother, Shea made a effort to limit caffeine while pregnant.
Back in the small apartment's bedroom, Shea and Lenea reluctantly got out of bed, neither wanting to leave the comforting embrace. Both donning robes, the couple emerged from the bedroom to find Aria sitting on a stool at the kitchen bar, browsing through messages on her omni tool.
"I made coffee" She said, glancing at the scantily dressed pair. Inhaling deeply as Shea poured a cup for herself and Lenea, Aria smirked. "You may want to take a shower before we get on the shuttle, you both still reek of sex."
"We are bonded Aria, and we just woke for the day. It is to be expected." Lenea blushed as she responded to her sister.
Shea merely choked back a laugh, Aria certainly had done more than catch the scent of their love making. In the past she had been an active participant. "What time do you want to get back to the ship?" Shea asked as she sipped on the steaming java.
"Asana is watching Dana and Mina, so we should be free to take our time today." Aria answered "Why, what do you have in mind?"
"Well, I'd like to swing by the house" Shea closed her eyes, willing back the tears, not wanting to show any weakness "I need to pick up some stuff for Caleb, Sarah and the baby. We can take the van, no sense of taking either shuttle."
"So we will finally get to see the home you were raised in?" Lenea sensed her love's emotional turmoil in remembering her childhood home. Her father's death something they did not often discuss, as Shea was always reluctant to show any kind of emotion when the subject came up. Despite her tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve, she young woman never liked to show weakness. She was much like Aria in that sense. But when she thought of her father's illness and the circumstances leading up to his passing, it was difficult to maintain a calm facade.
"Yea. I had to go back sometime, I guess today's as good a day as any." Shea stiffened as she stood her full height, rolling her neck to ease the tension building as she thought of returning to the house. Changing the subject, almost flipping a switch on her emotions to ignore them "But, it shouldn't take long. Maybe we can even hit a club or something before heading back."
"GO to club? Hear, are you insane?" Aria replied.
"Why not. Hell this is Seattle. I saw a billboard across from the market that said the Trekky Convention is in town. With wildly costumed individuals descending on Queen Anne Hill and Capitol Hill, I'm sure two ladies as beautiful as you will draw any unnecessary attention. I mean hell if someone can walk down the street in those costumes, you two have nothing to worry about. " Shea smiled as she finished the remains of her coffee, rinsing the mug in the sink. "Let's get going before traffic gets to heavy."
"You're not making breakfast?" Aria was almost expecting the woman to pull a miniature feast as she normally did.
"Not really hungry." Shea replied, Lenea snaking a hand around her waist, leaning into the woman's back "We can grab something on the way to the house, but it's not exactly breakfast food."
"What do you have in mind?" Lenea spoke over Shea's shoulder.
"Well, I can't very well have you ladies leave Seattle without some decent seafood now can I?" Shea smirked.
After loading everything from the apartment into the two shuttles before leaving, the trio set off for Shea's childhood home shortly after 9am. Not having the garage door opener, having given those to Caleb when Shea gave him the house, Shea parked the van in the driveway, instructing her ASari companions to remain within the vehicle while she went inside. Shea quickly made her way from the front door to the garage. Entering the three car garage, she was surprised to see her truck was parked in the last stall.
The human had forgotten sending the truck to Caleb when she left California for life among the Asari. But it would serve her well now. The late model SUV would definitely come in handy should she ever return to Seattle so she was glad it was there. After that brief acknowledgement that her truck was here, Shea hit the button for the garage lift, walking toward the door as it opened. Shea quickly pulled the van into the garage, with everyone exiting the vehicle only after the door lowered once again.
"Well, this is it." Shea said as the three stepped through the entry, leading into the kitchen. "Nothing fancy, but it was home for 18 years. Make yourselves at home while I get stuff together." Shea's voice echoed as she retreated to the hallway, heading toward the bedrooms.
Caleb and Sarah had not changed much since moving in, Shea noticed as she journeyed through the house. Most of if not all of her father's furniture remained, with the only changes being Caleb's television and their bedroom set, which had in fact been a wedding present from the senior Nelson. Grabbing three suitcases from the closet, Shea set about filling two with enough clothing, shoes and other items for Sarah and Caleb.
With another bag, this one a large rolling duffle, Shea entered the master bathroom where she proceeded to fill it with personal effects her cousin and his wife would need. Shea was slowly filling the bag when she felt a presence enter the room. Smiling as Lenea wrapped her arms around Shea, the human leaned back into the embrace, eyes closing as a small smile crept across her features.
"Need any help?" Lenea whispered.
"I'm just about done with Caleb and Sarah's stuff, so we can set the bags near the door. You want to help me the baby's things?" Shea caught her wife's intense gaze through the reflection in the mirror, love and devotion clearly evident.
"Certainly. This is a beautiful home. While it isn't immense like your property in the mountains, it is so comfortable. I can truly sense this being a family dwelling."
Shea sat the duffle down, having put the last item in. She turned, facing Lenea as she took the Asari's hand her, gently running her thumb along delicate knuckles. "Yea. Dad built this place, so it's definitely got his stamp all over it. Did you and Aria sneak a peek at the kitchen?"
"Yes, it is very similar to the ours back home."
. "Exactly. I tried to replicate it as much as I could when we Aunt Li gave me the estate. A little bit of home I guess."
"Well, you definitely succeeded."
Hand still entwined, Shea lead her bondmate out of the master bedroom toward the nursery to collect items young Jake would soon need. On entering the room, Shea's eyes widened, a vast majority of the furnishing and decor had once been her own, her father having never parted with those items so precious to the childhood of his only daughter.
Seeing Shea unable to speak, emerald eyes darkening with emotion as they surveyed the modest room, Lenea turned the human's head to face her. "What is wrong my love, talk to me." She spoke softly, finger's playing with soft copper curls framing the woman's regal features.
Sighing deeply, "Nothing babe, it's just I remember these from pictures in Dad's photo albums. This is all my stuff. I mean the portable crib is new obviously, for safety reasons that I understand. But all this other stuff, the mobile, the dresser, bassinette, that toy chest. These were all things in my room when I was little. Aunt Sam must have had them, as I haven't seen most of it since I was five when dad let me pick out my own big kid furniture."
"They mean alot to you?"
"Well yea. I remember dad's stories about his building these with my uncle when he was on leave from the Army. It's just good to see Caleb was able to make use of it again."
"Do you want to take these with us? Lenea asked. "I am quite sure we could make room in the shuttle for the furnishings."
" I don't know. Let's pack up what the baby needs and talk to Aria and see what she thinks. There's no way we are going to get all of this back in the van. My truck, if I put the seats down in the passenger bay I should be able to get most of it in there, and other stuff in the van. But, you or Aria would have to drive the van behind me. I'm just not sure about that. Plus there's no way the three of us can pick up some of this stuff without you using biotics, and you can't do that her, someone might see the glowing light."
"Well, we have several days before we must leave Earth, so let us do this. Let us pack up what clothing we need to take back to the ship now. I'm sure if we get a couple of the girls from engineering to come back with us and help bring the nursery furniture back. Maybe even your cousin would want to assist."
"We'll see. I mean, that convention is in town so I'm not so much worried about anyone being 'caught' but who can drive a human vehicle?" Shea asked as the two gathered clothing, diapers, toys, and other items for Jake.
"Did you not teach myself and Aria how to navigate your 'beast' of a Charger my love. That van and your truck are both newer vehicles. They both appear to be rather simple to operate, so I do not see an issue with either of us driving the van?"
"Okay, we can talk to Aria about it on our way to the ship. I guess it will make going out tonight a bit more fun if we have a bigger group huh."
"Indeed it will." Lenea winked as Shea as they each picked up bags, heading toward the living room. With Aria's assistance, everything that was going that trip was loaded onto the van, and the trio headed back to the dock, where they quickly transferred everything to the two shuttles, setting off for the Tevura undetected, with plans to return later that evening.
AN : Hey everybody, I am so so sorry for not updating for almost an entire month. Real life got in the way. I'd like to extend a special thank you to Amyisbad, BA Tanglepaw , SherryE , T.A. Blackwell, and others for not only being there but keeping me motivated to continue writing, because it has been hard lately with everything happening in my life to maintain focus. Thanks again ladies, I do appreciate your support.
As for the chapter itself, I originally was going to include the girls heading out on the town in Seattle in this chapter, but I felt it would work better in the next chapter as this one focused more on a quite family moment It's a chapter close to my heart, as it reminded me of when my sister and I packed up our Dad's place after he passed away in 2010. It was not an easy thing to do, no matter the time we took doing it. Anyway, I will not take a month to post the next chapter, as I am working on it today. I hope to have it finished shortly and posted before next weekend. BC