Chapter 36 – Endings
I don't own Voltron Legendary Defender. I'm taking the characters out for a spin. I'm sorry it took me so long to finish this but I've been babysitting.
Shiro sighed as he sat down on the side of the bed. He ran his human hand through his hair. "I'm getting tired of doing these milk runs and having to play diplomat between planets who should be trying to work together and haven't figured out how to do that yet."
Adam chuckled. "Don't worry about it. We'll probably find a pocket of Galra who doesn't know about Daibazaal. Or that the war is officially over. Now come to bed and stop thinking about it."
Shiro shook his head. "I wish I could." He gazed down at his arm that Allura had made for him. "I didn't think I could miss them, but I do."
Adam cocked an eyebrow at him. "Who?"
"Coran, and Allura for one, but the Holts also, and of course Keith and Lance." He shook his head. "I know I shouldn't, and I also know they're doing important work, but I miss all the fights between Keith and Lance." He turned his head and gazed over at Adam. "All the teasing that Pidge did about you and me. And of course, all the crazy stuff that came out of Coran's mouth."
Adam snorted. "Yeah. But I asked Hunk the other day if he knew of any planet that had any orphans. And guess what Shay is bringing one. Hunk said she's seven years old, and her name is Sky. The Galra killed her parents, and Shay's family has been looking after her. Oh, and while you were sitting down to dinner with those Chancellors in this star system, I got a message from Altea. Allura and Coran are expecting us in about a week."
Shiro smiled at Adam. "Sky, I like the name. It seems appropriate since Shay's people are no longer hiding inside the Balmera."
Adam yawned. "Yeah, now let's get some sleep. Doing double duty on the bridge is wearing me out."
Shiro mock gasped at Adam. "What you don't like manning the helm and being the first officer?"
Adam glared at Shiro. "Takashi, sometimes you can be an idiot."
Shiro chuckled. "And you can be too serious sometimes."
"Shut up and get some sleep."
The small rebel transport flew into the Atlas's landing bay. Shiro stood in between Adam and Hunk. He shifted his weight from foot to foot. "What if she doesn't like me?"
Adam jabbed Shiro in the ribs with his elbow. "Would you quit worrying. She's going to like you."
Hunk chuckled. "Yeah, Shiro. She'll like the both of you."
The door to the transport opened, and Shay stepped out with a smaller Balmeran by the hand. She was dressed in a light blue dress. Shay led her over to Shiro and Adam. "Sky, these are the ones I told you about. This is Captain Shirogane, and this is Adam."
Sky gasped and shifted to hide behind Shay.
Shay gazed at the two men. "I'm sorry. She is shy."
Shiro knelt and spoke to the little Balmeran softly. "Hello, Sky."
Sky peeked her head out from behind Shay.
Shay smiled down at her. "It's okay, Sky. These two want you to be their family."
Sky stepped from behind Shay. "How can I be part of their family?"
Hunk grinned as he gazed at the little Balmeran. "Shiro has been kind of like a Dad to the other Paladins and me."
Sky's eyes grew. "Really? You're a Paladin?"
Hunk nodded. "Yeah, I fly the Yellow Lion. And Shiro here, he was the pilot of the Black Lion."
Shy's mouth turned into an 'O.' "Really?"
Shiro nodded as he smiled at her. "Really."
Sky gazed at him. "What do you do now?"
Shiro gazed around him. "I now command the crew of the Atlas."
Shay gazed down at her. "If it weren't for Shiro, the Paladins, and Princess Allura, all of us would be no more. The Galra would have destroyed us all."
Shiro reached out, and the little Balmeran girl made her decision. She raced into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Adam stepped over to the pair, knelt, and hugged them both. He saw the flashes, but he didn't mind the fact that Hunk's phone was flashing from him, taking pictures of the moment or of the Yellow Paladins tears that ran down his face.
Shiro stood as he balanced Sky on his mechanical arm. "How about a tour of the Atlas?"
Sky nodded as she wrapped an arm over the back of Shiro's neck. "Won't your arm get tired."
Shiro chuckled. "No, it won't."
Adam grinned. "I can attest to that. He won the arm-wrestling championship on planet Derzan with that arm."
Sky gazed into Shiro's eyes. "You must be strong."
Shiro chuckled again. "I think so."
Shiro, with Sky still riding on his mechanical arm and Adam following stepped onto the bridge of the Atlas. He stepped up to his station. "And this is where I command the Atlas."
She turned her head as her little earring brushed up against his neck. She gazed into his dark gray eyes. "Your important."
Shiro shook his head. "No, I'm not. Without the crew, nothing would get done, and the Atlas would be floating dead in space."
Sky let his words since into her seven-year-old brain. "So this ship, the Atlas is like a Balmera. And all these people are like Balmerans, and everyone works together."
The sound of voices drew the rest of the bridge crew's attention toward them. Veronica couldn't help but smile. "Who's this?"
Shiro smiled. "Veronica meet Sky. She's Adam and mine's daughter. Well, I hope she'll accept us as her new parents."
Sky yawned. But she managed a shy smile as she reached out with both arms and dipped her head into Shiro's chest.
He chuckled. "She's kind of shy. But I'm sure that as she gets to know the crew more, she'll lose that shyness. And I think she's had a busy day, so I'm gonna take her back to our quarters."
Adam nodded. "I'll be there soon enough. I want to check out a few things first." He pressed his hand to Sky's arm. "Sky, this is a communicator." He passed the device over to the little Balmeran. "If I'm not there or Shiro isn't there, press this button, and you can reach us at any time, okay?"
Sky nodded. "Okay."
As Shiro and Sky left the bridge, Adam walked over and took a seat behind the helm. He checked the readings to make sure they were still on course toward Altea. He locked the station down and turned in his chair.
Veronica grinned at him. "So, how's it feel to be an instant dad?"
Adam gazed at his cousin. "It feels great. She took to Takashi immediately. I think she's warming up to me. But there's something I wanted to ask you but not here."
Veronica held up her hand. "Wait, if you're asking me to babysit her, you don't have to ask." A grin spread across her face. "I'd love to."
"Thanks, Roni, but that's not exactly what I had in mind, and I'd rather we spoke about the subject in private."
Veronica gazed down at the digital clock on her station. "I get off in five more minutes. Why don't we discuss it over dinner?"
Adam mulled the suggestion over in his mind. "Okay. We can do that."
Adam sat down at a table in the dining area of the Atlas as far away from the other members of the crew getting dinner at the same time. Veronica followed him. As she sat down, she gazed at her cousin. "You weren't kidding when you said privately."
Adam sighed as he picked up his cup of coffee. He gazed at his cousin, not sure how she was going to take what he was going to ask of her. "Roni," he used her nickname, trying to soften the blow. "You know that Takashi wants a family."
Veronica nodded as she stuck a forkful of food into her mouth.
"We want a biological child also."
Veronica's eyes grew wide as she gazed at Adam. "How did you plan on that. Neither of you has the right parts for it."
Adam rolled the cup between his hands before sitting it back down in front of him. "I've considered options, and well, you have the DNA that's most compatible with me that would give us that child."
Veronica froze as her fork clattered on the food tray from where she dropped it. She shook her head as if to clear it. "You want me?" Her eyes narrowed, and she glared at her cousin. "You want me to do just what?"
"To be a surrogate."
Veronica's voice rose. "What the hell kind of statement is that?"
Adam rose from his seat and reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Sit down. I think you've got the wrong idea."
Veronica slowly sat down. "Explain."
Adam sat back down as he gazed across the table at her. "Do you remember from our classes at the Garrison how, during the late part of the Twentieth Century and most of the Twenty-First Century, they used a procedure known as artificial insemination on women?"
Veronica nodded. "Yeah, it sounded barbaric what they did to women back then."
Adam nodded. "We've improved that technic to where it's like you go to sleep and never realized your egg is removed, fertilized, and replanted in the womb. That's what I'm talking about, not having you sleep with Takashi."
Veronica's cheeks flushed pink as she gazed back at him. "Sorry, I jumped to conclusions. But I'll have to contact Acxa on Daibazaal and see what she thinks."
Adam smirked at her. "So, the two of you are an item?"
Veronica pushed her glasses up her nose. "Yeah, we are actually. And I miss her."
Adam opened his mouth when his communicator beeped. He opened it, hearing Sky's frightened voice come from it. "Help, something's wrong. I can't wake, Daddy!" Adam jumped up from his seat.
"Sorry, Roni, I've got to go."
Veronica jumped up also in response to the little girl's pleas. "Don't talk, run."
Adam did just that and ran out of the mess area for the Atlas's crew. He ran down the hall as two crew members headed his way deep in conversation. Adam yelled, "Make a hole!"
The two crew members jumped out of the way. Neither wanted to be flattened or bowled over as Adam ran past.
Adam reached the elevator and ran inside the car. He reached out to stab the button for the crew's quarters when Veronica jumped in the car. He jabbed the button. "What are you doing here?"
Veronica placed her hands on her knees as she sucked in and blew out air. "You know," she gasped, "You run like a freaking jackrabbit."
"I have to, but why are you here?"
"To help if I can."
Adam sighed. "Takashi must be having one of his nightmares."
Veronica stood up as she gained her breath. "Are they bad?"
Adam frowned and gazed into his cousin's eyes. "Yes, they can be Roni. He's been through so much. I wish there were a way to take the nightmares away."
Veronica pushed her glasses up her nose. "It's going to take time and, of course, your love and understanding. Though they won't disappear entirely, they will get better."
The elevator stopped, and the door slid open. Adam rushed out and ran down the hall. He slid to a stop in front of the door, which slid open. He ran through the outer anteroom to the bedroom. Sky turned her head and stared up at him, tears running down her face.
Veronica shoved her way past Adam to the little Balmeran girl and grabbed her from the bed. "Shh, it's going to be okay. He's having a nightmare."
Adam rushed into the bedroom and wet a cloth. He ran back in the bedroom and wiped Shiro's face down with the damp fabric. "Come on, Takashi, wake up. You're scaring Sky."
Shiro moaned and groaned as his eyelid's fluttered open. His dark gray eyes were still out of focus as he gazed up at Adam's face. "Adam?" He suddenly sat up, and his eyes darted around the room. "Where's Keith?" He gazed down, seeing his mechanical arm that Allura made for him. He sighed.
Adam sat down on the side of the bed and pulled Shiro to him, so his head rested on Adam's chest. "I take it this was a bad one." He rubbed his hand up and down Shiro's human arm. "I'm here. You can tell me about it if you want."
Shiro tipped his head up to Adam's. "I-I was reliving the clone's attack on you, only this time you died, and the clone's fight with Keith. Only I killed him." His voice broke as tears ran down his face. "I'm so sorry."
Adam hugged Shiro closer to him and pressed a kiss to the top of his white-haired head. "No, you have nothing to apologize for. That was all the clone's doing. Remember, the clone was under Honerva's control."
"Rationally, I know, but my dreams are bad sometimes. You know that." Shiro drew in a breath. "I'm afraid that I'll hurt you."
A small voice came from the doorway. "Daddy Shiro, are you okay?"
Shiro's teary eyes gazed at the small Balmeran who now stood next to Veronica. He raised his hands to his face covering his eyes as a new wave of tears raced from his eyes.
Adam nodded to her. "He'll be okay."
Sky smiled. "That's okay. Cousin Veronica explained everything to me. How she's related to you and her brother Lance is the Red Paladin, and Daddy Shiro's brother is the Black Paladin."
Shiro sniffed as he held out his hands. "Sky, can you forgive me for scaring you?"
Sky ran and jumped up on the bed and crawled into Shiro's arms. "Yes, you and Daddy Adam are my family now. I didn't know how big our family was. There's Uncle Hunk and Aunt Pidge, and-and-Aunt Allura, and even Uncle Coran."
Shiro managed to get out a chuckle as his heart swelled. This child was so accepting of him and Adam, did he deserve to be happy.
Adam gazed down and seemed to know precisely what Takashi was thinking. "Yes, you do."
Adam, Shiro, and Sky joined Hunk in the Yellow Lion's hanger. The little Balmeran gazed up at the mechanical lion. Her eyes grew. "It's so big."
Hunk grinned down at her. "Yeah, when all the Lion's get together, they form Voltron. The Yellow Lion makes up one of Voltron's legs."
Sky jumped up and down. "Will you be able to form Vol-Vol—"
Shiro grinned as he scooped her up with his mechanical arm. "Voltron, and only if Princess Allura wants them too."
Adam leaned over. "She's the Blue Paladin."
Sky gazed over at Adam. "When I grow up, can I be a Paladin?"
Hunk chuckled. "Only if the Lion accepts you as its pilot." The Yellow Lion roared and lowered it's body and dropped the ramp for them to board.
Sky screamed as she wrapped her arms around Shiro's neck and dug her head into his chest. She whimpered as her body shook in fear.
Adam rubbed his hand on her back. "It's okay. The Lion is only allowing us to go inside it so we can go to Altea."
"It's not going to eat us?"
Shiro chuckled as he pulled her in closer to him. "No, he's not going to eat us."
The Yellow Lion landed and crouched down, lowering its head and dropping the ramp for its passengers to exit it. Sky jumped up and down next to Shiro and Adam. "Can we do that again?"
Shiro chuckled. "Yes. We'll have to use it to fly back to the Atlas."
Sky fist pumped in the air. "Yea!"
Coran stood at the bottom of the ramp as Hunk, Adam, Shiro, and Sky reached him. "Welcome to Altea." He gazed down at the little girl. "And who is this?"
Adam grinned, "This is Sky. She's our daughter," he said, indicating Shiro and himself.
Coran grinned. "Hello, Sky. I'm Coran."
Sky bounced on her feet. "Hi, Uncle Coran."
Coran gazed at Adam and Shiro and turned his gaze back to Sky. "Well, I guess you could consider me that."
Two more Lions appeared in the sky above the Yellow Lion.
Coran waved his hand as they sat down, one was Red, and the other was the largest of the lions, the Black Lion.
Sky jumped up and down with excitement. "Cousin Lance and Uncle Keith are here!"
Adam knelt. "Let's surprise them. Go hide behind Hunk."
Sky frowned. "Isn't that sneaky?"
"Yeah, but sneaky in a good way. You're going to be our surprise."
Sky held her hands up to her face and giggled. "Okay."
A wormhole opened, and the Green Lion flew through it. Sky grabbed the back of Hunk's leg. "What was that?"
Shiro spoke quietly. "A wormhole." He turned his head toward Coran. "Did Allura do that?"
Coran shook his head. "Oh, no. She's extremely busy right now, making sure that everything is ready for tonight's party in the new Castle of Lions."
Lance strode toward them with Keith at his side. He grinned. "Did I hear something about a party?"
Pidge strode toward the others ignoring Lance's remark. "Hey, guys!" She gazed around. "Where's Allura?"
Coran bounced on the balls of his feet. "She's in the new Castle of Lions."
Pidge grinned. Keith gazed at the Castle in the distance and nodded his approval while Lance stared at it. "Whoa. It looks exactly like the original one."
Coran smiled. "It should. Sam was kind enough to gift me the plans when we left the Atlas a year ago."
Shiro and Adam gazed at each other. Adam cleared his throat gaining their attention. "First, before we head to the Castle, Shiro and I have an announcement to make."
Lance put his hands on his hips as his eyes narrowed. "You two got married without letting the rest of us know!"
Shiro chuckled. "No, but we have adopted a child." He glanced over at Hunk, who took a couple of steps revealing the girl. "This is Sky."
Sky ran up to Lance. "I know you. You're my Cousin Lance. Roni told me all about you." She turned to Keith. "And you're my Uncle Keith, and you're my Aunt Pidge."
Keith chuckled as Lance spluttered, trying to get something coherent out of his mouth. Pidge and Hunk both pulled out their cell phones taking pictures of Lance's reaction.
Adam chuckled. "I need those sent to me, okay? Veronica will never believe me that her brother was rendered speechless."
Lance spluttered again. 'Hey!"
Coran gazed up at the sky. "We must hurry to the Castle of Lions."
Shiro scooped Sky up with his mechanical arm. "What's the hurry, Coran?"
Coran pulled at his mustache. "I promised her I wouldn't tell you, but this is an exciting day. Princess Allura is following in her father's footsteps today. She's being crowned Empress of Altea, and Thace is being announced as her Consort."
Keith gazed at Coran. "What's a consort?"
Coran twisted the mustache. "He'll be her equal, but he won't be able to order the military or have any say in Altea's political issues. But he will be able to settle minor disputes between people."
The humans and the Balmeran joined the Alteans, who stood behind the silver-gilt barriers that lined the large Ballroom. Sky gazed up at the ceiling and couldn't stop the sigh that escaped her lips. "It's so pretty."
A group of who Adam could only guess were musicians took their place by the raised dais where Coran stood. The musicians began to play. Two Alteans rolled out a long white carpet that had silver edges.
The tone of the music changed, and an Altean child about the same age as Sky walked down the carpet, dropping Juniberry petals on the carpet. Thace and Allura followed. Thace wore a white with a silver trimmed suit like Coran's. But all talk stopped as eyes were drawn to Allura.
Her long white hair was pulled into a bun and shone with what appeared to be silver glitter sprinkled in her hair. Her dress was mostly white except for a front panel of the bodice that had a silver filigree design. Two straps went up to her shoulders but split into two. One strap ran over the shoulders while the other half hung below at the top of her arm. White sheer sleeves ran from the second half of the strap down her arms. She wore a necklace that hung down on her chest right above the modest cleavage. She smiled slightly at the people she recognized.
A small voice was heard above the band that played. "Ooh, Daddy Shiro. Is that Princess Allura? She's pretty." Allura's eyes slid over to the speaker, and she smiled brightly at the Balmeran.
Shiro's cheeks dusted pink as he whispered to the Balmeran. Pidge giggled.
Allura and Thace made it to the Dais, and both knelt on the two large pillows that sat there. Coran turned to face them. "Thace will you as a Blade of Marmora stay by Allura's side to help her under Altea's laws?"
Thace bowed his head. "I will."
Coran turned to Allura. "Princess Allura, will you serve our people as a protector as King Alfor had? Will you enforce the laws set forth and honor the traditions of our people?"
Allura bowed her head. "I will."
Two floating trays appeared, and Coran picked up the silver circlet and placed it on Thace's head. He picked up a larger silver crown that resembled a starburst and put it on Allura's head. Coran turned around to face the people as Allura and Thace stood behind him. "People of Altea and honored guests, may I present to you Empress Allura and her Consort Thace."
The Alteans cheered and clapped.
Tavo appeared on the human's side. "Empress Allura requests your presence in the dining room for a celebratory dinner. And she wishes that you stay for a few days to rest and recharge."
Shiro nodded. "We know the way if this castle is exactly like the original Castle of Lions."
"From what Coran has said, it is." Tavo turned and walked away from the group.
Hunk grinned. "What are we waiting for?"
Lance hesitated. "I hope it's not food goo or that ancient Paladin lunch that Coran tried to force on us."
Keith grimaced. "Why did you have to bring that up?"
Adam chuckled. "I'm sure it's not."
Pidge giggled. "Who cares? Let's go!" She suited words to actions and took off down the hall leading to the dining room.
They entered the dining room and found both Allura and Thace standing by the table. Allura smiled at them all. "Paladins, Shiro, Adam, so good to see you." She stepped forward and faced Sky, who was still balanced on Shiro's mechanical arm. "And who's this?"
Sky grinned. "I'm Sky."
Allura reached out and took Sky's forearm in hers. "I'm Allura."
"I know. You're the Blue Paladin and Em-Em—"
Shiro smiled at the little Balmeran. "Empress of Altea."
"Yeah, that. Sorry, sometimes I can't say certain words."
Allura smiled. "That's quite alright, Sky. I had problems with certain words myself as a child." She turned her gaze to Shiro and Adam. "Are you her parents?"
Adam nodded. "Yes, Shay brought her to us about a week ago."
Sky's eyes landed on Thace. She froze as her grip on Shiro tightened. Her voice grew small. "You're Galra."
Shiro gazed at Sky. "It's okay, Thace is a friend."
Sky's body began to tremble in fear. She shook her head. "No, the Galra killed my parents!" She ducked her head into Shiro's chest as she hid her face.
Keith moved over to Sky and placed his hand on her back. "Sky, trust me. Thace is a friend, and he's my uncle."
A small gasp came from the girl as she raised her head and gazed into the Black Paladins' gray-blue eyes. "How can that be? You don't look, Galra."
"Well, my mother, Thace's sister, crashed on Earth where we're from. She was an agent with the Blade of Marmora and sent to find and keep the Blue Lion from Zarkon's hands. She was injured, and my father found her and took care of her. They fell in love and had me. But she realized that her place was in the stars after I was born, and she left Earth to protect my dad and me. Only my dad was killed, and Shiro, well, he raised me. Even though we're not brothers, we love each other like brothers."
Thace nodded. "Yes, and while on a mission in Zarkon's Central command where the Paladins were going to fight Zarkon, Keith found me and rescued me. Although I kept the fact that we were family from him when Keith and my sister arrived well, it was time to tell Keith the truth about me."
Sky relaxed her grip on Shiro. "So, there are good Galra out there?"
Thace smiled. "Yes, there are. And we plan to guide the new Galra government into a more peaceful way of life."
Sky frowned. "I'm not sure what you mean, but I think I like you."
Thace chuckled. "Good, because my sister adopted Shiro into our family."
Sky gasped. "So, this means we're related too?"
Adam smiled. "Yes, we're related."
Hunk burst out laughing. "Remember when Keith realized that we are related through cosmic dust?"
Lance laughed. "Yeah, he was mind blown that day."
Everyone else laughed, and this time Keith didn't get mad. He laughed along with the others.
Allura wiped at the moisture in her eyes. "Oh, how I've missed this."
Pidge gazed up at the newly crowned Empress. "We've missed you too."
Allura gazed at the others. "Now that Sky knows who we all are, I suggest we sit down. Coran has made certain that this dinner will be different." She leaned forward. "Hunk's cooking and his family's recipes changed his mind about food goo. Thank you for that, Hunk."
Hunk grinned as he gazed at Allura. "I'm glad they changed his mind."
Shiro and Adam sat Sky in between them as everyone sat down. Coran stepped into the room and was followed by those floating trays they remembered from the original Castle of Lions. The trays sat down, filled with an array of food with tantalizing smells coming from each one.
Allura gazed up at Coran. "Please, sit down and join us."
"Are you sure, Empress?"
"Yes, you've been like a father and a good friend to me. Join us."
Coran sighed as he sat down. "I'm glad. I can finally relax."
Very soon, the room was full of laughter.
Pidge gazed at all of them. "I mean seriously, though. Earth has come a long way. It's turned into the hub for all alien activities now that my dad's stabilized his Teludav technology."
Shiro smiled. "That'll make travel on the Atlas much easier. We'll be able to reach many more sectors with improved mobility. Not to mention the supplies we'll be able to save with the shorter journey."
Hunk held a speared piece of meat on a fork and a knife in his other hand as the realization hit him on what was being said. His eyes lit up. "Yeah, yeah! We'll have so much more room for the cooking ingredients. People are so much easier to reason with when they're full. Man, this diplomacy stuff isn't nearly as easy as you made it look, Allura."
Keith nodded. "Right." He turned his gaze to the new Empress. "You made everything look easy."
Shiro turned to Keith. "Speaking of which. How are things on Daibazaal?"
"We're calling for an election to elect the Galran representative for the Galactic Coalition."
Lance nodded as he pointed at Keith. "Yeah, they wanted Keith to run, but he turned them down. It was such a classic moment. Like he did when the Black Lion chose him."
"I have other things in mind, Lance. Besides, I can't run against Krolia and Kolivan, and if they're elected like I think they will be someone has to take over the Blade of Marmora, and I want to change them to a group that helps others especially in a time of need."
Adam gazed past Shiro to Keith. "That is a great idea. We've run into several planets where hostilities could have been calmed if there was someone around to help the people when a natural disaster struck."
Allura gazed at Keith as she smiled. "I'm proud of you, Keith."
Lance gripped Keith's hand. "I am too."
Coran stood and held his glass high. "To Empress Allura."
Everyone else stood and completed the toast.
Allura turned her gaze to Shiro and Adam. "I've started a school here for children from different races of the universe. Would you consider letting Sky attend?"
Shiro gazed down at Sky. "Well, we don't have much for her to do on the Atlas, and I'm afraid she might get bored. What do you think, Sky?"
Sky blinked and gazed from Shiro to Adam, and finally to Allura. "Will there be kids there my age?"
Allura nodded, "Yes, there will be. And Thace here is in charge of it."
Thace smiled at Sky. "If you have any problems with anyone, you come to me. Okay?"
Sky frowned. "But I don't want to leave my new family."
Shiro rose from his and knelt by Sky's chair. "We're not abandoning you. Both Adam and I will miss you while you're here on Altea, but it won't be forever. And remember you won't be alone here. Allura, Thace, and Coran are family to us, and they are family to you, too. And I love you so much. I'll send messages to you when I can."
Adam joined Shiro on the other side of Sky. "This will give you a chance to make new friends your age. And you'll learn so much. And maybe Empress Allura will give you a ride in the Blue Lion."
Sky leaned forward, gazing at Allura, who nodded. She raised both her arms in the air to do a double pump. "YES!"
Shiro chuckled. "Well, that was a fast turnaround."
Thace broke out into full laughter as he slapped the table. "You two replaced by the Blue Lion," he managed to get out.
Laughter flowed out of the room.
Four days passed by quickly, but Shiro didn't have to worry about Sky being lonely; she met the kids and made a couple of friends. Shiro sighed as he sat down on the side of the bed. "I'm going to miss her."
Adam silently agreed. "Well, she's got friends here, and she's having fun in the class, and that's all that matters, right?"
Shiro nodded. "You're right. Thace and Coran will look after her. But I want a group picture with all of us together. And I want a picture of the two of us together with Sky."
Sky ran across the field toward Shiro and Adam. "Daddy!" she yelled.
Shiro turned and smiled as she leaped toward him, and he caught her with his mechanical arm. "So, how was your ride in the Blue Lion?"
Sky grinned. "It was great! We went all around Altea." Sky pulled at her dark royal blue dress with Altean trim. "How do you like my new dress? Allura had it made for me."
"It's pretty." Shiro pressed a kiss against her cheek. "I'm glad you like it here. Adam and I want to take a selfie with you."
Adam pulled out his cellphone and held it up until all three were caught in the frame. "Everyone smile." He snapped a couple of pictures with it.
Sky giggled. "That was fun, can we do it again?"
Shiro and Adam turned and strode back toward the Castle. Shiro bounced Sky a little with his mechanical arm getting a giggle from the little Balmeran. "Yeah, we're going to get a group picture with the others."
Shiro and Adam both knelt in front of Sky. Shiro smiled at the little Balmeran. "We have to go now and get back to the Atlas, but you can contact both of us when you need to or to talk to us."
Sky nodded. Her little earrings shook in her ears. "Okay. I promise to do good at school and make you both proud."
Adam smiled at her. "And one day, we will all go to Earth to stay."
Shiro grabbed her and hugged her tightly while Adam hugged both of them.
Adam pressed his lips to her cheek. "Be good for Thace and Coran, and before you know it, we'll be back."
Sky heard someone yelling her name, and she turned her head. It was one of the new friends she'd made at the school. "I've got to go now. Nomi wants me to go play with her."
Shiro released his hold on her and smiled as she ran off to join her friend. "She's going to be fine here."
Adam nodded. "Yes, she will be."
Shiro placed the pictures on the shelf beside the arm-wrestling championship. He stared at Sky. "I miss her already."
The anteroom door slid open. "Okay, why didn't you two bring Sky back?" Veronica stood there with her hands on her hips.
Adam turned toward Veronica. "She's going to school on Altea. It was Allura's idea."
"Good to see someone has some brains. But I'm here to talk to the both of you about what we discussed Adam before you left."
Adam sighed. "I was hoping to keep this as a surprise, but I knew how you wanted a biological child."
Veronica took over the conversation. "I talked to Acxa, and she agrees, but only if she can be here for the birth."
Shiro glanced between Adam and Veronica. "I'm missing something."
Adam shook his head. "Takashi, sometimes you can be dense. Veronica agrees to artificial insemination to be a surrogate."
Shiro shook his head as if to clear it. "Really? You will?"
"Yes, I will."
Shiro rushed forward and picked her up, spinning her around. "Thank you."
Veronica gasped. "Put me down before I change my mind."
A month passed after Veronica's procedure. Adam knew she wasn't exactly happy, especially with the morning sickness and her appetite picking up, but as he worked out in the gym, he didn't expect to see her much less hear her as she bellowed out his name. "ADAM!"
He placed the weight bar on the stand and sat up as she stomped over to him. "Why in the hell didn't you tell me this might happen?"
"What are you talking about?"
Veronica glanced left then right and lowered her voice as she hissed at him. "That Shiro has twins in his family. The doctor told me that I'm pregnant with twins!"
Adam sat back and rubbed his bearded chin. "Twins, huh. Well, I do know Shiro had a twin sister who didn't survive past a few months after their birth. But I didn't realize it could happen."
Veronica threw her arms wide. "You didn't know?" She stomped her foot to the floor. "Dammit, Adam, you're supposed to know!" Her eyes narrowed as she shoved her glasses up her nose. "If you weren't my cousin, I'd choke you to death right here, right now!" She spun on her heel and stormed out of the gym.
Adam entered the quarters he shared with Shiro and heard the other man's voice. It had to be Sky again. He stepped into the bedroom and found him standing before the communications screen. "So, how was school today?"
Sky grinned. "School is great. I'm learning so much."
Adam stepped up next to Shiro, "Hi, Sky."
"Hi, Daddy."
"Sky, Takashi, and I have some news for you. You're going to be a big sister soon."
Sky's grin grew. "Really? Can I see it?"
Adam smiled back at her. "Not yet. But they'll soon be here."
Sky gasped. "More than one?"
Adam nodded. "Twins. We'll show you them when they arrive."
Sky giggled. "I can't wait to see them."
Adam scratched at the back of his neck. How could he tell her they weren't born yet? He decided to change the subject. "How is everything on Altea?"
Sky giggled. "It's great. I have so many friends now. Even a few Galra friends. And Coran is so funny. And the mice are cute. They tell Allura the most outrageous stories."
Adam chuckled. "Yes, they are gossips."
Sky frowned. "Thace is coming. He's going to tell me my time is up. I wish I could talk longer. I can't wait to see you again. Bye, Daddy Shiro. Bye, Daddy Adam."
Shiro chuckled. "Bye, Sky."
Adam sat at the table with Veronica. She groaned as she rubbed the side of her very swollen belly. "I don't think they're happy about something. They're kicking me again." Her eyes suddenly grew as she gazed down. "Uh, Adam, I think my water just broke."
Adam's fork clattered to the tray. "Are you sure?"
Veronica glared at him. "Of course, I'm sure." Her eyes grew. "No, it can't be. It's not time yet. The doctor said I had two more weeks left." She gazed into Adam's eyes. "Acxa, we have to get Acxa here. She wanted to be here for their birth."
Adam saw Hunk talking to Vrepit Sal. Adam stood up and waved. "Hunk, I need your help." Hunk turned and ran over to Adam. He opened his mouth, but Adam stopped him. "Get Veronica down to the sickbay. I need to find Shiro and put in a call to Daibazaal."
Adam stood on the bridge as he waited for any sign of the wormhole that would signal that the Black Lion was coming. Curtis turned. "Sir, we have three wormholes opening in front of us."
Adam jerked. "Three?" Were they all coming? Why? It was just the birth of two children, something that happened every day in the universe. But these two were his and Shiro's, and he was doing his best to control his apprehension. He couldn't stop his fingers from tapping against his thigh.
Iverson turned. "It's the other Lions."
Adam nodded. Well, this was going to be a lot of fun. Not only was his cousin in labor, but now he had the other Paladins too. He only expected Keith and possibly Lance to show up, but all of them? He sighed. "I'm going down to the hangar. Commander Iverson, you've got the conn." Adam strode off the bride and into the elevator.
As Adam stepped into the hangar, he heard Pidge. "Hey Keith, what was the big idea of demanding that my dad create a wormhole out here? Then you went quiet."
Keith, Acxa, and Lance joined the Green Paladin. Acxa stared down at the Green Paladin. "Veronica is having Shiro and Adam's babies."
Adam groaned. He could imagine what the smallest Paladin would say.
Allura joined them with Sky in tow. Sky grinned at the others. "Come on," she bounced on her feet. I want to see my new siblings."
Adam groaned even louder as he stepped up to them. "I didn't expect to see you all here."
Allura smiled in return. "This is a momentous occasion, and Sky is all excited about meeting her new siblings."
Sky jumped up and down. "YES!"
Adam turned. "Let's head down to sickbay. Takashi and Hunk are already there."
Sky ran up to Adam, and she grabbed his hand. She squeezed it as they walked.
Adam gazed down at her. How lucky were he and Takashi to have such an understanding little girl in their lives? His heart swelled with both love and pride. Her light was like a candle in the darkness.
As the group trouped into sickbay, they found Hunk lying in a bed next to Veronica's as Shiro held her hand. Acxa approached him. "Did I miss it?"
Shiro shook his head. "No, you haven't."
Lance motioned with his thumb at Hunk. "What's the matter with him?"
Shiro chuckled. "He passed out."
Lance frowned. "Damn, I guess he couldn't handle the birth."
Keith turned to Lance. "And you can?"
"You forget I have a niece and nephew at home. I was there when Lisa went into labor."
Veronica cracked open an eye. "Lance, shut up!"
Lance grinned. "Ooh, she speaks. So, uhm, care to explain how you got into this predicament?"
Veronica opened both eyes and glared at him. "NO!"
Pidge gazed around the room. "Well, I am. Did you and Shiro—"
Veronica, Acxa, Adam, and Shiro all spoke at the same time. "No."
Adam cleared his throat. "It was through artificial means, but these will be our children and Sky's siblings."
Veronica groaned as her stomach rippled from the contraction. The doctor stepped into the room and stopped. "Well, I didn't expect we'd have such a large crowd here."
Adam nodded. "Neither did I."
Sky grinned at the doctor. "I'm gonna be a big sister."
The doctor smiled from behind his mask. "Okay, everyone, I need to check and see how far she's progressed." He turned his attention to Veronica. "I need you to put your feet in the stirrups."
Veronica groaned as Shiro traded places with Acxa.
Acxa gazed down at Veronica. "Does it hurt much?"
Veronica snapped. "Why don't you trade places with me next time, and you'll find out how much it hurts!"
Lance's jaw dropped. "Roni? I didn't know you could be so mean."
Veronica glared at him. "My hormones are raging times two. Okay?" Her face screwed up in pain. "I want to push."
The doctor pat her knee. "Not yet, but soon. It won't be long now. Just breath like you were taught. Breath through the contractions."
Veronica grit her teeth together. "Just breathe? What the hell do you think I've been doing?" But she started to breathe, almost like a dog panting when overheated. She turned her gaze up at Acxa. "If I ever talk to you about being a surrogate again, talk me out of it."
Acxa pushed Veronica's bangs out of her eyes. "I'll do more than talk you out of it. I'll flat out tell you no."
"Thanks." Veronica grimaced as another contraction hit. "To think I thought I was tough enough to go through natural birth." She clamped her teeth together.
Several of the medical staff members stood nearby, waiting for the birth. The doctor took another look. "Okay, I see the baby's head. You need to push now."
Veronica bore down as she grunted, and beads of sweat broke out on her forehead.
Lance leaned over toward her. "Okay, Roni, I think you need some motivation here." Lance began to swing his hips like a cheerleader and began to chant at her, "Push Roni, push."
Veronica grunted again as she pushed, but the look on her face said everything. Lance was going to be dead if she got her hands on him.
Keith grabbed Lance by the collar and yanked back. "Would you quit it? She's going to kill you."
Lance shook Keith's hand off of him. "Hey! Whose side are you on?"
"Your side, but I don't want you six feet under either."
Lance turned his head to focus on Veronica's face. He gulped. She did look like she'd kill him. "Sorry, Roni."
Veronica managed to gasp out. "You're going to be." She grunted one more time.
The doctor held the baby in his hands. "Welcome to the world, little guy." The next thing everyone heard was the shrill cries as the baby took its first breath. He passed the child off to one of the staff.
Veronica lay back as Acxa wiped her sweaty face off with a cloth. "You're doing great."
Adam gazed at the doctor who shook his head. He perked up. Something was right about the man's posture. "What is it? What's wrong."
The doctor gazed at Adam. "The next one is breech. Now that this baby has some room, I'll need to turn it around, so it's coming out head first and not feet first." His gaze slid up to Veronica. "I'm going to warn you. This is going to be painful."
Shiro turned to Allura. "How about taking Sky to check on her baby brother."
Allura nodded as she gazed down at Sky. "Would you like to see your baby brother?"
Sky nodded. "Yes, he looked so tiny. I should make sure they're taking care of him." Allura walked out of the room with Sky by her side.
Veronica whined and closed her eyes as she grit her teeth. Both from the doctor and another contraction.
The doctor leaned back. "Okay, it's time for you to push again."
Veronica clamped her jaws together as her teeth ground together and bore down again.
"One more time."
Veronica gasped and gave one more push and flopped back on the bed.
The doctor held the baby. "Welcome to the world, little one." He gazed up as the baby took it's first breath and wailed. "It's a girl."
Veronica stuck up a finger at Adam. "Don't ever ask me to be a surrogate ever again. It won't happen."
Adam held up his hands. "I won't ask you."
She glared at everyone still in the room as she moved her hands at the Paladins, Shiro, and Adam. "Shoo, go bug the babies."
Pidge bounced as she walked alongside Shiro and Adam. "So, what are you going to name them?"
Adam grinned. "Well, we've been talking about that for a while. The boy I picked the name. Takashi Shirogane Jr. And the girl we're naming her Takaki Miranda West-Shirogane."
Lance perked up. "So she's going to have your name too, Adam?"
"Yes. I wanted both of them, but Takashi thought differently on that one."
Shiro chuckled. "It's not that I wanted him to be a junior, but I wanted Takaki to be named after my sister."
After all the excitement had settled down, Pidge left the Atlas, and a wormhole appeared to take her home. Allura was next, and she took Sky with her back to Altea though the little Balmeran didn't want to leave her new siblings behind. But she did go.
Keith and Lance stayed. The Red Paladin gazed down on the infants. "They're so cute. Maybe we could get Veronica to do the same for us."
Keith's eyes grew. "Are you insane? There is no way in hell that we are going to ask her to be our surrogate. She was ready to kill both you and Adam."
Lance chuckled. "She'll get over it."
Keith shook his head. "You know sometimes you're an idiot."
Lance stuck his tongue out at Keith. "And sometimes you're too cautious. Live a little, Keith."
"I won't go around your cousin."
Lance held his finger up to his lips. "Lower your voice. You're going to wake them up. Newborn's need as much sleep as they can get to grow."
"How do you know this?"
Lance put his hands on his hips. "My niece and nephew. Duh!"
Takaki began to squirm in her little bed. Lance reached down and picked her up. "You want to hold her?"
Keith held up his hands as he took a step backward. "No, I don't want to."
Lance grinned. "Are you scared?"
"Very. She's so tiny. I'll break her in two."
Lance shook his head. "No, you won't." He stepped forward and shoved her into Keith's arms. "Now, cradle her and support her with your arm."
Keith frowned as he gazed down at her. "Why did you give her to me?"
"So, I can bond with little Shiro."
Keith's eyebrow rose. "Little Shiro?"
Lance picked up the other baby. "Yeah, Little Shiro here. You've already got a brotherly bond with his dad."
"You're crazy."
Lance chuckled as he winked at Keith. "Like a fox."
A woman entered the room carrying two bottles. "Oh, I didn't know there were visitors." She passed the bottles off to both of the Paladins. "They should be ready to eat."
Lance took one of the bottles from her and grinned as Takashi took to it immediately. "Calm down there. You'll get gas."
Takaki was just as greedy.
Keith held Takaki mimicking Lance, who was now burping Takashi. "Uh, Lance, what is this smelly white stuff coming out of her mouth?"
"Oh, I knew there was something I forgot to tell you. Babies are greedy, and they usually eat more than what their stomachs can't handle, and it comes back out in the form of spit-up."
Keith frowned at the baby he held. "Great, now I'm going to smell like regurgitated milk."
Adam chuckled from behind them. "You're in good company then. Lance did it to me several times."
Keith placed Takaki back down into her improvised crib. "How long?"
A smirk pulled at the corner of Adam's mouth. "Long enough. But my real reason for being here is we got a message from Kolivan. He's sending the Avenger. He said there's a planet calling for aid near Epsilon Sigma six." Adam cocked an eyebrow. "What is Avenger?"
"The Blades new command ship. I commissioned it. Since I'm switching us over to a humanitarian aid group, we no longer need to send out small teams. Now we need bigger teams to help people."
"I'll let Takashi know. He might want to use the Atlas to help you out."
Lance turned and gazed at Adam as he held Little Shiro. "You got a couple of great kids here."
The two babies grew quick, and at eleven months, both were walking around. It seemed like nothing was going to stop them. That is until Lotor's nanny Dayak arrived. She was ready to give them lessons on how to be good Galra.
Hunk shook his head. "No, we don't do that with human children. That's just cruel."
Keith narrowed his eyes at her. "We talked about that. They won't be learning about the Galra way. Victory or Death no longer exists in the Galra vocabulary."
She turned to Hunk. "Then, you should teach me."
Dayak became an expert in rearing human children. Though at times, even Takashi and Takaki drove her up the wall. They were nearing their second birthday when Dayak approached Adam with both children on each of her hips.
She passed him one child and then the next one. "I'm sorry, but I need a break. These two just will not stay still long enough to take a nap."
"Did you try reading to them?"
Dayak nodded. "Yes, I read them their favorite books, and usually, they go to sleep, but not today."
"Okay, I'll take them for a while."
Several hours later, Adam was contacting Veronica. "Hey, Roni, you said you wanted to babysit."
"That was Sky. Not those two precious little darlings of yours. If you forgot, I carried them for nearly nine months. I'm not doing it again. And I don't do diapers. Contact me again once they're potty trained."
The screen went blank. "Now, what do I do?" He turned around to find Takashi and Takaki both jumping on his and Shiro's bed. He groaned as he slapped a hand to his face and let it slide down as high-pitched squeals from the twins reached him. "You two are just as bad as Lance and Roni."
Adam turned to Shiro. "Look, Takashi, I know you don't want to do it, but we both need to see him and get this worked out."
Shiro shook his head. "You can go if you want to, but seeing Slav is not my idea of fun."
"I know you have issues with him, but this is for the twins. Even Dayak is starting to complain that they're too much of a handful, and if we take them to the mess hall to give her a little break, they have to have somewhere to sit."
Shiro sighed. "Okay, but I'm only doing this because you do have a point."
Adam smiled. He held up the data chip in his hand. "Besides, Sam sent us these plans for the high chairs. All Slav has to do is follow them to his precise instructions."
Shiro frowned. "That's what I'm afraid of. He loves to make corrections on everything to make it more efficient."
"Don't worry. I'll be there with you all the way, and I won't let him make any changes to Sam's design."
Shiro shook his head as he muttered, "Famous last words."
Adam raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"
"Nothing. Let's get this over with."
Adam passed the data chip with the plans for the high chairs over to Slav, who, in turn, plugged it into his computer. The alien gazed at it, and after a few moments of considering everything in his brain, he turned his gaze to Adam and Shiro. "This is too simplistic. A child could do this."
Shiro's eye twitched. "Can you do it?"
"Of course, I can do it. But I could upgrade it and give them the power of flight so these twins, who I've never seen, could follow you anywhere."
Adam groaned. "Look, Slav. We don't want any modifications made. We want them made per Sam's specifications."
Slav nodded along with Adam's words, but then shrugged his shoulders. "But why?"
Shiro's face began to heat up as his face started turning red.
Slav held up all eight of his hands. "Okay, no modifications. Got it. But I still see ways to improve on the design."
Shiro ground his teeth together.
Adam placed his hand on Shiro's arm. "No improvements, either."
Slav glanced between Adam and Shiro, then his shoulders dropped. "Fine, no improvements, either."
Mealtimes onboard the Atlas became an adventure. Adam insisted that Shiro should be there for mealtime so the twins would experience what it was like being a family. However, the twins had other plans.
They were now teething and chewing on everything. Though most of their teeth were in now, though, they still left gnaw marks on furniture. The tables in the mess hall were a favorite target of theirs.
As the twins shared more time with their fathers, they began to understand that they were a family. They even spent one week out of a year on Altea, where the twins got to play with Sky.
But as twins, they were a couple of mischievous little devils. They had Coran wrapped around their little finger. But now they were around five-years-old. And life had one more jolt to give to Takashi and Adam.
Coran approached the family unit as they played on the grass with Shiro on the bottom of the child's dogpile. "Shiro, there's a communication for you in the Castle."
Shiro gazed up at Coran as he worked to extricate himself from the twins and Sky, was now twelve. "Thanks, Coran."
Adam grabbed Takashi and Takaki and held each one in his arms. "Man, you two are getting heavy." Both kids laughed.
Shiro, Adam, and Coran left the twins in Sky's care as they entered a communications area of the Castle. "I have both Shiro and Adam here for you, Sam."
"Great, thanks." Sam, who usually smiled at the pair, wasn't smiling today as he pushed his glasses up his nose.
Shiro gazed at Pidge's dad. "Sam, what's going on?"
"As you know, after Admiral Sanda's death, Admiral Sablan was promoted in her place. Well, he died this morning due to illness. The joint chiefs have decided that they want you to take over as Admiral of the Galaxy Garrison, effective immediately. And they would like Adam to take over as Captain of the Atlas."
Adam shook his head. "I'm sorry, Sam, but I can't accept. I go where Takashi and the kids go."
Sam nodded. "I told them that. And I also told them that Shiro would promote the most suitable person to Captain. They didn't like the idea, but they relented.." Sam paused as he gazed at Adam. "What will you do when you return to Earth."
"There's nothing to think about. I'll take up my old teaching position and help train new generations of Galaxy Garrison Cadets."
Shiro nodded. He, for one, liked the idea. "When will Pidge be arriving?"
Sam gazed off in the distance. "Later this evening. She's working on another project."
Shiro grinned. "Okay, I can't wait to see her and the other Paladins again."
Sam grinned in return. "I know she's looking forward to it." He craned his head as if someone were calling him. "Sorry, but I have to go." The screen went blank.
Adam turned toward Shiro. "You're up to something."
Shiro nodded and smiled. "Yeah, let's get married."
Adam's eyes bugged. "Are you sure? You want to do this finally, but where, when?"
"Here on Altea and in a few days."
Laughter reigned in the main dining room of the Castle of Lions. Shiro tapped his spoon against his glass, gaining everyone's attention. "I have an announcement to make."
Before he could speak again, Pidge blurted out, "Shiro is now the Admiral at the Galaxy Garrison."
Shiro chuckled, as a chorus of Congratulations from the others, met his ears. "I have another announcement to make. If Empress Allura allowed it, Adam and I would like to get married here on Altea."
Allura gazed at Shiro and Adam. "Allow it? Of course, I'll allow it. I insist on it!"
Thace chuckled. "I wondered what was taking you two so long."
Hunk with tears streaming down his cheeks, jumped up from his chair, toppling it over and ran around the table, and grabbed both Shiro and Adam in a giant hug. "I'm so happy for both of you." He turned to the twins and pointed at his face. "These are happy tears, not sad tears." He turned back to Shiro and Adam again. "I'm making a cake." He turned his head to a spluttering noise from the other side of the table. "No, offense Coran. But I'm going to make the most wonderful wedding cake that anyone has ever tasted."
Lance gazed around the table as he grinned. "So, Shiro, who's going to be your best man?"
Shiro didn't hesitate with his reply. "Keith."
Lance began to rise as his mouth dropped open.
Adam rolled his eyes. "Sit down, Lance. You can be my best man."
Lance placated began to sit down when he sprang up again and spread his arms out like an umpire declaring a base runner safe in a baseball game. "Wait a minute. Adam's parents should be here, as well as my family."
Shiro sighed. "I wanted a small wedding, Lance."
Allura nodded. "Shiro, Lance does have a point."
Adam frowned. "But Shiro's family is dead, other than the kids."
Thace shook his head. "No, not all of his family. Remember, he was adopted by Krolia. So she and Kolivan should be here too."
Lance eyed Keith for a minute. "Will you be able to give a speech. I know you did a great job with the Galra, but what about at the reception."
Keith craned his head toward Lance as he managed to choke out, "A speech? What would I say?"
Lance smiled back at Keith. "Whatever you want. As long as it comes from the heart."
Keith's face fell.
"We'll work on it."
Pidge piped up. "And my family should be here too."
Shiro frowned. But as he opened his mouth to say something, he was cut off by Coran.
"Shiro, baby. You're the hero. So pish posh on the small wedding. I'll contact the Bi-Boh-Bi's and get them to broadcast this all over the universe. This will be the wedding of the century."
Shiro and Adam both slapped their hand to their faces. This was turning out to be a giant production, something neither wanted.
Coran turned to set his plan into motion.
Allura stood. "Coran, no on the broadcast. I feel Adam and Shiro do deserve their privacy."
Coran's grin fell as his mustache drooped. "Yes, Empress."
Shiro turned to Coran. "I know you mean well, Coran, but we were hoping to have a small wedding that has grown a bit larger than we wanted. But I hope you understand that the universe doesn't need to be involved in it."
Takaki and Takashi both yawned.
Adam gazed at Allura. "I'm sorry, but we should go."
Allura nodded. "Yes, they need their sleep."
The day dawned, promising a beautiful day for the wedding without any Altean rock showers predicted in the weather report. Allura had arrived dropping off a couple of cute Altean dresses for Takaki and Sky, and a suit for Takashi.
Takaki squirmed as Adam tried to get her dressed. He sighed. "Why can't you sit still for two minutes so I can get this dress on you."
Takaki glared up at Adam. "I can do it!"
"Not without help, you can't."
A soft knock on the door caused Adam to turn. "Yes?"
The door slid open, and Sky stepped inside. "Do you need some help?"
Adam smiled at the twelve-year-old Balmeran. "Yes, your sister isn't cooperating."
"I'll take over, Dad."
"Thanks, sweetie." Adam pressed a kiss to Sky's cheek. "You've grown so much since we first adopted you."
Sky smiled back at Adam. "I'm excited. You and daddy Shiro getting married today, and we're going to Earth. I can't wait to see it." She glanced at the clock on the wall. "You need to hurry and get dressed."
Adam chuckled. "Thanks for keeping me on my toes."
"Oh, and dad, there's a man named Commander Holt looking for you."
"Thanks, again, Sky."
Adam walked down the hall toward his temporary quarters within the Castle of Lions. He saw Commander Holt approaching him. He groaned as his eyes landed on the bag the other man carried. Adam groaned. What had Colleen Holt done now?
Commander Holt waved. "Oh, Adam glad I caught you. Colleen heard about the wedding, and she insisted on having the Tuxedo's made."
Adam grinned. "She is sometimes a miracle worker. But I hope to stay on her good side. You know."
Sam chuckled. "Oh, I know." He passed the bag to Adam. His phone beeped, and he pulled it out of his pocket. "Pidge is texting, saying it's close to the time for the ceremony, and I need to get my seat."
"I'd better hurry."
Adam stuck his head out, gazing out of the central opening of the Castle. He inwardly groaned. At least half the Atlas crew were there, at least those he recognized. He caught Veronica playing with the twins. He sucked in a deep breath as Altean music filled the air. He placed his hand on his stomach as butterflies fluttered. This was it. He was finally getting married.
Lance appeared by his side wearing his white tux with a blue vest. "Are you ready?"
Adam sucked in a shaky breath. "As ready as I'll ever be."
"Shiro and Keith are waiting for us."
Adam's voice wavered as he gazed at Lance. "Let's go."
Lance gazed at him for a second. "I understand, you're nervous.
Adam nodded. "You just wait for your wedding. Let's see if you can hold it together."
Lance chuckled. "I'm the sharpshooter. Of course, I can hold it together. I'm Mr. Calm Under Pressure."
Adam nodded as a smirk pulled at his lips. "We'll see."
The pair stepped into the sunlight and strode down the aisle where all the guests sat.
Allura stood near a statue of her father. Her smile was serene as her eyes locked onto the pair, who joined Shiro and Keith. She cleared her throat. The guests and witnesses settled down.
"Friends, we are all gathered here today to witness the joining of Takashi Shirogane and Adam West. It is no small feat for even here on Altea we take our vows seriously as on Earth." She motioned her hands, and both Keith and Lance passed the rings they held to both Shiro and Adam.
Allura gazed at Adam. Who turned toward Shiro. He held his ring ready to place it on Takashi's finger. "Adam, do you promise to be there always for Shiro through sickness and health, and accept him totally, even his faults for the rest of his life?"
Adam nodded. "I do." He slid the ring on Shiro's ring finger.
Allura turned her gaze to Shiro. "Shiro, do you promise to be there always for Adam through sickness and health, and accept him totally, even his faults for the rest of his life?"
Shiro nodded. "I do."
"Then I pronounce you partners in life."
Shiro jerked back slightly as Adam eagerly pressed his lips to Shiro's. Shiro couldn't stop the slight smile that broke out behind the kiss as everyone observing the ceremony cheered. Although, pink dusted his cheeks as several wolf whistles broke out of the crowd.
They entered the Castle of Lions, and Allura led them to the ballroom. A large table sat along one side of the room. A fountain stood near the buffet table where the guests would file through. At the top of the fountain was a holographic image of Voltron, another table held the cake, and other tables were set up around what would probably be used as a dance floor.
The room was decorated with bouquets of Juniberry flowers. Streamers hung from the ceiling.
Adam and Shiro took the center seats with the twins and Sky. Keith sat on Shiro's side along with Krolia and Kolivan while Lance took place on the other side of Adam and Adam's parents. As Altean music began to play, Romelle and Tavo appeared and began setting down plates with food chosen by Hunk in front of the wedding party. They waited while the guests filed through the buffet line before eating.
Romelle leaned forward toward Adam and Shiro. "Is anything wrong with the food?"
Adam shook his head. "No, we figured we'd wait for everyone else before eating."
Romelle frowned. "Hunk said it was customary for the wedded partners to begin eating while everyone else sat down to eat."
Shiro smiled at Romelle. "Usually it is, but since this is a kind of blended Earth tradition and Altean traditions, we decided to wait. However," he raised his voice to be heard by the others at the table, "this is our decision, you don't have to deprive yourselves of Hunk's cooking."
Romelle smiled. "I have to agree. When it comes to food, Hunk is a genius,"
Once the guests were seated, Lance leaned back and snapped his fingers to get Keith's attention. Keith leaned back and stared back at the Red Paladin. "What?"
"It's time to give your speech!"
Keith grimaced. "Now?"
Lance nodded. "Now." He motioned over a sort of podium that stood by the wedding party's table.
Keith took a visible swallow as his face paled. He stood up and walked over to the podium. "Uhm, I have a few words I'd like to say."
The room quieted.
Keith cleared his throat as he took a breath, working to calm his nerves. Of course, he'd done an excellent job with the Galra, but this was different. This was his brother and now brother-in-law he was talking about. His voice cracked. "Shiro, uhm, Shiro is the closest person to a brother I have. I can't tell you how proud that I am of him today, becoming Adam's life partner and father to three children. I can tell you that he cares, he cares for everyone." Keith raised a glass. "I want to propose a toast to Shiro and Adam. May they have continued happiness for an exceedingly long time."
Lance held up his thumb and flashed Keith a big smile.
Keith turned to Krolia. "Mom? Would you like to say anything."
Krolia stood and took Keith's place. "I hadn't met Shiro yet when Keith and I were stranded in the Quantum Abyss. But he told me all about Shiro and how Shiro had cared for him and took him under his wing as Keith's father would have done had he not died when Keith was a child. But Shiro and Adam had something special that I saw first hand on the trip back to Earth. They love each other, and each will go out of their way to protect each other. And they are great parents."
Krolia took her place at the table.
Lance stood and walked to the podium. "Adam, I've known for all my life. He, just like Shiro, would give you the shirt off his back if it would help a person. But that's where Adam's generosity ends when it comes to his cousins. Let me tell you." He rubbed at the back of his head for a moment. Then he chuckled at his joke as everyone else laughed. "Throughout our journey in space, Adam was right there, making sure everyone was okay." Lance sobered. "There was the time he caught the Altean flu, and we thought he was going to die, but he defeated the odds and survived."
Lance turned to the former captain of the Atlas. "Shiro, you have a fighter there. So the only advice I can give you is to hang on to him tightly and never let him go." He hefted his glass. "To Adam and Shiro."
Adam's father was the last to take the podium. "When I heard from Lance that the two of you were getting married here, I was worried. But seeing and meeting all these people you have been with. I have to worry no longer. Shiro, you've made me a happy father by marrying my son today and gave me not one but three grandchildren." He turned his gaze on Shiro. "Welcome to the family." He raised his glass. "I wish you both a long life of happiness."
Adam and Shiro both drank to the toast. Adam got a glimpse past Shiro to see the twins with Coran approaching the Nunvil fountain. "I think we have a problem."
Shiro groaned.
Keith turned his gaze in the direction of the twins. "I'll get them."
"Not without help, you won't. I hear they're pretty mischievous."
Adam craned his head to the speaker and found Lance standing behind him. "You don't know the half of it. I've analyzed the Nunvil, and it does contain a mild alcoholic content, but I don't want the twins exposed to it."
Lance chuckled. "So, that's why it tastes like hot dog water and feet."
Adam kept his eyes on Lance and Keith as they got their hands on the twins. Takaki jumped into Keith's arms. He suspected she had a crush on her uncle. But Takashi screamed as Lance tried to grab him. But Lance caught the rambunctious five-year-old.
The two paladins brought the pair over to their parents.
Takaki gazed at Adam and Shiro. "Nunvil? Pweese?"
Adam shook his head. "No, no, Nunvil."
Shiro took Takashi and sat him down in his lap. Takashi gazed up at his father. "Pweese."
Shiro shook his head. "No, you're too young. Maybe when your about Lance's age when he first tried it."
Sky turned to Shiro. "When was that?"
"He was seventeen."
Takaki gazed at Adam as she tried to figure out the math. Both twins were smart. She frowned. "Twelve more years."
"Yes."
She pouted as she stuck her bottom lip out at him. "That's a long time."
The conversation continued as photos were taken, and the cake was cut. Shiro and Adam both seemed to take pleasure out of trying to smash a piece of cake in each other's faces.
The reception continued, but Shiro and Adam carried a tired out Takaki and Takashi to their rooms with Sky following. As they put the twins to bed, gazed at her parents. "When do we go to Earth?"
Shiro and Adam stepped out of the twin's bedroom and gazed at each other. Adam scratched the back of his head as he looked at his older daughter. "I hadn't thought about it. But we have to go back soon. Takashi has to take over as Admiral of the Garrison."
Sky bounced. Her excitement palpable in the room.
Shiro chuckled. "You should head off to bed yourself."
"I won't be able to sleep." Sky gazed at both of them. "Tell me some stories about Earth."
They spent part of the time telling Sky stories until she went willingly to bed. The rest of the night was their time, and they put it to good use.
Shiro and Adam had the kids ready to leave. They approached Allura and Thace. Shiro smiled as he stepped up to her. "Thank you for everything, Allura."
"You're leaving so soon?"
Shiro nodded. "Yes, we've got to head back to Earth, but first, as the new Admiral, I have to select staff to take back with me and promote a new captain for the Atlas."
Thace grinned. "Sounds like a lot of work. Will Sky be continuing her education here?"
Adam shook his head. "No, we're taking her back to Earth."
Allura smiled at them. "Will you be returning for the next reunion."
Shiro nodded. "Yes, we will. I'll make sure of it."
Allura embraced Shiro first, pressing her lips to his cheek and followed with Adam. "I'll look forward to that. Take care of yourselves and these adorable children." She hugged and pressed a kiss to Sky's cheeks. "Take care of your fathers'."
Sky grinned. "I will."
Lance and Keith appeared behind them, and before anyone could say anything, it seemed the pair were in some kind of argument. "Look, Keith, all I'm saying is that I want to go back home for a few days."
"Fine, you can go home, but I've got to make sure that everything is okay out there, and no one needs our aid."
Lance ran his hand through his hair. "You know you are making this more difficult than I expected."
Keith narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
Lance sighed as he looked away before bringing his eyes back to Keith's face. "I've been trying to find the perfect time, and it just never seems to happen. So, Keith, will you marry me?"
Keith gasped. "You're going to blurt it out like that?"
Shiro chuckled as he placed a hand on Keith's shoulder. "I think he's waiting on an answer."
Lance nodded as he gulped and croaked out, "Yeah."
Keith sighed, but then a small yet soft smile lit his face as his cheeks flushed red. "Yes, I will."
Lance's eyes bugged out as he almost forgot to breathe. "You-You will?"
Keith placed a hand on his hip. "I said I would."
Adam placed his hand on Lance's back and pushed. "You usually seal the deal with a kiss."
Allura chuckled. "Looks like I get to plan another wedding. Next year?"
Keith and Lance came up for air. Lance nodded. "Yeah," he replied with a sappy grin on his face.
Adam clapped Lance on the shoulder. "Good job, Loverboy Lance."
Shiro and Adam stepped on the bridge of the Atlas. Shiro wore his new uniform, which was similar to the captain's uniform. Only it had a higher collar with his rank showing. Everyone turned around, and then they jumped up and stood at attention.
Shiro took a breath. He pulled at his collar. "Guys, as you can see, I was promoted to Admiral of the Galaxy Garrison. So I have two slight problems. I need to take staff back with me to Earth, and I need to decide who will be the new Captain of the Atlas." He sighed. "You people have served me with distinction and grace under pressure for the last five years. But I have decided. I'm taking Commander Iverson, Veronica, and Hunk with me besides Adam back to Earth. The new Captain of the Atlas will be Curtis. Those coming with me need to pack up and be ready to leave the Atlas ASAP. Curtis, I need you to meet Adam and me in the conference room."
Sky pressed her nosed against the forward viewscreen of the shuttle as it flew from the Atlas toward Earth. "So, this is Earth?"
Adam nodded. "Yes, it is."
"It's so pretty."
Shiro nodded. "Yes, and it's now our home."
Sky grinned as she turned toward Adam and Shiro. "I can't wait. I'm going to be in the Galaxy Garrison when I grow up."
Adam chuckled. "You can be whatever you want to be."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Veronica giggled as she played with the twins. "You'll be great in whatever career path you choose."
Commander Iverson gazed at Shiro. "Whatever you do, Admiral, please don't put me in command of the school. I like kids, but I just don't have the temperament to train cadets anymore."
Shiro chuckled. "Don't worry, Mitch. You'll be bringing me reports along with Veronica. According to Sam, my new station is full of reports."
The pilot of the shuttle turned to Sky. "You need to take a seat now. We're entering the atmosphere."
Sky sat down, and before she knew it, the shuttle touched down on the tarmac at the Garrison.
They stepped out of the shuttle, and Adam and Shiro's booted feet touched down on the tarmac. Adam gazed at Shiro. "It's good to finally be home."
Shiro smiled. "Yes, it is."