Miranda couldn't help but feel giddy over the news of Liara's pregnancy, but decided to give her space. If what Shepard told her was true, it was best to let things cool off for a few days. Miranda spent most of her time in the med bay nursing her broken rib's. Dr. Chakwas said she would make a full recovery and just needed plenty of rest. Miranda felt grateful that her sister was around to help pass the time.
Things felt different on the Normandy. The new crew wasn't as friendly and had less than pleasant words to say about her under their breath. The sooner they docked at the citadel the better. She needed to pick up supplies and had plans to contact Jacob. Last she heard he was doing well and holding out with a human colony. Perhaps one of the few safe holds left.
When they were finally at the Citadel Miranda couldn't help but smile watching her sister run into various stores. She never had the pleasure to do such things growing up. Her nanny would do all her shopping. Her mind started to wonder what it would be like going shopping with her daughter's. She wasn't even sure she would live long enough to experience such things with them. Her sister snapped her from her thoughts and Miranda tried her best to hide how she was really feeling.
They eventually went to a food court and grabbed some drinks. Miranda sipped her tea and her sister chuckled. "Soo, are you going to go talk to that asari you've been watching on the balcony?"
Miranda arched a brow. "Oh? Is that who I'm watching?"
"Sis please,"Oriana replied. "I'm just as smart as you are."
"Fair enough," Miranda said. She leaned back slightly in deep thought and decided to be honest. Her only family had the right to know. "That asari is Liara T'soni. We're having a child."
Oriana just stared at her for a moment then squealed. A group near by shot her an odd look and she covered her face apologizing. Miranda laughed. "Well that wasn't the reaction I was expecting."
"Sis, are you telling me I'm going to be the aunt to a cute little asari?" Oriana said and bounced in place.
Miranda shrugged. "If we make it out of this alive."
Oriana swatted her playfully. "Will you stop being so negative? And why are you still sitting here? Go talk to your lady!" Oriana said making a fist.
"She's not -" Miranda stopped mid sentence and stood up. "Fine then."
Miranda approached Liara slowly. She stopped walking for a moment and just watched her. Liara did seem like a lighter shade of blue or maybe it's the way the light is hitting her. She looked beautiful. It hit Miranda that she would be the one to carry her legacy for thousands of years.
Liara turned her head slightly and smiled. "I was starting to think you would be down there for the remainder of the day."
"And miss all the fun up her -" Miranda was cut off by Liara running over and hugging her. She stood there awkwardly with her hands in the air. Miranda's body relaxed when Liara stroked her hair.
"I was so afraid we lost you," Liara whispered.
"Liara..." Miranda muffled into her neck.
Liara stepped back sheepishly and cleared her throat. "I wanted to apologize for bugging you. I just – I..."
Miranda lifted her hand and stopped her from speaking. She scooped her hand's into her own. "It's okay Liara. You saved my life and I bugged you too."
"What?" Liara stepped back and looked over herself. "Where?"
Miranda's eye's shifted away for a moment before she replied. "What matter's is Ori is safe because of you. My funds are tight right now, but if you have any request of me Liara, I'm yours."
Liara nodded. She moved in closer to Miranda and looked into her eye's.
"Don't leave." Liara whispered.
Miranda felt her heart tighten, She had loved many in the past, but this was different. She wasn't sure how to describe it, but Miranda would do anything to keep the woman in front of her safe. Liara is so close now she can feel her breath on her lip's. Sadly, they are interrupted by the sound of Shepard's voice coming through Miranda's Omni tool.
"Hey Miranda, the council wants to speak with us."
Miranda sighed and glanced over to Liara. "Can it wait V? I'm in the middle of something."
"Meet me at c-sec."
Miranda groaned to herself. This was important. Liara rested a hand on her arm. "We can continue this later."
Miranda smiled. Before she walked away she kissed her on the cheek.
Miranda looked over herself in her new alliance uniform. It fit similar to her Cerberus one, but black with gold trim. To say this was unexpected was an understatement. As a reward for the information she stole from her father's base the council reinstated her to the Normandy. They also offered to clear her name for any of Cerberus's rogue activity if she succeeded in helping Shepard defeat the reapers.
Miranda groaned quietly as she fell in stride next to Shepard. The commander grinned and nudged her shoulder. "Good to have you back Miranda."
"I'm sure your crew will be ecstatic," Miranda replied.
Shepard chuckled and tried her best to reassure her that everything will be fine. When they entered the Normandy V called for a meeting with the crew in the briefing room. There were a few disgruntled groans after Shepard informed them who their new second in command was going to be.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Jack's voice barked out from the group. "They are really giving the Cerberus bitch another chance?"
Some fresh graduates who volunteered near Jack started laughing. Miranda Leaned back and crossed her arms. "Classic Jack, Would it kill you to behave like an adult for 10 minutes?"
"Would it kill you to not be a bitch for 5?" Jack shot back. Shepard stepped between them and told Jack to knock it off. She warned her if she continued to insult her second in command she would be off her ship. Jack scoffed. "Whatever," She stepped into Miranda's space before she spoke again. "Don't expect any ass kissing from me cheerleader."
Miranda watched her leave with her student's and rolled her eye's. "Literally wouldn't dream of it Jack."
Miranda didn't notice Liara was apart of the group until she stepped forward and rested a hand on her shoulder. It surprised her how such a simple gesture put her at ease. "Jack Just needs to cool off," Liara said. "I'll have a word with her. Welcome aboard Miranda."
Miranda smiled slowly and held her gaze. "Thank you Liara."
The sound of medical equipment flooded Miranda's ear's making it hard for her to think. Frantically, she ran door to door searching for anyone that could help her. Where are the doctor's? Where is Liara? She spotted a nurse behind a counter and felt relieved. Miranda hurried over and tried to grab her attention, but the woman ignored her. She slammed her fist onto the desk. "Are you deaf woman? I need to find Liara T'soni! She's -"
Miranda is cut off as a door near her slowly opened. She walked through slowly, each step felt heavier than the first. When she saw Liara her heart sank. Something is wrong. She refused to look at her and kept apologizing over and over. Miranda ran to her side trying to understand the situation. That's when she finally saw them. The lifeless child in her arms.
Miranda slowly backed away from the bed. She felt like she was going to be sick. She lifted her hands and held her head. "No.. No!"
Miranda shot up in bed breathing heavily, her nude body covered in sweat. Miranda tried to steady her breathing, but it all felt so real. Too real. She flinched when she felt a warm hand on her back.
"It's okay Miri," Liara coaxed. "You're safe."
Miranda inhaled deeply a few more times before she relaxed. She leaned into Liara and focused on the quiet hmm of the ship.
Liara kissed her shoulder slowly before she spoke. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Miranda glanced over to her, then looked down. "What if you made a mistake?"
"What?" Liara said confused.
Miranda reached back and rested her hand over her stomach. "What if my DNA hurts her?"
Liara laced their fingers together over her stomach. "Miri, our daughter will be the best of both of us. We just have to have faith."
Miranda wanted to believe that, but she could still see the small lifeless asari so clearly. Liara pulled her down onto the bed with her and snuggled into her chest. Miranda released a content sigh.
All they can do is hope.
A/N: Ty for reading! I hope it's not too awful
