It was the gentlest of courtships. True to her word, Lisbeth allowed Liara to set the pace without pushing. There were long walks, Beth's fingers twined with her own, or a strong arm lightly encircling her shoulders or waist.
Dinners, either in restaurants or at home, alone or with friends, talking together unhurriedly about the future of their daughter or the events in the lives of their former crewmates, the gentle brush of Shepard's thumb against her hand saying as clearly as any words that plans specific to the two of them could wait until Liara was ready, that Beth wasn't going anywhere.
Evenings curled up together on the couch, watching vids or slow-dancing in front of the fireplace to romantic music, Beth's arms around her, and Liara's head resting contentedly against the Commander's shoulder as they swayed together.
Nights spent spooned together, Beth's front to her back and the human's arm draped over the increasingly prominent swell of the asari's belly that did not seem to bother her in the slightest, tender but very nearly as chaste as siblings, with Liara wearing her nightgown and Beth her N7 tank top and shorts.
And the kisses. Goddess, the kisses!
Gentle expressions of affection when they were out and about: tender brushes of lips against her temple, her cheek, her mouth, always keeping within the bounds of propriety while never leaving any doubt as to the emotion behind them. Slow, deep kisses that grew steadily more heated as they twined together on the couch, the vid playing on the screen forgotten in their increasingly urgent explorations: tongues gliding and probing, teeth nipping and grazing, gasped breaths gusting against skin that prickled at the touch.
The kisses set Liara's blood on fire, left her aching for more, but Beth never touched her anywhere until Liara had first given permission, guiding her hands to where she desperately wanted them, and even with their clothes between them, those touches made her feel as though she might burst into flame.
Beth's hands gliding over her arms, her shoulders, moving up briefly to frame her face as they kissed, fingers slipping back to dance lightly against the ridges of her crest, sending sparks of pure sensation crackling down her spine to ignite a molten heat in her core. Her frustration when those talented and gentle hands left her crest shifting to anticipation as they found the curve of her breasts, sliding between their bodies to cup them before beginning to knead slowly, thumbs circling achingly sensitive nipples beneath the concealing fabric until Liara tipped her head back, panting, baring her throat to the velvet heat of her Commander's mouth as she buried her fingers in the silken tumble of raven hair, loving the way it felt as it flowed through her hands.
"Making out", Beth called it, and it felt so gloriously good that she couldn't help but want more, and she would straddle Lisbeth's hips, rocking and whimpering as those gentle hands moved over her hips, the swell of her stomach, then back to cup the curve of her ass, Beth's breath coming as hard and fast as Liara's and the need to meld, to consummate almost a physical imperative.
But then the memories would crash in, and the dreams, and melding meant not only that Beth would see what Feron had done to Liara; she would see that Liara dreamed about Lisbeth doing those same things to her. Her body would stiffen, arousal dashed away as if by a sudden dousing of ice water, and then she would crumple in defeat. But Beth never chastised her, or even showed any disappointment; no matter how flushed and aroused, her touches would shift in an instant from erotic to comforting, and she would cuddle the asari, murmuring reassurances and wiping away her frustrated tears. Each time, it seemed that they got a bit further, but that only seemed to make the crashes that much harder and more frustrating.
By unspoken consent, the bed was reserved for sleeping and cuddling. Liara had been sharing Beth's bed since a few days after her return, and if it did not completely banish the nightmares, it meant that she had immediate comfort when she did awake from one, Beth always seeming to know instinctively just how long to give her space and time to come back to herself and when to close the distance between them for a tender embrace. Going to sleep and waking up with Shepard's arms around her was beyond wonderful, but she could still not stop yearning for that more that she knew was possible.
Liara woke with a gasp, heart pounding and an unfulfilled ache throbbing between her legs. The clouds that had been gathering at dusk had made good on their promise: rain rattled against the windows in a steady downpour, accompanied by low rumbles of thunder and flickers of lightning behind the drawn blinds.
"Bad dream?" She could feel Beth behind her, keeping her distance, waiting to be sure that her touch would not trigger panic.
She shook her head. "No," she managed, her voice thick with sleep and desire. "A good one." So very good. Untainted by darkness, it had been a minor miracle, if it had only gone on a bit longer ...
Beth shifted closer, the length of her body pressing against Liara's from behind, one arm draped over the swell of her pregnant belly. "Was I in it?" she wanted to know.
"Yes," Liara breathed. "We were … making love." There had been no fear, no sudden twist into sadistic torment. Only she and Lisbeth, naked and moving together with love and desire and a steadily rising passion, and Goddess, she had been so close!
Shepard was silent for a long moment, and Liara realized that she could feel the Commander's heart beating rapidly against her back, realized that her bedmate had likely heard whatever sounds she had made when she was dreaming. Perhaps the thought should have embarrassed her, but instead it quickened her own pulse still more and intensified the ache of arousal. Slowly, carefully, the hand on her belly shifted to her hip, and Liara felt her breath catch.
"Beth," she whispered and stopped, caught between fear and desire.
"We don't have to meld," Beth murmured in a husky voice, lips brushing against her aural folds, along her neck. "Just let me make you feel good, Lia. Please, love, let me finish what I started in the dream."
The hand on her hip didn't move, wouldn't unless she gave her consent, but the heat from that simple touch seemed to burn through the thin cloth of her nightgown and dance along her skin. She nodded wordlessly, found her voice. "Yes. Yes, Beth … please."
She tipped her head back against Shepard's shoulder as Beth slid her hand lower, slipping beneath the hem of the gown and brushing briefly over the skin of her thighs before moving upward again, nudging aside her underwear and -
"Oh!" The first gentle brush of fingers made her shudder, hips rocking in an instinctive need for more contact. Beth slipped her free arm beneath the asari, pressing slow, wet kisses along her neck and shoulder as her leg hooked around Liara's, gently spreading her wider.
"That's it," Shepard breathed tenderly in between kisses. "That's it, baby. I've got you. You're safe." So very soft and slow, the fingers brushed through the drenched folds: up, down, up again and then, Goddess, inside, filling her so gently, so completely, so perfectly, pressing in and withdrawing, again and again, slow and deep in a cadence that Liara matched, breathless little cries all that she could manage as the simmering arousal from the dream flared into an inferno that consumed her with a speed that she had never experienced.
She cried Beth's name aloud as she shattered, her hands gripping Shepard's wrist, holding tight as she bucked hard against the delicious thrust of those fingers, taking them deeper, harder, waves of ecstasy rolling through her, and her body demanding more, and more still until her climax subsided at last, leaving her panting and trembling as she sagged back against Beth, stunned by the sheer intensity of her release.
There were tears on her cheeks, but Beth's lips gently brushed them away, and when she tried to speak, Shepard silenced her with a kiss. "Hsssh. I love you, Lia," she whispered when their lips parted. "I love you so much."
She felt a pang of loss as Beth withdrew her fingers, but strong arms encircled her as Shepard continued to whisper endearments. Her body afloat in a sea of endorphins, cradled by a gentle embrace and tender words, Liara drifted into sleep to the sounds of the storm outside and the feel of her lover's steady heartbeat.
When Liara woke the next morning, she was alone in the bed. That was not unusual; Lisbeth was usually the first to rise, and the soft clatter from the kitchen confirmed that she was holding to her morning routine and preparing breakfast.
The storm had blown itself out during the night, and the glow of sunrise was visible at the edges of the blinds. Liara rolled onto her back and stretched, luxuriating in the soft sheets and the memory of the previous night. It had been so very beautiful, and utterly unlike anything that she had ever experienced, even in the early days with Feron. Gentle, tender and focused completely upon Liara and her pleasure. Just thinking about it now made her heart speed up and her mouth go dry. She brushed her hands up over the curve of her belly to her breasts, remembering Shepard's touch.
Goddess.
She floundered out of the bed, feeling Hannah stirring to wakefulness. A tiny foot kicked once, but when Liara touched her mind reassuringly, she settled, the developing mind radiating contentment. She reached for her robe, then hesitated; Lisbeth's N7 hooded jacket hung from a hook on the wall. After another moment of indecision, she stripped down and put the jacket on, grimacing as she zipped it up over her ridiculously swollen abdomen. She stood in front of the mirror, studying herself, trying to ignore the dismayed voice that protested that she looked grotesque. Lisbeth seemed to find her pregnant body quite arousing, and the jacket displayed it well, though it barely covered the curve of her ass. In the kitchen, she found Beth at the stove, back to her as she laid bacon on a hot skillet.
"Good morning," she said softly, pausing in the doorway, apprehension fluttering in her chest.
"Good morning," Lisbeth responded cheerfully, glancing back at her. "I hope you're -" The glance became a double-take, then an open-mouthed stare, the desire flaring to life in the dark eyes plain even at a distance. Liara crossed to her quickly, pulling her into a fierce kiss. There was a brief clatter as the skillet was moved off the burner, and then Liara found herself being lifted to the top of the counter, her legs nudged apart and Beth moving to stand between them, kissing her with a fervor that would likely have rendered her knees incapable of supporting her.
"I love you, Beth," she murmured when they finally came up for air. "And I want you. I want us." She caught Lisbeth's hand, guided it beneath the hem of her jacket to the curve of her hip. "But I'm afraid."
"I know. Don't be." Beth kissed her again, gently this time. "I can wait until you're ready," she began, but Liara shook her head vehemently.
"I'm tired of waiting," she protested. "I'm ready now." Her fingers moved over the smooth skin of Beth's arms and shoulders, feeling the lithe muscle beneath, drinking in the contrast of its warm caramel hue with the white of the tank top. She had never seen Beth naked; she nudged the strip of material at the shoulder aside and leaned forward to press her open mouth to the skin there, the faint tang of sweat against her tongue. Beth groaned softly, her fingers gripping Liara's bare thighs, and then her mouth was at the asari's throat, breath hot on her skin as teeth grazed and a skilled tongue flickered. She wrapped her legs around Shepard's waist, ankles locking together, and for several fiery moments, she was sure that Beth would make love to her right here on the kitchen counter.
Instead, Shepard drew back slightly, breathing hard and face flushed. "You're sure?" she asked, and Liara knew that even now, Beth would restrain herself; it made Liara want her all the more.
"Goddess, yes!" she breathed. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life." She tangled her fingers into the dark hair, pulling Shepard into another kiss. "Make love to me, Beth," she whispered when they parted. "Please."
"Yes." Beth's arms slipped around her, lips nuzzling along the line of her jaw, then lower, and she tipped her head back, the last remnants of her fears almost drowned out by the desire surging through her. "God, yes." The collar of the hoodie was nudged aside, and the kisses trailed the curve of her collarbone, then stilled. "Not just yet, though."
Confusion and disappointment lanced through the arousal, but when Beth lifted her head, the look in the brown eyes: tender humor and a smoldering promise, reassured Liara even before she spoke. "I'd better feed you breakfast first," Shepard said, one hand moving to splay over the curve of the asari's belly, "because once I get you into that bed, there's no telling when I'll let you go."