Shepard and Thane had discussed plans long into the night, many nights. They wanted a private ceremony, as much because Thane wanted to keep the galaxy from knowing Commander Shepard had married a member of another species as because Juniper wanted to keep this for herself, and a few close friends. So that left the usual options for officiants pretty much out of reach.
Thane had suggested that Shepard herself, as a Spectre and captain of the Normandy, could just pronounce them married, but that wasn't what she wanted. She wanted the formal ceremony, conducted by someone who could pronounce it all legal.
So, naturally, they ended up on Tuchanka.
"Shepard, this is … weird," Wrex had told her over vid-chat when she'd asked him to marry them. "I mean, you're part of my krantt, so I'll do it, but … it's weird."
"I know, Wrex, but I'll owe you one."
"One? You'll owe me a keg! I mean, yeah, my pleasure."
"You're the best."
So they landed on Tuchanka, just the small core group—Thane and Shepard, Garrus, Tali, Joker, Miranda, Jack, Grunt, Kasumi, Daniels and Donnelly, Mordin, Dr. Chakwas, and Liara, who had met them there, as had Kolyat with Captain Bailey to keep an eye on him. It meant so much to Thane that his son had been willing to come. Kolyat spent most of his time watching his father with unreadable eyes, but he was polite when he spoke. Thane said quietly to Shepard, later, that it was more than he had imagined possible and he was content.
The other krogan gave them all a fairly wide berth—this many aliens landing on Tuchanka made them nervous, and they were especially unhappy to see the salarian and the turian walking freely on their planet. But Wrex's glare kept them all back, as did Grunt's determined presence constantly at the side of either Garrus or Mordin.
"Shepard. I've, uh … yeah. I got something for you. Wasn't sure if you needed it, but— It was his fault." Wrex glared at Garrus.
If she hadn't known better, Shepard would have sworn Wrex was blushing. "If the two of you each had a hand in this, it can't be anything good," she said, glaring at them both. "You didn't get me a krogan stripper, did you?"
Garrus chuckled, and Wrex guffawed. "Hell, Shepard, half my clan is ready to strip down for you. The human Spectre who stood by her kroganling and took down a thresher maw? You say the word."
She looked at Thane, reaching for his hand. "I'm good, thanks."
"All right, then, Shepard, if you insist. Wrex?" Garrus gestured to the krogan, who handed Shepard a small box. "I didn't mean to overstep," Garrus continued, "but I understand certain things are part of the best man's job, and I didn't think you had managed this one yet."
Shepard opened the box to see two thin, flat rings of a dark, dull metal. "This is Tuchankan ore," Wrex explained. "Hammered flat, it's durable. Last you three lifetimes. Krogan lifetimes." He looked at Thane, and then at Shepard, and cleared his throat. "Yeah. Also, thin enough not to get in the way of a gauntlet."
"It also molds itself to the nearest heat source, so it should shape itself to your finger," Garrus added.
Shepard hugged them both. "Thank you."
Thane bowed formally, but Shepard could tell he, too, was touched by the gesture, and its thoughtfulness. She knew he had only ever worn his ring for Irikah when he was on Kahje, because otherwise it got in the way of his work. He believed Kolyat had it now, although he had not asked. But this one he could wear and still be able to work, she thought, putting aside the reality that he was unlikely to be doing any more work. He'd had another spell on the Normandy just a couple of days ago. The time was still measured in months, but it was shortening rapidly.
"Let's get to it, then," Wrex said, clearing his throat again. "The bunch of you are terrible for my reputation."
"Look at it this way—it's something no other krogan clan leader has ever done."
"Or ever will again, no doubt," Garrus added.
"You can say that again. Look, Shepard, krogan like fighting."
"You also like eating and drinking, and we brought enough food to feed your clan for a month," Shepard pointed out.
"And we'd like to get to that. So let's get this started."
It wasn't quite the wedding of a little girl's dreams. There was no white dress, no flowers, since nothing grew on Tuchanka, no music unless you counted the growling of the caged fighting varren. But there were her friends gathered around her, watching with expressions that ranged from weeping (Liara) to good-humoredly contemptuous (Jack) … and there was Thane, waiting for her, his black eyes filled with the depth of his emotion. And at the end of the day, that was all Shepard needed, or wanted.
She and Thane looked expectantly at Wrex, who cleared his throat. "Yeah. Uh, I've got no idea how this goes for krogan, much less for humans or drell, so … these two want to get married. I've got no objection. Any one else got one?" He looked around with an expression that said he wouldn't appreciate an interruption. "Good. You got the rings?" he asked Garrus, who produced them. Wrex handed one to Thane and one to Shepard. "So, say something. Make some promises."
Shepard went first, having planned just what she wanted to say. "Thane, you came into my life unexpectedly, but just when I needed you. You've taught me so much about myself, about life, about taking each moment as it comes. I love you." She didn't add, as she slid the ring onto his finger, that this was the first thing she had ever wanted for herself since the shuttle took off from Mindoir and she left that life behind, but he knew.
"Juniper. Siha. You awakened me from my battle sleep when I thought the universe had nothing more to offer me—nor I it. You showed me I was wrong, that I still had value and a purpose, and you made me whole again. I love you now, and I will love you for an eternity from the other side of the sea." His voice hoarsened and cracked on the last words, and as soon as the ring was on her finger Juniper gripped his hand tightly, not wanting ever to let go.
Wrex had to clear his throat a lot before he could speak again. Liara was sniffling behind Shepard, and Garrus's eyes were suspiciously bright over Thane's shoulder.
"Yeah. Nice." Wrex cleared his throat again, wiping his eyes for good measure. "Damned dust. So, these two are married, and anyone who says otherwise will have to deal with me. All right? All right."
And that was it. But it was enough. And the party that followed was raucous and joyous and everything Shepard could have asked for.